bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mapping of the World Health Organization's Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 to disability weights using the Multi‐Country Survey Study on Health and Responsiveness
Authors: Lokkerbol Joran , Wijnen Ben F. M. , Chatterji Somnath , Kessler Ronald C. , Chisholm Dan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo develop and test an internationally applicable mapping function for converting WHODAS‐2.0 scores to disability weights, thereby enabling WHODAS‐2.0 to be used in cost‐utility analyses and sectoral decision‐making.MethodsData from 14 countries were used from the WHO Multi‐Country Survey Study on Health and Responsiveness, administered among nationally representative samples of respondents aged 18+ years who were non‐institutionalized and living in private households. For the combined total of 92,006 respondents, available WHODAS‐2.0 items (for both 36‐item and 12‐item versions) were mapped onto disability weight estimates using a machine learning approach, whereby data were split into separate training and test sets; cross‐validation was used to compare the performance of different regression and penalized regression models. Sensitivity analyses considered different imputation strategies and compared overall model performance with that of country‐specific models.ResultsMapping functions converted WHODAS‐2.0 scores into disability weights; R‐squared values of 0.700–0.754 were obtained for the test data set. Penalized regression models reached comparable performance to standard regression models but with fewer predictors. Imputation had little impact on model performance. Model performance of the generic model on country‐specific test sets was comparable to model performance of country‐specific models.ConclusionsDisability weights can be generated with good accuracy using WHODAS 2.0 scores, including in national settings where health state valuations are not directly available, which signifies the utility of WHODAS as an outcome measure in evaluative studies that express intervention benefits in terms of QALYs gained.
Preconditioned water‐fat total field inversion: Application to spine quantitative susceptibility mapping
Authors: Boehm Christof , Sollmann Nico , Meineke Jakob , Ruschke Stefan , Dieckmeyer Michael , Weiss Kilian , Zimmer Claus , Makowski Marcus R. , Baum Thomas , Karampinos Dimitrios C. 
Published: July 2021

PurposeTo (a) develop a preconditioned water‐fat total field inversion (wfTFI) algorithm that directly estimates the susceptibility map from complex multi‐echo gradient echo data for water‐fat regions and to (b) evaluate the performance of the proposed wfTFI quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) method in comparison with a local field inversion (LFI) method and a linear total field inversion (TFI) method in the spine.MethodsNumerical simulations and in vivo spine multi‐echo gradient echo measurements were performed to compare wfTFI to an algorithm based on disjoint background field removal (BFR) and LFI and to a formerly proposed TFI algorithm. The data from 1 healthy volunteer and 10 patients with metastatic bone disease were included in the analysis. Clinical routine computed tomography (CT) images were used as a reference standard to distinguish osteoblastic from osteolytic changes. The ability of the QSM methods to distinguish osteoblastic from osteolytic changes was evaluated.ResultsThe proposed wfTFI method was able to decrease the normalized root mean square error compared to the LFI and TFI methods in the simulation. The in vivo wfTFI susceptibility maps showed reduced BFR artifacts, noise amplification, and streaking artifacts compared to the LFI and TFI maps. wfTFI provided a significantly higher diagnostic confidence in differentiating osteolytic and osteoblastic lesions in the spine compared to the LFI method (p = .012).ConclusionThe proposed wfTFI method can minimize BFR artifacts, noise amplification, and streaking artifacts in water‐fat regions and can thus better differentiate between osteoblastic and osteolytic changes in patients with metastatic disease compared to LFI and the original TFI method.
