bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Greenhouse gas emissions from riparian zones are related to vegetation type and environmental factors
Authors: Baskerville Megan , Bazrgar Amir , Reddy Namratha , Ofosu Enoch , Thevathasan Naresh , Gordon Andrew M. , Oelbermann Maren 
Published: May 2021

AbstractRiparian zones provide multiple benefits, including streambank stabilization and nutrient abatement. However, there is a knowledge gap on how the type of vegetation and environmental factors (e.g., soil temperature, moisture) within the riparian zone influence CO2 and CH4 emissions. Our objective was to quantify and compare CO2 and CH4 emissions from a herbaceous (grass) riparian zone (GRS), a rehabilitated riparian zone composed of deciduous trees, an undisturbed natural forested riparian zone with deciduous trees (UNF‐D) or coniferous trees (UNF‐C), and an agricultural field. Cumulative soil CO2 emission ranged from 23 to 105 g CO2–C m–2. Carbon dioxide emissions were greatest (p < .05) in the GRS zone and lowest (p < .05) in the UNF‐C riparian zone. The best predictors for CO2 emissions were soil temperature and soil organic carbon (SOC) content. Cumulative CH4 emission ranged from –23 to 253 g CH4–C m–2. Methane emissions were greatest (p < .05) in the UNF‐D and lowest (p < .05) in the GRS riparian zone. The best predictors for CH4 emissions were soil moisture, SOC, and photosynthetic photon flux density. The total CO2–C equivalent (i.e., CH4 + CO2) was greatest (p < .05) for the GRS and lowest (p < .05) for the UNF‐C riparian zone. The environmental factors controlling CO2 and CH4 emissions within the various riparian zones did not change; instead, changes were due to how vegetation within riparian zones influenced these controls.
LPS‐induced immunomodulation and hormonal variation over time in toads
Authors: Titon Junior Braz , Titon Stefanny Christie Monteiro , Assis Vania Regina , Barsotti Adriana Maria Giorgi , Vasconcelos‐Teixeira Ronyelle , Fernandes Pedro Augusto Carlos Magno , Gomes Fernando Ribeiro 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe inflammatory response is a complex process that relies on interactions among multiple endocrine and immune modulators. Studies incorporating time‐related and integrative endocrine and immune responses to an immune challenge might shed light on the characterization of the phases of the inflammatory response in anurans. The present study investigated time‐related changes (1, 3, 6, and 18 h post‐challenge) in plasma corticosterone (CORT), melatonin (MEL) and testosterone (T) levels, phagocytosis percentage (PP), plasma bacterial killing ability (BKA), and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) following a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) immune challenge in Rhinella diptycha toads. Our results showed the response to LPS injection was characterized by increased CORT, PP, BKA, and NLR, with a concomitant decrease in plasma MEL and T. Increased CORT was more pronounced at 6 and 18 h, while increased NLR was observed only 18 h post‐LPS injection. Meanwhile, plasma MEL and T decreased independently of the time post‐LPS injection. Additionally, toads in better body condition showed higher BKA and PP in the LPS‐treated group, regardless of the time postinjection. Our results show that toads (R. diptycha) were sensitive to the LPS challenge, mounting an inflammatory response, which started quickly (after 1 h) and developed over time and was influenced by body condition. These results demonstrate a time‐related hormonal and immune variation as a consistent pattern of activation of the immune system, as well as of hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal/interrenal and immune‐pineal axes following an immune challenge more deeply studied in mammals, suggesting the evolutionary conservation of the regulatory mechanisms for tetrapod vertebrates.
