bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic counselor experiences with telehealth before and after COVID‐19
Authors: Mills Rachel , MacFarlane Ian M , Caleshu Colleen , Ringler Margaret A , Zierhut Heather A 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWhile genetic counselor (GC) utilization of telehealth has increased in recent years, the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic significantly accelerated the adoption of telehealth for many. We investigated GC experiences with telehealth including perceived advantages, disadvantages, and barriers using a one‐time online survey of GCs who provided direct patient care in recent years. The survey examined experiences with telehealth before and after the onset of COVID‐19. We made broad comparisons to findings from a similar study our research team conducted five years ago. GCs reported an increase in the utilization of telehealth over time, with significant increases from pre‐2017 (44%) to pre‐COVID‐19 (70%) and then to present (87%) (p<.001 and .02, respectively). There was no significant change in the total number of hours worked from pre‐COVID‐19 to the time of survey completion, nor were there significant changes in the amount of time spent on clinical responsibilities or interfacing with patients. However, the total number of hours worked in telehealth significantly increased (z = 5.05, p<.001) as did the percent of time spent interacting with patients via telehealth [t(72)=3.74, p<.001, d = 0.44]. Participants overwhelmingly preferred video (84%) over telephone; this differs from our previous survey where video was the preferred modality for 59% (p<.001). We utilized open‐ended questions to elicit reasons for modality preference. The most‐cited barrier to telehealth utilization was billing/reimbursement issues, with 39% noting this obstacle. This is consistent with our previous study where 30% cited billing/reimbursement as the primary barrier. These findings indicate a need for continued efforts to improve billing and reimbursement for genetic counseling offered via telehealth. They also present an opportunity for additional exploration regarding patient preferences for telehealth modality.
Role of liver transplantation in urea cycle disorders: Report from a nationwide study in Japan
Authors: Kido Jun , Matsumoto Shirou , Häberle Johannes , Inomata Yukihiro , Kasahara Mureo , Sakamoto Seisuke , Horikawa Reiko , Tanemura Akihiro , Okajima Hideaki , Suzuki Tatsuya , Nakamura Kimitoshi 
Published: July 2021

AbstractUrea cycle disorders (UCDs) are inherited metabolic diseases causing hyperammonemia by defects in urea cycle enzymes or transporters. Liver transplantation (LT) currently is the only curative treatment option until novel therapies become available. We performed a nationwide questionnaire‐based study between January 2000 and March 2018 to investigate the effect of LT in patients with UCDs in Japan. A total of 231 patients with UCDs were enrolled in this study. Of them, a total of 78 patients with UCDs (30 male and 16 female ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD), 21 carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency (CPSD), 10 argininosuccinate synthetase deficiency (ASSD) and 1 arginase 1 deficiency (ARGD)) had undergone LT. Concerning the maximum blood ammonia levels at the onset time in the transplanted male OTCD (N = 28), female OTCD (N = 15), CPSD (N = 21) and ASSD (N = 10), those were median 634 (IQR: 277‐1172), 268 (211‐352), 806 (535‐1382), and 628 (425‐957) μmol/L, respectively. The maximum blood ammonia levels in female OTCD were thus significantly lower than in the other UCDs (all P < .01). LT was effective for long‐term survival, prevented recurrent hyperammonemia attack, and lowered baseline blood ammonia levels in patients with UCDs. LT had limited effect for ameliorating neurodevelopmental outcome in patients with severe disease because hyperammonemia at the onset time already had a significant impact on the brain. Patients with ASSD may be more likely to survive without cognitive impairment by receiving early LT despite severe neonatal hyperammonemia ≥ 360 μmol/L. In patients with neonatal onset OTCD or CPSD, there may be additional factors with adverse effects on the brain that are not improved by LT.
