bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Consistency of global recommendations regarding open versus laparoscopic surgery during the COVID‐19 pandemic: a systematic review
Authors: Jacob Susan , Hameed Ahmer , Lam Vincent , Pang Tony CY 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundThroughout the COVID‐19 pandemic, there has been worldwide debate regarding whether open surgery should be performed in preference to laparoscopic surgery due to the theoretical higher risk of viral aerosolization by the release of pneumoperitoneum. We aimed to assess the consistency of national and international surgical society recommendations regarding the choice of surgical approach; assess the quality of evidence of viral emission in surgical aerosol; and assess the quality of evidence comparing aerosol generation by different surgical energy devices.MethodsA systematic review of PubMed, Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases was performed. Three search strategies were employed. Twenty‐eight studies were included in the final analysis and quality appraised. Confidence in review findings was assessed using the GRADE‐CERQual (Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research) tool.ResultsWorldwide recommendations regarding open versus laparoscopic surgery are consistent, with a majority recommending that surgical approach is decided on a case‐by‐case, risk minimization approach. There is limited, low‐quality evidence that viral particles can be emitted in surgical aerosol. There is a paucity of literature on the quantity of aerosol produced by different surgical energy devices, and no evidence to support the use of certain surgical instruments to minimize aerosol production.ConclusionsThere is considerable consistency among worldwide recommendations regarding the choice of surgical approach, although the evidence base is lacking. To inform clinical recommendations, further research examining viral emission, transmission, infectivity and amount of surgical aerosol produced is required.
Reduced frequency of T helper 17 and T helper 1 cells and their association with critical coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Shahbazi Mehdi , Jafari Mohammad , Moulana Zahra , Sepidarkish Mahdi , Bagherzadeh Mojgan , Rezanejad Maryam , Mirzakhani Mohammad , Javanian Mostafa , bayani Masomeh , Sadeghi‐Haddad‐Zavareh Mahmoud , Mehdinezhad Hamed , Ghadimi Reza , Ghasemzadeh Mostafa , Shokuhi Rad Ali , Mohammadnia‐Afrouzi Mousa 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThere is very little knowledge about the immune responses, particularly cellular immunity to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of T helper (Th) cell subtypes, including Th1, Th17, and Treg cells, in moderate‐to‐severe and critical COVID‐19 patients compared to healthy controls. Twenty‐nine moderate‐to‐severe and 13 critical patients confirmed for COVID‐19, and 15 healthy subjects were included in this study. Interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ)‐producing Th1 and interleukin‐17A‐producing Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral blood were measured with flow cytometry. The frequency of Th1 and Th17 was significantly decreased in critical patients compared to healthy subjects (aMD: −2.76 and − 2.34) and moderate‐to‐severe patients (aMD: −1.89 and − 1.89), respectively (p < 0.05). Differences were not significant between moderate‐to‐severe patients and healthy subjects for both Th1 (p = 0.358) and Th17 (p = 0.535), respectively. In contrast, significant difference was not observed between study subjects regarding the frequency of Treg cells. Patients with critical COVID‐19 had a markedly lower Th1/Treg and Th17/Treg ratios compared with the controls and moderate‐to‐severe cases. Our study showed a dysregulated balance of Th1 and Th17 cells and its relation to the severity of COVID‐19.
Anti‐PCSK 9 antibodies increase the ratios of the brain‐specific oxysterol 24S‐hydroxycholesterol to cholesterol and to 27‐hydroxycholesterol in the serum
Authors: Lütjohann Dieter , Stellaard Frans , Bölükbasi Bediha , Kerksiek Anja , Parhofer Klaus G. , Laufs Ulrich 
Published: April 2021

AimsThe serum ratios of the brain‐specific oxysterol 24S‐hydroxycholesterol (24S‐OHC) to cholesterol and to 27‐OHC reflect brain cholesterol turnover. We studied the effect of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 monoclonal antibodies (PCSK9ab) that enhance low‐density lipoprotein receptor activity on serum cholesterol and oxysterol concentrations.MethodsTwenty‐eight hypercholesterolaemic patients (15 males and 13 females) responding insufficiently to maximally tolerated statin and/or ezetimibe therapy were additionally subcutanously treated biweekly with either the PCSK9ab alirocumab (150 mg, n = 13) or evolocumab (140 mg, n = 15). Fasting serum cholesterol was measured by gas chromatography and the oxysterols 24S‐OHC and 27‐OHC using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry before, after 1‐month (n = 28) and after 3‐month (n = 13) treatment.ResultsAs expected, PCSK9ab treatment lowered serum cholesterol and oxysterol levels after 1 month. The serum ratio of 24S‐OHC to cholesterol increased after 1 month by 17 ± 28% (mean ± standard deviation; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.8 to 28%; P < .01) and 24S‐OHC to 27‐OHC by 15 ± 39% (95% CI: 0.2 to 30%; P < .01). Within 3 months, 24S‐OHC to cholesterol increased by 2.8 μg g−1 mo−1 (95% CI: 2.1 to 3.6; P < .01) and 24S‐OHC to 27‐OHC by 0.019 mo−1 (95% CI: 0.007 to 0.032; P < .01).ConclusionThe serum ratios of 24S‐OHC to cholesterol and to 27‐OHC increased after treatment with PCSK9ab. We hypothesize that this is caused by a reduced entrance of 27‐OHC into the brain, increased synthesis of brain cholesterol, increased production of 24S‐OHC and its secretion across the blood–brain barrier.
