bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of individual tree characteristics, spatial structure and logging history on tree-related microhabitat occurrence in North American hardwood forests
Authors: Martin Maxence , Raymond Patricia , Boucher Yan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Tree-related microhabitats (hereafter, “TreMs”) are key components of forest biodiversity but they are still poorly known in North American hardwood forests. The spatial patterns of living trees bearing TreMs (hereafter, “TreM-trees”) also remain to be determined. As logging practices can lead to a loss of TreM-trees and of their associated biodiversity, it is essential to identify the factors explaining TreM occurrence to better integrate them into forest management. We therefore inventoried TreMs in 4 0.5-ha survey strips in northern hardwood forests in Quebec, Canada, while recording the spatial location of each tree. Two strips were located in unmanaged old-growth forests, and 2 were in forests managed under selection cutting. All 4 stands were dominated by sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrn.). Beech bark disease, an exotic pathology, was observed in all the strips.

Results
Large diameter at breast height and low tree vigor were the main characteristics explaining the presence of TreMs at the tree scale. TreM-trees presented slight spatial aggregation patterns. These aggregates, however, were not well-defined and were generally constituted by a large number of trees bearing few different types of TreMs. Two TreM classes (broken branch or top and woodpecker lodge) also presented a spatial aggregation. Logging practices had no significant effect on TreM occurrence. Beech bark disease increased the frequency of senescent beeches. The impact of this pathology on TreMs was however mitigated by the small size of infected trees and probably by the short time elapsed since its appearance.

Conclusion
The factors explaining the presence and abundance of TreMs on trees has so far been little studied in North American hardwood forests. Our results highlight that TreM-tree characteristics in the surveyed forests are consistent with those of previous studies conducted in other forest types and regions (e.g., Europe or Northwestern America). To our knowledge, this study is also the first to identify a spatial aggregation of TreM-trees and of specific TreM classes. It will be nevertheless necessary to determine whether the small impact of logging activities we observed results from current or past management practices.
Intrabronchial migration of hemostatic agent through a bronchial fistula after lung transplantation: a case report
Authors: Nobori Yuya , Sato Masaaki , Hirata Yasutaka , Yamauchi Haruo , Konoeda Chihiro , Kitano Kentaro , Nakajima Jun 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
A bronchial fistula is a relatively rare and potentially fatal complication after lung transplantation. Thoracic surgeons and pulmonologists often face challenges when selecting treatment options. We herein report an exceptional case of intrabronchial migration of a nonabsorbable hemostatic agent, which had been placed around the pulmonary artery at the time of lung transplantation, through a bronchial fistula.

Case presentation
A 61-year-old man developed respiratory distress 1 year after left single-lung transplantation for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Bronchoscopic examination revealed an apparent foreign body protruding from the mediastinum into the distal site of the bronchial anastomosis. The foreign body was easily removed bronchoscopically and appeared to be a hemostatic agent that had been placed during the previous lung transplantation. The patient developed a similar clinical episode and finally developed hemoptysis. Computed tomography revealed a foreign body located between the bronchus and pulmonary artery, partially protruding into the bronchial lumen. Given the possibility of a bronchopulmonary arterial fistula, surgical treatment was performed. The foreign body was located between the bronchus and left pulmonary artery and was easily removed. Multiple bronchial fistulas were found, and all were closed with direct sutures. Bypass grafting of the left pulmonary artery was then performed, initially with a homograft but eventually with an extended polytetrafluoroethylene graft. The patient was finally discharged 5 months after the surgery.

Conclusion
We experienced an extremely rare case of intrabronchial migration of hemostatic agents used during the previous lung transplantation through a bronchial fistula, which were successfully managed by direct bronchial closure and bypass grafting of the left pulmonary artery.
The value of the modern embryologist to a successful IVF system: revisiting an age-old question
Authors: Choucair Fadi , Younis Nagham , Hourani Alia 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
The embryology laboratory remains one of the primary factors influencing the overall performance of the IVF clinic. Clinical embryology, however, has undergone remarkable advancements over the last decade. These developments in both practice and education have been driven together by science and technology.

