bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bladder irrigation with povidone‐iodine prevent recurrent urinary tract infections in neurogenic bladder patients on clean intermittent catheterization
Authors: Moussa Mohamad , Chakra Mohamed Abou , Papatsoris Athanasios G. , Dellis Athanasios , Dabboucy Baraa , Fares Youssef 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAimsTo determine if daily povidone‐iodine (PI) bladder irrigation in neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) patients doing clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) can reduce the rate of symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTIs), emergency department (ED) visit for UTIs, and hospitalization for UTIs.MethodsWe prospectively reviewed the records of patients with NLUTD on CIC who had recurrent symptomatic UTIs and who were placed on daily intravesical instillations of PI. This trial was conducted from January 2014 to January 2020 on 119 patients.ResultsAfter using daily PI bladder irrigation, the rate of symptomatic UTIs was reduced by 99.2% (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 0.008, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.001–0.059; p < .001), the rate of ED visits was reduced by 99.2%% (IRR: 0.008, 95% CI: 0.001–0.059; p < .001), and the rate of inpatient hospitalizations for UTI was reduced by 99.9% (IRR: 0.0008, 95% CI: 0.0002–0.0035; p < .001). There was also a significant decrease in multidrug resistance in UTI organisms with the use of PI bladder instillation.ConclusionsDaily intravesical PI instillation is a well‐tolerated approach to prevent UTIs and related ED visits and hospitalizations in NLUTD patients doing CIC.
Readability of English and Spanish forms of two adaptive behavior rating scales
Authors: Wickerd Garry , Tremblay Sarah 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAdaptive behavior rating scales are widely used assessments that ask teachers and parents to rate how well students care for themselves, interact with others, and exhibit practical and academic skills. While adaptive rating scales have yielded reliable and valid results, it is unclear how the readability of the rating forms may impact the results, especially for parents who may have lower literacy levels. Using three readability indices—the Flesch Reading Ease for English, the Fernández Huerta for Spanish, and the Automated Reading Index for both English and Spanish—the readability of the English and Spanish parent/caregiver forms of the Vineland‐3 and ABAS‐3 was assessed. Results indicated that the reading grade level equivalent of the English and Spanish versions of the ABAS‐3 was on average greater than the recommended sixth grade level. In contrast, the readability of the Spanish and English versions of the Vineland‐3 was on average sixth grade level and below. Based on these results, when using parent/caregiver adaptive behavior rating forms, school psychologists should take precautions to ensure valid results by ascertaining parent/caregiver reading proficiency, providing additional explanations as permitted by the assessment protocols, and using alternative interview forms provided by publishers as needed.
The in vitro structure and functions of the disordered late embryogenesis abundant three proteins
Authors: Singh Karamjeet K. , Graether Steffen P. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractLate embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are produced during seed embryogenesis and in vegetative tissue in response to various abiotic stressors. A correlation has been established between LEA expression and stress tolerance, yet their precise biochemical mechanism remains elusive. LEA proteins are very rich in hydrophilic amino acids, and they have been found to be intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) in vitro. Here, we perform biochemical and structural analyses of the four LEA3 proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtLEA3). We show that the LEA3 proteins are disordered in solution but have regions with propensity for order. All LEA3 proteins were effective cryoprotectants of LDH in the freeze/thaw assays, while only one member, AtLEA3‐4, was shown to bind Cu2+ and Fe3+ ions with micromolar affinity. As well, only AtLEA3‐4 showed binding and a gain in α‐helicity in the presence of the membrane mimic dodecylphosphocholine (DPC). We explored this interaction in greater detail using 15N‐heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) nuclear magnetic resonance, and demonstrate that two sets of conserved motifs present in AtLEA3‐4 are involved in the interaction with the DPC micelles, which themselves gain α‐helical structure.