Distribution of lymph node metastasis and oncological outcomes of mid‐transverse colon cancer: extended versus transverse colectomy
Authors: Park Hyeong‐min , Lee Jaram , Lee Soo Young , Kim Chang Hyun , Kim Hyeong Rok 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimThe optimal surgical method for cancer of the mid‐transverse colon has not been well established. The present study aimed to explore the distribution of lymph node metastasis and compare the outcomes of extended and transverse colectomies for cancer of the mid‐transverse colon.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed the data of patients with cancer of the mid‐transverse colon treated with either an extended hemicolectomy (right or left) or a transverse colectomy. A propensity score matching analysis was performed to rule out selection bias, and short‐term and survival outcomes were compared. The distribution of lymph node metastasis was also investigated.ResultsA total of 107 patients were included, 70 of whom underwent an extended colectomy while 37 underwent a transverse colectomy. There were no significant differences in the operation time, postoperative complications, hospital stay, 3‐year disease‐free survival (86.5% vs. 90.9%, P = 0.675) and 5‐year overall survival (87.4% vs. 93.0%, P = 0.349) between the two groups after propensity score matching. However, metastases were observed in the lymph nodes along the right colic artery (pericolic [#211], 14.0%; intermediate [#212], 8.2%; apical [#213], 9.8%) in the extended colectomy group.ConclusionExtended and transverse colectomies showed similar short‐term and long‐term outcomes for mid‐transverse colon cancer. However, care should be taken to determine the extent of resection considering the possibility of metastatic lymph nodes along the right colic artery.
Donation after circulatory death liver transplantation: An in‐depth analysis and propensity score–matched comparison
Authors: Hobeika Mark J. , Saharia Ashish , Mobley Constance M. , Menser Terri , Nguyen Duc T. , Graviss Edward A. , McMillan Robert R. , Podder Hemangshu , Nolte Fong Joy V. , Jones Stephen L. , Yi Stephanie G. , Elshawwaf Mahmoud , Gaber Ahmed O. , Ghobrial Rafik M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundCareful donor‐recipient matching and reduced ischemia times have improved outcomes following donation after circulatory death (DCD) liver transplantation (LT). This study examines a single‐center experience with DCD LT including high‐acuity and hospitalized recipients.MethodsDCD LT outcomes were compared to a propensity score–matched (PSM) donation after brain death (DBD) LT cohort (1:4); 32 DCD LT patients and 128 PSM DBD LT patients transplanted from 2008 to 2018 were included. Analyses included Kaplan‐Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazards models examining patient and graft survival.ResultsMedian MELD score in the DCD LT cohort was 22, with median MELD of 27 for DCD LT recipients with decompensated cirrhosis. No difference in mortality or graft loss was found (p < .05) between DCD LT and PSM DBD LT at 3 years post‐transplant, nor was DCD an independent risk factor for patient or graft survival. Post‐LT severe acute kidney injury was similar in both groups. Ischemic‐type biliary lesions (ITBL) occurred in 6.3% (n = 2) of DCD LT recipients, resulting in 1 graft loss and 1 death.ConclusionThis study supports that DCD LT outcomes can be similar to DBD LT, with a low rate of ITBL, in a cohort including high‐acuity recipients. Strict donor selection criteria, ischemia time minimization, and avoiding futile donor/recipient combinations are essential considerations.