Main body
The changes in clinical embryology practice have created a significant challenge for both the profession and the embryologist. New competencies for embryologists have subsequently emerged to provide and manage high-quality services for their patients and clinics. Embryologists’ efficacy behind the scenes reflects positively on the success of the fertility clinic. This framework will serve as the flagship document to shed light on the often-overlooked value of the embryologist as an intellectual and intangible asset for the clinic.

Conclusion
To fully leverage a modern embryologist’s skill set, significant investment is required from the IVF clinics’ leadership, which is associated with a substantial return on the IVF clinic’s success. From their side, embryologists should be up to date on further developments and innovations. On the other hand, mentors need to mend the curriculum to allow for better training of high-caliber embryologists.
Thermal injury in tonsils and its relation to postoperative pain—a histopathological and clinical study
Authors: Obeidat Mohammad , Martins Sónia , Aloqaily Ayat , Santos Margarida , Carneiro Fátima , Spratley Jorge 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Objectives
The aim of this study was to compare thermal injury and depth of necrosis of using different monopolar power settings in partial tonsillectomy and correlate the results with the postoperative pain score.

Results
The study included a total of 15 patients with mean of age of 5.7 ± 2.57 years. The mean depth of injury was significantly higher for the 25 W side (0.973 ± 0.613) versus the 15 W side (0.553 ± 0.218) (p = 0.023). The postoperative pain score showed no significant differences between both sides.

Conclusion
The histopathologic depth of thermal injury is significantly higher with the 25 W monopolar microdissection in comparison to the 15 W; however, it does not seem to correlate with the postoperative pain level. Apparently, power settings of 25 W can be safely used for pediatric intracapsular tonsillectomies, without added postoperative morbidity despite the deeper tissue injury observed in the tonsil.
The extracellular matrix protein agrin is essential for epicardial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition during heart development
Authors: Sun Xin , Malandraki-Miller Sophia , Kennedy Tahnee , Bassat Elad , Klaourakis Konstantinos , Zhao Jia , Gamen Elisabetta , Vieira Joaquim Miguel , Tzahor Eldad , Riley Paul R. 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACT
During heart development, epicardial cells residing within the outer layer undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migrate into the underlying myocardium to support organ growth and morphogenesis. Disruption of epicardial EMT results in embryonic lethality, yet its regulation is poorly understood. Here, we report epicardial EMT within the mesothelial layer of the mouse embryonic heart at ultra-high resolution using scanning electron microscopy combined with immunofluorescence analyses. We identified morphologically active EMT regions that associated with key components of the extracellular matrix, including the basement membrane-associated proteoglycan agrin. Deletion of agrin resulted in impaired EMT and compromised development of the epicardium, accompanied by downregulation of Wilms’ tumor 1. Agrin enhanced EMT in human embryonic stem cell-derived epicardial-like cells by decreasing β-catenin and promoting pFAK localization at focal adhesions, and promoted the aggregation of dystroglycan within the Golgi apparatus in murine epicardial cells. Loss of agrin resulted in dispersal of dystroglycan in vivo, disrupting basement membrane integrity and impairing EMT. Our results provide new insights into the role of the extracellular matrix in heart development and implicate agrin as a crucial regulator of epicardial EMT.
It takes a village: microbiota, parainflammation, paligenosis and bystander effects in colorectal cancer initiation
Authors: Wang Xingmin , Undi Ram Babu , Ali Naushad , Huycke Mark M. 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACT
Sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of worldwide cancer mortality. It arises from a complex milieu of host and environmental factors, including genetic and epigenetic changes in colon epithelial cells that undergo mutation, selection, clonal expansion, and transformation. The gut microbiota has recently gained increasing recognition as an additional important factor contributing to CRC. Several gut bacteria are known to initiate CRC in animal models and have been associated with human CRC. In this Review, we discuss the factors that contribute to CRC and the role of the gut microbiota, focusing on a recently described mechanism for cancer initiation, the so-called microbiota-induced bystander effect (MIBE). In this cancer mechanism, microbiota-driven parainflammation is believed to act as a source of endogenous mutation, epigenetic change and induced pluripotency, leading to the cancerous transformation of colon epithelial cells. This theory links the gut microbiota to key risk factors and common histologic features of sporadic CRC. MIBE is analogous to the well-characterized radiation-induced bystander effect. Both phenomena drive DNA damage, chromosomal instability, stress response signaling, altered gene expression, epigenetic modification and cellular proliferation in bystander cells. Myeloid-derived cells are important effectors in both phenomena. A better understanding of the interactions between the gut microbiota and mucosal immune effector cells that generate bystander effects can potentially identify triggers for parainflammation, and gain new insights into CRC prevention.
Ripple effects of research capacity strengthening: a study of the effects of a project to support test facilities in three African countries towards Good Laboratory Practice certification
Authors: Begg Sara , Wright Alexandra , Small Graham , Abdoulaye Diabate , Kisinza William , Koudou Benjamin , Moore Sarah , Mosha Franklin , Edi Constant , Kirby Matthew , Kija Patrick , Malima Robert , Moore Jason , Bates Imelda 
Published: May 2021

