bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of adaptive gastric electrical stimulation on weight, food intake, and food intake rate in dogs
Authors: Debelle Adrien , Hesta Myriam , de Rooster Hilde , Bianchini Erika , Vanhoestenberghe Anne , Stock Emmelie , Vanderperren Katrien , Polis Ingeborgh , Smets Hugo , Cury Joaquin , Acuña Vicente , Delchambre Alain , Innocenti Bernardo , Devière Jacques , Nonclercq Antoine 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundGastric electrical stimulation (GES) has been studied for decades as a promising treatment for obesity. Stimulation pulses with fixed amplitude and pulse width are usually applied, but these have limitations with regard to overcoming habituation to GES and inter‐subject variation. This study aims to analyze the efficacy of an adaptive GES protocol for reducing food intake and maintaining lean weight in dogs.MethodsSix beagle dogs were implanted with a remotely programmable gastric stimulator. An adaptive protocol was designed to increase the stimulation energy proportionally to the excess of food consumption, with respect to the dogs’ maintenance energy requirements. After surgery and habituation to experimental conditions, the dogs went through both a control and a stimulation period of 4 weeks each, in a randomized order. The stimulation parameters were adapted daily. Body weight, food intake, food intake rate, and postprandial cutaneous electrogastrograms (EGG) were recorded to assess the effect of adaptive GES.ResultsAdaptive GES decreased food intake and food intake rate (p < 0.05) resulting in weight maintenance. In the absence of GES, the dogs gained weight (p < 0.05). Postprandial EGG dominant frequency was accelerated by GES (p < 0.05). The strategy of adapting the stimulation energy was effective in causing significant mid‐term changes.ConclusionAdaptive GES is effective for reducing food intake and maintaining lean weight. The proposed adaptive strategy may offer benefits to counter habituation and adapt to inter‐subject variation in clinical use of GES for obesity.
Dynamic pressure—flow curve analysis of the native heart and left ventricular assist device for full and partial bypass conditions
Authors: May‐Newman Karen 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundDuring left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support, the external work performed by the native heart combines with the work performed by the rotary LVAD to provide cyclic flow through the LVAD and, in some conditions, through the aortic valve. In this study, a balance of external work was developed and validated for both full and partial bypass conditions that includes valve opening and aortic compliance.MethodsThe theory assumes a steady‐state contribution of external work from the rotary LVAD and a dynamic portion from the heart. Cyclic flow may be ejected through either the LVAD or ascending aorta, and an energy absorption term accounts for aortic compliance. Mock loop studies were performed for LV ejection fractions of 10%–28% combined with HeartMate II LVAD support at 8 and 11 krpm to produce a range of full and partial bypass conditions. The external work of the LVAD and native heart was computed from the experimental pressure‐flow (H–Q) relations and compared to the theory.ResultsNative heart contraction produces a counterclockwise loop in the pressure–flow relation of the LVAD which increased with ejection fraction, and during full bypass conditions the external work was preserved in the total systemic flow. During partial bypass conditions, forward flow through the ascending aorta was accompanied by a reversal during aortic valve closure resulting in a reduction in energy in the downstream flow.ConclusionsThe study presents a balance of external work during full and partial bypass LVAD support. Experimental data validated the additional terms corresponding to forward flow and aortic compliance that contribute to the system balance. This expanded theory can be applied to LVAD design and control to improve pulsatility and aortic valve biomechanics.
Precursor B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia—a global view
Authors: Biondi Andrea , Conter Valentino , Chandy Mammen , Ewald Primus , Lucia de Martino Lee Marie , Radhakrishnan Vivek S. , Rotchanapanya Wannaphorn , Scanlan Patricia , Patrick Smith Owen , Togo Boubacar , Hokland Peter 
Published: December 2021