Conserved residues Glu37 and Trp229 play an essential role in protein folding of β‐lactamase
Authors: Chikunova Aleksandra , Manley Max P. , Ud Din Ahmad Misbha , Bilman Tuğçe , Perrakis Anastassis , Ubbink Marcellus 
Published: April 2021

Evolutionary robustness requires that the number of highly conserved amino acid residues in proteins is minimized. In enzymes, such conservation is observed for catalytic residues but also for some residues in the second shell or even further from the active site. β‐Lactamases evolve in response to changing antibiotic selection pressures and are thus expected to be evolutionarily robust, with a limited number of highly conserved amino acid residues. As part of the effort to understand the roles of conserved residues in class A β‐lactamases, we investigate the reasons leading to the conservation of two amino acid residues in the β‐lactamase BlaC, Glu37, and Trp229. Using site‐directed mutagenesis, we have generated point mutations of these residues and observed a drastic decrease in the levels of soluble protein produced in Escherichia coli, thus abolishing completely the resistance of bacteria against β‐lactam antibiotics. However, the purified proteins are structurally and kinetically very similar to the wild‐type enzyme, only differing by exhibiting a slightly lower melting temperature. We conclude that conservation of Glu37 and Trp229 is solely caused by an essential role in the folding process, and we propose that during folding Glu37 primes the formation of the central β‐sheet and Trp229 contributes to the hydrophobic collapse into a molten globule.EnzymeEC 3.5.2.6.DatabaseStructural data are available in PDB database under the accession number 7A5U.
With Age Comes Respect? And for Whom Exactly? A Quantitative Examination of White and BAME Prisoner Experiences of Respect Elicited through HM Inspectorate of Prisons Survey Responses
Authors: QUINN ANTHONY , HARDWICK NICK , MEEK ROSIE 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThrough the analysis of survey data, collected by HM Inspectorate of Prisons between 2010 and 2019, we examine the responses of adult male prisoners of different ages and ethnicities and the extent to which they report being treated with respect by staff. Survey responses from 62,664 prisoners support the conclusion that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) prisoners are less likely than white prisoners to report that they are treated with respect; younger prisoners are less likely than older prisoners to do so. Our macro‐level findings demonstrate that there is considerable variation between the subgroups within these broad categories and that a simplification of experiences may lead to incorrect assumptions about the experiences of minority groups in prison. These survey data should be used in conjunction with other resources, such as official data and operational statistics, to support detailed examination of prisoner treatment and conditions for safe, decent and rehabilitative prisons.
Three​‐dimensional porous poly(ε‐caprolactone)/beta‐tricalcium phosphate microsphere‐aggregated scaffold for bone tissue engineering
Authors: ShiraliPour Faeze , Shafiei Seyedeh Sara , Nikakhtar Yeganeh 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this study, porous scaffolds made of polycaprolactone (PCL)/β‐tricalcium phosphate (BTCP) biocomposite were fabricated for bone tissue engineering (BTE) applications. The microsphere‐aggregated scaffolds were prepared with various BTCP concentrations (10wt%, 20wt%, 50wt%) by the freeze‐drying method. The porosity of obtained microsphere‐aggregated scaffolds with various pore sizes was 80–85%, where this value was about 70% for the PCL/BTCP (50) sample with no microsphere formation. The results indicated that adding BTCP has enhanced mechanical strength, and the mineralization of PCL/BTCP composite scaffolds has been increased compared to the pure PCL scaffolds in simulated body fluid (SBF). The adhesion and proliferation of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (mMSCs) seeded onto PCL/BTCP scaffolds were enhanced compared to the PCL. In addition, in terms of differentiation, the incorporation of BTCP led to increasing the mineral deposition and alkaline phosphatase activity of mMSCs. The synergistic effect of using microsphere‐aggregated scaffolds along with BTCP as a reinforcing agent in PCL biocomposite showed that these porous biocomposite scaffolds have the potential application in BTE.
