bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐Term Effects of Fine Particles on Mortality: Insights from 1984
Authors: Kinney Patrick L. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractI review an important study that Professor Evans published early in his career examining the role of cross‐sectional mortality studies in air pollution risk assessment. At a time when both risk assessment and particle effects on mortality were controversial, John's thoughtful analysis of the issues and data relevant to assessing long‐term mortality risks from airborne particles provides a comprehensive primer that is still relevant today. The paper includes a critical literature review, a meta‐analysis of published particle effect estimates, and a reanalysis of landmark cross‐sectional mortality data set. EPA criteria documents and related literature had largely discounted the cross‐sectional mortality findings on the basis of criticisms about exposure assessment and control for confounding. John's analysis reached a different conclusion, that is, “we are of the opinion that the cross‐sectional studies reflect a causal relationship between exposure to airborne particles and premature mortality. From our point of view it is as likely that parameters have been underestimated … as that they are overestimated due to confounding.” The paper acknowledged the impossibility of precisely quantifying the long‐term mortality effect of particle air pollution, and that there is a need for further research utilizing alternative approaches. These conclusions foreshadow the emergence, a decade later, of the influential particulate matter (PM) mortality findings from the Harvard Six Cities and American Cancer Society cohort studies. I conclude by suggesting that well designed cross‐sectional studies could play a role in identifying exposure–response associations in resource‐poor settings where there is a paucity of local evidence to support air pollution regulations.
Effectiveness of a self‐management program in enhancing quality of life, self‐care, and self‐efficacy in patients with hemodialysis: A quasi‐experimental design
Authors: Lee Mei‐Chen , Wu Shu‐Fang Vivienne , Lu Kuo‐Cheng , Liu Chieh‐Yu , Liang Shu‐Yuan , Chuang Yeu‐Hui 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackground: Taiwan has the world's highest prevalence of end‐stage kidney disease, as well as the world's third highest incidence. The study investigated the effectiveness of a self‐management program for enhancing health‐related quality of life, self‐care behaviors, and self‐efficacy in patients with end‐stage kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis.Methods: This was a quasi‐experimental design with convenient sampling, and allocated 32 participants in the control group (conventional program) and 32 participants in the experimental group (self‐management program). The self‐management program intervention lasted 4 weeks, and a posttest was administered 3 months later. The questionnaire included the 36‐Item Short Form Health Survey, a Chronic Kidney Disease Self‐Care Instrument, and a Chronic Kidney Disease Self‐Efficacy Instrument.Results: Three months after the intervention, the self‐management program had improved patients’ health‐related quality of life in the mental health components (p < .001), but not in the physical health components. The program also promoted patients’ self‐care behaviors (p < .001) and self‐efficacy (p < .05).Conclusions: This study's findings confirmed that self‐management programs should be promoted in clinical practice where they will provide clinical care personnel with an alternative to conventional health education.
Spring origin of Eocene carbonate mounds in the Green River Formation, Northern Bridger Basin, Wyoming, USA
Authors: Jagniecki Elliot Andrew , Lowenstein Tim K. , Demicco Robert V. , Baddouh M'bark , Carroll Alan R. , Beard Brian L. , Johnson Clark M. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractModern and ancient lacustrine carbonate build‐ups provide uniquely sensitive sedimentary and geochemical records for understanding the interaction between tectonics, past climates, and local and regional scale basin hydrology. Large (metre to decametre), well‐developed carbonate mounds in the Green River Formation have long been recognized along the margins of an Eocene lake, known as Lake Gosiute. However, their mode of origin and significance with respect to palaeohydrology remain controversial. Here, new sedimentological, Sr isotope data and structural evidence show that significant spring discharge led to the formation of a decametre size complex of shoreline carbonate mounds in the upper Wilkins Peak Member of the Green River Formation at Little Mesa and adjacent areas in the Bridger Basin, Wyoming, USA. Sedimentological evidence indicates that spring discharge was predominantly subaqueous but was, at times, also subaerial, which produced tufa cascades and micro‐rimstone dam structures. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios measured from these subaerial spring deposits are less radiogenic (87Sr/86Sr = 0.71040 to 0.71101) than contemporaneous palaeolake carbonates (87Sr/86Sr = 0.71195 to 0.71561) because their parent groundwaters likely interacted with less‐radiogenic Palaeozoic carbonate. Calcite‐cemented sandstone cones and spires (87Sr/86Sr = 0.71037 to 0.71057) in the Wasatch Formation directly below the spring deposits suggest that groundwaters derived from Palaeozoic carbonates preferentially flowed along thrust faults. These results imply that high spring discharge coincided with lake high stands of the upper Wilkins Peak Member, suggesting that recharge at the north‐west margin of the Bridger Basin contributed to Lake Gosiute’s water budget and lowered the salinity of an underfilled, evaporative lake basin. The findings of this study provide criteria for the recognition of groundwater discharge in palaeolake systems which may lead to the discovery of palaeospring systems in other ancient lake deposits.
