bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of indacaterol on the LPS-evoked changes in fluid secretion rate and pH in swine tracheal membrane
Authors: Aritake Hidemi , Tamada Tsutomu , Murakami Koji , Gamo Shunichi , Nara Masayuki , Kazama Itsuro , Ichinose Masakazu , Sugiura Hisatoshi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAn acquired dysregulation of airway secretion is likely involved in the pathophysiology of chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nowadays, it is widely known that several kinds of long-acting bronchodilators reduce the frequency of COPD exacerbations. However, limited data are available concerning the complementary additive effects on airflow obstruction. Using an optical method and a selective pH indicator, we succeeded in evaluating the gland secretion rate and the pH in swine tracheal membrane. A physiologically relevant concentration of acetylcholine (ACh) 100 nM induced a gradual increase in the amount of gland secretion. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) accelerated the ACh-induced secretory responses up to around threefold and lowered the pH level significantly. Long-acting β2-agonists (LABAs) including indacaterol (IND), formoterol, and salmeterol restored the LPS-induced changes in both the hypersecretion and acidification. The subsequent addition of the long-acting muscarine antagonist, glycopyrronium, further increased the pH values. Two different inhibitors for cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), NPPB and CFTRinh172, abolished the IND-mediated pH normalization in the presence of both ACh and ACh + LPS. Both immunofluorescence staining and western blotting analysis revealed that LPS downregulated the abundant expression of CFTR protein. However, IND did not restore the LPS-induced decrease in CFTR expression on Calu-3 cells. These findings suggest that the activation of cAMP-dependent HCO3− secretion through CFTR would be partly involved in the IND-mediated pH normalization in gland secretion and may be suitable for the maintenance of airway defense against exacerbating factors including LPS.
Abnormal neonatal sodium handling in skin precedes hypertension in the SAME rat
Authors: Mullins Linda , Ivy Jessica , Ward Mairi , Tenstad Olav , Wiig Helge , Kitada Kento , Manning Jon , Rakova Natalia , Muller Dominik , Mullins John 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe discovered high Na+ and water content in the skin of newborn Sprague–Dawley rats, which reduced ~ 2.5-fold by 7 days of age, indicating rapid changes in extracellular volume (ECV). Equivalent changes in ECV post birth were also observed in C57Bl/6 J mice, with a fourfold reduction over 7 days, to approximately adult levels. This established the generality of increased ECV at birth. We investigated early sodium and water handling in neonates from a second rat strain, Fischer, and an Hsd11b2-knockout rat modelling the syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess (SAME). Despite Hsd11b2−/− animals exhibiting lower skin Na+ and water levels than controls at birth, they retained ~ 30% higher Na+ content in their pelts at the expense of K+ thereafter. Hsd11b2−/− neonates exhibited incipient hypokalaemia from 15 days of age and became increasingly polydipsic and polyuric from weaning. As with adults, they excreted a high proportion of ingested Na+ through the kidney, (56.15 ± 8.21% versus control 34.15 ± 8.23%; n = 4; P < 0.0001), suggesting that changes in nephron electrolyte transporters identified in adults, by RNA-seq analysis, occur by 4 weeks of age. Our data reveal that Na+ imbalance in the Hsd11b2−/− neonate leads to excess Na+ storage in skin and incipient hypokalaemia, which, together with increased, glucocorticoid-induced Na+ uptake in the kidney, then contribute to progressive, volume contracted, salt-sensitive hypertension. Skin Na+ plays an important role in the development of SAME but, equally, may play a key physiological role at birth, supporting post-natal growth, as an innate barrier to infection or as a rudimentary kidney.
Head-to-head performance comparison of self-collected nasal versus professional-collected nasopharyngeal swab for a WHO-listed SARS-CoV-2 antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic test
Authors: Klein Julian A. F. , Krüger Lisa J. , Tobian Frank , Gaeddert Mary , Lainati Federica , Schnitzler Paul , Lindner Andreas K. , Nikolai Olga , Knorr B. , Welker A. , de Vos Margaretha , Sacks Jilian A. , Escadafal Camille , Denkinger Claudia M. ,   for the Study Team
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended two SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow antigen-detecting rapid diagnostics tests (Ag-RDTs), both initially with nasopharyngeal (NP) sample collection. Independent head-to-head studies are necessary for SARS-CoV-2 Ag-RDT nasal sampling to demonstrate comparability of performance with nasopharyngeal (NP) sampling. We conducted a head-to-head comparison study of a supervised, self-collected nasal mid-turbinate (NMT) swab and a professional-collected NP swab, using the Panbio™ Ag-RDT (distributed by Abbott). We calculated positive and negative percent agreement between the sampling methods as well as sensitivity and specificity for both sampling techniques compared to the reference standard reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A SARS-CoV-2 infection could be diagnosed by RT-PCR in 45 of 290 participants (15.5%). Comparing the NMT and NP sampling the positive percent agreement of the Ag-RDT was 88.1% (37/42 PCR positives detected; CI 75.0–94.8%). The negative percent agreement was 98.8% (245/248; CI 96.5–99.6%). The overall sensitivity of Panbio with NMT sampling was 84.4% (38/45; CI 71.2–92.3%) and 88.9% (40/45; CI 76.5–95.5%) with NP sampling. Specificity was 99.2% (243/245; CI 97.1–99.8%) for both, NP and NMT sampling. The sensitivity of the Panbio test in participants with high viral load (> 7 log10 SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies/mL) was 96.3% (CI 81.7–99.8%) for both, NMT and NP sampling. For the Panbio supervised NMT self-sampling yields comparable results to NP sampling. This suggests that nasal self-sampling could be used for to enable scaled-up population testing.Clinical Trial DRKS00021220.
Outcomes associated with the use of a new powered circular stapler for left-sided colorectal reconstructions: a propensity score matching-adjusted indirect comparison with manual circular staplers
Authors: Sylla Patricia , Sagar Peter , Johnston Stephen S. , Dwarakanathan Harikumaran R. , Waggoner Jason R. , Schwiers Michael , Roy Sanjoy 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
This was a retrospective, matching-adjusted indirect comparison of clinical outcomes between patients from a single-arm trial of the ECHELON CIRCULAR™ Powered Stapler (ECP) and those from a historical cohort of patients who underwent left-sided colorectal resection using conventional manual circular staplers, extracted from the Premier Healthcare Database.

