bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Loneliness and health expectancy among older adults: A longitudinal population‐based study
Authors: Malhotra Rahul , Tareque Md. Ismail , Saito Yasuhiko , Ma Stefan , Chiu Chi‐Tsun , Chan Angelique 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe population health impact of loneliness remains unknown. We quantified the impact of loneliness on total life expectancy (TLE) and health expectancy (the duration of remaining life lived in different health states) among older adults, aged ≥60 years.DesignMultistate life table analysis of a nationally representative longitudinal survey.SettingSingapore.ParticipantsSurvey participants (n = 3449) interviewed in 2009, 2011–12, and 2015.MeasurementsHealth states were defined using self‐rated health (SRH) status and activity of daily living (ADL)/instrumental ADL (IADL) status. Participants with somewhat or very unhealthy SRH were considered as unhealthy. Those reporting health‐related difficulty with any ADL/IADL were considered to have limitation in ADLs/IADLs. TLE and health expectancy (healthy and unhealthy life expectancy (HLE and UHLE) in the context of SRH, and active and inactive life expectancy (ALE and IALE) in the context of ADLs/IADLs) were estimated using the multistate life table method with a microsimulation approach, considering loneliness as time varying.ResultsAt age 60, 70, and 80, those sometimes lonely or mostly lonely generally had shorter TLE, HLE and ALE, similar UHLE and IALE, and a higher proportion of remaining life with unhealthy SRH or with ADL/IADL limitations versus those never lonely. For example, at the age of 60, those sometimes lonely versus never lonely had shorter TLE (by 5.4 [95% Confidence Interval: 3.4–7.9] years), shorter HLE (by 5.9 [4.1–8.6] years), similar UHLE (difference: 0.6 [−0.7–1.7] years), and higher proportion of remaining life with unhealthy SRH (by 6.2 [1.2–10.8] percentage points). For those mostly lonely versus never lonely, TLE was shorter by 3.6 (0.7–6.6) years, HLE was shorter by 4.8 (2.3–8.2) years, UHLE was similar (difference: 1.2 [−0.1–4.0] years), and proportion of remaining life with unhealthy SRH was higher by 7.2 (2.1–18.1) percentage points.ConclusionIdentification and management of loneliness may increase years of life with healthy SRH and without limitation in ADLs/IADLs among older adults.
Scoping review of nutrition intervention and dietary assessment studies in Khmer populations living in Cambodia
Authors: Windus Janelle L. , Burrows Tracy L. , Duncanson Kerith , Collins Clare E. , Rollo Megan E. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundThis scoping review aims to describe the body of nutrition intervention and dietary assessment research undertaken with Khmer populations in Cambodia, as well as summarise the nutrition knowledge base and highlight priority areas for future research.MethodsFive databases and the grey literature were searched, following PRISMA‐ScR guidelines. Studies involving dietary assessment or nutrition interventions published after 1992 were identified using specific search terms and extracted to a customised data extraction table for categorisation and analysis. Study participants were Khmer people of any age and gender, living in rural or urban Cambodia.ResultsOf the 100 included studies, 58 were dietary assessment only studies, 24 were nutrition interventions only, and 18 studies involved both assessment of intake and an intervention. Sixty‐eight percent of study populations were mothers and young children, of which 52 studies focused on children aged under 5 years. Nineteen interventions involved supplementation and six trialled fortification of rice or fish sauce. Anaemia was the most common nutrition condition studied (n = 17), followed by malnutrition (n = 15) and malnutrition risk factors (n = 11). General nutrition status was explored in 25 studies, and individual micronutrients that were studied included iron (n = 27), zinc (n = 6), vitamin A (n = 4) and thiamine (n = 3).ConclusionsDiet‐related research in Khmer populations in Cambodia has predominantly focused on dietary assessment or evaluation of interventions aimed at reducing malnutrition and resolving micronutrient deficiencies. Areas identified as emerging needs included non‐communicable diseases, the ageing population and non‐iron deficiency anaemia.