Free Access to a Broad Contraceptive Method Mix and Women's Contraceptive Choice: Evidence from Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Chang Wei , Tumlinson Katherine 
Published: February 2021

AbstractFinancial barriers may restrict women's ability to use their preferred contraceptive methods, especially long‐acting reversible contraceptives (LARC). Providing free access to a broad contraceptive method mix, including both LARC and short‐acting reversible contraceptives (SARC), may increase contraceptive use, meet women's various fertility needs, and increase their agency in contraceptive decisions. Linking facility and individual data from eight countries in sub‐Saharan Africa, we use a propensity score approach combined with machine learning techniques to examine how free access to a broad contraceptive method mix affects women's contraceptive choice. Free access to both LARC and SARC was associated with an increase of 3.2 percentage points (95 percent confidence interval: 0.006, 0.058) in the likelihood of contraceptive use, driven by greater use of SARC. Among contraceptive users, free access did not prompt women to switch to LARC and had no effect on contraceptive decision‐making. The price effects were larger among older and more educated women, but free access was associated with lower contraceptive use among adolescents. While free access to contraceptives is associated with a modest increase in contraceptive use for some women, removing user fees alone does not address all barriers women face, especially for the most vulnerable groups of women.
Public sciences, public enemies. Boundary work and cultural hegemony in public controversies between evolutionists and feminists
Authors: Ruck Nora 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSocial conflicts are often discussed in the form of public scientific controversies in knowledge societies. This paper analyzes several public controversies tackling issues of gender inequalities between evolutionists (evolutionary psychologists and evolutionary psychologically oriented journalists) and feminists (feminist scientists and journalists) in US media between the early 1980s and the early 2000s. The inquiry focuses on rhetorical strategies of “boundary work” participants used to make their point and strengthen their public authority on the issues discussed. By practicing boundary work, scientists distance themselves from ideology. It is suggested that Antonio Gramsci's works on hegemony and the intellectuals allows to think about intellectual's roles in ideological struggles in a different way: the public scientific controversies analyzed occurred at a time when “traditional” gender and family models had lost their hegemonic role and gender relations were rather thoroughly rearranged. They can thus be understood as part of a larger social struggle for cultural hegemony on issues of gender and sexuality.
Akbarian Scepticism in Islam: Qūnawī's Sceptical Arguments from Relativity and Disagreement
Authors: Daşdemir Yusuf 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis study deals with the sceptical arguments by one of the most important figures in the philosophical Sufi tradition (the Akbarian school) and the foremost disciple of Ibn ʿArabī, Ṣadr al‐Dīn al‐Qūnawī. Though not a sceptic in the strict sense, Qūnawī employs sceptical arguments from relativity of rational knowledge and disagreement among philosophers to prove inefficacy of reason and rational procedures of knowledge in terms of achieving certain knowledge of metaphysical matters, namely of God and the ultimate principles of things. The paper questions Qūnawī's implicit assumption that, if there is disagreement on a propositionp, thenp is relative and thus cannot provide certain knowledge. It aims to philosophically analyse and assess his scepticism as well as to shed light on the largely unknown terrain of scepticism in the mediaeval Islamic world.