Evaluation of the prognostic role of NLR, LMR, PLR, and LCR ratio in COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Erdogan Arife , Can Fatma Ezgi , Gönüllü Hayriye 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe aimed to find the most useful biomarker by examining the prognostic effect of neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte‐monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte‐C reactive protein ratio (LCR) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Three hundred and four patients diagnosed with COVID‐19 infection in our hospital within 5 months (April–August 2020) were examined. Laboratory values and demographic findings of the patients were analyzed retrospectively. Thirty‐six patients were diagnosed with severe cases. The ratio of NLR, LMR, PLR, and LCR of patients with severe and those with nonsevere clinical symptoms were statistically analyzed. The NLR and PLR ratios of those with severe clinical symptoms were significantly higher (p < 0.001), the LCR rate was significantly lower (p < 0.001), and there was no significant difference in the LMR rate (p = 0.199). When we examined other peripheral blood parameters, we found that CRP was high, lymphocyte and monocyte were low (p < 0.001), but neutrophil (p = 0.416) and platelet (p = 0.998) were not statistically different between the groups. According to the results, routine blood values are abnormal in patients with COVID‐19. NLR, PLR, and LCR ratios can be used as more significant biomarkers than other values in predicting the prognosis of patients.
Quantitation of antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein after two doses of CoronaVac in healthcare workers
Authors: Bayram Ayşen , Demirbakan Hadiye , Günel Karadeniz Pınar , Erdoğan Merve , Koçer Ipek 
Published: May 2021

AbstractQuantitation of antibodies to the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) was performed for the detection of adaptive immune response in healthcare workers (HCWs) vaccinated with CorovaVac. We prospectively recruited HCWs from a university hospital in Turkey. Serum samples from 1072 HCWs were obtained following 28 days of the first, and 21 days of the second dose. Detection and quantitation of SARS‐CoV‐2 antispike antibodies were performed by the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG II Quant; Abbott). Results greater than or equal to the cutoff value 50.0 AU/ml were reported as positive. After the first dose, antispike antibodies were detected in 834 of 1072 (77.8%) HCWs. Seropositivity was higher among females (84.6%) than males (70.6%) (p < 0.001) and was found to be highest in both women and men between the ages of 18–34. After the second dose, antibodies were detected in 1008 of 1012 (99.6%) HCWs. Antibody titers were significantly higher in those who had coronavirus disease‐2019 before vaccination than those who did not (p < 0.001). Antibody positivity and median antibody titers were significantly less in HCWs with chronic diseases compared to those without (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, our findings indicated that a relatively high frequency (99.6%) of humoral immunity was produced in HCWs aged 18–59 after two doses of CoronaVac. Quantitation of antibodies may help facilitate longitudinal monitoring of the antibody response, which will be especially useful in deciding the dose of the vaccine in vulnerable groups such as those over 60 years of age and those with chronic diseases.
Evolving Shelah‐Spencer graphs
Authors: Elwes Richard 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe define an evolving Shelah‐Spencer process as one by which a random graph grows, with at each time a new node incorporated and attached to each previous node with probability , where is fixed. We analyse the graphs that result from this process, including the infinite limit, in comparison to Shelah‐Spencer sparse random graphs discussed in [21] and throughout the model‐theoretic literature. The first order axiomatisation for classical Shelah‐Spencer graphs comprises a Generic Extension axiom scheme and a No Dense Subgraphs axiom scheme. We show that in our context Generic Extension continues to hold. While No Dense Subgraphs fails, a weaker Few Rigid Subgraphs property holds.
Two sets of qualitative research reporting guidelines: An analysis of the shortfalls
Authors: King Olivia 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFindings from qualitative research may make valuable contributions to the evidence informing healthcare practice. Qualitative research methodologies and methods, however, are less familiar to health researchers and research consumers when compared with quantitative methods. Qualitative research reporting guidelines and their merit have been hotly debated for at least two decades. Herein I discuss two sets of qualitative research reporting guidelines endorsed by many high tiered health research journals: Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research and Standards for reporting qualitative research. Six aspects of the two sets of guidelines are compared. The first aspect is the focus of the guidelines. The latter five aspects are items included in the guidelines: reflexivity, participant sampling and saturation, data collection, member checking, and data analysis. Except for reflexivity, these items were selected for comparison as they include features of, or strategies to, enhance the rigor of qualitative research that are applicable within some but not all qualitative methodologies. Reflexivity, a central feature of rigor within all qualitative research, is discussed for its suboptimal representation in both sets of reporting guidelines. Without regular and critical review of reporting guidelines, efforts to promote the design, conduct, and reporting of rigorous qualitative health research to support evidence‐informed practice may be undermined. Moreover, for qualitative research reporting guidelines to be useful, they must be applied appropriately and in a flexible manner by researchers and reviewers. This paper has implications for researchers, journal editors, reviewers, and research consumers.