Sensory perception of environmental cues as a modulator of aging and neurodegeneration: Insights from Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Dixit Anubhuti , Bhattacharya Bidisha 
Published: July 2021

AbstractEnvironmental stimuli such as temperature, food, and smell significantly influence the physiology and behavior of animals. Animals are differentially adapted to maintain their internal body functions in response to varied environmental conditions. These external cues are sensed by specialized neurons which are a part of the chemosensory and thermosensory systems. The inability to respond correctly to varied environmental conditions may result in compromised bodily functions and reduced longevity. For example, the ability to sense food is derived from the integrated action of olfactory and gustatory systems. The damage to the olfactory system will affect our decision of palatable food items which in turn can affect the response of the gustatory system, ultimately causing abnormal feeding habits. Recent studies have provided evidence that aging is regulated by sensory perception of environment. Aging is one of the most common causes of various neurodegenerative diseases and the perception of environmental cues is also found to regulate the development of neurodegenerative phenotype in several animal models. However, specific molecular signaling pathways involved in the process are not completely understood. The research conducted on one of the best‐studied animal models of aging, Caenorhabditis elegans, has demonstrated multiple examples of gene–environment interaction at the neuronal level which affects life span. The findings may be useful to identify the key neuronal regulators of aging and age‐related diseases in humans owing to conserved core metabolic and aging pathways from worms to humans.
Transoral Laser Microsurgery for Glottic Cancer in Patients Over 75 Years Old
Authors: Paderno Alberto , Lancini Davide , Bosio Paolo , Del Bon Francesca , Fior Milena , Berretti Giulia , Alparone Marco , Deganello Alberto , Peretti Giorgio , Piazza Cesare 
Published: July 2021

Objectives/HypothesisLaryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) has a non‐negligible incidence in elderly patients. However, there is still no clear indication on the ideal treatment for early‐intermediate glottic LSCC in this specific age group. Both surgical and nonsurgical approaches may be burdened by complications and sequelae that negatively impact patient's health. In this setting, carbon dioxide transoral laser microsurgery (CO2 TOLMS) is a promising minimally invasive treatment option.Study DesignRetrospective case series in a single tertiary academic institution.MethodsPatients who underwent CO2 TOLMS for Tis‐T3 glottic LSCC from 1997 to 2017 were reviewed. Demographic, clinical, and tumor characteristics, as well as postoperative complications were recorded. Overall (OS), disease‐specific (DSS), recurrence‐free (RFS), laryngo‐esophageal dysfunction free survivals (LEDFS), and organ preservation (OP) were calculated.ResultsA total of 134 patients (mean age, 80 ± 4 years; median, 79; range, 75–93) were included in the study. Seven lesions were classified as pTis, 65 as pT1a, 22 as pT1b, 35 as pT2, and 5 as pT3. No treatment‐related death was observed. Twenty‐eight (20.9%) patients reported 10 surgical and 19 medical complications. Five‐year OS, DSS, RFS, LEDFS, and OP were 68.9%, 95.4%, 79.5%, 66%, and 92.5%, respectively. Age and comorbidities were associated with OS and LEDFS. Advanced T categories were negatively correlated with OS, DSS, RFS, LEDFS, and OP. Age and comorbidities were not significant risk factors for complications.ConclusionsCO2 TOLMS can be considered a valuable therapeutic approach for selected Tis‐T3 glottic LSCC even in the elderly given its favorable oncologic outcomes and minimal aggressiveness.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 132:135–141, 2022
Distinct climate driven spatial patterns of frozen soil and vegetation that reflect plant sensitivities across the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhou Bing‐Rong , Wu Liang , Song Ming‐Hua , Zhou Hua‐Kun , Li Yi‐Kang , Wang Min , Zhang Ting‐Jun , Yan Yu‐Qian , Ji Hai‐Juan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractEarth's cryosphere and biosphere are extremely sensitive to climate changes, and transitions in states could alter the carbon emission rate to the atmosphere. However, little is known about the climate sensitivities of frozen soil and vegetation production. Moreover, how does climate heterogeneity control the spatial patterns of such sensitivities, and influence regional vulnerability of both frozen soil and vegetation production? Such questions are critical to be answered. We compiled long‐time‐series dataset including frozen soil depth (FD), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and temperature and precipitation across Tibetan Plateau to quantify their sensitivities. Results reveal large spatial heterogeneity in FD and NDVI sensitivities. Precipitation alleviated FD sensitivities to warming in the cold northeast zone but accelerated FD sensitivities to precipitation in the warm south and southeast. Meanwhile, the positive warming effect on the NDVI was largely offset by slow increase of precipitation. Areas with high FD decreasing rate were found in northeast, inland, and south and southeast zones. Predominate area across the nine eco‐regions are characterized as medium FD decreasing rate, and are synchronized with positive NDVI response in inland and west Himalayas, but negative in northeast and south and southeast. Precipitation restriction on NDVI would be pronounced in moist south and southeast. Our study provides new information that makes a much‐needed contribution to advancing our understandings of the effects of global climate change on cryosphere and biosphere, which has important implications for global climate and our ability to predict, and therefore prepare for, future global climatic changes. Our attempt confirms that the method we used could be used to identify climate sensitivity of permafrost based on substantial observation data on active layer dynamics in future.
