bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk of unexpected uterine leiomyosarcoma during laparoscopic procedures: Experience from a single tertiary institute in Italy
Authors: Surace Alessandra , Baù Maria Grazia , Privitera Sebastiana , Botta Giovanni , Danese Saverio , Plazzotta Claudio , Mitidieri Marco , Picardo Elisa 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the incidence of occult uterine sarcomas and investigate whether an accurate and well‐established preoperative assessment for uterine fibroids could help identify uterine sarcomas more effectively.MethodsA retrospective analysis of patients who underwent gynecological laparoscopic surgery for presumed uterine fibroids at Sant’Anna Hospital, a single tertiary institute in Turin, Italy, between January 2003 and December 2019.ResultsOver the 17‐year period, 5826 laparoscopic surgical procedures (myomectomies or subtotal/total hysterectomies) were performed for presumed uterine fibroids. A total of 48 patients with a final diagnosis of uterine sarcoma were identified, the majority of which (n = 39; 81.3%) were recognized as suspicious uterine sarcomas during the preoperative assessment, and morcellement was avoided. The occurrence of unexpected uterine sarcomas was 0.1% (6/5826). Morcellation was conducted in one patient with uterine sarcoma.ConclusionAnalysis of our data showed that unexpected uterine sarcomas are uncommon. Accurate preoperative evaluation can help avoid, but does not exclude, the possibility of morcellation of unknown uterine sarcomas.
Diagnosing and treating urinary tract disease in rabbits
Authors: Smith Molly Varga 
Published: April 2021

Background: Rabbits are popular pets and veterinary knowledge about this species has evolved greatly in the past 15 to 20 years. Rather than languishing in hutches, many rabbits are now house pets; consequently, changes in drinking and voiding habits are more easily noticed by owners. Perhaps unsurprisingly, urinary tract disease is a common reason for rabbits to be presented to veterinary practices. In a histological survey of rabbit kidneys, Hinton (1981) found that 32.7 per cent of unhealthy rabbits had renal lesions, and so did 25 per cent of healthy rabbits, demonstrating the renal disease is a significant disease in our pet rabbits.Aim of the article: This article provides practical information on diagnosing and treating urinary tract disease in this species.
Nomogram for predicting swallowing recovery in patients after dysphagic stroke
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Shi Yixin , Zhang Lulu , Wu Lingling , Fang Qi , Huiling Li 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundTo date, variables predicting the recovery of dysphagia in patients after dysphagic stroke have not been well defined. However, despite the difficulties in predicting and understanding the dysphagia recovery trajectory, its significance for stroke care cannot be understated. This study aims to identify the factors for functional swallowing recovery and develop nomograms that predict dysphagia recovery after stroke.MethodsThe demographic, neurological, and swallowing characteristics were compared between patients who recovered from dysphagia and those who did not. Then, the factors with P <.1 through comparison were enrolled in the multivariable logistic regression analysis to build a prediction model. A nomogram was also built to provide a quantitative tool. Discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness of the prediction model were assessed by using the C index, calibration plot, and decision curve analysis.ResultsPredictors in the early‐phase (T7) prediction nomogram included age, Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NHISS), hemispheric stroke, and brainstem stroke on admission. In the middle phase (T14), predictors included age, FOIS, and NHISS on admission. In the late phase (T30), predictors included age, FOIS, NHISS, bilateral stroke, and body mass index on admission. The C index for the day 7, day 14, and day 30 prediction nomograms were 0.847 (95% CI, 0.804–0.884), 0.817 (95% CI, 0.772–0.857), and 0.786 (95% CI, 0.739–0.829).ConclusionThese novel nomograms predicting dysphagia recovery after ischemic stroke are discriminative and well calibrated and could be used to guide enteral nutrition decision making, rehabilitation plans, and individualized care.