Pharmacological inhibition of STAT3 by BP‐1‐102 inhibits intracranial aneurysm formation and rupture in mice through modulating inflammatory response
Authors: Jiang Zhixian , Huang Jiaxin , You Lingtong , Zhang Jinning , Li Bingyu 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAs an inhibitor of STAT3, BP‐1‐102 can regulate the inflammation response caused by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by inhibiting the JAK/STAT3/NF‐κB pathway, thereby attenuating the symptoms of intracranial aneurysm (IA). IA mouse model was established by stereotactic injection of elastase to evaluate the effect of BP‐1‐102. The expression levels of smooth muscle markers and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were detected by qRT‐PCR, and the levels of inflammatory factors were detected by ELISA and qRT‐PCR. The protein levels of the NF‐κB signaling pathway factors were examined by Western blot. BP‐1‐102 reduced blood pressure in aneurysm mice, up‐regulated smooth muscle cell markers MHC, SMA, and SM22, and down‐regulated the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 in vascular tissues. At the same time, BP‐1‐102 also down‐regulated the expression levels of inflammatory response factors and the NF‐κB pathway proteins. In the IA model, BP‐1‐102 can reduce the expression of inflammatory factors and MMPs bound to NF‐κB by inhibiting the activation of the JAK/STAT3/NF‐κB pathway proteins, and then restore the vascular wall elastin to reduce blood pressure, thereby treating aneurysm.
Assessing efficacy in important subgroups in confirmatory trials: An example using Bayesian dynamic borrowing
Authors: Best Nicky , Price Robert G. , Pouliquen Isabelle J. , Keene Oliver N. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAssessment of efficacy in important subgroups – such as those defined by sex, age, race and region – in confirmatory trials is typically performed using separate analysis of the specific subgroup. This ignores relevant information from the complementary subgroup. Bayesian dynamic borrowing uses an informative prior based on analysis of the complementary subgroup and a weak prior distribution centred on a mean of zero to construct a robust mixture prior. This combination of priors allows for dynamic borrowing of prior information; the analysis learns how much of the complementary subgroup prior information to borrow based on the consistency between the subgroup of interest and the complementary subgroup. A tipping point analysis can be carried out to identify how much prior weight needs to be placed on the complementary subgroup component of the robust mixture prior to establish efficacy in the subgroup of interest. An attractive feature of the tipping point analysis is that it enables the evidence from the source subgroup, the evidence from the target subgroup, and the combined evidence to be displayed alongside each other. This method is illustrated with an example trial in severe asthma where efficacy in the adolescent subgroup was assessed using a mixture prior combining an informative prior from the adult data in the same trial with a non‐informative prior.
A Bayesian adaptive design for biosimilar trials with time‐to‐event endpoint
Authors: Belay Sheferaw Y. , Mu Rongji , Xu Jin 
Published: January 2021

AbstractA biosimilar drug is a biological product that is highly similar to and at the same time has no clinically meaningful difference from licensed product in terms of safety, purity, and potency. Biosimilar study design is essential to demonstrate the equivalence between biosimilar drug and reference product. However, existing designs and assessment methods are primarily based on binary and continuous endpoints. We propose a Bayesian adaptive design for biosimilarity trials with time‐to‐event endpoint. The features of the proposed design are twofold. First, we employ the calibrated power prior to precisely borrow relevant information from historical data for the reference drug. Second, we propose a two‐stage procedure using the Bayesian biosimilarity index (BBI) to allow early stop and improve the efficiency. Extensive simulations are conducted to demonstrate the operating characteristics of the proposed method in contrast with some naive method. Sensitivity analysis and extension with respect to the assumptions are presented.