Methods
Patients in the ECP trial cohort were propensity score matched to those in the historical cohort through nearest neighbor matching. Outcomes included 30-day readmission rates; length of stay (LOS) for the index admission; rates of anastomotic leak, pelvic abscess, ileus/small bowel obstruction, infection, bleeding, and stoma creation.

Results
The study included 168 patients in the ECP trial cohort and 4544 patients in the historical cohort; 165 ECP trial patients were matched to 1348 historical cohort patients. After matching, conversions were more prevalent in the historical cohort than the ECP trial cohort (4.2% ECP vs. 10.2% historical, p = 0.001). Relative to the historical cohort, the ECP trial cohort had statistically significant lower rates of 30-day inpatient readmission (6.1% vs. 10.8%, p = 0.019), anastomotic leak (1.8% vs. 6.9%, p < 0.001), ileus/small bowel obstruction (4.8% vs. 14.7%, p < 0.001), infection (1.8% vs. 5.7%, p = 0.001), and bleeding (1.8% vs. 9.2%, p < 0.001) during the index admission or within 30 days thereafter. No statistically significant differences in rates of pelvic abscess, stoma creation, or LOS were found between the two cohorts. Three sensitivity analyses to address the difference in conversion rates yielded largely consistent results, with loss of statistical significance for inpatient admission in some cases. This study is limited by its potential for differences in unmeasurable factors between the ECP trial and historical cohorts.

