bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Launching the Reduction of Peripartum Racial/Ethnic Disparities Bundle: A Quality Improvement Project
Authors: Arrington Lauren Anita , Edie Alison Hester , Sewell Catherine Angela , Carter Brigit Maria 
Published: April 2021

IntroductionHealth care organizations have a responsibility to reduce racial and ethnic perinatal health disparities. In the United States, Black women experience the worst perinatal outcomes. The process for successfully addressing this problem in clinical practice remains unclear.ProcessA community hospital implemented components of the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health Reduction of Peripartum Racial/Ethnic Disparities Patient Safety Bundle. The purpose was to collect and share perinatal disparities data, increase staff awareness of perinatal racial and ethnic disparities, and engage staff to address these disparities at the project site. Perinatal care data were reviewed by race and ethnicity and results were shared with staff. Staff were engaged through a series of activities including a Health Equity Party, implicit bias workshop, Snack and Learn sessions, online modules, 2 grand rounds, and the establishment of a Health Equity Committee.OutcomesRacial and/or ethnic disparities were identified for perinatal outcomes and experience of care indicators including rates of cesarean birth, newborn mortality, and 30‐day readmission. Of the staff 137 (65.9%) participated in project activities. The majority of participants were registered nurses (n = 82). Certified nurse‐midwives (n = 10) were the profession with the highest rate of attendance (83.3%). Staff developed 26 new recommendations to address racial and ethnic disparities in care. After project implementation, mean scores of High Provider Attribution, an indicator of readiness to address health disparities, increased from preimplementation scores (P = .01). There was also a significant increase in the number of staff who reported engaging in activities to address the health care needs of racial and ethnic minority patients (P < .001).DiscussionThis quality improvement project demonstrated that interventions at the health care organization level can be effective in influencing health care providers and staff to address racial and ethnic perinatal disparities.
May human epididymis 4 protein play a role in the etiopathogenesis of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome?
Authors: Cam Taner , Cimilli Senocak Gamze Nur , Ozturk Nurinnisa , Topdagi Yilmaz Emsal Pınar 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimHemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome is an extremely advanced form of preeclampsia. Currently, there is no parameter or marker to predict this syndrome; however, it is emphasized that vascular endothelial damage and abnormal immune responses can be the possible etiologies of HELLP syndrome. It is known that human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is a protease inhibitor and previous studies have shown that HE4 protein levels are increased in many malignancies and inflammatory conditions. Considering that metalloproteinases may also play a role in endothelial damage, which is thought to be involved in the etiopathogenesis of HELLP syndrome, we thought that HE4 protein, which is a protease inhibitor, may be associated with vascular damage. We aimed to investigate the relationship between HELLP syndrome and HE4 protein and to identify a biomarker that can be utilized in the diagnosis of HELLP syndrome.Study DesignIn this study, 40 patients with HELLP syndrome and 40 healthy pregnant women with similar characteristics without HELLP syndrome were compared.ResultsWhen the results were evaluated, no statistically significant difference was found between serum HE4 protein levels in patients with HELLP syndrome and patients without HELLP syndrome in this study (p: 0.29).ConclusionHE4 protein has no field of use in obstetrics yet. In our study, we aimed to find a new biomarker to identify patients with HELLP syndrome. However, we could not find any statistically significant difference in terms of HE4 protein levels between patients with and without HELLP syndrome. Our study is an important study as it is the first study aiming to use HE4 protein in obstetrics.
Feeding below the thermocline: implications for prey capture kinematics
Authors: Moran C. J. , Burgess E. , Gerry S. P. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThermal stratification can significantly impact the distribution of species in aquatic systems. Organisms often travel between these thermoclines in order to locate prey and find optimal thermal condition. Since most aquatic animals are ectotherms, changes in ambient temperature can have immediate impacts on performance. We aimed to understand how prey capture kinematics change when bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) are exposed to brief acute temperature changes that represent foraging bouts below the thermocline. To do this, we exposed bluegills to either 21°C (above thermocline) or 17°C (below thermocline) and fed them a cloud of defrosted brine shrimp. After digitizing high‐speed videography, we found that performance increased at the below thermocline temperature contrary to our prediction. During these feeding bouts, we noticed high variability in prey capture behaviors as the fish encountered the first prey item and subsequent prey items. In these successive feeding events, they demonstrated a remarkable amount of modulation in close succession. We conclude that acute exposure to the thermocline temperature tested here does not negatively impact prey capture. Furthermore, feeding in rapid succession could be a way to maximize prey captured while reducing energy for searching and capture.