Identification of key genes in human urothelial cells corresponding to interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome in a lipopolysaccharide‐induced cystitis model
Authors: Peng Liao , Li Bo‐ya , Wang Wei , Gao Xiao‐shuai , Zeng Xiao , Luo De‐yi 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAimsThe cellular functions of bladder urothelial cells in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) have not been well revealed and understood. Thus, the study aims to identify key genes and significant pathways in urothelium corresponding to IC/BPS in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced cystitis model and provide novel clues related to diagnosis and treatment of IC/BPS.MethodsHuman urothelial cells (HUCs) were incubated with LPS (50 μg/ml for 24 h). Microarray was applied to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between HUCs under LPS treatment and the control group. DEGs in the two groups were identified and then used for enrichment analysis. Subsequently, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network based on DEGs was constructed. Lastly, the top five key genes were identified through the Cytoscape (version 3.7.2) using the “Clustering Coefficient” algorithm.ResultsOne hundred and seventy‐one DEGs (96 upregulated genes and 75 downregulated genes) were identified between the LPS treatment and control group. The established PPI network was composed of 169 nodes and 678 edges. Moreover, C19orf33, TRIM31, MUC21, ELF3, and IFI27 were identified as hub genes in the PPI network. Subsequently, a statistically increased expression level of TRIM31 and ELF3 was validated by real‐time quantitative‐polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry in bladder tissues from 20 patients with IC/BPS.ConclusionsTRIM31 and ELF3 may be the two hub genes in urothelium corresponding to IC/BPS. More studies are warranted to further validate the findings. The identified marker genes may be useful targets for further studies to develop diagnostic tools and more effective therapies for a broader group of women with IC/PBS.
Quality improvement initiative to decrease extrauterine growth restriction in preterm neonates
Authors: Bagga Nitasha , Reddy Kiran Kumar , Mohamed Ashik , Panigrahy Nalinikant , Chirla Dinesh Kumar 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundPrevention of extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in preterm neonates is one of the biggest challenges to neonatologists. Lack of uniformity and inconsistency in nutrition practices are the most common causes. We started a quality improvement (QI) initiative with an intention to decrease the proportion of EUGR.MethodsWe performed prospective nonrandomized QI from May 2018 to July 2019. Ninety‐six neonates (born at <32 weeks and/or <1.2 kg) were compared with 111 historical controls. A continuous feedback loop was maintained, and changes were analyzed as plan‐do‐study‐actcycle.ResultsAlthough EUGR was lower after the intervention (93.7% vs 87.5%), this change was not statistically significant. However, other measures of in‐hospital neonatal growth showed improvement, including median discharge weight percentile from 1% to 3% (P = .003). Median difference in the z‐score for weight from birth to discharge also improved significantly from −1.84 to −1.65 (P = .04). Babies in the intervention group regained birth weight earlier (P = .005) and had better growth velocity (P = .0005). The feeding was started early (P < .0001), and these babies reached full feeds (P < .0001) earlier than the control cohort.ConclusionAlthough our QI initiative failed to achieve a significant reduction in EUGR, it did achieve a significant improvement in discharge weight percentile and difference in the z‐score for weight at birth and during discharge from hospital. There was a significant improvement in growth velocity and an early regaining of birth weight. The implementation of written nutrition practice guidelines facilitated improved outcomes.
A call for a national collaborative predator coexistence programme
Authors: Carter Neil H. , Nelson Peter , Easter Tara 
Published: July 2021

AbstractNegative interactions between large terrestrial predators and livestock are a global phenomenon. The resultant conflicts can threaten the livelihoods and cultural traditions of those living closest to predator populations and jeopardize the conservation of predator species. These challenges are pronounced in the United States, where predator conservation is at a defining moment.Focusing on the United States, we advocate for policy initiatives at the national scale to incentivize coexistence on multi‐use public lands. We discuss how such policies can bolster the efforts of local institutions, facilitate bottom‐up collaborations and support science‐based programmes. Modelled after other successful collaborative programmes, our proposed programme could facilitate adoption of effective coexistence strategies across large regions that better match the spatial extent of the interface between predators and livestock.A carefully structured, national coexistence programme could harness the already‐growing support for living alongside healthy predator populations and fundamentally alter how we approach predator management so that political conflicts are avoided. Moreover, elements of the programme can be transferred to other regions around the world where community engagement is essential to sustaining and coexisting with predators.A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Impact of poly(ε‐caprolactone) on the thermal, dynamic‐mechanical and crystallization behavior of polyvinylidene fluoride/poly(ε‐caprolactone) blends in the presence of KIT‐6 mesoporous particles
Authors: Fakhri Vafa , Monem Mohammad , Mir Mohamad Sadeghi Gity , Khonakdar Hossein Ali , Goodarzi Vahabodin , Karimpour‐Motlagh Navid 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAcquiring a polymeric nanocomposite with biocompatibility, desirable dynamic‐mechanical‐thermal properties, and piezoelectricity, as well as high loading capacity, is challenging for design polymeric systems with potential applications in tissue engineering and biosensing. In this work, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL), and KIT‐6 mesoporous silica particles were used to prepare PVDF/PCL blends and their nanocomposites as potential candidates to meet the characteristics mentioned above. Hence, we deeply investigated the effect of the addition of PCL and KIT‐6 on the compatibility, crystallinity, and engineering properties of immiscible PVDF/PCL blends. PVDF/PCL blends without KIT‐6 particles and 75/25 PVDF/PCL blend containing various amounts of KIT‐6 particles were prepared by solution casting/annealing technique. It was found that PCL decreased the crystallization temperature and melting points of the PVDF component in the blends. The crystallinity and β‐phase content of PVDF reached maximum values for 75/25 PVDF/PCL blend; interestingly, KIT‐6 prevented PVDF crystallization and decreased β‐phase content. The results of thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic‐mechanical thermal analysis revealed that the presence of PCL reduced the thermal stability of the blends. On the other hand, KIT‐6 increased the thermal decomposition temperature and storage modulus of the polymeric matrix.