Selective recognition of tumor cells by molecularly imprinted polymers
Authors: Fu Xiaopeng , Li Yan , Gao Shuang , Lv Yongqin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMolecularly imprinted polymers, developed 50 years ago, have garnered enormous attention as receptor‐like materials. Lately, molecularly imprinted polymers have been employed as a specific target tool in favor of cancer diagnosis and therapy by the selective recognition of tumor cells. Although the molecular imprinting technology has been well‐innovated recently, the cell still remains the most challenging target for imprinting. In this review, we summarize the advances in the synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers suitable for the selective recognition of tumor cells. Through a sustained effort, three strategies have been developed including peptide‐imprinting, polysaccharide‐imprinting, and whole‐cell imprinting, which have resulted in inspiring applications in effective cancer diagnosis and therapy. The major challenges and perspectives on the further directions related to the synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers were also outlined.
The Role of Ex Situ Hypothermic Oxygenated Machine Perfusion and Cold Preservation Time in Extended Criteria Donation After Circulatory Death and Donation After Brain Death
Authors: Dondossola Daniele , Ravaioli Matteo , Lonati Caterina , Maroni Lorenzo , Pini Alessia , Accardo Caterina , Germinario Giuliana , Antonelli Barbara , Odaldi Federica , Zanella Alberto , Siniscalchi Antonio , Cescon Matteo , Rossi Giorgio 
Published: April 2021

Hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE) has the potential to counterbalance the detrimental consequences of cold and warm ischemia time (WIT) in both donation after brain death (DBD) and donation after circulatory death (DCD). Herein we investigated the protective effects of HOPE in extended criteria donor (ECD) DBD and overextended WIT DCD grafts. The present retrospective case series included 50 livers subjected to end‐ischemic HOPE or dual DHOPE in 2 liver transplantation (LT) centers from January 2018 to December 2019. All DCD donors were subjected to normothermic regional perfusion before organ procurement. Results are expressed as median (interquartile range [IQR]). In the study period, 21 grafts were derived from overextended WIT DCD donors (total WIT 54 [IQR, 40‐60] minutes and 75% classified as futile), whereas 29 were from ECD DBD. A total of 3 biliary complications and 1 case of ischemia‐type biliary lesion were diagnosed. The rate of early allograft dysfunction (EAD) was 20%, and those patients had higher Comprehensive Complication Index scores. Through a changing point analysis, cold preservation time >9 hours was associated with prolonged hospital stays (P = 0.02), higher rates of EAD (P = 0.009), and worst post‐LT complications (P = 0.02). Logistic regression analyses indicated a significant relationship between cold preservation time and EAD. No differences were shown in terms of the early post‐LT results between LTs performed with DCD and DBD. Overall, our data are fully comparable with benchmark criteria in LT. In conclusion, the application of DHOPE obtained satisfactory and promising results using ECD‐DBD and overextended DCD grafts. Our findings indicate the need to reduce cold preservation time also in the setting of DHOPE, particularly for grafts showing poor quality.
Inhibition of microbial production of the malodorous substance isovaleric acid by 4,4ʹ dichloro 2‐hydroxydiphenyl ether (DCPP)
Authors: Mayer Sonja , Hazenkamp Menno , Kluttig Martin , Ochs Dietmar 
Published: April 2021

AbstractHuman body malodour is a complex phenomenon. Several types of sweat glands produce odorless secretions that are metabolized by a consortium of skin‐resident microorganisms to a diverse set of malodorous substances. Isovaleric acid, a sweaty‐smelling compound, is one major malodorous component produced by staphylococci with the skin‐derived amino acid L‐leucine as a substrate. During wearing, fabrics are contaminated with sweat and microorganisms and high humidity propagates growth and microbial malodour production. Incomplete removal of sweat residues and microorganisms from fabrics during laundry with bleach‐free detergents and at low temperatures elevate the problem of textile malodour. This study aimed to analyze the inhibitory effect of the antimicrobial 4,4ʹ dichloro 2‐hydroxydiphenyl ether (DCPP) on the formation of isovaleric acid on fabrics. Therefore, GC‐FID‐ and GC–MS‐based methods for the analysis of isovaleric acid in an artificial human sweat‐mimicking medium and in textile extracts were established. Here, we show that antimicrobials capable to deposit on fabrics during laundry, such as DCPP, are effective in growth inhibition of typical malodour‐generating bacteria and prevent the staphylococcal formation of isovaleric acid on fabrics in a simple experimental setup. This can contribute to increased hygiene for mild laundry care approaches, where bacterial contamination and malodour production represent a considerable consumer problem.
