bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms in atopy
Authors: Tamasauskiene Laura , Golubickaite Ieva , Ugenskiene Rasa , Sjakste Nikolajs , Paramonova Natalia , Wu Lawrence Shih‐Hsin , Wang Lawrence Shih‐Jiu‐Yao , Sitkauskiene Brigita 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe occurrence of allergic conditions, for example allergic asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis, is rising worldwide. These allergic conditions are associated with poor life quality. Vitamin D is proposed to be linked with increased risk and severe forms of allergic diseases.AimsThis review article aimed to evaluate the vitamin D level role and polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) in atopy.Methods & MaterialsWe analyzed publications that were focusing on levels of vitamin D and/or polymorphism analysis of vitamin D receptor gene in allergic asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis patients.ResultsWe noticed that levels of vitamin D are extensively studied in atopy by many research groups, however, polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene and their link with levels of vitamin D lack comprehensive data. There is evidence that vitamin D may be associated with anti‐inflammatory effects in allergic diseases. Some of VDR polymorphisms also may play a role in pathogenesis of these diseases. However, the data from different studies are controversial.DiscussionThe results of different studies are usually inconsistent, most probably due to populational bias or differences in methodology. Even though, more evidence shows a positive impact of vitamin D on the risk and outcomes of allergic diseases, especially atopic dermatitis, and asthma.ConclusionsThere is controversial data about the level of vitamin D and its role in atopy; however, more evidence shows a positive impact on the risk and outcomes of allergic diseases.
Predicting Imminent Fractures in Patients With a Recent Fracture or Starting Oral Bisphosphonate Therapy: Development and International Validation of Prognostic Models
Authors: Khalid Sara , Pineda-Moncusí Marta , El-Hussein Leena , Delmestri Antonella , Ernst Martin , Smith Christopher , Libanati Cesar , Toth Emese , Javaid Muhammad K , Cooper Cyrus , Abrahamsen Bo , Prieto-Alhambra Daniel 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTThe availability of anti-osteoporosis medications with rapid onset and high potency requires tools to identify patients at high imminent fracture risk (IFR). There are few tools that predict a patient's IFR. We aimed to develop and validate tools for patients with a recent fracture and for patients initiating oral bisphosphonate therapy. Models for two separate cohorts, those with incident fragility fracture (IFx) and with incident oral bisphosphonate prescription (OBP), were developed in primary care records from Spain (SIDIAP database), UK (Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD), and Denmark (Danish Health Registries). Separate models were developed for hip, major, and any fracture outcomes. Only variables present in all databases were included in Lasso regression models for the development and logistic regression models for external validation. Discrimination was tested using area under curve (AUC) and calibration was assessed using observed versus predicted risk plots stratified by age, sex, and previous fracture history. The development analyses included 35,526 individuals in the IFx and 41,401 in the OBP cohorts, with 671,094 in IFx and 330,256 in OBP for the validation analyses. Both the IFx and OBP models demonstrated similarly good performance for hip fracture at 1 year (with AUCs of 0.79 [95% CI 0.75 to 0.82] and 0.87 [0.83 to 0.91] in Spain, 0.71 [0.71 to 0.72] and 0.73 [0.72 to 0.74] in the UK, and 0.70 [0.70 to 0.70] and 0.69 [0.68 to 0.70] in Denmark), and lower discrimination for major osteoporotic and any fracture sites. Calibration was good across all three countries. Discrimination and calibration for the 2-year models was similar. The proposed IFR prediction models could be used to identify more precisely patients at high imminent risk of fracture and inform anti-osteoporosis treatment selection. The freely available model parameters permit local validation and implementation. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Bisphenol A exposure induces neurobehavioral deficits and neurodegeneration through induction of oxidative stress and activated caspase‐3 expression in zebrafish brain