Characterization of sweet bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper Backer) kraft pulp filled in poly(lactic acid)/polybutylene succinate blend composite
Authors: Jansiri Saharath , Deenu Aree , Puangsin Buapan , Sungkaew Sarawood , Kamthai Suthaphat 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe demand for plastic packaging material has continued to increase worldwide, a phenomenon that had led to more negative impacts on the environment, especially waste pollution issues caused by the petrochemical industry producing plastics and polymers. As a result, this research aimed to study the production of biodegradable packaging by blending polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene succinate (PBS) with 5–20% (w/w) sweet bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper Backer) kraft pulp (SKP). Subsequently, several analyses were used to evaluate the biopolymer properties to determine if the composite could be used to produce biodegradable packaging. The addition of SKP 5% (w/w) provided the PLA/PBS composite with the highest thermal and mechanical properties. Furthermore, the effect of a plasticizer was studied by combining 5%, 10%, or 15% (w/w) Mesamoll in the PLA/PBS composite with 5% (w/w) SKP. This addition changed all composite properties and in particular provided good water vapor barrier properties. Finally, this research revealed that SKP plays a role as a nucleating agent in plasticized PLA/PBS composite.
Hepatitis B vaccine and risk of acute myocardial infarction among individuals with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Wong Katherine , Bruxvoort Katia , Slezak Jeff , Hsu Jin‐Wen Y. , Reynolds Kristi , Sy Lina S. , Jacobsen Steven J. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPurposeA pre‐licensure clinical trial of a two‐dose cytosine phosphoguanine adjuvanted hepatitis B vaccine (HEPLISAV‐B® [Dynavax, USA]; HepB‐CpG vaccine) found an unanticipated numerical imbalance in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) compared to recipients of a three‐dose aluminum adjuvanted hepatitis B vaccine (ENGERIX‐B® [GlaxoSmithKline, Belgium]; HepB‐alum vaccine). A post‐licensure study was required to compare AMI rates among recipients of HepB‐CpG vaccine and HepB‐alum vaccine. Individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM), who are at higher risk of AMI, comprise more than half of the post‐licensure study cohort. To inform the ongoing post‐licensure study, we examined the association between AMI and receipt of HepB‐alum vaccine in individuals with DM.MethodsWe conducted a case–control study nested in a cohort of individuals with DM ages ≥40 years at Kaiser Permanente Southern California using electronic health records. AMI cases from 2012 to 2017 were identified by principal discharge diagnosis and matched 1:1 with randomly selected controls. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for receipt of ≥1 HepB‐alum vaccine dose was compared for AMI cases and controls using conditional logistic regression. We subsequently performed the same matched case–control analysis stratified by year.ResultsOf 8138 matched case–control pairs, 17.4% of cases and 15.0% of controls received HepB‐alum vaccine. The aOR of HepB‐alum vaccination comparing cases and controls was 0.97 (95% confidence interval 0.87–1.08). Similarly, there was no significant association between HepB‐alum vaccine and AMI in any of the study years.ConclusionsHepB‐alum vaccination was not associated with AMI in individuals with DM. This finding will provide contextual insight for the ongoing post‐licensure study of HepB‐CpG vaccine.