A case‐study on history and rates of gully erosion in Northeast China
Authors: Wen Yanru , Kasielke Till , Li Hao , Zepp Harald , Zhang Bin 
Published: July 2021

AbstractMollisols are of major importance for food security worldwide but are increasingly degraded by soil erosion. Mollisols in Northeast China have been converted into agricultural use only since the 19th century, but gullies are widely distributed. Gully erosion history, rates, and causes in this region remained unclear. We chose a study area with landforms and land‐use history typical for the central Mollisol region of Northeast China to estimate the initiation years and rates of gully erosion from 1968 to 2018 using aerial and satellite imageries. The outlet fan deposits of a large gully system were dated by Cesium‐137 (137Cs) and artifacts. Local farmers were interviewed to verify the results. Gully volumes were measured by a structure‐from‐motion technique using photos taken from an unmanned aerial vehicle. Our results showed that gully systems had already appeared on the steep slopes and along unpaved roads in 1968. They had become larger and more complex in 2018 by the upslope retreat of the main gullies and side gully formation. Gully incision started in the 1950s and 1960s when the original grassland and forest were completely converted into arable land. From 1968 to 2018, the gully density increased from 1.2 to 2.3 km km−2 and the gully heads retreated at speeds from 1.5 to 2.5 m yr−1. The soil loss from gully erosion ranged from 25.7 to 44.7 Mg yr−1 ha−1. These data demonstrate the severity of gully erosion in the Mollisol region of Northeast China and underline the importance of appropriate countermeasures.
Immediate and short‐term effects of Gufoni and Appiani liberatory maneuver for treatment of ageotropic horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: A prospective randomized trial
Authors: Lee Jiyeon , Lee Dong‐Han , Noh Haemin , Shin Jung Eun , Kim Chang‐Hee 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the treatment effects of repositioning maneuvers with the head turned 45° downwards (Gufoni maneuver) and 45° upwards (Appiani maneuver) in 25 patients with ageotropic horizontal semicircular canal (HSCC) benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).MethodsPatients were randomly assigned to the Gufoni or Appiani maneuvers, and their immediate and short‐term efficacy was investigated.ResultsThe immediate treatment response was successful in four of 16 patients who were treated with the Appiani maneuver and were not successful in any of the nine patients treated with the Gufoni maneuver. The patients who showed spontaneous resolution during follow‐up outnumbered the patients who showed resolution of ageotropic HSCC BPPV immediately after the repositioning maneuvers.ConclusionThis study showed a very low immediate resolution rate of ageotropic HSCC BPPV after the Gufoni maneuver; this may be attributed to the less effectiveness of the Gufoni maneuver against debris that often exists in the canal side of the cupula. Another interesting finding was that the rate of spontaneous resolution during the follow‐up period was higher than that of immediate resolution after the repositioning maneuvers, which may support the recently proposed hypothesis that ageotropic positional nystagmus can also be evoked by causes other than the otolithic attachment on the cupula, such as a slight change in the biochemical composition of the inner ear fluids.Level of Evidence3.
