bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduction of Visceral Adiposity as a Predictor for Resolution of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver in Potential Living Liver Donors
Authors: Lee Sunyoung , Kim Kyoung Won , Lee Jeongjin , Park Taeyong , Park Hyo Jung , Song Gi‐Won , Lee Sung‐Gyu 
Published: April 2021

This study aimed to determine the factors associated with resolution of nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) after lifestyle intervention in potential living liver donors as assessed by the gold standards in a longitudinal setting. This retrospective study included 115 potential living liver donors (mean age, 30.5 ± 7.5 years; 101 men) with NAFL who underwent paired liver biopsies and abdominal computed tomography (CT) examinations before and after lifestyle intervention between January 2011 and December 2018. Anthropometry, laboratory parameters, body composition, and hepatic steatosis (HS) were evaluated before and after lifestyle intervention. Anthropometry, laboratory parameters, body composition, and HS were significantly decreased after lifestyle intervention (all, P < 0.001). Relative changes in HS were weakly correlated with relative changes in the visceral fat area (VFA; r = 0.278; P = 0.003) and subcutaneous fat area (r = 0.382; P < 0.001), but not with body weight, body mass index, or skeletal muscle area. Patients with resolved NAFL after lifestyle intervention had significantly lower VFA at follow‐up than those with persistent NAFL (mean ± standard deviation, 69.8 ± 39.1 versus 91.5 ± 41.4 cm2; P = 0.01). Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the relative reduction of VFA (odds ratio per percent, 1.031; 95% confidence interval, 1.010‐1.053; P = 0.004) was a significant independent factor associated with resolved NAFL after lifestyle intervention. In potential living liver donors with NAFL, the reduction of VFA is a significant factor associated with the resolution of NAFL after lifestyle intervention.
An Intrinsically‐Adhesive Family of Injectable and Photo‐Curable Hydrogels with Functional Physicochemical Performance for Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Karami Peyman , Nasrollahzadeh Naser , Wyss Céline , O'Sullivan Aine , Broome Martin , Procter Philip , Bourban Pierre‐Etienne , Moser Christophe , Pioletti Dominique P. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAttaching hydrogels to soft internal tissues is crucial for the development of various biomedical devices. Tough sticky hydrogel patches present high adhesion, yet with lack of injectability and the need for treatment of contacting surface. On the contrary, injectable and photo‐curable hydrogels are highly attractive owing to their ease of use, flexibility of filling any shape, and their minimally invasive character, compared to their conventional preformed counterparts. Despite recent advances in material developments, a hydrogel that exhibits both proper injectability and sufficient intrinsic adhesion is yet to be demonstrated. Herein, a paradigm shift is proposed toward the design of intrinsically adhesive networks for injectable and photo‐curable hydrogels. The bioinspired design strategy not only provides strong adhesive contact, but also results in a wide window of physicochemical properties. The adhesive networks are based on a family of polymeric backbones where chains are modified to be intrinsically adhesive to host tissue and simultaneously form a hydrogel network via a hybrid cross‐linking mechanism. With this strategy, adhesion is achieved through a controlled synergy between the interfacial chemistry and bulk mechanical properties. The functionalities of the bioadhesives are demonstrated for various applications, such as tissue adhesives, surgical sealants, or injectable scaffolds.
Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET) Polymerization of 2,2,6,6‐Tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐sulfanyl (TEMPS) Dimers
Authors: Hobich Jan , Huber Birgit , Theato Patrick , Mutlu Hatice 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe preparation of polymers containing sulfur–nitrogen bond derivatives, particularly 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐sulfanyl (TEMPS) dimers (i.e., BiTEMPS), has been limited to free‐radical or conventional step‐growth polymerization as result of the inherent thermal lability of the BiTEMPS unit. Accordingly, a novel poly(diaminodisulfide) possessing the BiTEMPS functional group is synthesized via acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization at 65–75 °C within 3 h with precise control over the primary polymer structure. Polymer is isolated with an Mn of 20 400 g mol−1 and Ð of 1.9. Importantly, detailed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), size exclusion chromatography, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐IR) in addition to elemental analysis studies of the BiTEMPS polymer confirm the successful polymerization, and show that the BiTEMPS unit remains intact during the polymerization process. Furthermore, the previously unexplored UV‐responsiveness of the BiTEMPS decorated polymer backbone is investigated for the very first time.