Higher refined cereal grain intake is positively associated with apnoea‐hypopnoea index in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Kechribari Ioanna , Kontogianni Meropi D. , Georgoulis Michael , Lamprou Kallirroi , Vagiakis Emmanouil , Yiannakouris Nikos 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundGiven that obesity is a well‐known risk factor for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) development, dietary habits may be involved in its pathogenesis. However, little is known about the associations between dietary habits and OSA severity. The present study aimed to investigate possible associations between cereal grain intake and apnoea/hypopnoea indices in OSA patients.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional study of 269 patients (21–70 years; 73.2% males) diagnosed with OSA via an attended in‐hospital polysomnography. Information on demographics, medical history, anthropometric indices and lifestyle habits were collected at enrolment. Biochemical measurements were performed in all study participants using standard procedures. Cereal grain consumption was evaluated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Severe OSA was defined as having an apnoea‐hypopnoea index ≥30 events h–1.ResultsIn adjusted analyses, higher intake of refined cereal grains was positively associated with apnoea‐hypopnoea index (ptrend = 0.022), after adjusting for age, sex, socio‐economic parameters, smoking habits, waist circumference, physical activity level, adequacy of night‐time sleep, diet's quality as assessed by a relevant score, insulin resistance and C‐reactive protein levels). Multiple logistic regression analysis also showed that energy‐adjusted refined grain intake was associated with increased likelihood of severe OSA (odds ratio = 1.56, 95% confidence interval = 1.06–2.30). Νo association between apnoea/hypopnoea indices and non‐refined grain intake was observed in this study.ConclusionsThe findings show that obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with cereal grain intake and suggest that a higher intake of refined cereal grains may be a risk factor for OSA severity.
GeoPS: An interactive visual computing tool for thermodynamic modelling of phase equilibria
Authors: Xiang Hua , Connolly James A. D. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe availability of thermodynamic data for geologically relevant phases has made practical the calculation of stable phase relations throughout the mantle and crust of terrestrial planets. GeoPS (http://www.geops.org) is a program designed for this purpose in which both input and output are done through an intuitive graphical user interface. GeoPS provides a wide range of phase equilibrium calculations based on a novel Gibbs energy minimization algorithm. The algorithm provides for exceptionally robust and computationally efficient solution to the phase equilibrium problem by successive alternation between a linear programming step to identify stable phase compositions and a non‐linear programming step to refine the compositions estimated during the linear programming. Applications include calculation of various types of phase diagrams and path‐dependent phase fractionation. By combining an easy‐to‐use graphical user interface with a robust and efficient solver, GeoPS makes phase equilibrium modelling accessible to researchers and students with minimal training and provides a powerful tool for understanding natural phase relations and for planning experimental work.
Exploring confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and fluorescence staining as a tool for imaging and quantifying traces of marine microbioerosion and their trace‐making microendoliths
Authors: Schätzle Philipp‐Konrad , Wisshak Max , Bick Andreas , Freiwald André , Kieneke Alexander 
Published: July 2021

AbstractMicroscopic organisms that penetrate calcareous structures by actively dissolving the carbonate matrix, namely microendoliths, have an important influence on the breakdown of marine carbonates. The study of these microorganisms and the bioerosion traces they produce is crucial for understanding the impact of their bioeroding activity on the carbonate recycling in environments under global climate change. Traditionally, either the extracted microendoliths were studied by conventional microscopy or their traces were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of epoxy resin casts. A visualisation of the microendoliths in situ, that is within their complex microbioerosion structures, was previously limited to the laborious and time‐consuming double‐inclusion cast‐embedding technique. Here, we assess the applicability of various fluorescence staining methods in combination with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) for the study of fungal microendoliths in situ in partly translucent mollusc shells. Among the tested methods, specific staining with dyes against the DNA (nuclei) of the trace making organisms turned out to be a useful and reproducible approach. Bright and clearly delineated fluorescence signals of microendolithic nuclei allow, for instance, a differentiation between abandoned and still populated microborings. Furthermore, infiltrating the microborings with fluorescently stained resin seems to be of great capability for the visualisation and quantification of microbioerosion structures in their original spatial orientation. Potential fields of application are rapid assessments of endolithic bio‐ and ichnodiversity and the quantification of the impact of microendoliths on the overall calcium carbonate turnover. The method can be applied after CLSM of the stained microendoliths and retains the opportunity for a subsequent investigation of epoxy casts with SEM. This allows a three‐fold approach in studying microendoliths in the context of their microborings, thereby fostering the integration of biological and ichnological aspects of microbial bioerosion.