Availability, cost and affordability of selected antibiotics and antiviral medicines against infectious diseases from 2013 to 2019 in Nanjing, China
Authors: Zhu Yulei , Xu Xinglu , Fang Wenqing , Wang Ying , Dai Huizhen , Li Xin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectivesAs economic globalisation develops in‐depth, infectious diseases that occur in a country or region no longer remains a regional issue. Antibiotics and antiviral medicines are essential medicines for the therapy of infectious diseases. This study aims to evaluate their availability, cost and affordability of AaAMs against infectious diseases in 41 public hospitals from 2013 to 2019 in Nanjing, China.MethodsData on the availability and price of 17 antibiotics and 6 antiviral medicines in 41 public hospitals were obtained from the Jiangsu Institute of Medicine Information. We adopted the WHO/Health Action International method to measure the availability, cost and affordability of these medicines.ResultsThe availability of selected medicines against infectious diseases was relatively low; the median availability of originator brands was near‐zero and that of lowest‐priced generics during the survey period less than 50%. The total availability of medicines was poor in primary hospitals as compared to secondary and tertiary hospitals. The median daily‐defined dose cost of originator brands was expensive (range from 66.11 RMB to 107.83 RMB), whereas that of lowest price generics was fairly acceptable at < 8 RMB. The affordability of most surveyed medicines was reasonable, which showed significant improvement over time, but the daily cost of a few medicines for originator brands exceeded the average daily wage.ConclusionsIn general, the affordability of medicines surveyed was acceptable, while the availability was too low. There should be a great concern for improving the reserve system of anti‐infective medicines in healthcare institutions. Policy should focus on improving the availability of generic drugs in hospitals and encouraging preferentially prescribed.
Alleles of a wall‐associated kinase gene account for three of the major northern corn leaf blight resistance loci in maize
Authors: Yang Ping , Scheuermann Daniela , Kessel Bettina , Koller Teresa , Greenwood Julian R. , Hurni Severine , Herren Gerhard , Zhou Shenghui , Marande William , Wicker Thomas , Krattinger Simon G. , Ouzunova Milena , Keller Beat 
Published: February 2021

SUMMARYNorthern corn leaf blight, caused by the fungal pathogen Setosphaeria turcica (anamorph Exserohilum turcicum), is one of the most devastating foliar diseases of maize (Zea mays). Four genes Ht1, Ht2, Ht3 and Htn1 represent the major sources of genetic resistance against the hemibiotrophic fungus S. turcica. Differential maize lines containing these genes also form the basis to classify S. turcica races. Here, we show that Ht2 and Ht3 are identical and allelic to the previously cloned Htn1 gene. Using a map‐based cloning approach and Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes (TILLING), we demonstrate that Ht2/Ht3 is an allele of the wall‐associated receptor‐like kinase gene ZmWAK‐RLK1. The ZmWAK‐RLK1 variants encoded by Htn1 and Ht2/Ht3 differ by multiple amino acid polymorphisms that particularly affect the putative extracellular domain. A diversity analysis in maize revealed the presence of dozens of ZmWAK‐RLK1 alleles. Ht2, Ht3 and Htn1 have been described over decades as independent resistance loci with different race spectra and resistance responses. Our work demonstrates that these three genes are allelic, which has major implications for northern corn leaf blight resistance breeding and nomenclature of S. turcica pathotypes. We hypothesize that genetic background effects have confounded the classical description of these disease resistance genes in the past.
