bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Methacholine challenges: comparison of different tidal breathing challenge methods
Authors: Dean James , Jackson Natalie , Keidel-Morgan Brett , Hamer Daniel , Singh Dave 
Published: August 2021

Tidal-breathing methacholine challenges are now recommended by guidelines, to avoid the bronchoprotective effects of deep inhalation. This study compared different tidal breathing methacholine challenge methods; assessed the agreement between tidal dosimetric and continuous output challenges; and assessed challenge repeatability with different methods.15 asthma patients performed dosimetric challenges and a continuous-output breath-actuated challenge, all ≥3 days apart. All subjects had a pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) ≥65% predicted, and a cumulative dose causing a 20% reduction in FEV1(PD20) <1.2 mg.Of the dosimetric challenges, one method increased methacholine concentration (standard dosimetric challenge), and one adjusted nebuliser output time to increase dose (adjusted dosimetric challenge). The adjusted dosimetric and continuous output challenges were performed twice on separate days to assess for repeatability. All challenges were matched for dose at each dose step. The mean PD20ratio of the standard dosimetric challenge to the adjusted dosimetric challenge was 0.90 (95% CI 0.66–1.23, p=0.49) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.82. Repeated adjusted dosimetric challenges had an ICC 0.62 for PD20. Repeated continuous output challenges had an ICC 0.74 for PD20. The adjusted dosimetric and continuous output challenges correlated (r=0.69, p=0.0043; ICC 0.65), but PD20was higher for the adjusted dosimetric challenge (mean PD20ratio 2.31, 95% CI 1.57–3.40; p=0.0004).Tidal dosimetric methacholine challenge using adjustment of nebuliser output produces results with good repeatability. The results of this adjusted dosimetric method differed from the continuous output method, underscoring that the results of different methacholine challenge methodologies may not be directly comparable.
The angiostatic peptide endostatin enhances mortality risk prediction in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Simpson Catherine E. , Griffiths Megan , Yang Jun , Nies Melanie K. , Vaidya R. Dhananjay , Brandal Stephanie , Martin Lisa J. , Pauciulo Michael W. , Lutz Katie A. , Coleman Anna W. , Austin Eric D. , Ivy D. Dunbar , Nichols William C. , Everett Allen D. , Hassoun Paul M. , Damico Rachel L. 
Published: August 2021

Currently available noninvasive markers for assessing disease severity and mortality risk in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are unrelated to fundamental disease biology. Endostatin, an angiostatic peptide known to inhibit pulmonary artery endothelial cell migration, proliferation and survivalin vitro, has been linked to adverse haemodynamics and shortened survival in small PAH cohorts. This observational cohort study sought to assess: 1) the prognostic performance of circulating endostatin levels in a large, multicentre PAH cohort; and 2) the added value gained by incorporating endostatin into existing PAH risk prediction models.Endostatin ELISAs were performed on enrolment samples collected from 2017 PAH subjects with detailed clinical data, including survival times. Endostatin associations with clinical variables, including survival, were examined using multivariable regression and Cox proportional hazards models. Extended survival models including endostatin were compared to null models based on the REVEAL risk prediction tool and European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society (ESC/ERS) low-risk criteria using likelihood ratio tests, Akaike and Bayesian information criteria and C-statistics.Higher endostatin was associated with higher right atrial pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance, and with shorter 6-min walk distance (p<0.01). Mortality risk doubled for each log higher endostatin (hazard ratio 2.3, 95% CI 1.6–3.4, p<0.001). Endostatin remained an independent predictor of survival when incorporated into existing risk prediction models. Adding endostatin to REVEAL-based and ESC/ERS criteria-based risk assessment strategies improved mortality risk prediction.Endostatin is a robust, independent predictor of mortality in PAH. Adding endostatin to existing PAH risk prediction strategies improves PAH risk assessment.
Breastfeeding and risk of childhood asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xue Mike , Dehaas Emily , Chaudhary Nagendra , O'Byrne Paul , Satia Imran , Kurmi Om P. 
Published: August 2021