SummaryAs haematologists, we always seek to follow standardised guidelines for practice and apply the best treatment within our means for our patients with blood diseases. However, treatment can never follow an exact recipe. Opinions differ as to the best approach; sometimes more than one treatment approach results in identical outcomes, or treatments differ only by the manner in which they fail. Furthermore, the haematologist is faced with constraints relating to the local economic environment. Patients too are not the same the world over. Early presentation is commoner in the developed world, as is the patient’s understanding of the disease process. This in turn has an impact on the way patients are managed, the rigorousness of patient adhesion to the treatment schedule and the outcome. Here we take a look at the precursor B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in an adolescent in a range of different settings from low‐ to high income countries with widely differing challenges for diagnosis, therpy and follow‐up. For these reasons, given the same starting conditions, patients will be treated differently according to the institute and the country they are in. Experts from around the world have been tasked to describe their management plan and rationale for a specific disease presentation. Here they explore the management of precursor B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (pre‐B ALL) in five different institutions worldwide with a focus on those with more or less strained economies. We end with a conclusion from an expert in the field comparing and contrasting these different management styles and considering their merits and limitations.
MEK inhibition suppresses metastatic progression of KRAS‐mutated gastric cancer
Authors: Yamasaki Juntaro , Hirata Yuki , Otsuki Yuji , Suina Kentaro , Saito Yoshiyuki , Masuda Kenta , Okazaki Shogo , Ishimoto Takatsugu , Saya Hideyuki , Nagano Osamu 
Published: December 2021

AbstractMetastatic progression of tumors is driven by genetic alterations and tumor‐stroma interaction. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the oncogene‐induced gastric tumor progression, we have developed an organoid‐based model of gastric cancer from GAstric Neoplasia (GAN) mice, which express Wnt1 and the enzymes COX2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 in the stomach. Both p53 knockout (GAN‐p53KO) organoids and KRASG12V‐expressing GAN‐p53KO (GAN‐KP) organoids were generated by genetic manipulation of GAN mouse‐derived tumor (GAN wild‐type [WT]) organoids. In contrast with GAN‐WT and GAN‐p53KO organoids, which manifested Wnt addiction, GAN‐KP organoids showed a Wnt‐independent phenotype and the ability to proliferate without formation of a Wnt‐regulated three‐dimensional epithelial architecture. After transplantation in syngeneic mouse stomach, GAN‐p53KO cells formed only small tumors, whereas GAN‐KP cells gave rise to invasive tumors associated with the development of hypoxia as well as to liver metastasis. Spatial transcriptomics analysis suggested that hypoxia signaling contributes to the metastatic progression of GAN‐KP tumors. In particular, such analysis identified a cluster of stromal cells located at the tumor invasive front that expressed genes related to hypoxia signaling, angiogenesis, and cell migration. These cells were also positive for phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), suggesting that mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling promotes development of both tumor and microenvironment. The MEK (MAPK kinase) inhibitor trametinib suppressed the development of GAN‐KP gastric tumors, formation of a hypoxic microenvironment, tumor angiogenesis, and liver metastasis. Our findings therefore establish a rationale for application of trametinib to suppress metastatic progression of KRAS‐mutated gastric cancer.
Anthropogenic and landscape features are associated with ink disease impact in Central Italy
Authors: Vannini Andrea , Natili Giuseppina , Thomidis Thomas , Belli Claudio , Morales‐Rodriguez Carmen 
Published: December 2021