Conclusions
In this study, the ECP trial cohort had lower incidence proportions of several surgical complications as compared with the historical cohort. Further controlled prospective clinical studies are needed to confirm the validity of this finding.
An intelligent Bayesian hybrid approach to help autism diagnosis
Authors: Souza Paulo Vitor de Campos , Guimaraes Augusto Junio , Araujo Vanessa Souza , Lughofer Edwin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis paper proposes a Bayesian hybrid approach based on neural networks and fuzzy systems to construct fuzzy rules to assist experts in detecting features and relations regarding the presence of autism in human beings. The model proposed in this paper works with a database generated through mobile devices that deals with diagnoses of autistic characteristics in human beings who answer a series of questions in a mobile application. The Bayesian model works with the construction of Gaussian fuzzy neurons in the first and logical neurons in the second layer of the model to form a fuzzy inference system connected to an artificial neural network that activates a robust output neuron. The new fuzzy neural network model was compared with traditional state-of-the-art machine learning models based on high-dimensional based on real-world data sets comprising the autism occurrence in children, adults, and adolescents. The results (97.73- Children/94.32-Adolescent/97.28-Adult) demonstrate the efficiency of our new method in determining children, adolescents, and adults with autistic traits (being among the top performers among all ML models tested), can generate knowledge about the dataset through fuzzy rules.
Surgically generated aerosol and mitigation strategies: combined use of irrigation, respirators and suction massively reduces particulate matter aerosol
Authors: Schramm Moritz W. J. , Sheikh Asim J. , Chave-Cox Rebecca , McQuaid James , Whitty Rachel C. W. , Ilyinskaya Evgenia 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Aerosol is a health risk to theatre staff. This laboratory study quantifies the reduction in particulate matter aerosol concentrations produced by electrocautery and drilling when using mitigation strategies such as irrigation, respirator filtration and suction in a lab environment to prepare for future work under live OR conditions.

Methods
We combined one aerosol-generating procedure (monopolar cutting or coagulating diathermy or high-speed diamond- or steel-tipped drilling of cadaveric porcine tissue) with one or multiple mitigation strategies (instrument irrigation, plume suction and filtration using an FFP3 respirator filter) and using an optical particle counter to measure particulate matter aerosol size and concentrations.

Results
Significant aerosol concentrations were observed during all aerosol-generating procedures with concentrations exceeding 3 × 106 particles per 100 ml. Considerable reductions in concentrations were observed with mitigation. In drilling, suction, FFP3 filtration and wash alone respectively reduced aerosol by 19.3–31.6%, 65.1–70.8% and 97.2 to > 99.9%. The greatest reduction (97.38 to > 99.9%) was observed when combining irrigation and filtration. Coagulating diathermy reduced concentrations by 88.0–96.6% relative to cutting, but produced larger particles. Suction alone, and suction with filtration reduced aerosol concentration by 41.0–49.6% and 88.9–97.4% respectively. No tested mitigation strategies returned aerosol concentrations to baseline.

Conclusion
Aerosol concentrations are significantly reduced through the combined use of filtration, suction and irrigation. Further research is required to characterise aerosol concentrations in the live OR and to find acceptable exposure limits, and in their absence, to find methods to further reduce exposure to theatre staff.
Electric potential and energy band in ZnO nanofiber tuned by local mechanical loading
Authors: Fan Shuaiqi , Chen Ziguang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractRecent success in strain engineering has triggered tremendous interest in its study and potential applications in nanodevice design. In this paper, we establish a coupled piezoelectric/semiconducting model for a wurtzite structure ZnO nanofiber under the local mechanical loading. The energy band structure tuned by the local mechanical loading and local length is calculated via an eight-band k · p method, which includes the coupling of valance and conduction bands. Poisson’s effect on the distribution of electric potential inversely depends on the local mechanical loading. Numerical results reveal that both the applied local mechanical loading and the local length exhibit obvious tuning effects on the electric potential and energy band. The band gap at band edges varies linearly with the applied loading. Changing the local length shifts the energy band which is far away from the band edges. This study will be useful in the electronic and optical enhancement of semiconductor devices.
The consumer’s demand functions defined to study contingent consumption plans
Authors: Angelini Pierpaolo , Maturo Fabrizio 
Published: May 2021

AbstractGiven two probability distributions expressing returns on two single risky assets of a portfolio, we innovatively define two consumer’s demand functions connected with two contingent consumption plans. This thing is possible whenever we coherently summarize every probability distribution being chosen by the consumer. Since prevision choices are consumption choices being made by the consumer inside of a metric space, we show that prevision choices can be studied by means of the standard economic model of consumer behavior. Such a model implies that we consider all coherent previsions of a joint distribution. They are decomposed inside of a metric space. Such a space coincides with the consumer’s consumption space. In this paper, we do not consider a joint distribution only. It follows that we innovatively define a stand-alone and double risky asset. Different summary measures of it characterizing consumption choices being made by the consumer can then be studied inside of a linear space over $${\mathbb {R}}$$
R
. We show that it is possible to obtain different summary measures of probability distributions by using two different quadratic metrics. In this paper, our results are based on a particular approach to the origin of the variability of probability distributions. We realize that it is not standardized, but it always depends on the state of information and knowledge of the consumer.
The variability and burden of severe sleep apnea and the relationship with atrial fibrillation occurrence: analysis of pacemaker-detected sleep apnea
Authors: Chen RuoHan , Chen KePing , Dai Yan , Zhang Shu 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Study objectives
This was a pilot study to evaluate the long-term variability and burden of respiratory disturbance index (RDI) detected by pacemaker and to investigate the relationship between RDI and atrial fibrillation (AF) event in patients with pacemakers.

