bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biomarker profile predicts clinical efficacy of extracorporeal photopheresis in steroid‐resistant acute and chronic graft‐vs‐host disease after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant
Authors: Amat Paula , López‐Corral Lucía , Goterris Rosa , Pérez Ariadna , López Olga , Heras Inmaculada , Arbona Cristina , Viguria María Cruz , Hernández‐Boluda Juan Carlos , Martínez‐Ruiz Francisco , Martínez Andreu , Solano Carlos 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe conducted a multicenter interventional study to assess the efficacy of Therakos ECP to treat steroid‐resistant graft‐vs‐host disease (SRes‐GVHD) after allogeneic HSCT and to identify biomarkers of GVHD response. A total of 62 patients were treated for acute SRes‐GVHD (n = 37) or chronic SRes‐GVHD (n = 25). Median time to best response was 35 days (range, 28‐85) and 90 days (range, 27‐240) in acute and chronic SRes‐GVHD, respectively. Overall, 27 patients (72.9%) with SRes‐aGVHD responded to treatment (40.5% CR and 32.4% PR). The response rate was significantly higher in grade I‐II than in grade III‐IV aGVHD (100% vs 50.0%, respectively, P‐value = .001). In chronic SRes‐GVHD, 22 patients (88%) achieved a clinical response (24.0% CR and 64% PR). Response was higher in moderate than in severe SRes‐cGVHD (100% vs 75%, P = .096). In both acute and chronic SRes‐GVHD patients, the percentage of peripheral blood CD3+CD4+ was higher and CD3+CD8+ lower in responding than nonresponding patients. Acute SRes‐GVHD responding patients presented a higher number of Treg cells (CD4+CD25+CD127low/−) at day 0 (P = .028) than nonresponding patients, differences that were maintained over the observation period. Phenotypic analysis of T‐cell maturation showed a trend toward reduction in TCD8 naive cells, along with an increased percentage of TCD8 Mem Efect T cells after starting ECP in responding patients. None of the studied serum cytokines displayed statistically significant changes in either acute or chronic SRes‐GVHD. ECP is an effective treatment for patients with SRes‐GVHD. Biomarkers could help guide decision‐making on ECP treatment initiation and duration.
The efficacy and cost‐effectiveness of a family‐based economic empowerment intervention (Suubi + Adherence) on suppression of HIV viral loads among adolescents living with HIV: results from a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial in southern Uganda
Authors: Tozan Yesim , Capasso Ariadna , Sun Sicong , Neilands Torsten B , Damulira Christopher , Namuwonge Flavia , Nakigozi Gertrude , Mwebembezi Abel , Mukasa Barbara , Sensoy Bahar Ozge , Nabunya Proscovia , Mellins Claude A , McKay Mary M , Ssewamala Fred M 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIntroductionEvidence from low‐resource settings indicates that economic insecurity is a major barrier to HIV treatment adherence. Economic empowerment (EE) interventions have the potential to improve adherence outcomes among adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV) by mitigating the effects of poverty. This study aims to assess the efficacy and cost‐effectiveness of a savings‐led family‐based EE intervention, Suubi + Adherence, aimed at improving antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence outcomes ALWHIV in Uganda.MethodsAdolescents (mean age 12 years at enrolment; 56% female) receiving ART for HIV at 39 health centres were randomized to Suubi + Adherence intervention (n = 358) or bolstered standard of care (BSOC; n = 344). A difference‐in‐differences analysis was employed to assess the change in the proportion of virally suppressed adolescents (HIV RNA viral load <40 copies/mL) over 24 months. The cost‐effectiveness analysis examined how much the intervention cost to virally suppress one additional adolescent relative to BSOC from the healthcare provider perspective.ResultsAt 24 months, the intervention was associated with an 8.85‐percentage point [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.80 to 16.90 percentage points] increase in the proportion of virally suppressed adolescents between the study arms (p = 0.032). Per‐participant costs were US$177 and US$263 for the BSOC and intervention groups respectively. The incremental cost of virally suppressing one additional adolescent was estimated at US$970 [95% CI, US$508 to 10,725] over two years.ConclusionsOur results support the integration of family‐based EE interventions into adherence‐support strategies as part of routine HIV care in low‐resource settings to address the underlying economic drivers of poor ART adherence among ALWHIV. Moreover, per‐participant costs to achieve viral suppression do not seem prohibitive compared to other community‐based adherence interventions targeted at ALWHIV in low‐resource settings. Further research on combination interventions at the nexus of economic security and HIV treatment and care is needed to inform the development of feasible and scalable HIV policies and programmes.