The effect of training on treatment adherence in coronary artery patients: A single‐blind randomised controlled trial
Authors: Doğan Uğur , Ovayolu Nimet 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAims and objectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of training, given by the nurses to coronary artery patients, on treatment adherence of the patients.BackgroundTreatment adherence can be defined as adherence of drug use and healthy lifestyle habits to healthcare recommendations. Training programmes enable to reduce healthcare expenditures and risk of mortality by increasing treatment adherence.DesignThis study is a single‐blind randomised controlled trial. The requirements of CONSORT statement were followed. The study was registered with clinicaltrial.gov. NCT04556006.MethodsThe study was conducted with 58 patients hospitalised in the cardiology clinic of a state hospital (intervention = 30 and control = 28). Personal information form, anthropometric measurements, Framingham risk score and compliance questionnaire were used to collect the data. After the first data of the patients were collected, the training on treatment adherence was provided to those in the intervention group. The content of the training was repeated in 2nd, 4th, 8th and 12th weeks. At the end of 12th week, the data of the patients in both groups were collected again and evaluated.ResultsCompliance questionnaire scores were 22.53 ± 5.48 in the intervention group and 22.25 ± 7.02 in the control group at the beginning of the study (p > .05); whereas, they were 32.33 ± 4.82 in the intervention group and 24.04 ± 5.98 in the control group at the end of 12th week (p < .001). Improvement was observed in anthropometric measurements (weight, body mass index, waist circumference and hip circumference) of the patients in the intervention group.ConclusionPlanned training given to coronary artery patients contributed positively to treatment adherence and anthropometric measurements.Relevance to clinical practiceWhile evaluating treatment adherence, not focussing on a single area, interrelated adherence areas should be evaluated together. The prepared adherence guide can be used in adherence training programmes to be applied on different societies.Clinical trial registration numberThe study was registered with clinicaltrial.gov (NCT04556006).
Glioblastoma radiomics to predict survival: Diffusion characteristics of surrounding nonenhancing tissue to select patients for extensive resection
Authors: Pasquini Luca , Di Napoli Alberto , Napolitano Antonio , Lucignani Martina , Dellepiane Francesco , Vidiri Antonello , Villani Veronica , Romano Andrea , Bozzao Alessandro 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackground and PurposeGlioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive primary CNS neoplasm with poor overall survival (OS) despite standard of care. On MRI, GBM is usually characterized by an enhancing portion (CET) (surgery target) and a nonenhancing surrounding (NET). Extent of resection is a long debated issue in GBM, with recent evidence suggesting that both CET and NET should be resected in <65 years old patients, regardless of other risk factors (i.e., molecular biomarkers). Our aim was to test a radiomic model for patient survival stratification in <65 years old patients, by analyzing MRI features of NET, to aid tumor resection.MethodsSixty‐eight <65 years old GBM patients, with extensive CET resection, were selected. Resection was evaluated by manually segmenting CET on volumetric T1‐weighted MRI pre and postsurgery (within 72 h). All patients underwent the same treatment protocol including chemoradiation. NET radiomic features were extracted with a custom version of Pyradiomics. Feature selection was performed with principal component analysis (PCA) and its effect on survival tested with Cox regression model. Twelve months OS discrimination was tested by t‐test followed by logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. The most relevant features were identified from the component matrix.ResultsFive PCA components (PC1‐5) explained 90% of the variance. PC5 resulted significant in the Cox model (p = 0.002; exp(B) = 0.686), at t‐test (p = 0.002) and logistic regression analysis (p = 0.006). Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)‐based features were the most significant for patient survival stratification.ConclusionsADC radiomic features on NET predict survival after standard therapy and could be used to improve patient selection for more extensive surgery.