Methods
This was a prospective study enrolling patients implanted with a pacemaker that could calculate the night-to-night RDI. The mean follow-up was 348 ± 34 days. The RDI variability was defined as the standard deviation of RDI (RDI-SD). RDI burden was referred to as the percentage of nights with RDI ≥ 26. The patient with RDI ≥ 26 in more than 75% nights was considered to have a high sleep apnea (SA) burden. An AF event was defined as a daily AF duration > 6 h.

Results
Among 30 patients, the mean RDI of the whole follow-up period was 24.5 ± 8.6. Nine (30%) patients were diagnosed with high SA burden. Patients with high SA burden had a higher BMI (26.7 ± 4.8 vs 23.2 ± 3.9, p = 0.036), a higher prevalence of hypertension (86% vs 39%, p = 0.031), and a larger left ventricular diastolic diameter (49.2 mm vs 46.7 mm, p = 0.036). The RDI-SD in patients with a higher burden was significantly greater than that in the patients with less burden (10.7 ± 4.9 vs 5.7 ± 1.4, p = 0.036). Linear regression showed that participants with a higher RDI tended to have a higher SD (R = 0.661; p < 0.001). The mean RDI (OR = 1.118, 95%CI 1.008–1.244, p = 0.044) was associated with AF occurrence.

Conclusion
Using a metric such as burden of severe SA may be more appropriate to demonstrate a patient’s true disease burden.
Multipliers on $${{\mathcal {S}}}_{\omega }({{\mathbb {R}}}^N)$$
Authors: Albanese Angela A. , Mele Claudio 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to introduce and to study the space$${{\mathcal {O}}}_{M,\omega }({{\mathbb {R}}}^N)$$OM,ω(RN)of the multipliers of the space$${{\mathcal {S}}}_\omega ({{\mathbb {R}}}^N)$$Sω(RN)of the$$\omega $$ω-ultradifferentiable rapidly decreasing functions of Beurling type. We determine various properties of the space$${{\mathcal {O}}}_{M,\omega }({{\mathbb {R}}}^N)$$OM,ω(RN). Moreover, we define and compare some lc-topologies of which$${{\mathcal {O}}}_{M,\omega }({{\mathbb {R}}}^N)$$OM,ω(RN)can be naturally endowed.
QBism and the limits of scientific realism
Authors: Glick David 
Published: May 2021