Background: Strengthening capacity for public health research is essential to the generation of high-quality, reliable scientific data. This study focuses on a research capacity strengthening project supporting seven test facilities in Africa conducting studies on mosquito vector control products towards Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) certification. It captures the primary effects of the project on each facility’s research capacity, the secondary effects at the individual and institutional level, and the ripple effects that extend beyond the research system. The relationships between effects at different levels are identified and compared to an existing framework for the evaluation of research capacity strengthening initiatives. Methods: To capture the views of individuals engaged in the project at all levels within each facility, a maximum-variation purposive sampling strategy was used. This allowed triangulation between different data sources. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals in three facilities and a combination of email and remote video-call interviews were conducted with individuals at two further facilities. Results: We found that, despite a focus of the GLP certification project at the institutional level, the project had effects also at individual (including enhanced motivation, furtherment of careers) and national/international levels (including development of regional expertise). In addition, we detected ripple effects of the project which extended beyond the research system. Conclusion: This study shows that research capacity strengthening interventions that are focussed on institutional level goals require actions also at individual and national/international levels. The effects of engagement at all three levels can be amplified by collaborative actions at the national/international level. These findings show that research capacity strengthening projects must develop plans that address and evaluate impact at all three levels. Capturing the ripple effects of investment in research capacity strengthening should also be planned for from the beginning of projects to support further engagement of all stakeholders.
Split anterior tibialis tendon transfer to peroneus brevis for spastic equinovarus in children with hemiplegia
Authors: Wong Peter , Fransch Shaneil , Gallagher Charles , Francis Kate Louise , Khot Abhay , Rutz Erich , Graham H. Kerr 
Published: May 2021

Purpose The aim of this study is to report the safety and eff-cacy of soft-tissue surgery incorporating split transfer of tibi-alis anterior to peroneus brevis (SPLATT-PB) for children with hemiplegic spastic equinovarus. Methods This was a retrospective case series of children and adolescents with spastic hemiplegia who had a novel combination of SPLATT-TB, intramuscular tenotomy of tibialis posterior and either spasticity management or gastrocsole-us lengthening as the index surgery. The principal outcome measures were changes in pain and difficulty with shoe wear and radiological parameters obtained from weight-bearing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the affected foot before and after surgery. Results A total of 63 patients with symptomatic spastic equinovarus met the inclusion criteria. Mean age at surgery was 9.8 years (6 to 18) and the mean follow-up was seven years (range 3 to 10 years). Foot pain and problems with shoe wear improved after surgery. Seven radiological criteria showed a clinically and statistically significant improvement at follow-up, the majority being in the normal range. There were 11 surgical adverse events, all classified as Modified Cla-vien-Dindo Grade II. Three patients required further surgery for recurrent equinus, eight patients required further surgery for valgus deformities and four patients required bony surgery for residual varus deformities. Conclusion Soft-tissue surgery for spastic equinovarus was successful in the majority of children with spastic hemiplegia, particularly between ages eight and 12 years, resulting in a plantigrade, flexible foot with minimal pain or limitations in shoe-wear. Children younger than 8 years at index surgery were more prone to overcorrection into valgus. Children older than 12 years had persistent varus deformities requiring bony surgery. Level of evidence Level IV, retrospective case series
Thermalization of isolated Bose–Einstein condensate under a parity–time-symmetric environment
Authors: Akram Javed , Hussain Asad , Nouman Muhammad , Hussain Jameel 
Published: May 2021