The role of 14‐3‐3 proteins in cell signalling pathways and virus infection
Authors: Liu Jiaqi , Cao Shengliang , Ding Guofei , Wang Bin , Li Yingchao , Zhao Yuzhong , Shao Qingyuan , Feng Jian , Liu Sidang , Qin Liting , Xiao Yihong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract14‐3‐3 proteins are highly conserved in species ranging from yeast to mammals and regulate numerous signalling pathways via direct interactions with proteins carrying phosphorylated 14‐3‐3–binding motifs. Recent studies have shown that 14‐3‐3 proteins can also play a role in viral infections. This review summarizes the biological functions of 14‐3‐3 proteins in protein trafficking, cell‐cycle control, apoptosis, autophagy and other cell signal transduction pathways, as well as the associated mechanisms. Recent findings regarding the role of 14‐3‐3 proteins in viral infection and innate immunity are also reviewed.
Assortative mating can help adaptation of flowering time to a changing climate: Insights from a polygenic model
Authors: Godineau Claire , Ronce Ophélie , Devaux Céline 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSeveral empirical studies report fast evolutionary changes in flowering time in response to contemporary climate change. Flowering time is a polygenic trait under assortative mating, since flowering time of mates must overlap. Here, we test whether assortative mating, compared with random mating, can help better track a changing climate. For each mating pattern, our individual‐based model simulates a population evolving in a climate characterized by stabilizing selection around an optimal flowering time, which can change directionally and/or fluctuate. We also derive new analytical predictions from a quantitative genetics model for the expected genetic variance at equilibrium, and its components, the lag of the population to the optimum and the population mean fitness. We compare these predictions between assortative and random mating, and to our simulation results. Assortative mating, compared with random mating, has antagonistic effects on genetic variance: it generates positive associations among similar allelic effects, which inflates the genetic variance, but it decreases genetic polymorphism, which depresses the genetic variance. In a stationary environment with substantial stabilizing selection, assortative mating affects little the genetic variance compared with random mating. In a changing climate, assortative mating however increases genetic variance compared to random mating, which diminishes the lag of the population to the optimum, and in most scenarios translates into a fitness advantage relative to random mating. The magnitude of this fitness advantage depends on the extent to which genetic variance limits adaptation, being larger for faster environmental changes and weaker stabilizing selection.
Life cycle assessment on the reuse and recycling of the nickel‐metal hydride battery: Fleet‐based study on hybrid vehicle batteries from Japan
Authors: Wang Shuoyao , Yu Jeongsoo , Okubo Kazuaki 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWith the increasing popularity of hybrid vehicles, which were initially commercialized from Japan, the use of nickel‐metal hydride (NiMH) batteries has also increased dramatically. This will inevitably lead to a large number of NiMH batteries in the future. This makes the reuse and recycling of these waste NiMH batteries an urgent concern. Nevertheless, the environmental burden generated from the reuse and recycling processes has not been clarified. Moreover, many NiMH batteries are exported from Japan to developing countries and will eventually be landfilled. Such problems severely weaken the efficiency of the waste battery recycling system in Japan. This research aims to analyze the environmental impact of a NiMH battery under each type of waste treatment strategy using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method. Then, a fleet‐based LCA is performed to show how exactly the collection rate of waste batteries affects the efficiency of the recycling industry. The results show that, if we can reuse or recycle a waste NiMH battery instead of it being directly landfilled, the absolute environmental impact of the NiMH battery can be decreased. Especially in the reuse and recycle scenario, approximately 83 kg of CO2 emissions, 1.37 kg of resource depletion, 0.044 m3 of landfill volume, and 1611 MJ energy consumption will be conserved for each NiMH battery. Moreover, the efficiency of the Japanese recycling industry would significantly improve if more waste NiMH batteries can be recycled or reused in Japan instead of being exported to developing countries.
A comparison study of bottom‐up and top‐down methods for analyzing the physical composition of municipal solid waste
Authors: Zhou Chuanbin , Ma Shijun , Yu Xiao , Chen Zhuqi , Liu Jingru , Yan Li 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMunicipal solid waste (MSW) management is a crucial issue in socioeconomic metabolism and requires multicategory and high‐resolution data, and data on the physical composition of municipal solid waste (PCMSW) are fundamental in MSW research. Extensive financial resources have been invested in the research on field investigations of PCMSW; however, it is time‐consuming and sometimes not truly representative of the studied case. In this work, two bottom‐up and two top‐down approaches were applied for analyzing the PCMSW, namely, field investigation (FI), BP neural network (BPNN), material flow analysis (MFA), and inversion algorithm based on electricity generation of waste incinerator (IAEI). Wuhan City, China, was chosen as the studied case for analyzing and comparing the PCMSW results. The PCMSW values obtained by applying those four methods showed acceptable differences, and the standard deviations of organic fraction, ash and stone, paper, plastic and rubber, textile, wood, metal, glass, and others were 3.94%, 2.77%, 6.57%, 2.22%, 2.49%, 1.36%, 0.53%, 1.19%, and 0.28%, respectively. Use of the MFA, BPNN, and IAEI methods could reduce time and labor spent on manual sampling, sorting, and weighing of MSW, compared to the FI method. BPNN algorithm advances in providing PCMSW data in history and by trajectory throughout the year, whereas IAEI contributes PCMSW data with much higher temporal resolution. Data quality and applicability of different methods were discussed, considering the availability of time, labor, and reference data.