Maternal weight and birth outcomes among women on antiretroviral treatment from conception in a birth surveillance study in Botswana
Authors: Zash Rebecca , Caniglia Ellen C , Diseko Modiegi , Mayondi Gloria , Mabuta Judith , Luckett Rebecca , Hofmeyr G Justus , Morroni Chelsea , Ramogola‐Masire Doreen , Williams Paige L , Zera Chloe , Wylie Blair J , Makhema Joseph , Lockman Shahin , Shapiro Roger L 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIntroductionAntiretrovirals such as dolutegravir (DTG) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) have been associated with excessive weight gain. The objective of this study was to understand the potential impact of ART‐associated weight gain on pregnancy outcomes among women living with HIV.MethodsUsing data from the Tsepamo birth outcomes surveillance study in Botswana, we evaluated the relationship between maternal weight (and weight gain) and severe birth outcomes (very preterm delivery <32 weeks, very small for gestational age (SGA) <3rd percentile, perinatal death), macrosomia (birthweight > 4000 g) and maternal hypertension. We estimated the relative risk of each outcome by baseline weight (first weight in pregnancy <24 weeks) and second trimester average weekly weight gain (kg/week from 12 ± 2 to 24 ± 2 weeks) using log binomial regression and evaluated effect modification by ART regimen (DTG vs. Efavirenz (EFV)).ResultsOf 22,828 women on ART at conception with singleton deliveries between August 2014 and April 2020, 16,300 (71.4%) had a weight measured <24 weeks’ gestation (baseline weight) and 4437 (19.2%) had weight measured both at 12 (±2) weeks and 24 (±2) weeks, allowing second trimester weight gain calculation. Compared to women with baseline weight 60 to 70 kg, low baseline weight (<50 kg) was associated with increased risk of very preterm delivery (aRR 1.30, 95% CI 1.03, 1.65) and very SGA (aRR1.96, 95% CI 1.69, 2.28). High baseline weight (>90 kg) was associated with increased risk of macrosomia (aRR 3.24, 95% CI 2.36, 4.44) and maternal hypertension (aRR 1.79, 95% CI 1.62, 1.97). Baseline weight was not associated with stillbirth or early neonatal death. For all outcomes, second trimester weight gain showed weaker associations than did baseline weight. Duration of pre‐pregnancy ART (years) was associated with higher baseline weight for DTG but not for EFV, and the risk of maternal hypertension by baseline weight category was higher for DTG than EFV for all strata.ConclusionsART regimens associated with weight gain may reduce the number of women at risk for certain severe adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with low weight but increase the number at risk of macrosomia and maternal hypertension. Further research could determine whether weight‐based ART treatment strategies improve maternal and child health.
From the top to the bottom: The global environment and microfinance institution (MFI) performance in the West African Economic and Monetary Union countries
Authors: Gbandi Tchapo , Couchoro Mawuli K. , Agossou Mawulolo J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis paper highlights the effects of macroeconomic and macroinstitutional environments on the performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) countries. The quality of this relationship can help MFIs to succeed, as well as adequate policies. This analysis is conducted using panel data spanning the period 2004–2014. We find that economic performance goes hand in hand with MFIs' sustainability in WAEMU countries. By contrast, improved macroinstitutional conditions result in a decrease in MFIs financial performance. Last but not least, MFIs reach out significantly more to the poorest when countries' institutions are improving.