A Durable Response to Pembrolizumab in a Patient with Uterine Serous Carcinoma and Lynch Syndrome due to the MSH6 Germline Mutation
Authors: Danley Kelsey T. , Schmitz Karen , Ghai Ritu , Sclamberg Joy S. , Buckingham Lela E. , Burgess Kelly , Kuzel Timothy M. , Usha Lydia 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Pembrolizumab, a programmed death 1 ligand (PD-1) checkpoint inhibitor, has elicited responses in mismatch repair (MMR)–deficient advanced solid tumors, leading to its agnostic approval by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2017 when no other therapeutic options are available. However, there are still insufficient data on the response to checkpoint inhibitors in advanced endometrial cancer related to Lynch syndrome (LS) and, specifically, in uterine serous carcinoma, which is uncommon in LS. Here we report a case of metastatic uterine serous carcinoma due to a germline MSH6 mutation (Lynch syndrome) that was discovered because of a patient's tumor MMR deficiency. The patient was started on first-line pembrolizumab in 2018 and sustained a partial response. She remains asymptomatic and progression free for more than 2 years. Tumor sequencing showed a high mutational burden and an upstream somatic mutation in the same gene, p.F1088fs. Immunohistochemical staining was negative for PD-L1 expression. We discuss clinical characteristics of the patient, molecular features of her tumor, and the mechanism of her tumor response. We also discuss the duration of immunotherapy in her case.
Our case demonstrated a partial response and a long-term remission from the frontline single-agent pembrolizumab in a woman with metastatic uterine serous carcinoma and Lynch syndrome due to a germline MSH6 gene mutation. Our experience suggests a potential significant clinical benefit of checkpoint inhibitors used as single agents early on in the treatment of MMR-deficient/high microsatellite instability/hypermutated uterine cancers in women with Lynch syndrome.

Key Points
Even though checkpoint inhibitors are effective in mismatch repair-deficient endometrial cancer, it is unknown whether the response to them differs between women with endometrial cancer due to germline mutations in a mismatch repair gene (Lynch syndrome) and women with sporadic endometrial cancer. In our case, a patient with Lynch syndrome and recurrent mismatch repair-deficient serous endometrial cancer achieved a durable remission on the first-line therapy with the checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab and remains progression free after more than 2 years. Based on our observation and the data, suggesting the stronger immune activation in women with Lynch syndrome–associated endometrial cancer, we propose to use checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy early in the course of their treatment and stratify patients for the presence of Lynch syndrome in clinical trials.
Oxidation of iso‐propanol and n‐butanol by catalase encapsulated within macroporous polyampholyte cryogel matrix
Authors: Smagulova Indira , Tatykhanova Gulnur , Shakhvorostov Alexey , Akbayeva Dina , Kudaibergenov Sarkyt 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIso‐propanol and n‐butanol were oxidized using catalase encapsulated within monolithic polyampholyte cryogel, p(APTAC‐co‐AMPS), derived from an anionic monomer, 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid sodium salt (AMPS), and a cationic monomer, (3‐acrylamidopropyl) trimethylammonium chloride (APTAC). Macroporous polyampholyte cryogels containing various amounts of catalase were synthesized in situ under cryo‐polymerization conditions at a molar ratio of monomers [APTAC]:[AMPS] = 75:25 mol.% in the presence of 10 mol.% cross‐linking agent, N,N‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBAA). The oxidation of alcohols was carried out inside of a monolithic macroporous sample by passing the mixture of alcohol and hydrogen peroxide through at a fixed flow‐rate. Analysis using gas–liquid chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry showed that iso‐propanol is converted to acetone at a yield of 87.6%, whereas n‐butanol is converted to butyraldehyde at a yield of 80% at 20°C and atmospheric pressure. The influence of pH, temperature, and ratios of substrate to hydrogen peroxide on the degree of conversion of iso‐propanol was evaluated. SEM images of cryogel‐encapsulated catalase before and after several cycles of oxidation of iso‐propanol show collapsing, among other alterations, in the morphology of the cryogel matrix. The oxidation mechanism of iso‐propanol and n‐butanol using cryogel‐encapsulated catalase was suggested.