AbstractInk disease of sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) caused by the oomycetes Phytophthora cinnamomi and P. x cambivora is the limiting factor for chestnut cultivation in several European regions. The objective of this study was to explore how the spatial landscape heterogeneity affects the distribution pattern of ink disease over a large chestnut area in Central Italy using an approach that combined remote sensing, ground truthing activities and GIS. A multivariate model was developed that explained a large proportion of the variance of the impact of the disease using the density of roads and drainage networks as predictor variables. The association of these landscape elements, specifically with ink disease foci, also provides practical tool to improve the accuracy of monitoring of this disease and the preparation of risk maps.
Association between antiseizure medications and quality of life in epilepsy: A mediation analysis
Authors: Wang Meng , Perera Kevin , Josephson Colin B. , Lamidi Mubasiru , Lawal Oluwaseyi A. , Awosoga Oluwagbohunmi , Roach Pamela , Patten Scott B. , Wiebe Samuel , Sajobi Tolulope T. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectiveThe relationship between antiseizure medications (ASMs), which improve health outcomes by controlling seizures, and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) is poorly understood and may involve intermediate variables. We evaluated the potential mediators of the association between ASMs and HRQOL.MethodsData are from an outpatient registry of adult patients with epilepsy seen at the Foothills Medical Center, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Quality of life was measured using the 10‐item Quality of Life in Epilepsy, and depression was measured using the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy. Propensity score matching was used to adjust for covariate imbalance between patients who received a single ASM (monotherapy) and those who received two or more ASMs (polytherapy) due to confounding. Mediation analysis was used to estimate the mediating effects of depression and ASM side effects on the association between patients' ASM polytherapy and HRQOL.ResultsOf 778 patients included in this analysis, 274 (35.2%) were on two or more ASMs. Patient‐reported depression and ASM side effects jointly mediated the association between ASMs and HRQOL; these mediators accounted for 42% of the total average effect of ASM polytherapy ( = −13.6, 95% confidence interval = −18.2 to −8.6) on HRQOL.SignificanceThese findings highlight the importance of managing depression and ASM side effects for improving health outcomes of patients requiring treatment with ASMs. Intervention programs aimed at improving HRQOL of patients with epilepsy need to target these potential mediators.
Redesign of dryland apple orchards by intercropping the bioenergy crop canola (Brassica napus L.): Achieving sustainable intensification
Authors: Gao Xiaodong , He Nana , Jia Ruhao , Hu Pan , Zhao Xining 
Published: December 2021

AbstractChina's Loess Plateau (LOP) contains around 22% of all the world's apple trees, mainly on smallholdings run by farmers. However, business‐as‐usual (BAU) intensification has reduced the ecological resilience of orchards. Agroforestry is considered to be an important method of realizing sustainable intensification of agroecosystems. However, the design of practical agroforestry systems in drylands remains poorly researched. We hypothesized that crop density is a key factor in designing dryland apple tree‐based agroforestry systems. We carried out an experiment in apple orchards in the semiarid LOP, where the bioenergy crop canola (Brassica napus L.) was intercropped at low, medium, and high densities with row spacings of 25, 50, and 100 cm, respectively, to study its effects on water, carbon, and production. We found that intercropping of canola at different densities clearly decreased soil water content (SWC) in the top 60 cm soil layer at all sampling locations, reduced midday leaf water potential (Ψm) and leaf water content (LWC), and caused apple trees to produce more fine roots at greater depths. However, intercropping did not affect SWC in soil layers below 60 cm. The SWC profiles, Ψm and LWC, progressively recovered over the mulching period. Introduction of canola also significantly (p < 0.05) increased SOC content in the surface layer, an effect less visible in deeper layers, and increased the quality of apple fruit to varying degrees while not affecting apple yield measurably. Overall, higher intercropping density does not lead to severer water deficit but have better carbon sequestration benefit than lower density, and therefore seems more appropriate in our study site. Our findings provide solid evidence that agroforestry helps achieve sustainable intensification of dryland orchards.
The effect of long‐acting injectable antipsychotic medications compared with oral antipsychotic medications among people with schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Okoli Chizimuzo T.C. , Kappi Amani , Wang Tianyi , Makowski Andrew , Cooley Andrew T. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractLong‐acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic medications may be an important modality of reducing costs, improving symptoms, and fostering quality of life outcomes for those with schizophrenia. Our objective was to systematically review and conduct a meta‐analysis of the effectiveness of LAIs compared with oral antipsychotics on medication adherence, symptom remission/relapse, rehospitalization, outpatient visits, emergency department visits, healthcare costs, and social functioning. We performed a systematic search of PsycInfo, CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus databases to examine studies meeting inclusion criteria prior to August 30th, 2020. Randomized controlled trials, retrospective studies, prospective studies among people with schizophrenia with at least 6‐month follow‐up data were obtained. Overall effect sizes and associated 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated with random‐effects modeling. We found 75 articles meeting our inclusion criteria, including 341 730 individuals with schizophrenia. Systematic review results indicated that LAIs compared with orals improved medication adherence (25/29 studies), symptom remission/relapse (10/18 studies), rehospitalizations (26/49 studies), emergency department visits (9/17 studies), medical costs (11/15 studies), and social functioning (5/9 studies); however, LAIs also increased outpatient visits (7/16 studies) and pharmacy costs (10/10 studies). Meta‐analytic results of studies with similar outcome measures did not find differences between LAIs and orals in respect to outcomes, except lowering emergency department visits and increasing pharmacy costs. The differences between the results of the narrative synthesis and the meta‐analyses were possibly because of the low availability of studies with similar outcomes in the pooled analyses. Our overall results suggest that LAIs are at least comparable to orals in supporting important healthcare outcomes for those with schizophrenia. These findings support clinical practice in encouraging providers to prescribe LAIs when indicated.
Association of time in range with postoperative wound healing in patients with diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Huang Ze‐Xin , Zhang Hui‐Hui , Huang Ying , Ye Sheng‐Lie , Ma Yu‐Ning , Xin Ying‐Huan , Chen Xiao‐Qian , Zhao Sheng 
Published: December 2021