3‐Hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenase (HIBADH) deficiency—A novel disorder of valine metabolism
Authors: Meyer Melanie , Hollenbeck Jana C. , Reunert Janine , Seelhöfer Anja , Rust Stephan , Fobker Manfred , Biskup Saskia , Och Ulrike , Linden Mechthild , Sass Jörn Oliver , Marquardt Thorsten 
Published: June 2021

Abstract3‐Hydroxyisobutyric acid (3HiB) is an intermediate in the degradation of the branched‐chain amino acid valine. Disorders in valine degradation can lead to 3HiB accumulation and its excretion in the urine. This article describes the first two patients with a new metabolic disorder, 3‐hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenase (HIBADH) deficiency, its phenotype and its treatment with a low‐valine diet. The detected mutation in the HIBADH gene leads to nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay of the mutant allele and to a complete loss‐of‐function of the enzyme. Under strict adherence to a low‐valine diet a rapid decrease of 3HiB excretion in the urine was observed. Due to limited patient numbers and intrafamilial differences in phenotype with one affected and one unaffected individual, the clinical phenotype of HIBADH deficiency needs further evaluation.
Epiblast and trophoblast morphogenesis in the pre‐gastrulation blastocyst of the pig. A light‐ and electron‐microscopical study
Authors: Harmoush Braah , Tsikolia Nikoloz , Viebahn Christoph 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe epiblast of the amniote embryo is of paramount importance during early development as it gives rise to all tissues of the embryo proper. In mammals, it emerges through segregation of the hypoblast from the inner cell mass and subsequently undergoes transformation into an epithelial sheet to create the embryonic disc. In rodents and man, the epiblast cell layer is covered by the polar trophoblast which forms the placenta. In mammalian model organisms (rabbit, pig, several non‐human primates), however, the placenta is formed by mural trophoblast whereas the polar trophoblast disintegrates prior to gastrulation and thus exposes the epiblast to the microenvironment of the uterine cavity. Both, polar trophoblast disintegration and epiblast epithelialization, thus pose special cell‐biological requirements but these are still rather ill‐understood when compared to those of gastrulation morphogenesis. This study therefore applied high‐resolution light and transmission electron microscopy and three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction to 8‐ to 10‐days‐old pig embryos and defines the following steps of epiblast transformation: (1) rosette formation in the center of the ball‐shaped epiblast, (2) extracellular cavity formation in the rosette center, (3) epiblast segregation into two subpopulations ‐ addressed here as dorsal and ventral epiblast ‐ separated by a “pro‐amniotic” cavity. Ventral epiblast cells form between them a special type of desmosomes with a characteristic dense felt of microfilaments and are destined to generate the definitive epiblast. The dorsal epiblast remains a mass of non‐polarized cells and closely associates with the disintegrating polar trophoblast, which shows morphological features of both apoptosis and autophagocytosis. Morphogenesis of the definitive epiblast in the pig may thus exclude a large portion of bona fide epiblast cells from contributing to the embryo proper and establishes contact de novo with the mural trophoblast at the junction between the two newly defined epiblast cell populations.
Evaluation of statistical downscaling methods for climate change projections over Spain: Present conditions with perfect predictors
Authors: Hernanz Alfonso , García‐Valero Juan Andrés , Domínguez Marta , Ramos‐Calzado Petra , Pastor‐Saavedra María A. , Rodríguez‐Camino Ernesto 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) is responsible for the elaboration of downscaled climate projections over Spain to feed the Second National Plan of Adaptation to Climate Change (PNACC‐2). The main objective of this article is to establish a comparison among five statistical downscaling methods developed at AEMET: (1) Analog, (2) Regression, (3) Artificial Neural Networks, (4) Support Vector Machines and (5) Kernel Ridge Regression. This comparison has been carried out under present conditions and with perfect predictors, based on the framework established by the VALUE network, in particular, on its perfect predictor experiment. In this experiment, we evaluate the marginal aspects of the distributions of daily maximum/minimum temperatures and daily accumulated precipitation analysed by seasons, on a high resolution observational grid (0.05°) over mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands. This is the first of a set of three experiments aimed to allow us to decide which methods, and under what configuration, is more appropriate for the generation of downscaled climate projections over our region. For maximum/minimum temperatures, all methods display a similar behaviour. They capture very satisfactorily the mean values although slight biases are detected on the extremes. In general, results for maximum temperature appear to be more accurate than for minimum temperature, and the nonlinear methods display certain added value. For precipitation, remarkable differences are found among all methods. Most of the methods are capable of reproducing the total precipitation amount quite satisfactorily, whereas other aspects such as intense precipitations and the precipitation occurrence are captured with more accuracy by the Analog method.