AbstractQBism is an agent-centered interpretation of quantum theory. It rejects the notion that quantum theory provides a God’s eye description of reality and claims instead that it imposes constraints on agents’ subjective degrees of belief. QBism’s emphasis on subjective belief has led critics to dismiss it as antirealism or instrumentalism, or even, idealism or solipsism. The aim of this paper is to consider the relation of QBism to scientific realism. I argue that while QBism is an unhappy fit with a standard way of thinking about scientific realism, an alternative conception I call “perspectival normative realism” may allow for a reconciliation.
Planned relocation in Peru: advancing from well-meant legislation to good practice
Authors: Bergmann Jonas 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAlong Peru’s rainforest rivers, rising flood extremes are increasingly exceeding coping capacities of vulnerable households. Peru has detailed legislation that embraces planned relocation as a strategic solution to such situations and various relocation projects are underway across the country. This research brief analyzes well-being consequences for two communities requesting relocation, using qualitative data collected from experts and 30 affected people. Initial results emphasize that weak governance, poverty, third-party involvement, and community action have influenced relocation outcomes. Delays and fragmented implementation have threatened people’s well-being. One community, waiting for land to relocate since 2015, has suffered from continued hazard exposure, deteriorated material conditions, and reduced subjective well-being. The second community achieved relocation only after a decade in detrimental limbo. Although livelihood challenges persist, its inhabitants now benefit from better market access and decreased exposure, leading to higher subjective well-being. With rising needs for relocation worldwide, the cases highlight that detailed legislation is not sufficient to safeguard people’s well-being. Advancing from well-meant legislation to good practice requires adequate institutional capacity, effective mechanisms for oversight and accountability, better engagement of third parties, and dedicated efforts to strengthen community agency.
Time for Inclusion of Racial and Gender Discrimination in Routine Clinical Assessment
Authors: De Rose Cristina , Spinola Olivia , Buonsenso Danilo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractRecently, there has been an increasing amount of scientific interest towards the broad theme of racial inequalities and their impact on human health, specifically exploring how ethnic discrimination affects the wellness of black people and the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of these conditions of inequity also affect black children. Discrimination and racism should be routinely considered as causative agents or triggers of disease and routinely included in clinical examination, during history collection and evaluation of vital signs. This will benefit child and family health, worldwide. We shared our recent experience by reporting a case of a 13-year-old black girl who came to Italy from Niger about 3 years earlier through the traumatizing migratory journey. She was evaluated in the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) for sleepiness that had progressively worsened during the last days. We describe the case and how it was handled differently by pediatricians and pediatric trainees with equally different personal and professional backgrounds.We also report the preliminary results of a national survey aimed to assess discrimination and inequalities in Italian Paediatric Residency Schools. Medical ability has been allowing us to respond rapidly to a novel virus in order to save lives. The expertise of doctors and researchers must be used to evaluate this hidden crisis as well, to address racism and injustice and to protect vulnerable people from harm. Our case showed us how it is essential including racial and gender discrimination in a diagnostic process.
NGAL/hepcidin-25 ratio and AKI subtypes in patients following cardiac surgery: a prospective observational study
Authors: Elitok Saban , Devarajan Prasad , Bellomo Rinaldo , Isermann Berend , Haase Michael , Haase-Fielitz Anja 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Acute kidney injury (AKI) subtypes combining kidney functional parameters and injury biomarkers may have prognostic value. We aimed to determine whether neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL)/hepcidin-25 ratio (urinary concentrations of NGAL divided by that of hepcidin-25) defined subtypes are of prognostic relevance in cardiac surgery patients.

Methods
We studied 198 higher-risk cardiac surgery patients. We allocated patients to four groups: Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO)-AKI-negative and NGAL/hepcidin-25 ratio-negative (no AKI), KDIGO AKI-negative and NGAL/hepcidin-25 ratio-positive (subclinical AKI), KDIGO AKI-positive and NGAL/hepcidin-25 ratio-negative (clinical AKI), KDIGO AKI-positive and NGAL/hepcidin-25 ratio-positive (combined AKI). Outcomes included in-hospital mortality (primary) and long-term mortality (secondary).

Results
We identified 127 (61.6%) patients with no AKI, 13 (6.6%) with subclinical, 40 (20.2%) with clinical and 18 (9.1%) with combined AKI. Subclinical AKI patients had a 23-fold greater in-hospital mortality than no AKI patients. For combined AKI vs. no AKI or clinical AKI, findings were stronger (odds ratios (ORs): 126 and 39, respectively). After adjusting for EuroScore, volume of intraoperative packed red blood cells, and aortic cross-clamp time, subclinical and combined AKI remained associated with greater in-hospital mortality than no AKI and clinical AKI (adjusted ORs: 28.118, 95% CI 1.465–539.703; 3.737, 95% CI 1.746–7.998). Cox proportional hazard models found a significant association of biomarker-informed AKI subtypes with long-term survival compared with no AKI (adjusted ORs: pooled subclinical and clinical AKI: 1.885, 95% CI 1.003–3.542; combined AKI: 1.792, 95% CI 1.367–2.350).

Conclusions
In the presence or absence of KDIGO clinical criteria for AKI, the urinary NGAL/hepcidin-25-ratio appears to detect prognostically relevant AKI subtypes.

Trial registration number
NCT00672334, clinicaltrials.gov, date of registration: 6th May 2008, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00672334.

Graphic abstract

Definition of AKI subtypes: subclinical AKI (KDIGO negative AND Ratio-positive), clinical AKI (KDIGO positive AND Ratio-negative) and combined AKI (KDIGO positive AND Ratio-positive) with urinary NGAL/hepcidin-25 ratio-positive cut-off at 85% specificity for in-hospital death. AKI, acute kidney injury. AUC, area under the curve. NGAL, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin. KDIGO, Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes Initiative AKI definition.