Out of Hospital Sudden Death in a Rural Population: Low Rates of ICD Underutilization Among Decedents
Authors: Eboh Oghenesuvwe , Mao Yuxuan , Lee Elisabeth , Okunrintemi Victor , Derbal Ouassim , Maxwell Hill Sharidan , Sears Samuel F. , Pursell Irion , Mounsey John P. , Burch Ashley 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundImplantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) reduce mortality in patients at risk for life‐threatening arrhythmias. Implantation of ICDs in rural or economically disadvantaged populations is suspected to be low. This study examined Out of Hospital Premature Natural Death (OHPND) and electronic medical record (EMR) data to identify rates of non‐implantation of ICDs among decedents in eastern North Carolina.MethodsOHPND cases in 2016 were identified using mortality data and matched with EMRs. Those meeting criteria for ICD implantation based on chart review were adjudicated by two electrophysiologists to determine whether they qualified for implantation. Comorbidity burden was established using Charlson's Comorbidity Index (CCI).ResultsOut of 1316 OHPND cases, 967 (73.4%) had EMR records. Chart review identified 70 (7.2%) potential ICD candidates with a LVEF ≤35 of which 5 (7.1%) did not meet criteria because LVEF subsequently improved. Of the remaining 65 patients, 32 (49.2%) already received an ICD, and 33 patients (50.7%) met criteria but had not received one. Reasons for non‐implantation included: limited life expectancy secondary to comorbidities, principally chronic kidney disease (CKD) (N = 11, 17%), physician non‐adherence to guidelines (N = 9, 14%), loss to follow‐up (N = 7, 11%), patient refusal (N = 5, 8%), and death before commencing medical therapy (N = 1, 2%). Among our cohort of 967 individuals who died unexpectedly, nine (0.9%) patients may have avoided death with an ICD.ConclusionThis study using decedent data shows low rates of ICD‐underutilization in a rural population and emphasizes the role of advanced comorbidities such as CKD in ICD‐underutilization.
Resiniferatoxin promotes adult worm expulsion in Trichinella spiralis‐infected rats by Th2 immune response modulation
Authors: Muñoz‐Carrillo José Luis , Gutiérrez‐Coronado Oscar , Muñoz‐Escobedo José Jesús , Contreras‐Cordero Juan Francisco , Maldonado‐Tapia Claudia , Moreno‐García María Alejandra 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe immune response during T spiralis infection is characterized by an increase in eosinophils and mast cells, as well as Th2 cytokine production, such as interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐10 and IL‐13, promoting T spiralis expulsion from the host. However, this response damages the host, favouring the parasite survival. In the search for new pharmacological strategies that protect against T spiralis infection, a recent study showed that treatment with resiniferatoxin (RTX) modulates the Th1 cytokines production, reducing muscle parasite burden.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of RTX treatment on the Th2 cytokines production, the number of eosinophils, mast cells and the intestinal expulsion of T spiralis.MethodsSerum levels of IL‐4, IL‐10 and IL‐13 were quantified by ELISA; the number of eosinophils, mast cells and the adult worms of T spiralis in the small intestine was quantified.ResultsRTX treatment increased serum levels of IL‐4, IL‐10 and IL‐13, and it decreases intestinal eosinophilia, however, favours the mastocytosis, promoting T spiralis intestinal expulsion.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that RTX is capable to modulate the Th2 immune response, promoting T spiralis expulsion, which contributes to the defence against T spiralis infection, placing the RTX as a potential immunomodulatory drug.