Translating Simulated Chain Length and Molar Mass Distributions in Chain‐Growth Polymerization for Experimental Comparison and Mechanistic Insight
Authors: Marien Yoshi W. , Edeleva Mariya , Figueira Freddy L. , Arraez Francisco J. , Van Steenberge Paul H. M. , D'hooge Dagmar R. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe molar mass distribution (MMD), which is also known as the molecular weight distribution (MWD), is a key molecular property for a polymerization process, as it determines polymer strength and polymeric material deformation. Several MMD and related chain length distribution (CLD) representations are however used interchangeably, often leading to biased conclusions. Herein it is highlighted how the most interesting simulated CLD/MMD representations, i.e., the number, mass, z‐based, and logarithmic CLD/MMD, can be translated into each other and how they need to be corrected to facilitate comparison with experimental size exclusion chromatography traces. Their relevance is highlighted by including case studies with increasing complexity in polymer products, addressing first linear, then branched, and ultimately crosslinked systems. For illustration purposes, the case studies are restricted to chain‐growth polymerization, including free radical polymerization, cationic ring‐opening polymerization, and free radical‐induced grafting. All model parameters are taken from literature and kinetic Monte Carlo tools are utilized. Guidelines are also provided for both the experimentalist and modeler to maximize the reliability of CLD/MMD reporting in future kinetic studies.
Homozygous GDF2 nonsense mutations result in a loss of circulating BMP9 and BMP10 and are associated with either PAH or an “HHT‐like” syndrome in children
Authors: Hodgson Joshua , Ruiz‐Llorente Lidia , McDonald Jamie , Quarrell Oliver , Ugonna Kelechi , Bentham James , Mason Rebecca , Martin Jennifer , Moore David , Bergstrom Katie , Bayrak‐Toydemir Pinar , Wooderchak‐Donahue Whitney , Morrell Nicholas W. , Condliffe Robin , Bernabeu Carmelo , Upton Paul D. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundDisrupted endothelial BMP9/10 signaling may contribute to the pathophysiology of both hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), yet loss of circulating BMP9 has not been confirmed in individuals with ultra‐rare homozygous GDF2 (BMP9 gene) nonsense mutations. We studied two pediatric patients homozygous for GDF2 (BMP9 gene) nonsense mutations: one with PAH (c.[76C>T];[76C>T] or p.[Gln26Ter];[Gln26Ter] and a new individual with pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs; c.[835G>T];[835G>T] or p.[Glu279Ter];[Glu279Ter]); both with facial telangiectases.MethodsPlasma samples were assayed for BMP9 and BMP10 by ELISA. In parallel, serum BMP activity was assayed using an endothelial BRE‐luciferase reporter cell line (HMEC1‐BRE). Proteins were expressed for assessment of secretion and processing.ResultsPlasma levels of both BMP9 and BMP10 were undetectable in the two homozygous index cases and this corresponded to low serum‐derived endothelial BMP activity in the patients. Measured BMP9 and BMP10 levels were reduced in the asymptomatic heterozygous p.[Glu279Ter] parents, but serum activity was normal. Although expression studies suggested alternate translation can be initiated at Met57 in the p.[Gln26Ter] mutant, this does not result in secretion of functional BMP9.ConclusionCollectively, these data show that homozygous GDF2 mutations, leading to a loss of circulating BMP9 and BMP10, can cause either pediatric PAH and/or “HHT‐like” telangiectases and PAVMs. Although patients reported to date have manifestations that overlap with those of HHT, none meet the Curaçao criteria for HHT and seem distinct from HHT in terms of the location and appearance of telangiectases, and a tendency for tiny, diffuse PAVMs.