Life cycle assessment of an ecological living module equipped with conventional rooftop or integrated concentrating photovoltaics
Authors: Raugei Marco , Keena Naomi , Novelli Nick , Aly Etman Mohamed , Dyson Anna 
Published: April 2021

AbstractClimate change is disrupting our environment and business‐as‐usual practices will fail to reverse its impact. This paper focuses on the impact of the building sector and, in particular, it questions the energy and environmental benefits of advanced integrated and more conventional building‐applied photovoltaic (PV) systems, compared to a traditional municipality utility supply. A demonstration project named the ecological living module (ELM) is used to create a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of the adoption of these PV systems across three different climatic locations, namely New York City, London, and Nairobi. Findings show that, over the entire life cycle, the solar systems do better than the grid mix in reducing the building's dependence on nonrenewable resources. Unsurprisingly, in comparative terms, these systems do substantially better if the local grid mix is characterized by a predominantly nonrenewable energy profile. When comparing the two solar systems, the environmental impacts of the solar cells are negligible in the advanced system, whereas its structural components result in it being less environmentally friendly than the conventional solar PV. This highlights the possibility of future design iterations of these components to rethink their material ecology in terms of their life cycle—materiality, sourcing, and manufacturing, and so forth. The implications of this work suggest questioning, on a case‐by‐case basis, when and in what contexts integrated solar energy building systems are most plausible. This work also questions the scale at which grid scale distribution should occur.
Sarco‐Model: A score to predict the dropout risk in the perspective of organ allocation in patients awaiting liver transplantation
Authors: Lai Quirino , Magistri Paolo , Lionetti Raffaella , Avolio Alfonso W. , Lenci Ilaria , Giannelli Valerio , Pecchi Annarita , Ferri Flaminia , Marrone Giuseppe , Angelico Mario , Milana Martina , Schinniná Vincenzo , Menozzi Renata , Di Martino Michele , Grieco Antonio , Manzia Tommaso M. , Tisone Giuseppe , Agnes Salvatore , Rossi Massimo , Di Benedetto Fabrizio , Ettorre Giuseppe M. ,   the Sarco‐Model Study Group
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackground & AimsSarcopenia in liver transplantation (LT) cirrhotic candidates has been connected with higher dropouts and graft losses after transplant. The study aims to create an ‘urgency’ model combining sarcopenia and Model for End‐stage Liver Disease Sodium (MELDNa) to predict the risk of dropout and identify an appropriate threshold of post‐LT futility.MethodsA total of 1087 adult cirrhotic patients were listed for a first LT during January 2012 to December 2018. The study population was split into a training (n = 855) and a validation set (n = 232).ResultsUsing a competing‐risk analysis of cause‐specific hazards, we created the Sarco‐Model2. According to the model, one extra point of MELDNa was added for each 0.5 cm2/m2 reduction of total psoas area (TPA) < 6.0 cm2/m2. At external validation, the Sarco‐Model2 showed the best diagnostic ability for predicting the risk of 3‐month dropout in patients with MELDNa < 20 (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.93; P = .003). Using the net reclassification improvement, 14.3% of dropped‐out patients were correctly reclassified using the Sarco‐Model2. As for the futility threshold, transplanted patients with TPA < 6.0 cm2/m2 and MELDNa 35‐40 (n = 16/833, 1.9%) had the worse results (6‐month graft loss = 25.5%).ConclusionsIn sarcopenic patients with MELDNa < 20, the ‘urgency’ Sarco‐Model2 should be used to prioritize the list, while MELDNa value should be preferred in patients with MELDNa ≥ 20. The Sarco‐Model2 played a role in more than 30% of the cases in the investigated allocation scenario. In sarcopenic patients with a MELDNa value of 35‐40, ‘futile’ transplantation should be considered.