Effects of nitrogen on caesium allocation in rice plants (Oryzasativa)
Authors: Kinoshita N. , Irving L. J. , Lustig B. , Furukawa J. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

After the nuclear accident in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, in 2011, 137Caesium (Cs) contaminated nearby agricultural regions. Studies in these rice fields found that low K and high N fertilizer application enhanced Cs uptake in rice shoots. However, the influence of root and soil physics on these findings, as well as precise nutrient levels, remain to be clarified.

We sought to analyse these relationships utilizing hydroponically grown rice plants. The rice plants were subjected to various concentrations of K and N nutrient solutions. We measured Cs allocation within the plants and performed transcript analyses using root tissues.

Under low‐K conditions, low‐N plants accumulated less Cs in shoots and more in roots when compared to control‐N conditions, even though overall Cs uptake remained unchanged. Expression analyses of root mRNAs showed that low‐N plants accumulated reduced levels of OsAKT1 mRNA, encoding a K transporter. We also found a negative relationship between shoot Cs and K status in control‐N but not in low‐N conditions.

Our results suggest that the application of N shifts Cs from roots into the shoots and that OsAKT1 in root vascular tissues influences Cs allocation. In practice, fine tuning N/K application and targeted breeding of K transporters might mitigate Cs contamination in rice plants.
The Development of Islamic Finance in Tunisia after the Arab Spring: Does Political Islam Matter?
Authors: Gazdar Kaouthar , Grassa Rihab , Hassan M. Kabir 
Published: April 2021

This study examines the impact of political transformation in Tunisia and the rise of Islamic political parties on people's perceptions toward developing the Islamic finance sector in the country. We assess the extent to which the future of Islamic finance in Tunisia could be related to political Islam or if political orientation could be detrimental to the development of the country's Islamic finance. Based on a survey distributed to 1,158 Tunisian citizens, we offer an insight into how political Islam has affected the development of Islamic finance in Tunisia. We find that: (1) political orientation does not appear to be a significant determinant of the acceptance of Islamic finance; (2) religious beliefs appear to be a significant determinant of the acceptance of Islamic finance; and (3) the future development of Islamic finance in Tunisia can be linked more precisely to the country's social transformation rather than the rise to power of Islamic political parties since the Arab Spring.Related ArticlesAntwi‐Boateng, Osman. 2015. “No Spring in Africa: How Sub‐Saharan Africa has Avoided the Arab Spring Phenomenon.” Politics & Policy 43 (5): 754‐784. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12129Khodair, Amany Ahmed, Mostafa E. AboElsoud, and Mahmoud Khalifa. 2019. “The Role of Regional Media in Shaping Political Awareness of Youth: Evidence from Egypt.” Politics & Policy 47 (6): 1095‐1124. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12335Sarquís, David J. 2012. “Democratization after the Arab Spring: The Case of Egypt's Political Transition.” Politics & Policy 40 (5): 871‐903. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2012.00381.x
Molecular studies on oestrogen α and progesterone receptors and histomorphometric analysis of canine uteri following aglepristone treatment
Authors: Limmanont Chunsumon , Lertwatcharasarakul Preeda , Ponglowhapan Suppawiwat , Sirinarumitr Kaitkanoke 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAglepristone, a competitive progesterone antagonist, is successfully used in various progesterone‐dependent conditions. This study investigated uterine histomorphometric analysis, and expressions of the oestrogen α receptor (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR) in uteri of bitches following the single dose of aglepristone treatment. Twelve client‐owned healthy diestrous bitches were used in the study. The single dose of aglepristone (Alizine®, 10 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously 5 days before ovariohysterectomy in the treatment group (n = 6); bitches without treatment served as a control group (n = 6). Uteri were collected for histomorphometric analysis, ERα and PR gene, and protein expressions studies. The mRNA expressions of ERα and PR were determined by RT‐qPCR. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to evaluate the ERα and PR protein expressions using an H‐score in five parts of the uterus. The results demonstrated glandular epithelium height significantly decreased (p < .05) and ERα mRNA increased (p < .01) in treated dogs. Of the treated bitches, lower expression levels of ERα were observed in the luminal epithelium, crypt and glandular epithelium, with higher expression in the endometrial stroma and myometrium (p < .05); however, PR expression decreased in the luminal epithelium, crypt and glandular epithelium (p < .01). In conclusion, reduction of the uterine glandular epithelium and ERα mRNA upregulation together with changes in ERα and PR expressions were observed in the treated bitches. However, changes in uterine ERα and PR expressions in the treated bitches depended on tissue layers. The treatment had no effect on serum oestradiol and progesterone levels.