Authors: Sahoo Pradyumna K. , Aparna Sai , Naik Pradeep K. , Singh Shashi B. , Das Saroj K. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBisphenol A (BPA) is noted for its adversative effects by inducing oxidative stress, carcinogenicity, neurotoxicity, inflammation, etc. However, the likely act of BPA in inducing neurodegenerative phenotypes remains elusive in the available literature. Hence, the present study was conducted to decipher the neurodegenerative potential of BPA in inducing Parkinson's disease like phenotypes in zebrafish. Zebrafish were subjected to chronic waterborne exposure to BPA for 56 days. Locomotor activities and neurobehavioral response were assessed by the NTDT (novel tank diving test), OFT (open field test), and LDPT (light‐dark preference test). The oxidative stress markers and histopathological observation for pyknosis and chromatin condensation were carried out. Immunohistochemistry for activated caspase‐3 and targeted proteins expression study was performed. The basic findings reveal that chronic BPA exposure significantly induces locomotor dysfunction through a significant decline in mean velocity and total distance traveled. As a measure of pyknosis and chromatin condensation, pyknotic and Hoechst positive neurons in telencephalon and diencephalon significantly increased by BPA exposure. A higher concentration of BPA adversely affects the neurobehavioral response, antioxidant status, and neuromorphology in zebrafish. Parkinson‐relevant targeted protein expression viz. alpha‐synuclein and LRRK2, were significantly upregulated, whereas tyrosine hydroxylase, NeuN, and Nurr1 were significantly downregulated in the zebrafish brain. As an indicator of cell death by apoptosis, the expression of activated caspase‐3 was significantly increased in the BPA‐exposed zebrafish brain. These basic results of the current study indicate that chronic waterborne exposure to BPA induces neuropathological manifestation leading to the development of motor dysfunction and Parkinsonism‐like neurodegenerative phenotypes in zebrafish.
Factors affecting the placement of agricultural best management practices in the agricultural conservation planning framework (ACPF) toolbox in the mid‐Atlantic region
Authors: Respess Zachary M. , Duncan Jonathan M. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThere has been a recent push to conduct spatially explicit landscape planning at finer hydrologic unit scales to mitigate diffuse pollution. The Agricultural Conservation and Planning Framework (ACPF) helps identify potential locations for agricultural conservation practices by using high‐resolution soils and elevation data. This spatially explicit approach attempts to identify runoff and nutrient pathways, but output may be influenced by user‐specified parameters and the properties of the digital elevation model (DEM) being used. Here we assess differences in the density and location of conservation practices sited by the ACPF toolbox across three DEM resolutions in three agricultural catchments, each in distinct physiographies (Ridge and Valley, Piedmont, Coastal Plain) of the United States mid‐Atlantic region. Output frequency did not vary much for contour buffer strips or water and sediment control basins (WASCOBs) across DEM resolution, particularly compared with landscape type. The DEM resolution was crucial for the density of grassed waterways but of little consequence for contour buffer strips. Placement density of WASCOBs and contour buffer strips varied by region. Grassed waterways are sited based on either discrete values or statistical distributions of stream power index (SPI). A higher density of grassed waterways was placed in lower relief landscapes when a single standard deviation threshold was applied. Using discrete SPI values for the grassed waterway tool generated more consistent output across watersheds than output based on statistical distributions. These and other reported findings can help guide user decisions in future applications of the ACPF toolbox, particularly across different areas of study.