Functional motor improvement during inpatient rehabilitation among older adults with traumatic brain injury
Authors: Evans Emily , Krebill Cicely , Gutman Roee , Resnik Linda , Zonfrillo Mark R. , Lueckel Stephanie N. , Zhang Wenhan , Kumar Raj G. , Dams‐O'Connor Kristen , Thomas Kali S. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundOlder adults comprise an increasingly large proportion of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) receiving care in inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF). However, high rates of comorbidities and evidence of declining preinjury health among older adults who sustain TBI raise questions about their ability to benefit from IRF care.ObjectivesTo describe the proportion of older adults with TBI who exhibited minimal detectable change (MDC) and a minimally clinically important difference (MCID) in motor function from IRF admission to discharge; and to identify characteristics associated with clinically meaningful improvement in motor function and better discharge functional status.DesignThis retrospective cohort study used Medicare administrative data probabilistically linked to the National Trauma Data Bank to estimate the proportion of patients whose motor function improved during inpatient rehabilitation and identify factors associated with meaningful improvement in motor function and motor function at discharge.SettingInpatient rehabilitation facilities in the United States.PatientsFee‐for‐service Medicare beneficiaries with TBI.Main Outcome MeasuresMinimal Detectable Change (MDC) and Minimally Clinically Important Difference (MCID) in the Functional Independence Measure motor (FIM‐M) score from admission to discharge, and FIM‐M score at IRF discharge.ResultsFrom IRF admission to discharge 84% of patients achieved the MDC threshold, and 68% of patients achieved the MCID threshold for FIM‐M scores. Factors associated with a higher probability of achieving the MCID for FIM‐M scores included better admission motor and cognitive function, lower comorbidity burden, and a length of stay longer than 10 days but only among individuals with lower admission motor function. Older age was associated with a lower FIM‐M discharge score, but not the probability of achieving the MCID in FIM‐M score.ConclusionOlder adults with TBI have the potential to improve their motor function with IRF care. Baseline functional status and comorbidity burden, rather than acute injury severity, should be used to guide care planning.
The C5‐substituent effects on the formic acid‐assisted tautomerization of protonated cytosine: A lower isomerization barrier and potential biological importance
Authors: Jin Lingxia , Lv Mengdan , Shi Shengnan , Lu Jiufu , Wang Qin , Yu Xiaohu , Huang Wendeng 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe continuous oxidative products of 5‐methylcytosine are called the “three new DNA bases.” When it comes to 5‐formylcytosine and 5‐carboxylcytosine, the electron densities at N3 sites of both bases tend to be decreased due to the presence of the electron withdrawing groups of CHO and COOH. The vital steps for mutations of DNA are tautomerism in nucleotide bases. Although there are great deal of studies on the protonated new DNA bases in photophysical and photochemical reactivity, the relationship of pKa at N3 position with the intermolecular tautomerization barrier is seldom reported. The C5 atom of cytosine is substituted by the CH3, HOCH2, CHO, and COOH, and their isomerization barriers in the presence of HCOOH have nearly linear relationship with the pKa at N3 positions of these bases. The solvent water affects the activation free energies of these paths, and yet their isomerization mechanisms are still more favorable in aqueous solution. Meantime, the rate constants could be calculated by the conventional transition state theory with Wigner's tunneling correction. The corrected rate constant for these paths is very consistent with uncorrected results. Finally, the product and reaction complexes are in a fast tautomerism equilibrium, which is a synchronous double proton transfer mechanism. The product complexes may further dissociated into the monomers. These researches may give a chemical basis for differentiating 5‐fCyt and 5‐caCyt from Cyt, 5‐MeCyt, and 5‐HCyt in the protein‐DNA interactions which might be used for selective recognition.