Determinants of Risk Disparity Due to Infrastructure Service Losses in Disasters: A Household Service Gap Model
Authors: Esmalian Amir , Dong Shangjia , Coleman Natalie , Mostafavi Ali 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe objective of this article is to systematically assess and identify factors affecting risk disparity due to infrastructure service disruptions in extreme weather events. We propose a household service gap model that characterizes societal risks at the household level by examining service disruptions as threats, level of tolerance of households to disruptions as susceptibility, and experienced hardship as an indicator for the realized impacts of risk. The concept of “zone of tolerance” for the service disruptions was encapsulated to account for different capabilities of the households to endure the adverse impacts. The model was tested and validated in the context of power outages through survey data from the residents of Harris County in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The results show that households’ need for utility service, preparedness level, the existence of substitutes, possession of social capital, previous experience with disasters, and risk communication affect the zone of tolerance within which households cope with service outages. In addition, sociodemographic characteristics, such as race and residence type, are shown to influence the zone of tolerance, and hence the level of hardship experienced by the affected households. The results reveal that population subgroups show variations in the tolerance level of service disruptions. The findings highlight the importance of integrating social dimensions into the resilience planning of infrastructure systems. The proposed model and results enable human‐centric hazards mitigation and resilience planning to effectively reduce the risk disparity of vulnerable populations to service disruptions in disasters.
Dyadic disruption theory
Authors: Cornelius Talea 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAspects of couples' romantic relationships are some of the most powerful psychosocial forces shaping mental and physical health, but even high‐quality relationships are not universally beneficial for patients. Dyadic health theories have largely focused on chronic illness management that occurs after the couple understands the disease and prognosis, rather than focusing on couples' interdependence in the days and weeks following a sudden and disruptive medical event (e.g., an acute coronary syndrome or a stroke). To address this gap, I propose dyadic disruption theory to guide research on couples' reactions to acute medical events and their consequences for individual and dyadic mental health, physical health, and behavior. I propose that dyadic processes of social support, shared reality, and corumination can precipitate harmful patient and partner dynamics when couples are distressed early post event and offer three propositions that inform testable hypotheses. Finally, I discuss implications for early dyadic intervention and future directions for research.
Keeping up with the digital natives: Using social media in an all‐girls science classroom
Authors: Serpagli Lauren Paola , Mensah Felicia Moore 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis qualitative, ethnographic study focuses on how combining aspects of visual learning with a social media application (app)—Instagram—can be a useful learning tool for digital natives (DNs). Current students are classified as digital natives because they are inundated with technology, which has become an essential tool in their everyday lives. By combining learning with a social media app that relies heavily on virtual communication, a new educational tool can emerge that is both engaging and relevant. Using its Live feature, students incorporate an app they use regularly in their nonacademic lives and bring it into the educational setting of the science classroom. Thirty‐two female, high school biology students received permission to respond to a questionnaire and participate in a focus group or individual interview to further discuss their reactions to use Instagram in the biology classroom. Four students were asked additional questions regarding their reactions and understandings of how Instagram Live was used and how it enhanced their biology content understanding. The themes that emerged considered largely how Instagram as an educational tool brings science into the daily lives of digital natives. Implications from the study show how the use of Instagram specifically supported young women in science.