Erythropoietin in bone homeostasis—Implications for efficacious anemia therapy
Authors: Lappin Katrina M. , Mills Ken I. , Lappin Terence R. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Bone homeostasis and hematopoiesis are irrevocably linked in the hypoxic environment of the bone marrow. Erythropoietin (Epo) regulates erythropoiesis by binding to its receptor, Epor, on erythroid progenitor cells. The continuous process of bone remodeling is achieved by the finely balanced activity of osteoblasts in bone synthesis and osteoclasts in bone resorption. Both osteoblasts and osteoclasts express functional Epors, but the underlying mechanism of Epo-Epor signaling in bone homeostasis is incompletely understood. Two recent publications have provided new insights into the contribution of endogenous Epo to bone homeostasis. Suresh et al examined Epo-Epor signaling in osteoblasts in bone formation in mice and Deshet-Unger et al investigated osteoclastogenesis arising from transdifferentiation of B cells. Both groups also studied bone loss in mice caused by exogenous human recombinant EPO-stimulated erythropoiesis. They found that either deletion of Epor in osteoblasts or conditional knockdown of Epor in B cells attenuates EPO-driven bone loss. These findings have direct clinical implications because patients on long-term treatment for anemia may have an increased risk of bone fractures. Phase 3 trials of small molecule inhibitors of the PHD enzymes (hypoxia inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors [HIF-PHIs]), such as Roxadustat, have shown improved iron metabolism and increased circulating Epo levels in a titratable manner, avoiding the supraphysiologic increases that often accompany intravenous EPO therapy. The new evidence presented by Suresh and Deshet-Unger and their colleagues on the effects of EPO-stimulated erythropoiesis on bone homeostasis seems likely to stimulate discussion on the relative merits and safety of EPO and HIF-PHIs.
Simultaneous quantification of 12 phytoconstituents in the different marketed formulation of Manasamitra Vatakam by high‐performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method
Authors: Srikalyani Vemuri , Ilango Kaliappan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractManasamitra Vatakam a classical formulation texted in Sahasrayogam selected for the quantification of possible chemical constituents present in available four marketed preparations. An effective, validated, and comprehensive liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous quantification of 12 phytoconstituents namely; Berberine, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, Vitexin, Rutin, Myricetin, Andrographolide, Naringenin, Kaempferol, Apigenin, Piperine, and Galangin present in the formulation. The compounds were analyzed using Quadrupole analyzer for determination and photo diode array identification was used as a confirmatory tool. The elution process was executed on Agilent Eclipse C18 column with solvent system of 0.1% acetic acid solution and methanol with gradient elution and flow rate purged at 0.8 mL min–1. The calibration curves of the analytes showed good linearity with r2 ≥ 0.99. The method was validated as per ICH guidelines and parameters were found within the permissible limits. The content of the markers identified were quantified for all the four formulations. Of all the markers identified berberine was found to be in larger quantity, i.e., 129.1–216.8 μg/mg and andrographolide was quantified with least content, i.e., 3.3–7.8 μg/mg. In conclusion, the developed method provides best fit for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of phytoconstituents and thus provide a rapid tool for determination in divergent ayurvedic formulations.
Interfacial properties of CFRP sheets and concrete subjected to variable amplitude fatigue loading
Authors: Yuan Hong , Luo Guangyun , Liu Chang , Zeng Lan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn order to better understand the interfacial fatigue behavior of concrete and fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP), bending fatigue tests were conducted on plain concrete beams strengthened with carbon FRP (CFRP) sheets under variable amplitude cyclic loading which deteriorates structural performance in actual projects more dramatically than constant amplitude loading. The test parameters were four types of loading modes including static loading, constant amplitude cyclic loading, alternating amplitude cyclic loading and incremental amplitude cyclic loading. Miner damage rule, modified Miner damage rule and Corten‐Dolan cumulative damage rule were used to predict the fatigue life of specimens. The relationship between loads and deflections, the relationship between strains and cycle times and the crack propagation were analyzed. The results have shown that the fatigue life of specimens under variable amplitude cyclic loading, especially alternating one, is shorter than that of specimens under constant one, and the modified Miner damage rule is more suitable to predict fatigue life. The crack lengths on the lateral faces of beams recorded by digital image correlation (DIC) method developed more slowly than those at the bottom sides recorded by strain gauges. A proposed damage model describing the relationship between the crack lengths and fatigue life for specimens under alternating amplitude fatigue loading is consistent with the experimental results well.