The postulates of the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis (ETH) expresses that the thermalization occurs due to the individual eigenstate of the system’s Hamiltonian. But the ETH sheds no light on the dynamics that lead toward the thermalization. In this paper, we observe the thermalization of a Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) confined in an optical lattice potential that is embedded on the harmonic trap. Such optical lattice potential offers local friction to the oscillating BEC. The spread in the temporal density plot of BEC shows the thermalization of the BEC. Moreover, we observe that the presence of a parity–time (PT)-symmetric potential greatly influences the BEC dynamics and the thermalization of the system. The presence of a PT-symmetric potential offers a way to manipulate the mean position of the BEC to a desired location and for a desired length of time.
Comprehensive approach to HIV/AIDS testing and linkage to treatment among men who have sex with men in Curitiba, Brazil
Authors: da Cruz Marly Marques , Cota Vanda Lúcia , Lentini Nena , Bingham Trista , Parent Gregory , Kanso Solange , Rosso Liza Regina Bueno , Almeida Bernardo , Cardoso Torres Raquel Maria , Nakamura Cristiane Yumi , Santelli Ana Carolina Faria e Silva 
Published: May 2021

Introduction
The Curitiba (Brazil)-based Project, A Hora é Agora (AHA), evaluated a comprehensive HIV control strategy among men who have sex with men (MSM) aimed at expanding access to HIV rapid testing and linking HIV-positive MSM to health services and treatment. AHA’s approach included rapid HIV Testing Services (HTC) in one mobile testing unit (MTU); a local, gay-led, non-governmental organization (NGO); an existing government-run health facility (COA); and Internet-based HIV self-testing. The objectives of the paper were to compare a) number of MSM tested in each strategy, its positivity and linkage; b) social, demographic and behavioral characteristics of MSM accessing the different HTC and linkage services; and c) the costs of the individual strategies to diagnose and link MSM to services.

Methods
We used data for 2,681 MSM tested at COA, MTU and NGO from March 2015 to March 2017. This is a cross sectional comparison of the demographics and behavioral factors (age group, race/ethnicity, education, sexually transmitted diseases, knowledge of AHA services and previous HIV test). Absolute frequencies, percentage distributions and confidence intervals for the percentages were used, as well as unilateral statistical tests.

Results and discussion
AHA performed 2,681 HIV tests among MSM across three in-person strategies: MTU, NGO, and COA; and distributed 4,752 HIV oral fluid tests through the self-testing platform. MTU, NGO and COA reported 365 (13.6%) HIV positive diagnoses among MSM, including 28 users with previous HIV diagnosis or on antiretroviral treatment for HIV. Of these, 89% of MSM were eligible for linkage-to-care services. Linkage support was accepted by 86% of positive MSM, of which 66.7% were linked to services in less than 90 days. The MTU resulted in the lowest cost per MSM tested ($137 per test), followed by self-testing ($247).