SNR‐enhanced diffusion MRI with structure‐preserving low‐rank denoising in reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces
Authors: Ramos‐Llordén Gabriel , Vegas‐Sánchez‐Ferrero Gonzalo , Liao Congyu , Westin Carl‐Fredrik , Setsompop Kawin , Rathi Yogesh 
Published: April 2021

PurposeTo introduce, develop, and evaluate a novel denoising technique for diffusion MRI that leverages nonlinear redundancy in the data to boost the SNR while preserving signal information.MethodsWe exploit nonlinear redundancy of the dMRI data by means of kernel principal component analysis (KPCA), a nonlinear generalization of PCA to reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces. By mapping the signal to a high‐dimensional space, a higher level of redundant information is exploited, thereby enabling better denoising than linear PCA. We implement KPCA with a Gaussian kernel, with parameters automatically selected from knowledge of the noise statistics, and validate it on realistic Monte Carlo simulations as well as with in vivo human brain submillimeter and low‐resolution dMRI data. We also demonstrate KPCA denoising on multi‐coil dMRI data.ResultsSNR improvements up to 2.7 were obtained in real in vivo datasets denoised with KPCA, in comparison to SNR gains of up to 1.8 using a linear PCA denoising technique called Marchenko‐Pastur PCA (MPPCA). Compared to gold‐standard dataset references created from averaged data, we showed that lower normalized root mean squared error was achieved with KPCA compared to MPPCA. Statistical analysis of residuals shows that anatomical information is preserved and only noise is removed. Improvements in the estimation of diffusion model parameters such as fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, and fiber orientation distribution functions were also demonstrated.ConclusionNonlinear redundancy of the dMRI signal can be exploited with KPCA, which allows superior noise reduction/SNR improvements than the MPPCA method, without loss of signal information.
Buprenorphine may be effective for treatment of paramyotonia congenita
Authors: Ravaglia Sabrina , Maggi Lorenzo , Zito Antonio , Arceri Sebastiano , Gallotti Pietro , Altamura Concetta , Desaphy Jean Francois , Bernasconi Pia , Alfonsi Enrico 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroduction/AimsParamyotonia congenita (PMC) is a skeletal muscle sodium channelopathy characterized by paradoxical myotonia, cold sensitivity, and exercise/cold‐induced paralysis. Treatment with sodium‐channel–blocking antiarrhythmic agents may expose patients to a risk of arrhythmia or may be poorly tolerated or ineffective. In this study we explored the effectiveness of non‐antiarrhythmic sodium‐channel blockers in two patients with PMC.MethodsEarlier treatment with mexiletine was discontinued for gastrointestinal side effects in one of the patients and lack of clinical benefit in the other. One patient received lacosamide, ranolazine, and buprenorphine, and the other was given buprenorphine only. Drug efficacy was assessed by clinical scores, timed tests, and by long and short exercise tests.ResultsIn both patients, buprenorphine improved pain scores by at least 50%, stiffness and weakness levels, and handgrip/eyelid‐opening times. The fall in compound muscle action potential (CMAP) during short exercise normalized in both patients at baseline, and improved after cooling. During long exercise, one patient showed an earlier recovery of CMAP, and the other patient had a less severe decrease (<60%). With buprenorphine, the fall in CMAP induced by cooling normalized in one patient (from −72% to −4%) and improved (from −49% to −37%) in the other patient.DiscussionBuprenorphine showed promising results for the treatment of exercise‐induced paralysis and cold intolerance in the two patients assessed. The exercise test may be useful for quantitative assessment of treatment response. Further studies on a larger number of patients, under carefully controlled conditions, should be considered to address the effectiveness and long‐term tolerability of this therapeutic option.