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between breastfeeding and the development of paediatric asthma.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted with MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health source databases. Retrospective/prospective cohorts in children aged <18 years with breastfeeding exposure reported were included. The primary outcome was a diagnosis of asthma by a physician or using a guideline-based criterion. A secondary outcome was asthma severity.Results42 studies met inclusion criteria. 37 studies reported the primary outcome of physician-/guideline-diagnosed asthma, and five studies reported effects on asthma severity. Children with longer duration/more breastfeeding compared to shorter duration/less breastfeeding have a lower risk of asthma (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.75–0.93; I2 = 62.4%). Similarly, a lower risk of asthma was found in children who had more exclusive breastfeedingversusless exclusive breastfeeding (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.72–0.91; I2=44%). Further stratified analysis of different age groups demonstrated a lower risk of asthma in the 0–2-years age group (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.63–0.83) and the 3–6-years age group (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.55–0.87); there was no statistically significant effect on the ≥7-years age group.ConclusionThe findings suggest that the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding are associated with a lower risk of asthma in children aged <7 years.
An Adaptive Nonsingular Fast Terminal Sliding Mode Control for Yaw Stability Control of Bus Based on STI Tire Model
Authors: Sun Xiaoqiang , Wang Yujun , Cai Yingfeng , Wong Pak Kin , Chen Long 
Published: August 2021

AbstractDue to the bus characteristics of large quality, high center of gravity and narrow wheelbase, the research of its yaw stability control (YSC) system has become the focus in the field of vehicle system dynamics. However, the tire nonlinear mechanical properties and the effectiveness of the YSC control system are not considered carefully in the current research. In this paper, a novel adaptive nonsingular fast terminal sliding mode (ANFTSM) control scheme for YSC is proposed to improve the bus curve driving stability and safety on slippery roads. Firstly, the STI (Systems Technologies Inc.) tire model, which can effectively reflect the nonlinear coupling relationship between the tire longitudinal force and lateral force, is established based on experimental data and firstly adopted in the bus YSC system design. On this basis, a more accurate bus lateral dynamics model is built and a novel YSC strategy based on ANFTSM, which has the merits of fast transient response, finite time convergence and high robustness against uncertainties and external disturbances, is designed. Thirdly, to solve the optimal allocation problem of the tire forces, whose objective is to achieve the desired direct yaw moment through the effective distribution of the brake force of each tire, the robust least-squares allocation method is adopted. To verify the feasibility, effectiveness and practicality of the proposed bus YSC approach, the TruckSim-Simulink co-simulation results are finally provided. The co-simulation results show that the lateral stability of bus under special driving conditions has been significantly improved. This research proposes a more effective design method for bus YSC system based on a more accurate tire model.
Association between height-related polymorphism rs17081935 and reduced handgrip strength in relation to status of atherosclerosis: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Shimizu Yuji , Kawashiri Shin-Ya , Arima Kazuhiko , Noguchi Yuko , Yamanashi Hirotomo , Nobusue Kenichi , Nonaka Fumiaki , Nakamichi Seiko , Nagata Yasuhiro , Maeda Takahiro 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Aging is a process that increases oxidative stress. Increased oxidative stress leads to the development of atherosclerosis and mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria contribute to energy production that might have a beneficial influence on maintaining muscle strength. Therefore, the height-related single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs17081935, which is also reported to be associated with mitochondrial metabolism, might be associated with reduced muscle strength and this association might be affected by atherosclerosis status. To clarify those associations, a cross-sectional study of 1374 elderly Japanese individuals aged 60–89 years was conducted.

Methods
Logistic regression was used to clarify the association between rs17081935 and reduced handgrip strength. Since atherosclerosis might affect handgrip strength, participants were stratified by atherosclerosis status. Reduced handgrip strength was defined as being in the lowest quintile of handgrip strength (< 25.6 kg for men and < 16.1 kg for women).

Results
No significant associations were found between a minor allele of rs17081935 and reduced handgrip strength among elderly participants without atherosclerosis. A significant inverse association was observed among elderly participants with atherosclerosis. After adjusting for known cardiovascular risk factors and height, the adjusted odd ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for reduced handgrip strength and a minor allele of rs17081935 were 1.13 (0.86, 1.43) for elderly participants without atherosclerosis and 0.55 (0.36, 0.86) for those with atherosclerosis, respectively.