AbstractTime in range (TIR) is a novel indicator of glycaemic control that has been reported to have an association with diabetic complications. The objective of the study was to explore the association of TIR with postoperative wound healing in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). We retrospectively analysed the data of DFU patients who had undergone surgical treatment from 2015 to 2019. A 1:1 ratio in propensity score matching (PSM) was adopted to compare patients with TIR ≥50% with those <50%. Data were summarised using chi‐squared, Fisher's exact, and Mann‐Whitney U tests. Patients with TIR <50% underwent a higher rate of secondary surgery within a month (P = .032) and had a longer hospital stay (P = .045) with greater hospital charges (P < .001) than the TIR ≥50% group. Multivariate analysis revealed that TIR (P = .034), Wagner score (P = .009), diabetes treatment (P = .006), and type of surgery (P = .013) were independent risk factors for secondary surgery. Additionally, patient subgroups with TIR <50% and baseline HbA1c < 7.5% (P = .025), albumin level ≥ 30 g/L (P = .039), HDL < 1.16 (P = .021), or Wagner score ≥ 3 (P = .048) also experienced a higher incidence of secondary surgery. TIR was correlated with postoperative wound healing in patients with DFUs. Strict glycaemic targets should be established for surgical patients.
Identification of Parachlamydiaceae DNA in nasal and rectal passages of healthy dairy cattle
Authors: Wheelhouse Nick , Hearn Jack , Livingstone Morag , Flockhart Allen , Dagleish Mark , Longbottom David 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Aims
The order Chlamydiales comprises a broad range of bacterial pathogens and endosymbionts, which infect a wide variety of host species. Within this order, members of the family Parachlamydiaceae, which includes Parachlamydia and Neochlamydia species, have been particularly associated with infections in both humans and cattle, including having a potential pathogenic role in cases of bovine abortion. While the route of transmission has yet to be defined, it has been hypothesised that asymptomatic carriage and contamination of the immediate environment may be a route of inter-animal transmission. We investigated the asymptomatic carriage of Chlamydia-related organisms in healthy cattle.

Methods & Results
DNA was isolated from nasal and rectal swabs obtained from 38 healthy dairy heifers. A Chlamydiales sp. 16S rRNA qPCR was performed on each sample. A total of 18/38 nasal samples and all 38/38 rectal samples were identified as positive for Chlamydiales sp. Each positive sample was sequenced confirming the presence of DNA belonging to the Parachlamydiaceae.

Conclusions
The presence of Parachlamydiaceae DNA in nasal and rectal swab samples of healthy cattle provides evidence for the asymptomatic carriage of parachlamydial organisms within cattle.