Effects of predamage and load cyclic on compression behavior of fiber reinforced polymer‐confined concrete
Authors: Cao Yu‐Gui , Hou Can , Liu Mu‐Yu , Jiang Cheng 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMost existing studies on fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) confined concrete have focused on undamaged concrete that is subjected to uniaxial monotonic compression. However, FRP jackets are usually applied to concrete columns with existing material damage and potential future damage. This paper investigates FRP confinement on concrete with damage before and after FRP jacketing. A total of 32 FRP‐confined concrete specimens were tested under axial compression in this work. The prior damage before FRP jacketing was implemented as predamaging by applying preloading and then release on the plain concrete specimens. The post damage after FRP jacketing was performed by applying cyclic axial compression loading on FRP‐confined concrete specimens. The test results reveal that the concrete predamage levels have significant influences on the cyclic stress–strain curve and envelop stress–strain curve for FRP confined concrete under cyclic loading. Existing models on ultimate state, plastic strain, reloading and unloading moduli were evaluated and investigated in this work.
Factors associated with food‐animal producer visit‐specific satisfaction following on‐farm interaction with a veterinarian
Authors: DeGroot Antonia , Coe Jason , Kelton David , Miltenburg Cynthia , Wichtel Jeffrey , Duffield Todd 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackground: Effective communication has been found to have positive associations with client satisfaction, client adherence and veterinarian satisfaction in companion animal medicine. Better understanding the role of communication on these outcomes, specifically producer satisfaction, is likely to benefit food‐animal medicine. Objectives were to identify factors associated with producer visit‐specific satisfaction following on‐farm veterinarian–producer interactions and evaluate the validity of the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire for use in food‐animal medicine.Methods: A cross‐sectional sample of practicing food‐animal veterinarians and their producer clients were recruited in Ontario, Canada. Immediately following the veterinarian‐producer interaction, producers completed a questionnaire that assessed their visit‐specific satisfaction and their perception of the producer‐centeredness of the interaction. Veterinarians completed a questionnaire that assessed their perception of the interaction's producer‐centeredness. A linear regression model was developed to identify factors associated with producer visit‐specific satisfaction.Results: Forty‐one veterinarians and 207 producers participated. Factors associated with producer visit‐specific satisfaction included producer age (satisfaction decreased with age), producer gender (males less satisfied) and producer perception of producer‐centeredness score (satisfaction increased with producer perception of producer‐centeredness score).Conclusion: Findings raise awareness of the importance of a producer's perception of producer‐centeredness in food‐animal practice and encourage its use by food‐animal veterinarians in working towards positive outcomes.
Noninvasive Renal Perfusion Measurement Using Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) MRI: Basic Concept
Authors: Ku Min-Chi , Fernández-Seara María A. , Kober Frank , Niendorf Thoralf 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe kidney is a complex organ involved in the excretion of metabolic products as well as the regulation of body fluids, osmolarity, and homeostatic status. These functions are influenced in large part by alterations in the regional distribution of blood flow between the renal cortex and medulla. Renal perfusion is therefore a key determinant of glomerular filtration. Therefore the quantification of regional renal perfusion could provide important insights into renal function and renal (patho)physiology. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) based perfusion MRI techniques, can offer a noninvasive and reproducible way of measuring renal perfusion in animal models. This chapter addresses the basic concept of ASL-MRI.This chapter is based upon work from the COST Action PARENCHIMA, a community-driven network funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program of the European Union, which aims to improve the reproducibility and standardization of renal MRI biomarkers. This introduction chapter is complemented by two separate chapters describing the experimental procedure and data analysis.