Registration of durum wheat germplasm A0709‐BX05 with resistance to ergot
Authors: Ruan Yuefeng , Singh Asheesh , Knox Ron , DePauw Ron , Menzies James , Li Lin , Berraies Samia , Poppy Malina , Campbell Heather , Cuthbert Richard 
Published: July 2021

AbstractA0709‐BX05 (Reg. no. GP‐1060, PI 698311) is a Canada western amber durum (CWAD) derived durum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.] line developed at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada. A0709‐BX05 was selected by a modified pedigree breeding procedure from the single cross of A0262&AM050/‘Strongfield’ made in 2007. A0709‐BX05 was evaluated for ergot resistance based on the honeydew and sclerotial production on spikes in greenhouse testing from 2012 to 2018. A0709‐BX05 expresses a highly resistant response to ergot, with rare to no honeydew and very few to no sclerotia formed on the spike after inoculation, far superior to checks Strongfield, ‘AC Navigator’, and ‘AC Melita’ and better than ‘Eurostar’. A0709‐BX05 has a good package of agronomic, disease, and end‐use quality traits for the CWAD wheat class combined with the ergot resistance. The release of A0709‐BX05 will accelerate the deployment of ergot resistance in durum wheat breeding and genetic and genomic studies related to ergot resistance in durum wheat.
Enhancing the UV/heat stability of LLDPE irrigation pipes via different stabilizer formulations
Authors: Porfyris Athanasios D. , Luyt Adriaan S. , Gasmi Soumia , Malik Sarah S. , Aljindi Reem M. , Ouederni Mabrouk , Vouyiouka Stamatina N. , Pfaendner Rudolf , Papaspyrides Constantine D. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractHerein different stabilizer formulations of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) against UV‐ and heat‐initiated degradation are described. The project aims at outdoor applications, such as irrigation piping and profiles, in the Middle East desert regions, where long‐term weathering stability due to high temperatures and solar radiation is important. Two UV/heat formulations, without and with carbon black (CB) as pigment, were incorporated into LLDPE by melt compounding. Neat LLDPE and the stabilized compounds were exposed to accelerated UV and heat aging. Morphological analysis through scanning electron microscopy of the UV‐exposed neat LLDPE showed more severe surface cracking compared to the CB‐containing LLDPE, while all stabilized compounds did not show any surface degradation. Crack formation was less visible for the thermally aged samples. A significant decrease in molecular weight (MW) was observed for the neat UV‐exposed LLDPE, while both unpigmented stabilized compounds showed little change in MW. Mechanical properties, thermal analysis, and carbonyl index results supported the morphological results, which confirmed that CB alone was slightly more effective in protecting the LLDPE against UV initiated degradation, but performed worse against thermal initiated degradation. UV1 and UV2 compounds were efficient against both UV‐ and heat‐initiated degradation, with UV1 performing better for unpigmented compounds, and UV2 for the pigmented ones.
Nutritional status between 5‐10 years is associated with cystic fibrosis‐related diabetes in adolescence
Authors: Ararat Erhan , Sonawalla Ambreen , Berlinski Ariel , Tas Emir 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundCystic fibrosis‐related diabetes (CFRD) is a risk factor for adverse clinical outcomes including poor nutritional status, deterioration in lung functions, and increased mortality. The association between nutritional status between 5 and 10 years of age and later diagnosis of CFRD is not known.MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed for our patients with CF between 10 and 18 years. Data was collected at age 5 and 10 years. Comparison made between patients with and without CFRD.ResultsTwo groups were comparable for age and sex. At age 5, groups had no differences in weight, height, and body mass index. At age 10, the CFRD group had a lower body mass index (40.2 ± 24.7 vs. 61.5 ± 22.5 percentile, p = 0.02). Spirometry was similar between groups at 5 and 10 years. Patients with CFRD had lower growth velocity (5 ± 0.9 vs. 5.7 ± 0.9 cm/year, p = 0.03) and reduced weight gain rate (2.2 ± 0.9 vs. 3.2 ± 1.2 kg/year, p = 0.03) compared to patients without CFRD between 5 and 10 years. Patients with a weight gain less than 2.5 kg/year between 5 and 10 years were nine times more likely to develop CFRD in adolescence (Unadjusted Odds Ratio: 8.9; 95% CI:1.4, 47.2; p = 0.01).ConclusionPatients who later developed CFRD had significantly lower weight gain rate and height growth between 5 and 10 years of age than those without diabetes. Close monitoring of nutritional status in before age 10 years may help identify CF patients at‐risk of developing CFRD.