A conservative pathway for coordination of cell wall biosynthesis and cell cycle progression in plants
Authors: Shi Jiewei , Zhang Qunxia , Yan Xu , Zhang Delin , Zhou Qin , Shen Yuxiao , Anupol Nachaisin , Wang Xiuqing , Bao Manzhu , Larkin Robert M. , Luo Hong , Ning Guogui 
Published: February 2021

SummaryThe mechanism that coordinates cell growth and cell cycle progression remains poorly understood; in particular, whether the cell cycle and cell wall biosynthesis are coordinated remains unclear. Recently, cell wall biosynthesis and cell cycle progression were reported to respond to wounding. Nonetheless, no genes are reported to synchronize the biosynthesis of the cell wall and the cell cycle. Here, we report that wounding induces the expression of genes associated with cell wall biosynthesis and the cell cycle, and that two genes, AtMYB46 in Arabidopsis thaliana and RrMYB18 in Rosa rugosa, are induced by wounding. We found that AtMYB46 and RrMYB18 promote the biosynthesis of the cell wall by upregulating the expression of cell wall‐associated genes, and that both of them also upregulate the expression of a battery of genes associated with cell cycle progression. Ultimately, this response leads to the development of curled leaves of reduced size. We also found that the coordination of cell wall biosynthesis and cell cycle progression by AtMYB46 and RrMYB18 is evolutionarily conservative in multiple species. In accordance with wounding promoting cell regeneration by regulating the cell cycle, these findings also provide novel insight into the coordination between cell growth and cell cycle progression and a method for producing miniature plants.
Intraoperative findings and postoperative results associated with cataract surgery performed after retinal reattachment surgery in dogs—36 cases (41 eyes)
Authors: Hartrum Bianca J. , Nadelstein Brad , Mancuso Laura A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo report intraoperative findings and complications associated with cataract surgery performed after retinal reattachment surgery (RR) via pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) using perfluoro‐n‐octane (PFO), laser retinopexy, and silicone oil tamponade in dogs.Animals StudiedRetrospective record review of dogs that underwent post‐RR cataract surgery. Signalment, time between RR and cataract surgery, type of lens extraction, postoperative visual status, and intra‐ and postoperative complications were recorded. Cataract formation or progression after RR was categorized as early (≤12 months) or late (>12 months).ResultsA total of 36 dogs (41 eyes) were included. Average time between RR and cataract surgery was 665 days (median: 546). Early postoperative incidence of cataracts occurred in 19 eyes (46.3%). Types of lens extraction included phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (86.1%, 31/36 dogs), phacoemulsification alone (11.1%, 4/36 dogs), and intracapsular lens extraction (2.8%, 1/36 dogs). Visual improvement occurred in 95.1% of eyes (39/41) immediately postoperatively. Long term, 93.9% of eyes (31/33) maintained vision at 1 month, 85.2% of eyes (23/27) at 3 months, 77.3% of eyes (17/22) at 6 months, and 60% (12/20) at 12 months postoperatively. The most common postoperative complications were glaucoma (29.3%, 12/41 eyes), corneal ulceration (24.4%, 10/36 eyes), fibrin formation (21.9%, 9/41 eyes), and silicone oil migration into the anterior chamber (19.5%, 8/41 eyes).ConclusionPost‐RR cataract surgery should be considered in dogs with vision loss from cataracts after RR. In most eyes, vision was maintained up to 1 year postoperatively.