Clinical and genetic analysis of classical Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome patient caused by synonymous mutation in COL5A2
Authors: Ma Na , Zhu Zhenhua , Liu Jing , Peng Ying , Zhao Xiaomeng , Tang Weiling , Jia Zhengjun , Xi Hui , Gao Bodi , Wang Hua , Du Juan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundClassical Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome (cEDS) is a heterogeneous connective tissue disorder that mainly results from the germline mutation of COL5A1 and COL5A2. The majority of the COL5A2 mutations reported to date represent structural mutations, including missense or in‐frame exon‐skipping splice mutations. The only reported synonymous mutation was expected to affect on splicing of exon 29 by prediction programs which should be further confirmed.MethodsWhole exome sequencing was performed to identify the genetic variants of a Chinese boy who was characterized by skin hyperextensibility, abnormal scarring, hypermobile joints and scoliosis. Sanger sequencing was used to validate the variants in his parents. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) was performed to analyze the functional effects of the variant.ResultsA de novo heterozygous synonymous variant (NM_000393.5:c.1977 G>A) of COL5A2 gene was identified in the patient. The results of RT‐PCR revealed that the synonymous variant led to skipping of exon 29 in the RNA transcript.ConclusionsOur study supplies further supporting evidence that the synonymous COL5A2 mutation c.1977 G>A can cause skipping of exon 29 in the RNA transcript, thus resulting in the production of mutant α2(V)‐chains and clinical phenotype of cEDS. This result highlights the need to include splicing‐altering synonymous mutations into the screening for cEDS.
Unmet needs of the oldest old primary care patients with common somatic and psychiatric disorders—A psychometric evaluation
Authors: Stein Janine , Löbner Margrit , Pabst Alexander , Riedel‐Heller Steffi G. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectivesUnmet needs are common in older patients and should be assessed via suitable instruments. The adapted German version of the Camberwell Assessment of Need for the Elderly (CANE) represents an often used tool to determine the needs in older individuals. Evidence on the psychometric properties of the CANE is still pending.MethodsA sample of 231 patients with common somatic and psychiatric diseases were interviewed about their needs including their caring relatives and general practitioners (GPs). Frequencies of unmet needs were evaluated across the different perspectives. Interrater agreement, convergent and discriminant validity were evaluated.ResultsOn average, psychiatric patients reported more unmet needs than somatic patients, particularly regarding to psychological distress and behavior. The interrater agreement was higher in the somatic subgroup than in the psychiatric subgroup, and higher between patients and relatives compared to patients and GPs. Evidence for construct validity was reported.ConclusionsPatients with common somatic and psychiatric disorders report specific unmet needs that should be considered in healthcare. Moderate to good psychometric characteristics were found for the CANE. The use of valid instruments to record needs in health and nursing care can be useful and represents an important starting point for targeted interventions and effective treatment.
Meshless fragile points methods based on Petrov‐Galerkin weak‐forms for transient heat conduction problems in complex anisotropic nonhomogeneous media
Authors: Guan Yue , Atluri Satya N. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThree kinds of fragile points methods based on Petrov‐Galerkin weak‐forms (PG‐FPMs) are proposed for analyzing heat conduction problems in nonhomogeneous anisotropic media. This is a follow‐up of the previous study on the original FPM based on a symmetric Galerkin weak‐form. The trial function is piecewise‐continuous, written as local Taylor expansions at the fragile points. A modified radial basis function‐based differential quadrature (RBF‐DQ) method is employed for establishing the local approximation. The Dirac delta function, Heaviside step function, and the local fundamental solution of the governing equation are alternatively used as test functions. Vanishing or pure contour integral formulation in subdomains or on local boundaries can be obtained. Extensive numerical examples in 2D and 3D are provided as validations. The collocation method (PG‐FPM‐1) is superior in transient analysis with arbitrary point distribution and domain partition. The finite volume method (PG‐FPM‐2) shows the best efficiency, saving 25% to 50% computational time comparing with the Galerkin FPM. The singular solution method (PG‐FPM‐3) is highly efficient in steady‐state analysis. The anisotropy and nonhomogeneity give rise to no difficulties in all the methods. The proposed PG‐FPM approaches represent an improvement to the original Galerkin FPM, as well as to other meshless methods in earlier literature.