Patterns of heart rate and cardiac pausing in unrestrained resting decapod crustaceans
Authors: McGaw Iain J. , Nancollas Sarah J. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMeasurement of heart rate (HR) has been used as an important physiological indicator in a broad range of taxa. In the present study HR patterns were measured in five species of unrestrained, resting decapod crustaceans. In addition to variation in HR among individuals, it was also very variable within an individual animal. While some of this variation was related to activity, there was also a non‐locomotory component. Unstressed, resting crabs exhibited intermittent heart activity, whereas HR in stressed crabs was more stable, suggesting differential control of HR in resting crabs. Once the animals settled in the experimental apparatus they exhibited regular and extended cardiac pauses (acardia) of 15–300‐s duration. As with HR, there was a significant variation in the frequency and length of acardic events, which were only observed in inactive crabs. Regaining of HR, following a period of acardia, was characterized by small adjustments in position and movement of the mouthparts. This rhythmic pattern, and the fact that entry into and out of acardia was not instantaneous, suggested that these events were related to release of neurohormones and their subsequent degradation in the system, rather than direct neural control of the heart. Because HR was variable and interrupted by regular periods of acardia, caution is recommended when calculating baseline levels of HR, or using HR alone as an indicator of physiological stress. Incorporating a coefficient of variation for HR and/or measuring the periods of acardia may be a more reliable indicator of physiological stress in decapod crustaceans.
Postoperative pancreatic fistulas after pancreaticoduodenectomy for malignancy: A Northeast Indian tertiary cancer center study
Authors: Purkayastha Joydeep , Bannoth Srinivas , Talukdar Abhijit , Borthakur Bibhuti Bhusan , Kalita Deepjyoti , Das Gaurav , Kamalasanan Kiran 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackground and AimPostoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is an important cause of major morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy. We intend to estimate the incidence and study the risk factors and outcomes of patients who developed this dreaded complication.MethodsThis is a retrospective observational study. We included all patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at a specialized surgical unit of a single tertiary care cancer center in Northeast India. The period of study was from 23 April 2012 to 27 December 2019. The 2016 update on the definition of POPF by the International Study Group for Pancreatic Fistula was used to define the complication. Chi‐square test and Fischer's exact test were applied to categorical variables. t‐test was used to quantify mean difference among continuous variables. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant at 95% confidence interval.ResultsA total of 59 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy during the study period with almost equal distribution among males and females (29 and 30 patients respectively). The mean age of the patients was 54.0 years (range 20–72). Grade A, B, and C pancreatic fistulas were seen in five (8.5%), three (5.1%), and two (3.4%) patients, respectively. Preoperative hyperbilirubinemia, pancreatic duct size ≤3 mm, hypoalbuminemia, preoperative biliary decompression, and prolonged duration of surgery were identified as risk factors for POPF. POPF also resulted in increased 90‐day mortality (20%).ConclusionPOPF remains a potentially life‐threatening complication of pancreaticoduodenectomies. The knowledge and management of modifiable risk factors for this condition may help in mitigating this problem.
Easterly waves and precipitation over northern South America and the Caribbean
Authors: Giraldo‐Cardenas Santiago , Arias Paola A. , Vieira Sara C. , Zuluaga Manuel D. 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTThe Easterly Waves (EWs) have been highlighted as one of the different spatiotemporal processes that influence hydro‐climatology over northern South America and the Caribbean Sea, particularly during boreal summer. Previous studies recognize the EWs among the most important features of the rainy season in northern South America, suggesting the occurrence of precipitation as the main meteorological response to the passage of these disturbances. However, it is shown in this work that not all the EWs that propagate over northern South America and the Caribbean Sea have such an effect. Almost 50% of the EWs moving over the region during the 1983–2018 period were accompanied by the inhibition of precipitation and clear skies, as depicted by anomalies from the Climate Data Record of Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information Using Artificial Neural Networks precipitation dataset and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration interpolated Outgoing Longwave Radiation dataset. This work intends to address the relationship between these atmospheric perturbations and the occurrence or inhibition of precipitation, as well as a plausible connection with the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO). In particular, horizontal components of wind and relative vorticity, together with low and upper troposphere divergence, were used to identify and characterize the EW activity over northern South America and the Caribbean Sea. Results suggest an influence of the MJO on the effects that the EWs have on convection and precipitation over the region, as well as the direction in which such perturbances continue their westward propagation.