Family rules, routines, and caregiver distress during the first year of pediatric cancer treatment
Authors: Bates Carolyn R. , Pallotto Isabella K. , Moore Rachel M. , Fornander Mirae J. , Covitz Lynne M. , Dreyer Gillette Meredith L. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectiveA new diagnosis of pediatric cancer may disrupt family functioning. The current study aimed to describe changes in family rules and routines during the first year of pediatric cancer treatment, and to explore associations with demographics, illness factors, and caregiver distress.MethodsThis exploratory mixed‐methods, cross‐sectional study examined 44 primary caregivers of youth in treatment for a new cancer diagnosis in 2019 and 2020, before the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Caregivers completed validated questionnaires assessing demographic and child illness characteristics, psychosocial distress, and cancer‐related stressors, and participated in a semi‐structured interview about family rules and routines.ResultsCaregivers reported changes in bedtime, mealtime, and school routines, relaxed behavioral expectations and rules around screen time, and new rules and routines around treatment, medications, and infection control. Caregivers with elevated levels of psychosocial distress reported more changed routines than caregivers with low levels of psychosocial distress. Caregivers who endorsed more cancer‐related stressors reported more new rules and routines than those who reported fewer cancer‐related stressors. Demographic and illness factors were not significantly associated with the number of changed, new, or stable family rules and routines.ConclusionsFamilies may relax rules and routines during the first several months of diagnosis, and this may be related to side effects of treatment and limited caregiver capacity. The long‐term impact of changes in family rules and routines during cancer treatment warrants further study given that accommodating parenting strategies have been associated with adverse short‐ and long‐term child health and behavior outcomes.
Thermally‐Driven Changes to Porosity in TATB‐Based High Explosives
Authors: Armstrong Christopher L. , Mang Joseph T. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractUltra‐small‐ and small‐angle neutron scattering techniques were employed to quantify thermally driven changes to the microstructure of the TATB‐based composite high explosive, PBX 9502. Samples of PBX 9502 were studied in‐situ at temperatures ranging from 25 to 220 °C and after re‐equilibration at ambient temperature. Significant changes to the void size and morphology within the PBX 9502 microstructure were observed upon heating and are consistent with the known increase in the shock sensitivity of thermally‐treated PBX 9502. More extensive microstructural changes were found after the thermally treated samples were re‐equilibrated at ambient temperature. Utilizing a model of ramified porosity, the size and the volume and surface dimensions of voids in the PBX 9502 microstructure were quantified as a function of temperature. The temperature dependence of the void radius of gyration is well correlated with the known increase in the shock sensitivity of PBX 9502 with increasing temperature, providing a microstructural origin for the increased shock sensitivity of PBX 9502 at elevated temperatures.
The individual‐level surrogate threshold effect in a causal‐inference setting with normally distributed endpoints
Authors: Van der Elst Wim , Abad Ariel Alonso , Coppenolle Hans , Meyvisch Paul , Molenberghs Geert 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn the meta‐analytic surrogate evaluation framework, the trial‐level coefficient of determination quantifies the strength of the association between the expected causal treatment effects on the surrogate (S) and the true (T) endpoints. Burzykowski and Buyse supplemented this metric of surrogacy with the surrogate threshold effect (STE), which is defined as the minimum value of the causal treatment effect on S for which the predicted causal treatment effect on T exceeds zero. The STE supplements with a more direct clinically interpretable metric of surrogacy. Alonso et al. proposed to evaluate surrogacy based on the strength of the association between the individual (rather than expected) causal treatment effects on S and T. In the current paper, the individual‐level surrogate threshold effect (ISTE) is introduced in the setting where S and T are normally distributed variables. ISTE is defined as the minimum value of the individual causal treatment effect on S for which the lower limit of the prediction interval around the individual causal treatment effect on T exceeds zero. The newly proposed methodology is applied in a case study, and it is illustrated that ISTE has an appealing clinical interpretation. The R package surrogate implements the methodology and a web appendix (supporting information) that details how the analyses can be conducted in practice is provided.