Conclusion
A minor allele of the height-related SNP rs17081935 was significantly inversely associated with reduced handgrip strength among older individuals with atherosclerosis, but not among those without atherosclerosis.
Assessment of the correlation of commonly used laboratory tests with clinical activity, renal involvement and treatment of systemic small-vessel vasculitis with the presence of ANCA antibodies
Authors: Mosakowska Magdalena , Kania Dorota Brodowska , Szamotulska Katarzyna , Rymarz Aleksandra , Niemczyk Stanisław 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
The aim of the study was to assess the correlation of commonly used laboratory tests with clinical activity, degree of kidney involvement and treatment of systemic small-vessel vasculitis with the presence of ANCA antibodies.

Methods
The study included 28 patients with active AAV (BVAS ≥ 3). The following tests were performed: MPO-ANCA, PR3-ANCA, peripheral blood count, ESR, CRP, procalcitonin, creatinine, GFR, urea, albumin, fibrinogen, d-dimer, components of the C3 and C4 complement systems, urinalysis with sediment evaluation and diurnal proteinuria. The assessments were conducted twice: at study entry (A0) and after 6 months (A6) (BVAS = 0).

Results
At the time of inclusion in the study, the mean creatinine concentration was 3.39 mg/dl (GFR 33.17 ml/min/1.73 m²), after achieving remission in 11 patients (39.3 %) GFR remained below 30 ml/min/1.73 m², 4 patients (14.3 %) continued renal replacement therapy, and 3 patients (10.7 %) with advanced renal failure died. Microscopic hematuria occurred in 80.9 % of the studied population, withdrew in most patients, strongly correlated with renal involvement p < 0.001 and was not related to disease severity p = 0.147. CRP, ESR, fibrinogen, d-dimer, albumin and hemoglobin in the peripheral blood showed a strong correlation with the clinical activity of AAV and well identified severe patients. High procalcitonin concentrations correlated with a severe form of the disease, pulmonary involvement with respiratory failure and alveolar hemorrhage (mean 3.41 ng/ml, median 0.91 ng/ml, SD 7.62, p = 0.000), and were associated with the occurrence of infectious complications and the need to administer antibiotic therapy. ANCA antibodies were useful in the evaluation of patients with AAV, the amount of antibodies did not correlate with the severity of vasculitis (p = 0.685) and the results in many patients did not match the expected assumptions.

Conclusions
CRP, ESR, fibrinogen, d-dimers, albumin and hemoglobin in the peripheral blood correlate well with the activity of vasculitis and identify severe patients. The resolution of microscopic hematuria suggests remission of the disease in the renal area. Procalcitonin may be slightly increased in patients with active AAV without infection, high concentrations are strongly associated with infectious complications. ANCA antibodies should always be interpreted in the context of the observed clinical symptoms.
Nasopalatine duct cyst with sebaceous differentiation: a rare case report with literature review
Authors: Yeom Han-Gyeol , Kang Jae-Hyun , Yun Sun-Ung , Yoon Jung-Hoon 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
The aim of this study was to report a rare case of nasopalatine duct cyst with sebaceous differentiation. Further, a systematic search of the literature was performed to identify studies reporting patients with intraosseous jaw cysts with sebaceous differentiation.

Case presentation
A 55-year-old Korean man was referred to our hospital because of a cystic lesion of the anterior maxilla. Radiologic examination revealed a well-circumscribed radiolucent lesion in the anterior maxilla. Histology showed a respiratory columnar and cuboidal epithelium-lined cyst. Transition from the ciliated columnar epithelium to stratified squamous epithelium with sebaceous differentiation was observed. Based on these findings, the final diagnosis was nasopalatine duct cyst with sebaceous differentiation. A systematic search of the literature was performed to identify studies reporting patients with intraosseous jaw cysts with sebaceous differentiation. There were 24 cases of sebaceous differentiation in the epithelium of the cysts including 2 odontogenic keratocysts, 8 orthokeratinized odontogenic cysts, 8 dentigerous cysts, 1 radicular cyst, and 2 glandular odontogenic cysts. However, no case reports describing the occurrence of nasopalatine duct cysts with sebaceous differentiation have been reported.