Numerical and Experimental Demonstration of Intermodal Dispersive Wave Generation
Authors: Lüpken Niklas M. , Timmerkamp Maximilian , Scheibinger Ramona , Schaarschmidt Kay , Schmidt Markus A. , Boller Klaus‐J. , Fallnich Carsten 
Published: July 2021

AbstractEvidence of intermodal dispersive wave generation mediated by intermodal cross‐phase modulation (iXPM) between different transverse modes during supercontinuum generation in silicon nitride waveguides is presented. The formation of a higher‐order soliton in one strong transverse mode leads to phase modulation of a second, weak transverse mode by iXPM. The phase modulation enables not only supercontinuum generation but also dispersive wave generation within the weak mode, that otherwise has insufficient power to facilitate dispersive wave formation. The nonlinear frequency conversion scheme presented here suggests phase‐matching conditions beyond what is currently known, which can be exploited for extending the spectral bandwidth within supercontinuum generation.
Collaborative conversations during the time of COVID‐19: Building a “meta”‐learning community
Authors: Ferguson Lisa , Rentes Victor C. , McCarthy Lauren , Vinson Alexandra H. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractProblemCOVID‐19 created new research, clinical, educational, and personal challenges, while simultaneously separating work teams who were under work‐from‐home restrictions. Addressing these challenges required new forms of collaborative groups.ApproachTo support the department community and the rapid sharing of new research, educational, clinical, and personal efforts, a Core Team from the Department of Learning Health Sciences at the University of Michigan developed a meeting series called the COVID Conversations. This Experience Report shares the organizational structure of the COVID Conversations, proposes a comparison to traditional Learning Communities, and reports the results of a questionnaire that gathered details about department members' COVID‐related activities.OutcomesWe identify and describe salient similarities and differences between the COVID Conversations and the characteristics of Learning Communities. We also developed and piloted a taxonomy for characterizing LHS research projects that may be further developed for use in Learning Community planning, in conjunction with other maturity grids and ontologies. We propose the term “Meta‐Learning Community” to describe the structure and function of the COVID Conversations.Next StepsIn academic medicine, remote work, telemedicine, and virtual learning may be here to stay. The COVID Conversations constitute a distinct and innovative form of collaborative work in which separate teams addressing distinct goals, yet sharing a common passion to tackle the issues brought by the pandemic, are able to share experiences and learn from one other. The challenges of COVID‐19 have made evident the need for multiple forms of organizing teamwork, and our study contributes the notion of a “Meta”‐Learning Community as a new form of collaborative work.
Enzymatic Synthesis of Polyesters and Their Bioapplications: Recent Advances and Perspectives
Authors: Hevilla Víctor , Sonseca Agueda , Echeverría Coro , Muñoz‐Bonilla Alexandra , Fernández‐García Marta 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis article reviews the most important advances in the enzymatic synthesis of polyesters. In first place, the different processes of polyester enzymatic synthesis, i.e., polycondensation, ring opening, and chemoenzymatic polymerizations, and the key parameters affecting these reactions, such as enzyme, concentration, solvent, or temperature, are analyzed. Then, the latest articles on the preparation of polyesters either by direct synthesis or via modification are commented. Finally, the main bioapplications of enzymatically obtained polyesters, i.e., antimicrobial, drug delivery, or tissue engineering, are described. It is intended to point out the great advantages that enzymatic polymerization present to obtain polymers and the disadvantages found to develop applied materials.
Past and future drought trends, duration, and frequency in the semi‐arid Urmia Lake Basin under a changing climate
Authors: Mirgol Behnam , Nazari Meisam , Etedali Hadi Ramezani , Zamanian Kazem 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAlthough the Urmia Lake has undergone remarkable drought conditions within the past decades mainly due to climate change, drought studies covering the entire Urmia Lake Basin and all drought aspects are lacking. The present study investigated the spatial and temporal drought conditions in the Urmia Lake Basin for the past (1988–2017) and future (2021–2050 and 2051–2080) periods using five general circulation models (GCMs) under the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) scenarios RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5. The standardized precipitation index (SPI) and standardized precipitation and evapotranspiration index (SPEI) were compared. The SPEI predicted more drought events than the SPI, and it seemed to be a more suitable drought index than the SPI for the basin. In general, the future periods would encounter less drought conditions in terms of significant drought trends and duration than the observed period under all scenarios, but the frequency of quarterly severe drought events in the future periods would be higher than in the observed period. Furthermore, the stations Urmia (western bank) and Tabriz and Maragheh (eastern banks) would face the highest frequency of different types of quarterly drought events in the future periods compared with the observed period. The predicted high frequencies of drought events for the future periods can intensify the current low water level situation of the Urmia Lake, which seriously threatens all types of ecosystems in the basin. Therefore, serious actions need to be taken into account for efficient ecosystem and water resources management in the basin.