Reversible (Patho)Physiologically Relevant Test Interventions: Rationale and Examples
Authors: Cantow Kathleen , Ladwig-Wiegard Mechthild , Flemming Bert , Fekete Andrea , Hosszu Adam , Seeliger Erdmann 
Published: January 2021

AbstractRenal tissue hypoperfusion and hypoxia are early key elements in the pathophysiology of acute kidney injury of various origins, and may also promote progression from acute injury to chronic kidney disease. Here we describe test interventions that are used to study the control of renal hemodynamics and oxygenation in experimental animals in the context of kidney-specific control of hemodynamics and oxygenation. The rationale behind the use of the individual tests, the physiological responses of renal hemodynamics and oxygenation, the use in preclinical studies, and the possible application in humans are discussed.This chapter is based upon work from the COST Action PARENCHIMA, a community-driven network funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program of the European Union, which aims to improve the reproducibility and standardization of renal MRI biomarkers.
Quantitative Assessment of Renal Perfusion and Oxygenation by Invasive Probes: Basic Concepts
Authors: Cantow Kathleen , Evans Roger G. , Grosenick Dirk , Gladytz Thomas , Niendorf Thoralf , Flemming Bert , Seeliger Erdmann 
Published: January 2021

AbstractRenal tissue hypoperfusion and hypoxia are early key elements in the pathophysiology of acute kidney injury of various origins, and may also promote progression from acute injury to chronic kidney disease. Here we describe basic principles of methodology to quantify renal hemodynamics and tissue oxygenation by means of invasive probes in experimental animals. Advantages and disadvantages of the various methods are discussed in the context of the heterogeneity of renal tissue perfusion and oxygenation.This chapter is based upon work from the COST Action PARENCHIMA, a community-driven network funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program of the European Union, which aims to improve the reproducibility and standardization of renal MRI biomarkers. This introduction chapter is complemented by a separate chapter describing the experimental procedure and data analysis.
Resetting the African Smallholder Farming System: Potentials to Cope with Climate Change
Authors: Freyer Bernhard , Bingen Jim 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAgricultural production systems, for example, conservation agriculture, climate smart agriculture, organic agriculture, sustainable landuse management, and others, summarized under the term “sustainable intensification,” have been introduced in African countries to increase productivity and to adapt/mitigate CC (CCAM). But the productivity of smallholder farming systems in Africa remains low. High erosion, contaminated water, threatened human health, reduced soil water, and natural resources functionality, that is, ecosystems services, and decreased biodiversity dominate. Low support in the farm environment is also responsible for this situation.It is hypothesized, based on the huge body of literature on CCAM, that the implementation of already existing arable and plant cultivation methods like crop diversity, alley crops, forage legume-based crop rotations, mulching, organic matter recycling, and reduced tillage intensity will increase CCAM performance and also farm productivity and income. Based on a brief analysis of CCAM relevant arable and plant cultivation methods and agricultural production systems potentials and challenges, this chapter offers guidance for further transforming climate robust African farming systems.
Can Teachers’ Instruction Increase Low-SES Students’ Motivation to Learn Mathematics?
Authors: Bergem Ole Kristian , Nilsen Trude , Mittal Oleksandra , Ræder Henrik Galligani 
Published: January 2021

AbstractStudents’ motivation in mathematics has been shown to predict their achievement and whether they pursue a later career in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). To sustain equity in education, it is important that students are motivated for the STEM fields, independent of their background characteristics (e.g., gender and SES). Previous research has revealed that students’ motivation declines from primary to secondary school. The present study investigates whether this unwanted development may be related to students’ SES, and more importantly, what aspects of teachers’ instruction are related to student motivation for low, medium, and high-SES student groups in grade 5 and 9. We use data from students in grades 5 and 9 and their teachers who participated in TIMSS 2015 in Norway. Multilevel (students and classes), multi-group structural equation modelling is used to answer the research questions. In line with previous research from Germany and the USA, the results showed that SES is more important to student motivation in secondary than primary school, that low SES students’ motivation depends more on their teachers’ instructional quality than high SES students and that this dependency is stronger in secondary school than in primary school. The implications and contributions of the study are discussed.