The impact of using different probability representations in application of equidistant quantile matching for bias adjustment of daily precipitation over the Daqing River Basin, North China
Authors: Lv Mingcong , Gao Xueping , Liu Yinzhu , Ju Wenhui , Sun Bowen , Li Wenjun , Zhou Xushen 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis study focuses on how the representation of daily precipitation probability distributions may affect the application of equidistant quantile matching (EDCDFm). Five representations, that is, two parametric distributions and three nonparametric approaches, are selected. The parametric distributions include Gamma and Weibull while the nonparametric approaches include empirical cumulative distribution function (ECDF) and kernel density estimation method (KDE) as well as an improved KDE named diffusion‐based kernel density estimation (DKDE). All five methods were applied to correct the daily precipitation of 11 stations over the Daqing River Basin, North China in 1981–2015. The results demonstrated that DKDE is closer to ECDF than the other three methods in the goodness‐of‐fit evaluation. Furthermore, nonparametric methods present advantages over parametric methods; especially, DKDE and ECDF are skilful equally and both of them display impressive comprehensive performance than other methods by multi‐index. These findings suggest that representing the precipitation probability distributions accurately is beneficial for the bias correction and selecting one or more suitable indexes is of great significance to the verification of EDCDFm. This study can provide guidance for future water resources management of the Daqing River Basin.
Quantitative study on the biomechanical mechanism of sacroiliac joint subluxation: A finite element study
Authors: Zhang Shaoqun , Chen Yili , Ren Ruxia , Jiang Shunwan , Cao Yafei , Li Yikai 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe biomechanical mechanism of sacroiliac joint pain caused by sacroiliac joint subluxation is still unclear. And the purpose of this study is to elucidate the mechanism. In the present study, a finite element model of female lumbar spine–pelvis–femur was established. To simulate the sacroiliac joint subluxation quantitatively, the left ilium was shifted ±1, ±2, and ±3 mm along each axis, respectively. The stress and strain of articular surfaces and ligaments between the sacroiliac joint subluxation model and the normal model were compared. When the left ilium shifted along the positive direction of the X/Y/Z axis, the stress on most articular surfaces of the sacroiliac joint increased, of which the stress on the iliac surface of the right sacroiliac joint increased most obviously. The stress and strain of the ligaments increased most obviously when the left ilium shifted along the Y‐axis, of which the left sacrospinous ligament increased the most, followed by the right sacrospinous ligament and right long posterior sacroiliac ligament. While the left long posterior sacroiliac ligament decreased the most, followed by the left short posterior sacroiliac ligament. The present study suggests that when the sacroiliac joint subluxation happens, even a slight shift, different biomechanical changes of different ligaments around the sacroiliac joint will happen. This may lead to an abnormal proprioceptive sensation of the ligaments, resulting in stress imbalance of the sacroiliac joint, and finally resulting in sacroiliac joint pain.
Stability of buffered benzylpenicillin and flucloxacillin for a paediatric outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy service
Authors: Smith Evonne Katherine , McWhinney Brett C. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIntroductionBenzylpenicillin and flucloxacillin are commonly used in outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT). Published evidence supporting the stability of buffered infusions, in a variety of devices and concentrations, using an Australian commercially available buffer, to suit a paediatric setting is desirable. The aim of this study was to determine if multiple concentrations of buffered benzylpenicillin and flucloxacillin, prepared in suitable infusion devices, exposed to a variety of temperatures, maintained stability.MethodsBenzylpenicillin (15 and 60 mg/mL) and flucloxacillin (5 and 60 mg/mL) infusions in LV Elastomeric Infusor devices and sodium chloride 0.9% Viaflex bags were prepared as buffered and unbuffered solutions. Buffering was achieved by reconstituting antibiotic vials with sodium citrate 4%. Infusions were stored at 2–8°C for 6 days then 37°C for 24 h. Samples were taken on day 0, 1, 3, 6 and 7. The concentration, pH, colour and appearance were assessed at each time point.ResultsThe concentration of all day 7 buffered benzylpenicillin samples was maintained between 97.70–100.36% and flucloxacillin 98.7–100.66% of the initial concentration. Unbuffered solutions did not retain antibiotic potency over the same study period. There was minimal pH change in buffered benzylpenicillin samples from 6.66 to 5.5 and flucloxacillin 6.58 to 6.19. There was no visual change in colour or appearance.ConclusionBuffered benzylpenicillin 15 and 60 mg/mL and flucloxacillin 5 and 60 mg/mL in LV Elastomeric Infusors and sodium chloride 0.9% Viaflex bags, appear chemically stable for 6 days refrigerated, and for a subsequent 24 h at 37°C.