Significance & Impact of the Study
The study provides evidence of potential routes of environmental contamination that could provide a route for inter-animal and animal transmission of Parachlamydiaceae.
The role of dctP gene in regulating colonization, adhesion and pathogenicity of Vibrio alginolyticus strain HY9901
Authors: Zhang Yilin , Tan Huimin , Yang Shiping , Huang Yucong , Cai Shuanghu , Jian Jichang , Cai Jia , Qin Qiwei 
Published: December 2021

AbstractVibriosis caused by Vibrio alginolyticus has severely affected the development of mariculture industry in recent decades. DctP, a tripartite ATP‐independent periplasmic transporter solute‐binding subunit, is thought to be one of the virulence factors in Vibrio. In this study, the results displayed no difference in morphological characteristics and growth between ΔdctP (dctP mutant strain) and WT (wild‐type strain). Nevertheless, the ability of swarming motility, biofilm formation, ECPase formation, cell adhesion and colonized ability of ΔdctP significantly decreased compared to those of WT. The LD50 of ΔdctP significantly increased by 40‐fold compared to that of WT. The transcriptome analysis demonstrated the deletion mutation of dctP could regulate the expression levels of 22 genes related to colonization, adhesion and pathogenicity in V. alginolyticus. The analysis of qRT‐PCR showed the transcriptome data were reliable. These results reveal the effect of attenuated function of DctP on colonization, adherence and pathogenicity by controlling the expression of related gene.
Solubilization mechanism and structural properties of high‐denatured peanut protein treated by shearing
Authors: Yu Jiao‐jiao , Li Nan , Li Shuhong , Chen Ye 
Published: December 2021

AbstractHigh‐denatured peanut protein (PP), which exhibited a surface structure dominated by hydrophobic groups due to the high temperature and pressure in oil extraction, was limited in application with poor hydration property. To improve the interaction between PP and water molecules, high‐speed shearing homogenization (HSH) technique was used to depolymerize the aggregates. The results showed that the concentration of soluble protein was increased from 0.22 to 0.79 mg/mL at 15 min, followed by enhanced water holding ability, decreased particle size, and thermal stability. Otherwise, the decrease of α‐helix structure and the exposure of chromophoric groups indicated that the secondary and tertiary structure were unfolded. The stretching vibration of C–O, C=O, C–H, the increase of β‐turn structure, and the exposure of hydrophilic groups (–OH) were the main reason for the improved hydration property. Furthermore, the increased hydration property facilitated the formation of a stable emulsion via stabilizing the water phase. The enhanced hydration property of PP contributed to extending its application in the preparation of beverages and delivery products such as Pickering emulsion and gel for drugs.Practical applicationsAs one of the non‐thermal processing technologies, HSH technology has been widely used in the field of food processing. HSH treatment depolymerized the materials via producing strong shear force, vortex, and cavitation, which was easy to operate and avoided pollution. This study used the HSH technology to improve the hydration property of PP, which has great research potential for the preparation of drug delivery carriers, nutritional products, tissue scaffolds, and food packaging materials.
Twenty‐five years ofLiving Under Contract: Contract farming and agrarian change in the developing world
Authors: Vicol Mark , Fold Niels , Hambloch Caroline , Narayanan Sudha , Pérez Niño Helena 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe expansion of contract farming schemes through regions of the developing world in the era of the globalization of agriculture raises questions that are central to the study of agrarian political economy. Contract farming has extended the footprint of commodity production and integrated land and labour not otherwise captured in forms of direct production and marketing. 25 years after the publication ofLiving Under Contract: Contract Farming and Agrarian Transformation in Sub‐Saharan Africa, a foundational collection edited by Peter Little and Michael Watts, it is necessary to take stock of the most prominent developments in the practice of contract farming and in the political economy literature studying it. The ultimate contribution ofLiving Under Contractwas framing contract farming as expressing the unevenness of power relations in agriculture and grounding it in specific political, historical and social contexts that were not examined in the mainstream accounts. This introduction to the special issue revisits the questions that have remained relevant or re‐emerged in the political economy literature on contract farming; it raises new questions that reflect contemporary developments and it explains how the papers in this collection contribute to the expansion of the theoretical and empirical horizons of the research on contemporary contract farming in low and middle‐income countries.