Conclusion
This first case report of nasopalatine duct cysts with sebaceous differentiation could provide insight into the diagnostic process of cystic lesions with sebaceous differentiation.
Factors affecting the grieving process after perinatal loss
Authors: Kishimoto Makiko , Yamaguchi Arisa , Niimura Marina , Mizumoto Miki , Hikitsuchi Tatsuo , Ogawa Kohei , Ozawa Nobuaki , Tachibana Yoshiyuki 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Factors associated with the grief process in response to perinatal loss have been investigated. However, few studies focused on the intrapersonal factors, such as developmental and personality traits. Hence, this study aimed to investigate medical and psychosocial risk factors, including inter- and intrapersonal factors for the development of complicated grief following perinatal loss, while considering emotional support.

Methods
A total of 50 patients who were treated for grief due to perinatal loss at the National Center for Child Health and Development were divided into two groups according to the treatment period (< 6 months: n = 28; ≥ 6 months: n = 22). We compared medical and psychosocial variables between the two groups using the χ2 test and t test. All data were further analyzed using a logistic regression model to adjust for confounding effects.

Results
Patients who had traits of developmental/personality disorders (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 7.21, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21–42.9, P = .030), and those treated with psychoactive drugs (adjusted OR: 5.77, 95% CI 1.09–30.5, P = .039) required a longer treatment period (≥ 6 months).

Conclusions
Patients with personality/developmental traits and those with active psychiatric symptoms required a more extended treatment period in response to loss, suggesting the accumulation of negative factors in these patients; thus, more intensive and specialized care is necessary for these patients. Precise analysis of the coping style, attachment style, communication skills, and life history including relationship with the original family of the patients may have implications on the approach toward patients with complicated grief after perinatal loss. Studies with larger sample size are required to increase the reliability of the present findings, and future research should address the effects of the differential attachment and coping styles of patients with developmental/personality traits on the grief process.
Examining the association of social risk with heart failure readmission in the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Wray Charlie M. , Vali Marzieh , Walter Louise C. , Christensen Lee , Chapman Wendy , Austin Peter C. , Byers Amy L. , Keyhani Salomeh 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Previous research has found that social risk factors are associated with an increased risk of 30-day readmission. We aimed to assess the association of 5 social risk factors (living alone, lack of social support, marginal housing, substance abuse, and low income) with 30-day Heart Failure (HF) hospital readmissions within the Veterans Health Affairs (VA) and the impact of their inclusion on hospital readmission model performance.

Methods
We performed a retrospective cohort study using chart review and VA and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) administrative data from a random sample of 1,500 elderly (≥ 65 years) Veterans hospitalized for HF in 2012. Using logistic regression, we examined whether any of the social risk factors were associated with 30-day readmission after adjusting for age alone and clinical variables used by CMS in its 30-day risk stratified readmission model. The impact of these five social risk factors on readmission model performance was assessed by comparing c-statistics, likelihood ratio tests, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic.

Results
The prevalence varied among the 5 risk factors; low income (47 % vs. 47 %), lives alone (18 % vs. 19 %), substance abuse (14 % vs. 16 %), lacks social support (2 % vs. <1 %), and marginal housing (< 1 % vs. 3 %) among readmitted and non-readmitted patients, respectively. Controlling for clinical factors contained in CMS readmission models, a lack of social support was found to be associated with an increased risk of 30-day readmission (OR 4.8, 95 %CI 1.35–17.88), while marginal housing was noted to decrease readmission risk (OR 0.21, 95 %CI 0.03–0.87). Living alone (OR: 0.9, 95 %CI 0.64–1.26), substance abuse (OR 0.91, 95 %CI 0.67–1.22), and having low income (OR 1.01, 95 %CI 0.77–1.31) had no association with HF readmissions. Adding the five social risk factors to a CMS-based model (age and comorbid conditions; c-statistic 0.62) did not improve model performance (c-statistic: 0.62).