Equivalence between fixed fee and ad valorem profit royalty
Authors: Colombo Stefano , Ma Siyu , Sen Debapriya , Tauman Yair 
Published: July 2021

AbstractFor an outside innovator with a finite number of buyers of the innovation, this paper compares two licensing schemes: (i) fixed fee, in which a licensee pays a fee to the innovator and (ii) ad valorem profit royalty, in which a licensee leaves a fraction of its profit with the innovator. We show these two schemes are equivalent in that for any number of licenses the innovator puts for sale, these two schemes give the same licensing revenue. We obtain this equivalence result in a general model with minimal structure. It is then applied in a Cournot oligopoly for an outside innovator. Finally, in a Cournot duopoly it is shown that when the innovator is one of the incumbent firms rather than an outsider, the equivalence result does not hold.
Short communication: Effects of breeder age and pre‐placement feed on IgY concentration in egg yolk and chick serum
Authors: Cardeal Paula Costa , Araújo Itallo Conrado Sousa , Vaz Diego Pereira , Abreu Anna Rosa Chagas , Melo Érica Faria , Saldanha Mariana Masseo , Pompeu Mariana Andre , Lara Leonardo José Carmagos 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBreeder age and pre‐placement feed are factors that can affect broiler performance during grow out. This study evaluated the effects of breeder age (29 and 55 weeks old) on IgY transference to egg yolk in addition to the effects of breeder age (29 and 55 weeks old) and pre‐placement feed (with or without), in a factorial arrangement, on IgY concentration in chick serum. Forty‐eight eggs were collected from a breeder flock and considered the experimental units. Eighteen chicks from each breeder age were randomly selected to determine IgY at pulling. After 48 h of placement, old breeders had greater egg weight and yolk weight (p ≤ 0.05) than the young ones. Breeder age (p > 0.05) had no effect on IgY concentration of egg yolk. Breeder age (p > 0.05) had no effect on IgY concentration of chick serum at pulling. There was no interaction (p > 0.05) between breeder age and pre‐placement feed for IgY concentration of chick serum at housing. There was also no effect of breeder age or pre‐placement feed during placement time (48 h) on IgY concentration of chick serum at housing (p > 0.05). In conclusion, 48 h of fasting had no effect on IgY concentration in chick serum despite breeder age. It appears that the immunoglobulins from the residual yolk sac are not used as a protein source during the period between hatching and housing.
Lichen fungi do not depend on the alga for ATP production: A comment on Pogoda et al. (2018)
Authors: Tagirdzhanova Gulnara , McCutcheon John P. , Spribille Toby 
Published: July 2021

AbstractLichen fungi live in a symbiotic association with unicellular phototrophs and most have no known aposymbiotic stage. A recent study in Molecular Ecology postulated that some of them have lost mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and rely on their algal partners for ATP. This claim originated from an apparent lack of ATP9, a gene encoding one subunit of ATP synthase, from a few mitochondrial genomes. Here, we show that while these fungi indeed have lost the mitochondrial ATP9, each retain a nuclear copy of this gene. Our analysis reaffirms that lichen fungi produce their own ATP.
Verticillium dahliae secreted protein Vd424Y is required for full virulence, targets the nucleus of plant cells, and induces cell death
Authors: Liu Lisen , Wang Zhaohan , Li Jianing , Wang Ye , Yuan Jiachen , Zhan Jingjing , Wang Peng , Lin Yongjun , Li Fuguang , Ge Xiaoyang 
Published: July 2021

AbstractFungal pathogens secrete effector proteins that regulate host immunity and can suppress basal defence mechanisms against colonization in plants. Verticillium dahliae is a widespread and destructive soilborne fungus that can cause vascular wilt disease and reduces plant yields. However, little is currently known about how the effectors secreted by V. dahliae function. In this study, we analysed and identified 34 candidate effectors in the V. dahliae secretome and found that Vd424Y, a glycoside hydrolase family 11 protein, was highly upregulated during the early stages of V. dahliae infection in cotton plants. This protein was located in the nucleus and its deletion compromised the virulence of the fungus. The transient expression of Vd424Y in Nicotiana benthamiana induced BAK1‐ and SOBIR1‐dependent cell death and activated both salicylic acid and jasmonic acid signalling. This enhanced its resistance to the oomycetes Phytophthora capsici in a way that depended on its nuclear localization signal and signal peptides. Our results demonstrate that Vd424Y is an important effector protein targeting the host nucleus to regulate and activate effector‐triggered immunity in plants.