Solving variational inequalities and cone complementarity problems in nonsmooth dynamics using the alternating direction method of multipliers
Authors: Tasora Alessandro , Mangoni Dario , Benatti Simone , Garziera Rinaldo 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis work presents a numerical method for the solution of variational inequalities arising in nonsmooth flexible multibody problems that involve set‐valued forces. For the special case of hard frictional contacts, the method solves a second order cone complementarity problem. We ground our algorithm on the Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM), an efficient and robust optimization method that draws on few computational primitives. In order to improve computational performance, we reformulated the original ADMM scheme in order to exploit the sparsity of constraint jacobians and we added optimizations such as warm starting and adaptive step scaling. The proposed method can be used in scenarios that pose major difficulties to other methods available in literature for complementarity in contact dynamics, namely when using very stiff finite elements and when simulating articulated mechanisms with odd mass ratios. The method can have applications in the fields of robotics, vehicle dynamics, virtual reality, and multiphysics simulation in general.
A systematic review of how missing data are handled and reported in multi‐database pharmacoepidemiologic studies
Authors: Hunt Nicholas B. , Gardarsdottir Helga , Bazelier Marloes T. , Klungel Olaf H. , Pajouheshnia Romin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPurposePharmacoepidemiologic multi‐database studies (MDBS) provide opportunities to better evaluate the safety and effectiveness of medicines. However, the issue of missing data is often exacerbated in MDBS, potentially resulting in bias and precision loss. We sought to measure how missing data are being recorded and addressed in pharmacoepidemiologic MDBS.MethodsWe conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed for pharmacoepidemiologic MDBS published between 1st January 2018 and 31st December 2019. Included studies were those that used ≥2 distinct databases to assess the same safety/effectiveness outcome associated with a drug exposure. Outcome variables extracted from the studies included strategies to execute a MDBS, reporting of missing data (type, bias evaluation) and the methods used to account for missing data.ResultsTwo thousand seven hundred and twenty‐six articles were identified, and 62 studies were included: using data from either North America (56%), Europe (31%), multiple regions (11%) or East‐Asia (2%). Thirty‐five (56%) articles reported missing data: 11 of these studies reported that this could have introduced bias and 19 studies reported a method to address missing data. Thirteen (68%) carried out a complete case analysis, 2 (11%) applied multiple imputation, 2 (11%) used both methods, 1 (5%) used mean imputation and 1 (5%) substituted information from a similar variable.ConclusionsJust over half of the recent pharmacoepidemiologic MDBS reported missing data and two‐thirds of these studies reported how they accounted for it. We should increase our vigilance for database completeness in MDBS by reporting and addressing the missing data that could introduce bias.
Drone‐based thermal remote sensing provides an effective new tool for monitoring the abundance of roosting fruit bats
Authors: McCarthy Eliane D. , Martin John M. , Boer Matthias M. , Welbergen Justin A. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAccurate and precise monitoring of species abundance is essential for determining population trends and responses to environmental change. However, traditional population survey methods can be unreliable and labour‐intensive, which complicates the effective conservation and management of many threatened species. We developed a method of using drone‐acquired thermal orthomosaics to monitor the abundance of grey‐headed flying‐foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) within tree roosts, an IUCN Red Listed species of bat. We assessed the accuracy and precision of this new method and evaluated the performance of four semi‐automated methods for counting flying‐foxes in thermal orthomosaics, including machine learning and Computer Vision (CV) methods. We found a high concordance between the number of flying‐foxes manually counted in drone‐acquired thermal imagery and the true abundance of flying‐foxes in single roost trees, as obtained from direct on‐ground observation. This indicated that the number of flying‐foxes observed in thermal imagery accurately reflected the true abundance of flying‐foxes. In addition, for thermal orthomosaics of whole roost sites, the number of flying‐foxes manually counted was highly repeatable between the same‐day drone surveys and human counters, indicating that this method produced highly precise abundance estimates independent of the identity/experience of human counters. Finally, the number of flying‐foxes manually counted in drone‐acquired thermal orthomosaics was highly concordant with the counts derived from CV and machine learning‐enabled classification techniques. This indicated that accurate and precise measures of colony abundance can be obtained semi‐automatically, thus greatly reducing the amount of human effort involved for obtaining abundance estimates. Our method is thus valuable for reliably monitoring the abundance of individuals in flying‐fox roosts and will aid in the conservation and management of this globally threatened group of flying‐mammals, as well as other homeothermic arboreal‐roosting species.