Conclusions
AHA offered MSM access to HTC through innovative strategies operating in alternative sites and schedules. It presented the Curitiba HIV/AIDS community the opportunity to monitor HIV-positive MSM from diagnosis to treatment uptake. Self-testing emerged as a feasible strategy to increase MSM access to HIV-testing through virtual tools and anonymous test kit delivery and pick-up. Cost per test findings in both the MTU and self-testing support expansion to other regions with similar epidemiological contexts.
Longitudinal study of the relationship between coffee consumption and type 2 diabetes in Chinese adult residents: Data from China Health and Nutrition Survey
Authors: Ma Zhenkai , Hao Mo 
Published: May 2021

BackgroundIncreasing coffee intake was inversely associated with risk of type 2 diabetes in Western countries. However, in China where coffee consumption and diabetes population has been growing fast in recent years, studies on the impact of coffee intakes on the onset of type 2 diabetes are lacking. This study attempts to determine the associations between coffee consumption and type 2 diabetes in Chinese adults.MethodsThis longitudinal study analyzed 10447 adults who had participated in at least two rounds of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), which is a survey database of multistage, random cluster process during 1993–2011. Coffee consumption and type 2 diabetes incidence were measured in the survey. Body mass index (BMI), age, sex, place of residence, waves, education level, smoking, drinking alcohol and tea drinking frequency were adjusted as covariate. We used longitudinal fixed effects regression models to assess changes within person.ResultsAfter adjusting confounding factors, lower risk of diabetes is observed among Chinese adults who drink coffee occasionally (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)  = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.05, 0.34) and drink almost every day (AOR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.45, 0.83), compared with those who do not or hardly drink. In the subgroup analysis, among women aged 45–59 who drink coffee one to three times a week (AOR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.08, 0.52) and men over 60 who drink coffee almost every day (AOR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.07, 0.53), protective effects were found. For young men aged 19–29, drinking coffee almost every day showed a risk effect (AOR = 20.21, 95% CI = 5.96–68.57).ConclusionsCoffee drinking habit is an independent protective factor for adult on type 2 diabetes in China. And it varies among people with different ages and genders. The rapid growth of coffee consumption in China in recent years may help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, but at the same time, the risk of type 2 diabetes in adolescents needs attention.
Masticatory muscle index for indicating skeletal muscle mass in patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Chang Sheng-Wei , Tsai Yuan-Hsiung , Hsu Cheng-Ming , Huang Ethan I. , Chang Geng-He , Tsai Ming-Shao , Tsai Yao-Te 
Published: May 2021

Background
A typical assessment for sarcopenia involves the use of abdominal computed tomography (CT) for calculating the skeletal muscle index (SMI) at the level of the third lumbar vertebra (L3). However, abdominal CT is not regularly performed on patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). We investigated whether masticatory SMI (M-SMI) measurements based on head and neck CT scans can be used to conduct sarcopenia assessments by evaluating whether M-SMI is correlated with L3-SMI.

Methods
Abdominal and head and neck CT images of patients with trauma (n = 50) and HNC (n = 52) were analyzed retrospectively. Both manual delineation and threshold selection methods were used to measure cross-sectional areas of masticatory muscles and those of muscles at the L3 level on CT images. Muscle cross-sectional areas were normalized to height squared to calculate SMI, and a multivariate linear regression model was established to evaluate the correlation between the M-SMI and L3-SMI. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to assess the ability of the M-SMI to identify sarcopenia, and Cox logistic regression was used to identify predictors of sarcopenia.

Results
Patients with HNC had significantly lower M-SMI and L3-SMI than did patients with trauma (p = 0.011 and 0.03, respectively). M-SMI and L3-SMI were strongly correlated (r = 0.901, p < 0.001); in the multivariate model that included sex, the correlation was stronger (r = 0.913, p < 0.001). The associations of sarcopenia with a lower M-SMI (p < 0.001), male sex (p = 0.028), and advanced age (p = 0.011) were significant, and multivariate logistic analysis demonstrated that an M-SMI of <5.5 was an independent predictor of sarcopenia (hazard ratio = 5.37, p < 0.001).

Conclusions
M-SMI assessment in routine head and neck CT scans is feasible and can be an alternative for detecting sarcopenia in patients with HNC.