Deletion of Rap‐Phr systems in Bacillus subtilis influences in vitro biofilm formation and plant root colonization
Authors: Nordgaard Mathilde , Mortensen Rasmus Møller Rosenbek , Kirk Nikolaj Kaae , Gallegos‐Monterrosa Ramses , Kovács Ákos T. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractNatural isolates of the soil‐dwelling bacterium Bacillus subtilis form robust biofilms under laboratory conditions and colonize plant roots. B. subtilis biofilm gene expression displays phenotypic heterogeneity that is influenced by a family of Rap‐Phr regulatory systems. Most Rap‐Phr systems in B. subtilis have been studied independently, in different genetic backgrounds and under distinct conditions, hampering true comparison of the Rap‐Phr systems’ impact on bacterial cell differentiation. Here, we investigated each of the 12 Rap‐Phr systems of B.subtilis NCIB 3610 for their effect on biofilm formation. By studying single ∆rap‐phr mutants, we show that despite redundancy between the cell–cell communication systems, deletion of each of the 12 Rap‐Phr systems influences matrix gene expression. These Rap‐Phr systems therefore enable fine‐tuning of the timing and level of matrix production in response to specific conditions. Furthermore, some of the ∆rap‐phr mutants demonstrated altered biofilm formation in vitro and colonization of Arabidopsis thaliana roots, but not necessarily similarly in both processes, indicating that the pathways regulating matrix gene expression and other factors important for biofilm formation may be differently regulated under these distinct conditions.
Removal of Free-Living Ciliates from Stock Cultures of Two Calanoid Copepods with Sodium Hypochlorite
Authors: Daw Adam L. , Sarkisian Brie L. , Blaylock Reginald B. , Saillant Eric A. L. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Eggs of Acartia tonsa and Parvocalanus crassirostris were contaminated with ciliates (Euplotes sp.) and exposed to five concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (25, 55, 105, 205, and 405 mg/L) for durations of 15 s, 5 min, 15 min, or 30 min to assess the efficacy of household bleach for removing the ciliates. Eggs from each exposure treatment were incubated for 40 h (A. tonsa) or 12 h (P. crassirostris) to assess hatch. The presence of living ciliates was evaluated after incubation, and the egg hatch rate (%) for the copepods was estimated for each treatment and in controls. Exposure to 105 mg/L total chlorine for 15 s killed all of the ciliates and reduced the copepod hatch rate by less than 26% with respect to controls in both species. Exposure to 55 mg/L for 15 min or 25 mg/L for 30 min also killed the ciliates and achieved a mean copepod hatch rate of 38.5% and 58.1% of the control-group hatch rate, respectively, in A. tonsa. Treatments for 5 min or longer reduced the hatch rate for P. crassirostris eggs by at least 76% at all of the concentrations that we tested.
Discrete variable topology optimization for simplified convective heat transfer via sequential approximate integer programming with trust‐region
Authors: Yan Xin Yu , Liang Yuan , Cheng Geng Dong 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis article presents a discrete variable topology optimization method to solve the simplified convective heat transfer (SCHT) design optimization modeled by Newton's law of cooling. The discrete variable topology optimization is based on the proposed sequential approximate integer programming with trust‐region. Due to the discrete variables, identifying the convective boundary, and implementing this design‐dependent convective boundary condition can be precisely undertaken. As a result, the consistent precise temperature field compared with the commercial software is captured. Besides, the interpolation scheme of the convective coefficient is unnecessary to analyze this SCHT problem. Furthermore, an analytical sensitivity formulation that can simultaneously incorporate the conductive and convective effect is also deduced. Finally, several 2D and 3D valid thermal designs are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the method. Based on the optimized designs, we find that favorable configurations for a simplified convective problem may be hollowed structure or the dense needle‐like structure. Further, the checkerboard pattern should be interpreted as a convection oscillatory feature but not the discretization error because it cannot be eliminated by using higher‐order elements.