Independent prognostic impact of plasma NCOA2 alterations in metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Fettke Heidi , Kwan Edmond M. , Bukczynska Patricia , Steen Jason A. , Docanto Maria , Ng Nicole , Parente Phillip , Mant Andrew , Foroughi Siavash , Pezaro Carmel , Hauser Christine , Nguyen‐Dumont Tu , Southey Melissa C. , Azad Arun A. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe androgen receptor (AR) pathway‐associated gene nuclear receptor coactivator 2 (NCOA2) has an established oncogenic role in early prostate cancer and likewise is a driver of metastatic disease and castration‐resistant prostate cancer. However, its significance as a biomarker in metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), both alone and in conjunction with co‐occurring AR alterations using a liquid biopsy approach has not been investigated.MethodsNinety‐one patients were included in this study, (n = 68 receiving an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor and n = 23 receiving taxane chemotherapy). Up to 30 ml of peripheral blood was collected before commencing treatment from each patient. Plasma cell‐free DNA, along with a matched germline sample, underwent targeted next‐generation sequencing using a validated, highly sensitive in‐house prostate cancer panel. Variants in AR and NCOA2 were identified and correlated with clinical outcomes.ResultsPlasma AR and NCOA2 aberrations were identified in 35% and 13% of the cohort, respectively, whilst 8% had concurrent AR and NCOA2 alterations. NCOA2 copy number gain and any NCOA2 aberration predicted for lower prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) response rates. Likewise, median overall survival was shorter for NCOA2 gain (10.1 vs. 18.3 months; p = .004), remaining significant after adjusting for covariates including circulating tumor DNA fraction and tumor suppressor gene alterations. Importantly, dual AR and NCOA2 aberrations were also associated with inferior outcomes, including no PSA responses in patients treated with AR pathway inhibitors (0% vs. 64%; p = .02).ConclusionsThese data highlight the importance of identifying multiple markers of AR pathway modulation in mCRPC and represent the first instance of the assessment of plasma NCOA2 status as a prognostic biomarker for standard‐of‐care therapies. Further assessment is warranted to determine if NCOA2 aberrations are a marker of primary resistance to AR pathway inhibitors.
Observed evidence for guideline‐recommended genes in predicting prostate cancer risk from a large population‐based cohort
Authors: Wei Jun , Yang Wancai , Shi Zhuqing , Lu Lucy , Wang Qiang , Resurreccion W. Kyle , Engelmann Valentina , Zheng S. Lilly , Hulick Peter J. , Cooney Kathleen A. , Isaacs William B. , Helfand Brian T. , Lu Jim , Xu Jianfeng 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundGermline testing for prostate cancer (PCa) is now recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. While multi‐gene testing has been proposed, evidence for their association with PCa risk is not well established.MethodsWe tested associations of pathogenic/likely pathogenic mutations in 10 guideline‐recommended genes (ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, PALB2, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and HOXB13) with PCa risk in the UK Biobank, a population‐based cohort. Mutations were annotated based on prostate‐specific transcripts using the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics standards. Associations were tested in 4399 PCa cases and 85,403 unaffected male controls using logistic regression adjusting for age and genetic background. p < .005 was considered significant based on Bonferroni correction.ResultsAmong the 10 tested genes, significantly higher mutation carrier rates in PCa cases versus controls were found for four genes at p < .005; HOXB13, BRCA2, ATM, and CHEK2, with odds ratios (95% confidence interval) estimated at 4.96 (3.62–6.69), 3.23 (2.23–4.56), 2.95 (2.01–4.22), 1.94 (1.43–2.58), respectively. No significant association was found between mutation carrier status and age at PCa diagnosis or family history of PCa. Despite the large sample size of this study, statistical power remains limited, especially for genes where pathogenic mutation carrier rates are extremely rare (<0.03%).ConclusionObserved evidence for PCa risk was found for four of the 10 guideline‐recommended genes in this large population‐based study. Mutations in these four genes can be interpreted with confidence in genetic counseling for PCa risk assessment. Evidence for the remaining six genes needs to be further evaluated in larger studies.