A house divided: Legislative competition and young firm survival in the United States
Authors: Raj Manav 
Published: April 2021

AbstractResearch SummaryFeatures of the institutional environment influence the performance of firms. In this research, I examine how one aspect of the institutional environment, competition between parties within legislatures, relates to young firm mortality. I argue that higher legislative competition provides legislators with more power to reward favored interests and thus contributes to a competitive environment that benefits well‐connected incumbents and imposes negative consequences on young firms. Using data on state legislature composition in the United States and both an ordinary least squares and instrumental variables empirical strategy, I find that legislative competition has a positive relationship with young firm mortality and this relationship is partially mediated by incentives that favor incumbents. In doing so, I highlight that political competition can have negative consequences for some firms.Managerial SummaryIn this research, I examine how competition between parties within state legislatures affects the survival of young firms. I argue that higher interparty competition provides legislators with greater bargaining power to obtain policy rewards for favored constituents and that this can lead to a competitive environment that favors well‐connected incumbent firms and disadvantages younger firms. I find that interparty legislative competition has a positive relationship with young firm mortality and that this relationship is partially accounted for by the use of subsidies and incentives that favor incumbents. Through this research, I show that political competition may be harmful to some firms and highlight the importance of government institutions on firms and markets.
Disease surveillance and risk factors affecting mortality of captive cirl buntings (Emberiza cirlus) in a translocation for conservation purposes
Authors: Fountain Kay , Chang Ruby , Laven Carl , Gregson Joanne , Jeffs Cath , Molenaar Fieke , Vaughan‐Higgins Rebecca , Evans Andy , Carter Ian , Sayers Ghislaine , Pocknell Ann , Sainsbury Anthony 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCirl buntings in the UK were translocated over a 5‐year period by collecting chicks from the residual population, hand‐rearing and releasing them at a site in Cornwall with the aim of establishing a second breeding population. Because mortality and morbidity during captivity restrict the number and fitness of individuals available for release, selected parasites were monitored in the captive chicks, and all deaths were investigated by autopsy, histopathology and bacteriology. Risk factors associated with captive deaths were analysed. Annual mortality during captivity ranged from 4% (3 of 75 chicks in 2006) to 42% (26 of 73 in 2007) of chicks collected. Infectious disease associated with immunosuppression was an important factor in many deaths, and chicks collected with lower body weight were at greater risk of mortality. These findings emphasise the need for rigorous monitoring of all aspects of captive care during passerine translocations and provide evidence‐based recommendations for future projects.
Surgical resection of a colonic haemangiosarcoma in a cat
Authors: Rivenburg Rachel , Gailbreath Katherine , Campbell Kathryn , Maxwell Elizabeth A. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA 14‐year‐old male neutered Ragdoll was presented for hyporexia, lethargy and tenesmus. A mass associated with the descending colon was noted on exploratory laparotomy. A resection and anastomosis of the colonic mass and extirpation of a colonic lymph node was performed. A colonic mural haemangiosarcoma with colonic lymph node metastasis was diagnosed on histopathology. The cat was humanely euthanized 109 days postoperatively for anorexia, haematemesis and hind limb ataxia. Intestinal haemangiosarcoma should be a differential for colonic masses in cats. Surgical resection can provide good short‐term outcomes and should be considered as a treatment option for feline colonic haemangiosarcoma.