Tribological performance of laser‐textured steel surfaces in unidirectional sliding line‐contact (block‐on‐ring)
Authors: Amoroso Pedro J. , Ramalho Amilcar , Richhariya Vipin , Silva Filipe S. , Cavaleiro Albano 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe following theoretical and experimental work presents a study on the influence of texture parameters on the tribological performance of dimpled steel surfaces. Different texture parameters were selected through hydrodynamic lubrication modeling based on the two‐dimensional Reynolds equation and literature search. For the experimental work, microscopic spherical cavities (i.e., dimples) were created by laser on 25 mm steel discs. The textured specimens were tested in a unidirectional sliding line‐contact block‐on‐ring set‐up at different rotational speeds. The experiments showed that the area‐density‐ratio, dimple‐depth, and dimple‐diameter can significantly affect the tribological performance of steel surfaces. Specimens containing dimples with lower depth, lower area‐density‐ratio, and smaller diameters, exhibited significant improvements over a smooth steel surface. The most remarkable achievement was a 28.6% friction reduction at 20 RPM and an overall improvement of 13% considering all speeds.
Identification of oral precancerous and cancerous tissue by swept source optical coherence tomography
Authors: Yang Zihan , Shang Jianwei , Liu Chenlu , Zhang Jun , Liang Yanmei 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesDistinguishing cancer from precancerous lesions is critical and challenging in oral medicine. As a noninvasive method, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has the advantages of real‐time, in vivo, and large‐depth imaging. Texture information hidden in OCT images can provide an important auxiliary effect for improving diagnostic accuracy. The aim of this study is to explore a reliable and accurate OCT‐based method for the screening and diagnosis of human oral diseases, especially oral cancer.Materials and MethodsFresh ex vivo oral tissues including normal mucosa, leukoplakia with epithelial hyperplasia (LEH), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) were imaged intraoperatively by a homemade OCT system, and 58 texture features were extracted to create computational models of these tissues. A principal component analysis algorithm was employed to optimize the combination of texture feature vectors. The identification based on artificial neural network (ANN) was proposed and the sensitivity/specificity was calculated statistically to evaluate the classification performance.ResultsA total of 71 sites of three types of oral tissues were measured, and 5176 OCT images of three types of oral tissues were used in this study. The superior classification result based on ANN was obtained with an average accuracy of 98.17%. The sensitivity and specificity of normal mucosa, LEH, and OSCC are 98.17% / 98.38%, 93.81% / 98.54%, and 98.11% / 99.04%, respectively.ConclusionIt is demonstrated from the high accuracies, sensitivities, and specificities that texture‐based analysis can be used to identify oral precancerous and cancerous tissue in OCT images, and it has the potential to help surgeons in diseases screening and diagnosis effectively.
Correlations among anti‐Müllerian hormone levels, body mass index and lipid profile in reproductive‐aged women: The Korea Nurses' Health Study
Authors: Lim Sarah , Kim Sue , Kim Oksoo , Kim Bohye , Jung Heeja , Ko Kwang‐Pil , Lee Hyangkyu 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAimThis study aimed to evaluate the correlations among anti‐Müllerian hormone levels, body mass index and lipid profile in female nurses of reproductive age.DesignThis is a descriptive cross‐sectional study that used data from the Korea Nurses' Health Study, based on Nurses' Health Study 3 in the United States.MethodsParticipants included 448 female nurses of reproductive age. They provided details about their work experience, shift work, body mass index and history of polycystic ovary syndrome. Serum anti‐Müllerian hormone levels and lipid profile were measured using blood samples. Statistical analysis included quantile regression analysis using STATA 13.0. Data were collected between November 2016 and March 2017 from Module 5 of the Korean Nurses' Health Study.ResultsApproximately 12% of the participants were underweight, and roughly one‐tenth were either overweight or obese. Although linear regression showed no relationship between anti‐Müllerian hormone levels and body mass index, quantile regression showed that body mass index, total cholesterol levels and low‐density lipoprotein levels were negatively correlated with anti‐Müllerian hormone levels at the lower tails of the dependent variable. Meanwhile, high‐density lipoprotein levels were positively correlated with anti‐Müllerian hormone at the higher percentiles of anti‐Müllerian hormone levels.ConclusionThese findings suggest the possibility that changes in the lipid profile may influence anti‐Müllerian hormone levels in women with diminished ovarian function, rather than obesity itself.