Antibacterial electroconductive rGO modified cotton fabric
Authors: Mizerska Urszula , Fortuniak Witold , Makowski Tomasz , Svyntkivska Mariia , Piorkowska Ewa , Kowalczyk Dorota , Brzezinski Stefan , Kregiel Dorota 
Published: July 2021

AbstractCotton fabric was modified with organosilicon coating containing graphene oxide (GO), which was then thermally reduced to reduced graphene oxide. The thermal reduction imparted electrical conductivity and hydrophobicity to the fabric. In order to augment the reduction of GO in the coating, the organosilicon sol with active reducing ─SiH groups, was synthesized from alkoxysilanes. Chemical modification of the coating with tert‐butylamine groups and N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐n‐octylammonium groups allowed to achieve antibacterial activity of the electroconductive fabric against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Although the modification worsened the electrical conductivity, the coated fabric, especially that modified with tert‐butylamine groups, remained electroconductive.
Power walking based outpatient cardiac rehabilitation in patients with post‐coronary angioplasty: Randomized control trial
Authors: Muthukrishnan Ramprasad , Malik Gulshan Shahzadi , Gopal Kumaraguruparan , Shehata Mohamed Abdelsamie 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this trial was to compare the effectiveness of standardized outpatient cardiac rehabilitation combined with treadmill power walking versus standardized outpatient cardiac rehabilitation alone on health‐related quality of life (HQoL), functional exercise capacity (FEC), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and metabolic equivalent of tasks (METs) in patients who went post coronary angioplasty (CA). Further this study evaluated the association between average numbers of steps taken with above clinical outcomes.MethodsIn a pragmatic sequential randomized clinical trial, 24 patients were randomized into two groups (n = 12) and participated in a standardized outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program (SOCRP) with treadmill power walking as an intervention group and SOCRP alone in control group. Scores obtained before and after 4 weeks of intervention, that is, after 12 treatment sessions were assessed using a HQoL questionnaire and 6‐min walk test (6 MWT). Average number of steps taken throughout the 4 weeks, METs and LVEF values were obtained by pedometer, exercise stress testing and echocardiogram respectively.ResultsSignificant improvements were found in intergroup and intragroup comparison after 4 weeks of cardiac rehabilitation (p < 0.05). Scores of 6 MWT and LVEF significantly improved in the intervention group (p < 0.003) compared to the control group (p < 0.032). HQoL components that is, global and physical, MET values and average number of steps were significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.001).ConclusionSOCRP with power walking was more effective in improving HQoL, FEC, LVEF, METs and average numbers of steps than SOCRP alone although both interventions were significant after 4 weeks in patients underwent CA and completed cardiac rehabilitation program. Positive significant associations were found between the average number of steps taken with scores of METs and scores of global and physical domains of HQoL.
Adjusting for covariates in analysis based on restricted mean survival times
Authors: Zhong Yi , Zhao Ou , Zhang Bo , Yao Bin 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe summarize extensions to the analysis of restricted mean survival time (RMST) in the context of time‐to‐event outcomes. The RMST estimate and its inference are based on the classical Kaplan–Meier curves. When covariate effects are considered, an adjusted RMST (ARMST) estimate can be derived analogously based on adjusted Kaplan–Meier curves. The adjusted Kaplan–Meier Estimator (AKME) was developed to reduce confounding by the method of inverse probability of treatment weighting. We will show how the ARMST method combines the concepts of the RMST and AKME to make inferences. Two regression based methods to adjust for potential covariate effect on the RMST estimates will be compared with the ARMST approach. Simulation studies are performed to compare the different methods with and without covariate adjustments. In addition, we will summarize the extension of RMST and ARMST to the setting with competing risks. The restricted mean time lost (RMTL) and adjusted RMTL (ARMTL) are estimates of interest from cumulative incidence curves. A phase 3 oncology clinical trial example is provided to demonstrate the applications of these methods.