Deep learning for automatic segmentation of the nuclear envelope in electron microscopy data, trained with volunteer segmentations
Authors: Spiers Helen , Songhurst Harry , Nightingale Luke , de Folter Joost ,   The Zooniverse Volunteer Community, Hutchings Roger , Peddie Christopher J. , Weston Anne , Strange Amy , Hindmarsh Steve , Lintott Chris , Collinson Lucy M. , Jones Martin L. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAdvancements in volume electron microscopy mean it is now possible to generate thousands of serial images at nanometre resolution overnight, yet the gold standard approach for data analysis remains manual segmentation by an expert microscopist, resulting in a critical research bottleneck. Although some machine learning approaches exist in this domain, we remain far from realizing the aspiration of a highly accurate, yet generic, automated analysis approach, with a major obstacle being lack of sufficient high‐quality ground‐truth data. To address this, we developed a novel citizen science project, Etch a Cell, to enable volunteers to manually segment the nuclear envelope (NE) of HeLa cells imaged with serial blockface scanning electron microscopy. We present our approach for aggregating multiple volunteer annotations to generate a high‐quality consensus segmentation and demonstrate that data produced exclusively by volunteers can be used to train a highly accurate machine learning algorithm for automatic segmentation of the NE, which we share here, in addition to our archived benchmark data.
Comparison of leakage pressures of vesicourethral anastomosis performed with intracorporeal suturing in a simulator and conventional suturing ex vivo in canine cadaveric tissue
Authors: Hafez Ahmed , Ragab Gamal A. , Monnet Eric 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo compare conventional and intracorporeal vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA) in canine cadaveric tissue.Study designCadaveric ex vivo study.Study populationTwenty‐eight canine bladders with urethra.MethodsSpecimens after prostatectomy were randomly divided into intracorporeal (I) group or conventional (C) group. For the I group, VUA was performed in a simulator with laparoscopic needle holders and telescope. For the C group, the anastomosis was performed in vitro with standard instruments. The VUA was performed with 4–0 monofilament absorbable suture and was completed with two simple continuous sutures. Surgical time, leakage pressure, site of leakage, and number of suture bites were recorded.ResultsFourteen samples were entered in each group. The dorsal side of the anastomosis was initially performed, followed by the ventral side. The median suturing time was 30.8 minutes (range, 19.3–39.2) for the I group and 17.3 minutes (range, 9.2–21.3) for the C group (P < .0001). The median leakage pressure was 10.9 mm Hg (range, 4.1–29.7) for the I group and 10.8 mm Hg (range, 6.2–18.5) for the C group (P = .94). The median number of stitches was 20 (range, 14–26) for the I group and 19 (range, 11–28) for the C group (P = .96). The distribution of the site of leakage was similar between groups (P = .381).ConclusionVesicourethral anastomosis can be performed with leakage pressures similar to intracorporeal and conventional suturing.Clinical significanceThis study represents the first step toward laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in dogs.
Evaluation of the risk of patella fracture as the result of decreasing tibial plateau angle following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy
Authors: Geier Cindy M. , Frederick Steven W. , Cross Alan R. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of postoperative tibial plateau angle (TPA) following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) on the risk of patella fracture during the convalescent period.Study DesignRetrospective study.Sample PopulationFracture group: 20 stifles; reference group: 65 stifles.MethodsMedical records were reviewed for stifles with patellar fractures after a TPLO procedure (fracture group) and stifles with >180 days radiographic examination with no complications following TPLO (reference group). Stifle radiographs were masked to group and final TPA (fTPA) was measured, at the time of fracture diagnosis (fracture group) and at last follow‐up (reference group), using PACS software. TPAs in the fracture and reference groups were compared using the Wilcoxon rank‐sum test. Statistical significance was set at .05.ResultsPatellar fractures were diagnosed at a median of 69 days (range 31–189) after surgery. The median duration of follow‐up time for the reference group was 471 days (range 180–1868). Median fTPA for the fracture group was 1.4° (range [−10.3]–7.1). Median fTPA for the reference group was 4.1° (range [−3.9]–14.1). The odds of patellar fractures increased by 21.7% (95% CI: 8.6%–35.6%) for every 1° decrease in fTPA.ConclusionThe risk of patella fractures increased as TPAs after TPLOs decreased.Clinical SignificanceCare should be taken to avoid excessive rotation during TPLO to decrease the likelihood of postoperative patellar fractures.