Method and experimental characterization of the surface free energy of carbon fibers used in composite systems
Authors: Naveh Naum , Caron Adi , Rahmani Lidar , Kaully Tami 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSurface treatments are known to affect the interfacial properties in composite systems, including some mechanical properties, as well as the ease of handling. In this study, a simple surface free energy (SFE) characterization technique is proposed to assess the effect of fiber surface treatments on the wetting behavior and SFE of carbon fibers. Several fiber surface treatments were applied. Commercially available T300 carbon fibers from a unidirectional tape were desized and then subjected to nitric acid oxidation as well as air plasma oxidation. Functionalization of the fiber surface was confirmed via X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Oxidation led to enhanced surface roughness as confirmed by measurements of the fibers' surface area using the Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller method. However, the wetting behavior of the fibers does not follow either the Wenzel or the Cassie–Baxter equations, possibly due to the dominant effect of the chemical interactions and the chemical heterogeneity of the fiber surface. It is shown that the polar component of the treated fibers' SFE increases while the dispersive component remains unaffected. The increase of the polar component is due to fiber surface functionalization. Both plasma and wet oxidation treatments enhanced the interfacial shear strength of carbon/epoxy specimens. Optimum conditions may result with treatment duration, as shown for a 2‐min air plasma treatment. The suggested technique to measure contact angles may prove beneficial for fast and accurate research work and also for quality control of surface treatments or coating processes.
Access to insulin: a comparison between low‐ and middle‐income countries and the United Kingdom
Authors: Lepeska Molly , Beran David , Ewen Margaret 
Published: August 2021

Insulin was discovered 100 years ago but, sadly, across the globe there are significant inequities in access to this life‐saving medicine.Here, the authors investigate such inequities, the challenges of available and affordable insulin, its delivery systems and blood glucose monitoring. Challenges not only include costs but also the lack of expertise in managing diabetes care.Now is the time for those in the diabetes community to come together to address the global issue of access to insulin for all.
Psychological resilience of patients with bladder cancer after radical cystectomy and urinary diversion: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Dong Mengyuan , Nie Anliu , Liu Chunxiang , Zheng Jin 
Published: August 2021

AbstractObjectiveThe aims of this study were to investigate the current state of psychological resilience and identify its associated factors in bladder cancer (BC) patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC).MethodsA cross‐sectional study, using convenience sampling was conducted among 248 patients recruited from urology department of a tertiary hospital in Shenyang, China. According to the resilience in illness model, participants were invited to finish a questionnaire included demographic and disease‐related information, Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire, Social Support Rating Scale, Family adaptation, partnership, growth, affection, and resolve Index and Herth Hope Index. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to explore the predictors of resilience.ResultsThe average resilience score of 53.45 ± 6.22 among BC patients undergoing RC. Multiple regression showed that the associated factors of resilience of postoperative BC patients were gender (β = −0.142, p = 0.002), living in town (β = −0.103, p = 0.052), living alone (β = 0.118, p = 0.026), almost need to be taken care of (β = 0.094, p = 0.064), illness uncertainty (β = −0.249, p < 0.001), confrontation (β = 0.091, p = 0.077), acceptance‐resignation (β = −0.205, p < 0.001), social support (β = 0.122, p = 0.029) and hope (β = 0.350, p < 0.001). These predictors accounted for 56.9% of the total variance in resilience (F = 14.964, p < 0.001).ConclusionsResilience among BC patients undergoing RC needs to be further improved. Hope was the most important variable influencing resilience in BC patients undergoing RC. In the future, we need to pay more attention to the psychological status of patients and encourage them to face the disease with positive emotion and positive coping style to enhance the hope and resilience of patients, so as to improve the quality of life of patients with BC undergoing RC.