Characteristics of pelvic organ prolapse content available on social media
Authors: Pace Lauren A. , Herbert Amber S. , Malik Rena D. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimsTo analyze the quality, understandability, and actionability of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) content and to characterize creators of content and treatment options discussed on social media platforms YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest.MethodsA cross‐sectional, qualitative study was conducted for each platform. A search for “pelvic organ prolapse” was conducted and the first 100 relevant results analyzed. Data collected include source characteristics, treatments discussed, and scores for each criterion of validated Patient Education Materials and Assessment Tool and DISCERN metrics to evaluate quality, actionability, and understandability. The χ
2 analysis, univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were done to assess correlations and the impact of variables on outcomes of interest across platforms.ResultsLow to moderate quality was present in 74.1% of posts. Poor understandability was seen in 37.1% of posts, and 56.1% had poor actionability. The most common publisher of content overall was health and wellness or physical therapy groups (44.6%). The most common YouTube publisher was doctors, hospitals, or clinics (49%). Pelvic floor muscle training was the most discussed treatment overall (57.4%). On YouTube surgery was discussed more frequently than Instagram or Pinterest (58% vs. 11% vs. 43%, p < 0.001. Pinterest posts had better understandability ratings than YouTube videos (odds ratio = 0.19; 95% confidence interval: [0.10–0.36]; p < 0.001).ConclusionInformation on popular platforms regarding POP demonstrates inconsistent quality and poor understandability and actionability. There is an opportunity for health care providers to direct patients to curated lists of high‐quality educational content on these platforms. Awareness of information available on social media is an increasingly important aspect of patient care.
A survey of nurses' experience integrating oncology clinical and academic worlds
Authors: Haase Kristen R. , Strohschein Fay J. , Horill Tara C. , Lambert Leah K. , Powell Tracy L. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimTo better understand how oncology nurses (a) navigate graduate studies; (b) perceive the impact of their academic work on their clinical practice, and vice versa; and (c) engage with clinical settings following graduate work.DesignInterpretive descriptive cross‐sectional survey.MethodsA qualitative exploratory web‐based survey exploring integration of graduate studies and clinical nursing practice.ResultsAbout 87 participants from seven countries responded. 71% were employed in clinical settings, 53% were enrolled in/graduated from Master's programs; 47% were enrolled in/graduated from doctoral programs. Participants had diverse motivations for pursuing graduate studies and improving clinical care. Participants reported graduate preparation increased their ability to provide quality care and conduct research. Lack of time and institutional structures were challenges to integrating clinical work and academic pursuits.ConclusionsGiven the many constraints and numerous benefits of nurses engaging in graduate work, structures and strategies to support hybrid roles should be explored.
Cross the river by feeling the stones: How did nonlocal grassroots nonprofits overcome administrative barriers to provide quick responses to COVID‐19?
Authors: Wang Xiaoyun , Cheng Yuan (Daniel) 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis field report explores how nonlocal grassroots organizations provided effective and quick responses during the initial stage of the COVID‐19 outbreak in Wuhan and surrounding regions. Despite the lack of resources and local connections, they were able to overcome administrative failures and provide quick responses to the crisis. Built on a researcher‐practitioner collaborative action research project, three strategies facilitating grassroots organizations' quick and effective responses are analyzed and discussed: putting pandemic relief as the strategic priority of their organizations, leveraging social media platforms to scale up existing organizational networks and foster cross‐sector collaboration, and effective online trust‐building. As COVID‐19 unprecedently pushes nonprofits to transform how they deliver services and engage stakeholders, these findings have important policy and theoretical implications for an expanded view of how nonprofits may engage in disaster responses and how public and private funders may shift their funding strategies to cultivate such capacities of grassroots nonprofits.
Validity of congenital malformation diagnoses in healthcare claims from a university hospital in Japan
Authors: Ishikawa Tomofumi , Oyanagi Gen , Obara Taku , Noda Aoi , Morishita Kei , Takagi Shuyu , Inoue Ryusuke , Kawame Hiroshi , Mano Nariyasu 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPurposeThis study aimed to assess the validity of diagnoses of congenital malformations (CMs) recorded in claims of a university hospital in Japan.MethodsCongenital malformations were identified according to Code Q00–Q89 of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision. All the children who had been diagnosed with CMs based on their claims in 2015 and within 1 year from their birth month were selected for this study. The infants' medical records were considered as a gold standard. Positive predictive values (PPVs) for CMs were calculated.ResultsThis study included 227 infants who had a CM diagnosis in their claims. Based on the algorithms established by the Quebec Pregnancy Cohort study group, the PPV for any CM was 90.7% and that for major CMs (MCMs) was 91.5%. Concerning MCMs of specific organ systems, those of the circulatory system (PPV 85.1%) were the most frequent, followed by cleft lip and cleft palate (PPV 100.0%), and other CMs of the digestive system (PPV 96.4%). Based on the EUROCAT classification, the PPV for any MCM was 88.5%. Specific MCMs reported in ≥20 infants were ventricular septal defect (PPV 96.0%), patent ductus arteriosus (PPV 72.7%) and cleft lip with or without cleft palate (PPV 100.0%).ConclusionsThe PPVs for CMs in the Japanese administrative data were high enough to suggest that these data could be utilized for perinatal pharmacoepidemiological evaluations. The results were from a single center, and further validation studies are needed.