The clinical characteristics of pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 in 2020 in Japan
Authors: Katsuta Tomohiro , Shimizu Naoki , Okada Kenji , Tanaka‐Taya Keiko , Nakano Takashi , Kamiya Hajime , Amo Kiyoko , Ishiwada Naruhiko , Iwata Satoshi , Oshiro Makoto , Okabe Nobuhiko , Kira Ryutaro , Korematsu Seigo , Suga Shigeru , Tsugawa Takeshi , Nishimura Naoko , Hishiki Haruka , Fujioka Masashi , Hosoya Mitsuaki , Mizuno Yumi , Mine Mahito , Miyairi Isao , Miyazaki Chiaki , Morioka Ichiro , Morishima Tsuneo , Yoshikawa Tetsushi , Wada Taizo , Azuma Hiroshi , Kusuhara Koichi , Ouchi Kazunobu , Saitoh Akihiko , Moriuchi Hiroyuki 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID‐19 pandemic has affected the lives of people of all ages. Most reports on pediatric cases suggest that children experience fewer and milder symptoms than do adults. This is the first nationwide study in Japan focusing on pediatric cases reported by pediatricians, including cases with no or mild symptoms.MethodsWe analyzed the epidemiological and clinical characteristics and transmission patterns of 840 pediatric (<16 years old) COVID‐19 cases reported between February and December 2020 in Japan, using a dedicated database which was maintained voluntarily by members of the Japan Pediatric Society.ResultsAlmost half of the patients (47.7%) were asymptomatic, while most of the others presented mild symptoms. At the time of admission or first outpatient clinic visit, 84.0% of the cases were afebrile (<37.5°C). In total, 609 cases (72.5%) were exposed to COVID‐19‐positive household members. We analyzed the influence of nationwide school closures that were introduced in March 2020 on COVID‐19 transmission routes among children in Japan. Transmission within households occurred most frequently, with no significant difference between the periods before and after declaring nationwide school closures (70.9% and 74.5%, respectively).ConclusionsCOVID‐19 symptoms in children are less severe than those in adults. School closure appeared to have a limited effect on transmission. Controlling household transmission from adult family members is the most important measure for prevention of COVID‐19 among children.
Behavioural and electrophysiological responses of Liothrips jatrophae (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) to conspecific extracts and some of its identified compounds
Authors: González‐Orellana Johana , López‐Guillén Guillermo , Malo Edi A. , Goldarazena Arturo , Cruz‐López Leopoldo 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis study investigated the behavioural and electrophysiological responses of the thrips Liothrips jatrophae to conspecific extracts and some of its identified compounds. We integrated four constituents of the insect's chemical communication: identification of the compounds from L. jatrophae extract, behavioural response to extracts and synthetic blends, morphology of the main olfactory receptors (antennae), and electrophysiological response of the main olfactory receptors of the antennae to extracts and to individual synthetic compounds and synthetic blends. Analysis by GC–MS revealed that the L. jatrophae extract contains a mixture of 11 compounds (perillene, tridecane, β‐acaridial, tetradecane, pentadecane, heptadecane, heptadecene, dodecyl isobutyrate, tridecyl isobutyrate, tetradecyl isobutyrate and hexadecyl isobutyrate). The major compounds were tridecane, pentadecane, tetradecyl isobutyrate and hexadecyl isobutyrate. When the thrips were exposed to the extracts, they exhibited an escape response, accompanied by other behavioural responses, such as rapid sideways movement and lifting of the abdomen and secretion of a drop at the tip of the abdomen. Morphology and distribution of the L. jatrophae antennal sensilla were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The antenna consists of a scape, pedicel and six flagella. The microphotographs showed two types of sensilla: basiconica and trichoidea. Single sensillum recording (SSR) showed that the sensilla basiconica located in segment IV of the antenna were the most sensitive to the L. jatrophae extracts and to a synthetic blend, whereas the sensilla trichoidea did not exhibit electrophysiological response.