Conclusions
While a lack of social support was associated with 30-day readmission in the VA, its prevalence was low. Moreover, the inclusion of some social risk factors did not improve readmission model performance. In an integrated healthcare system like the VA, social risk factors may have a limited effect on 30-day readmission outcomes.
Unexpected organellar locations of ESCRT machinery in Giardia intestinalis and complex evolutionary dynamics spanning the transition to parasitism in the lineage Fornicata
Authors: Pipaliya Shweta V. , Santos Rui , Salas-Leiva Dayana , Balmer Erina A. , Wirdnam Corina D. , Roger Andrew J. , Hehl Adrian B. , Faso Carmen , Dacks Joel B. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Comparing a parasitic lineage to its free-living relatives is a powerful way to understand how that evolutionary transition to parasitism occurred. Giardia intestinalis (Fornicata) is a leading cause of gastrointestinal disease world-wide and is famous for its unusual complement of cellular compartments, such as having peripheral vacuoles instead of typical endosomal compartments. Endocytosis plays an important role in Giardia’s pathogenesis. Endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) are membrane-deforming proteins associated with the late endosome/multivesicular body (MVB). MVBs are ill-defined in G. intestinalis, and roles for identified ESCRT-related proteins are not fully understood in the context of its unique endocytic system. Furthermore, components thought to be required for full ESCRT functionality have not yet been documented in this species.

Results
We used genomic and transcriptomic data from several Fornicata species to clarify the evolutionary genome streamlining observed in Giardia, as well as to detect any divergent orthologs of the Fornicata ESCRT subunits. We observed differences in the ESCRT machinery complement between Giardia strains. Microscopy-based investigations of key components of ESCRT machinery such as GiVPS36 and GiVPS25 link them to peripheral vacuoles, highlighting these organelles as simplified MVB equivalents. Unexpectedly, we show ESCRT components associated with the endoplasmic reticulum and, for the first time, mitosomes. Finally, we identified the rare ESCRT component CHMP7 in several fornicate representatives, including Giardia and show that contrary to current understanding, CHMP7 evolved from a gene fusion of VPS25 and SNF7 domains, prior to the last eukaryotic common ancestor, over 1.5 billion years ago.

Conclusions
Our findings show that ESCRT machinery in G. intestinalis is far more varied and complete than previously thought, associates to multiple cellular locations, and presents changes in ESCRT complement which pre-date adoption of a parasitic lifestyle.
Bioconversion of sago processing wastewater into biodiesel: Optimization of lipid production by an oleaginous yeast, Candida tropicalis ASY2 and its transesterification process using response surface methodology
Authors: Thangavelu Kiruthika , Sundararaju Pugalendhi , Srinivasan Naganandhini , Uthandi Sivakumar 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Biodiesel is an eco-friendly and renewable energy source and a valuable substitute for petro-diesel. Sago processing wastewater (SWW), a by-product of the cassava processing industry, has starch content ranging from 4 to 7 g L–1 and serves as an outstanding source for producing microbial lipids by the oleaginous microorganisms. In the present study, Candida tropicalis ASY2 was employed to optimize single-cell oil (SCO) production using SWW and subsequent transesterification by response surface methodology. Variables such as starch content, yeast extract, airflow rate, pH, and temperature significantly influenced lipid production in a preliminary study. The lipid production was scaled up to 5 L capacity airlift bioreactor and its optimization was done by response surface methodology. The dried yeast biomass obtained under optimized conditions from 5 L bioreactor was subjected to a direct transesterification process. Biomass: methanol ratio, catalyst concentration, and time were the variables used to attain higher FAME yield in the transesterification optimization process.

Results
Under optimized conditions, the highest lipid yield of 2.68 g L–1 was obtained with 15.33 g L–1 of starch content, 0.5 g L–1 of yeast extract, and 5.992 L min–1 of airflow rate in a bioreactor. The optimized direct transesterification process yielded a higher FAME yield of 86.56% at 1:20 biomass: methanol ratio, 0.4 M catalyst concentration, and a time of 6.85 h.

Conclusions
Thus, this optimized process rendered the microbial lipids derived from C. tropicalis ASY2 as potentially alternative oil substitutes for sustainable biodiesel production to meet the rising energy demands.