Polyaniline nanorod adsorbed on reduced graphene oxide nanosheet for enhanced dielectric, viscoelastic and thermal properties of epoxy nanocomposites
Authors: Akkalamattam Maitheen Kunju Rahnamol , Gopalakrishnan Jayalatha 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this work, polyaniline nanorod adsorbed on reduced graphene oxide (P@G) hybrid filler was prepared via in situ polymerization of aniline monomer in the presence of reduced graphene oxide as template. Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy images revealed the formation of P@G hybrid. The P@G hybrid was dispersed in dichlorobenzene and then introduced into epoxy resin at different loadings. The epoxy nanocomposites containing 9 wt% P@G hybrids (E/P@G9) exhibited a maximum DC conductivity of 1.34 × 10−5 S/cm that is eight orders higher compared to pure epoxy. At 103 Hz, a dielectric constant (ε′) of 163 was attained for E/P@G9, nearly 34 times higher than pure epoxy. A percolation threshold of 4 vol% was observed for ε′. Dynamic mechanical studies showed that significant enhancement in storage modulus values were exhibited for 3 and 5 wt% of hybrids. The glass transition temperature showed a maximum shift of 10°C to higher temperatures at 3 wt% loading of P@G hybrids (E/P@G3). The tensile strength, Young's modulus, and impact strength of the E/P@G3 nanocomposites enhanced by 19.7, 72, and 12%, respectively. The thermal stability of the epoxy nanocomposites also enhanced with the addition of P@G hybrid.
Use of Remdesivir in Myasthenia gravis and COVID‐19
Authors: Peters Bradley J. , Rabinstein Alejandro A. , DuBrock Hilary M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMyasthenia gravis and the associated pharmacologic management options could place patients at higher risk of contracting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and exhibiting more severe manifestations of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Multiple agents have been studied for the management of the COVID‐19, including remdesivir. To date, no published reports have evaluated the utilization of the antiviral remdesivir in patients with myasthenia gravis. We describe the first reported clinical course of three patients with myasthenia gravis who safely received remdesivir in combination with dexamethasone for the management of COVID‐19.
Factors associated with psychological distress for couples facing head and neck cancer: A systematic literature review
Authors: McCabe‐White Linda , Moghaddam Nima , Tickle Anna , Biswas Sanchia 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectivesCancer patients in supportive relationships display improved health and survival outcomes. Identifying factors that might respond to intervention for Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) dyads is important as HNC patients and their partners experience heightened distress. This article systematically reviewed and evaluated the research findings and methodological quality of studies which identified factors influencing psychological distress for couples facing HNC.MethodsPsycINFO, Medline, and CINAHL were searched. Studies were included if they used validated psychological distress measures and quantitative data collection methods. Eleven studies satisfied inclusion criteria.ResultsStudies identified factors associated with the psychological distress experienced by couples facing HNC, with substantial effect size variation. These factors included clinical, sociodemographic, relational, and psychological variables. Factors associated with increased psychological distress included disease burden, reduced social contact, perception of reduced relationship quality, and less adaptive/assimilative coping although the effect sizes displayed considerable heterogeneity. Overall, studies possessed good methodological quality but generally could have been improved by minimising the risk of non‐response bias and fully reporting relational characteristics.ConclusionsThe implications of these results for clinical practice and future research are discussed. Further research is recommended to report effect sizes more consistently for both dyad members to gain greater insight into couple‐level distress and to perform moderator analyses to identify which variables influence the magnitude of psychological distress.