Transfusion‐associated circulatory overload and high blood pressure: A multicentre retrospective study in Japan
Authors: Tanaka Asashi , Yokohama Akihiko , Fujiwara Shin‐ichiro , Fujii Yasuhiko , Kaneko Makoto , Ueda Yasunori , Abe Takashi , Kato Yoko , Hasegawa Yuichi , Ikeda Kazuhiko , Fujino Keizo , Matsumoto Mayumi , Makino Shigeyoshi , Kino Shuichi , Takeshita Akihiro , Muroi Kazuo 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundTransfusion‐associated circulatory overload (TACO) is an adverse reaction associated with a high risk of mortality. The actual incidence of TACO and hypertension associated with transfusion in Japan is unknown.MethodsA multicentre retrospective observational study was conducted across 23 institutions during the 1‐year period of 2016. Patients were included if they developed TACO or their blood pressure (either systolic or diastolic) increased by at least 30 mmHg during the transfusion. TACO was confirmed by the primary physicians and transfusion medicine teams and recorded in the data on passive surveillance, and additional data were extracted from electronic medical records.ResultsIn our patient cohort of 31 384 patients who underwent transfusion, the incidence of TACO and hypertension was 0·03% and 0·2%, respectively. However, 43% of the participating institutions didn't report any cases. When comparing risk factors between the TACO and hypertension groups, there were significant differences in comorbidities, such as abnormal findings on chest x‐ray. Significant differences between the two groups were observed post‐transfusion pulse rate, body temperature and oxygen saturation (P < 0·01). In the group of patients with hypertension, the level of BNP increased significantly after transfusion in 45% (5/11) of the patients. We identified 4 patients in the hypertension group who met the new ISBT’s TACO criteria.ConclusionOur study suggests that more attention should be given to TACO in Japan, particularly in terms of improving surveillance systems. For the early diagnosis of TACO, it is crucial to carefully monitor vital signs including blood pressure.
Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on blood supply and demand in the WHO African Region
Authors: Loua André , Kasilo Ossy Muganga Julius , Nikiema Jean Baptiste , Sougou Aissatou Sarassa , Kniazkov Stanislav , Annan Edith Andrews 
Published: February 2021

Background and ObjectivesThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) affected millions of people worldwide and caused disruptions at the global level including in healthcare provision. Countries of the WHO African region have put in place measures for the COVID‐19 pandemic containment that may adversely affect blood system activities and subsequently reduce the supply and demand of blood and blood components. This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on blood supply and demand in the WHO African Region and propose measures to address the challenges faced by countries.Materials and MethodsA survey questionnaire was sent to all 47 countries in the WHO African Region to collect information on blood supply and demand for the first 5 months of 2019 and 2020, respectively, and on COVID‐19 Convalescent Plasma therapy in September 2020.ResultsThirty‐seven countries provided responses. The total number of blood donations dropped in 32 countries while it increased in five countries. The proportion of blood drives also decreased in 21 countries and increased in nine countries. The blood requested and issued for transfusion decreased for blood demand and for blood issued for transfusion in 30 countries. Ten countries reported some activities of convalescent plasma. However, very few units of this product collected have been transfused to COVID‐19 patients.ConclusionThe COVID‐19 pandemic has led to a reduction of blood related activities in the region, including the supply and demand. Countries preparedness plans for health emergencies need more emphasis to maintaining blood stock.
Association of the ABO blood group with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in a community with low infection rate
Authors: Kotila Taiwo R. , Alonge Temitope O. , Fowotade Adeola , Famuyiwa Olufisayo I. , Akinbile Adebola S. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackground and objectivesReports on the association of the ABO phenotypes with infection by the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus have mostly come from countries with high infection rates. This study examined the possible association between SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and the ABO phenotype in Black Africa.Materials and methodsThis report is from a single centre where both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients were quarantined. At the time of this report, Oyo State, Nigeria had carried out 15 733 tests of which 3119 were positive for the virus with 1952 recoveries and 37 deaths. The ABO distribution of patients was compared with that of a blood donor population.ResultsOf the 302 participants, 297 (98%) had their blood group determined, asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals were 123 (40·7%) and 179 (59·3%) respectively. Blood group O was significantly less represented among the patients (P < 0·01) while blood groups B and AB were significantly more represented (P < 0·01, P = 0·03 respectively). Patients with anti‐B (groups A and O) were significantly less represented than those without anti‐B (B and/or AB): B and AB (P < 0·001), B (P = 0·002), AB (P = 0·01). There was no difference in the blood group distribution of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (χ2 (3, N = 302) = 2·29; P = 0·51), but symptomatic patients with anti‐A (groups B and O) were more represented than asymptomatic patients with anti‐A (χ2 4·89; P = 0·03).ConclusionThe higher prevalence of blood group O and more potent beta haemolysins (anti‐B antibodies) are likely reasons for the lower infectivity by the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus and severity of COVID‐19 disease in the community.