bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measurement of patient confidence in self‐management of atrial fibrillation: Initial validation of the Confidence in Atrial fibriLlation Management (CALM) Scale
Authors: Tripp Connor , Gehi Anil K. , Rosman Lindsey , Anthony Scarlett , Sears Samuel F. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe patient experience of atrial fibrillation (AF) involves several daily self‐care behaviors and ongoing confidence to manage their condition. Currently, no standardized self‐report measure of AF patient confidence exists. The purpose of this study is to provide preliminary support for the reliability and validity of a newly developed confidence in AF management measure.MethodsThis study provides preliminary analysis of the Confidence in Atrial FibriLlation Management (CALM) scale, which was rationally developed to measure patient confidence related to self‐management of AF. The scale was provided to a sample of AF patients N = 120, (59% male) electronically through a patient education platform. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Cronbach's α were employed to provide preliminary assessment of the validity and reliability of the measure.ResultsPCA identified a four‐factor solution. Internal consistency of the CALM was considered excellent with Cronbach's α = .910. Additional PCA confirmed the value of a single factor solution to produce a total confidence score for improved utility and ease of clinical interpretation.ConclusionsInitial assessment of a novel scale measuring patient confidence in managing AF provided promising reliability and validity. Patient confidence in self‐management of AF may prove useful as a key marker and endpoint of the patient experience beyond QOL.
Wogonin alleviates liver injury in sepsis through Nrf2‐mediated NF‐κB signalling suppression
Authors: Dai Ji‐Min , Guo Wei‐Nan , Tan Yi‐Zhou , Niu Kun‐Wei , Zhang Jia‐Jia , Liu Cheng‐Li , Yang Xiang‐Min , Tao Kai‐Shan , Chen Zhi‐Nan , Dai Jing‐Yao 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSepsis is a life‐threatening organ dysfunction syndrome, and liver is a susceptible target organ in sepsis, because the activation of inflammatory pathways contributes to septic liver injury. Oxidative stress has been documented to participate in septic liver injury, because it not only directly induces oxidative genotoxicity, but also exacerbates inflammatory pathways to potentiate damage of liver. Therefore, to ameliorate oxidative stress is promising for protecting liver in sepsis. Wogonin is the compound extracted from the medicinal plant Scutellaria baicalensis Geogi and was found to exert therapeutic effects in multiple inflammatory diseases via alleviation of oxidative stress. However, whether wogonin is able to mitigate septic liver injury remains unknown. Herein, we firstly proved that wogonin treatment could improve survival of mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐ or caecal ligation and puncture (CLP)‐induced sepsis, together with restoration of reduced body temperature and respiratory rate, and suppression of several pro‐inflammatory cytokines in circulation. Then, we found that wogonin effectively alleviated liver injury via potentiation of the anti‐oxidative capacity. To be specific, wogonin activated Nrf2 thereby promoting expressions of anti‐oxidative enzymes including NQO‐1, GST, HO‐1, SOD1 and SOD2 in hepatocytes. Moreover, wogonin‐induced Nrf2 activation could suppress NF‐κB‐regulated up‐regulation of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Ultimately, we provided in vivo evidence that wogonin activated Nrf2 signalling, potentiated anti‐oxidative enzymes and inhibited NF‐κB‐regulated pro‐inflammatory signalling. Taken together, this study demonstrates that wogonin can be the potential therapeutic agent for alleviating liver injury in sepsis by simultaneously ameliorating oxidative stress and inflammatory response through the activation of Nrf2.
Insulin resistance surrogates predict hypertension plus hyperuricemia
Authors: Li Yaxin , You Aijun , Tomlinson Brian , Yue Longfei , Zhao Kanjie , Fan Huimin , Zheng Liang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAims/IntroductionTo compare the association of hypertension plus hyperuricemia with four insulin resistance surrogates, including glucose and triglycerides (TyG index), TyG index with body mass index (TyG‐BMI), the ratio of triglycerides divided by high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL‐C) and metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS‐IR).Materials and MethodsData from a cross‐sectional epidemiological study enrolling a representative population sample aged ≥65 years were used to calculate the four indexes. The association with hypertension plus hyperuricemia and insulin resistance surrogates was examined with multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic.ResultsA total of 4,352 participants were included, including 93 (2.1%) patients with hyperuricemia alone, 2,875 (66.1%) with hypertension alone and 587 (13.5%) with hypertension plus hyperuricemia. Mutivariate logistic regression showed that TyG index, TyG‐BMI, TG/HDL‐C and METS‐IR were all significantly correlated with hyperuricemia, hypertension and hypertension plus hyperuricemia. Compared with the lowest quartile, the odds ratios (OR) of the highest quartile of the four indicators for hypertension plus hyperuricemia were TyG index: OR 6.39 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.17–9.78); TyG‐BMI: OR 8.54 (95% CI 5.58–13.09); TG/HDL‐C: OR 7.21 (95% CI 4.72–11.01); METS‐IR: OR 9.30 (95% CI 6.00–14.43), respectively. TyG‐BMI and METS‐IR had moderate discriminative abilities for hypertension plus hyperuricemia and the AUC values were 0.72 (95% CI 0.70–0.74) and 0.73 (95% CI 0.70–0.75).ConclusionsThe present study suggested that TyG index, TyG‐BMI, TG/HDL‐C and METS‐IR had a significant correlation with hypertension plus hyperuricemia, and TyG‐BMI and METS‐IR had discriminative abilities for hypertension plus hyperuricemia.
Effect of viscosity and rheological behavior on selective mass transfer during osmotic dehydration of mango slices in natural syrups
Authors: Zongo Assana Pingdwendé , Khalloufi Seddik , Ratti Cristina 
Published: May 2021

AbstractOsmotic dehydration of mangoes was investigated for the reduction of solids gain (SG) and potential use of natural syrups as osmotic solutions. Different osmotic solutions at 60 °Brix were used (made with sucrose, glucose, fructose, corn syrup solids (CSS), and agave syrup (AS) with or without added xanthan gum [XG] or inulin) during osmotic dehydration at 40°C of mango slices (0.4 and 1.5 cm thickness). Rheological behavior and viscosity of the different osmotic solutions were determined at 22 and 40°C. According to the results, increasing the viscosity and the sample thickness helped to reduce the sugar gain while maintaining an adequate water loss. The highest sugar gain was found for sucrose, glucose, fructose, AS solutions, and the lowest, for CSS solutions and XG added to AS. The impact of increasing apparent viscosity on SG was more pronounced for thin samples, indicating the importance of the Biot number on selective mass transfer during osmotic dehydration.Practical ApplicationsThis research aims to obtain osmotically dehydrated mangoes with low sugar content by using a natural multicomponent solution such as an AS with added ingredients. In this study, the role of solution viscosity combined to sample thickness in lowering SG during osmotic dehydration was elucidated. As well, AS used in this research as a model, is particularly interesting due to its rich content in vitamins and prebiotic (inulin) which levels up the mango nutritious values. This study would help industrials to offer healthier snacks, in particular for consumers who wish to reduce their sugar intake.
Motor learning might contribute to a therapeutic anterior shift of the habitual mandibular position—An exploratory study
Authors: Glöggler Julia C. , Hellmann Daniel , Von Manstein Maja , Jäger Rudolph , Repky Stefan , Beyersmann Jan , Lapatki Bernd G. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundPassive mandibular advancement with functional appliances is commonly used to treat juvenile patients with mandibular retrognathism.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate whether active repetitive training of the mandible into an anterior position would result in a shift of the habitual mandibular position (HMP).MethodsTwenty adult healthy subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a training group receiving six supervised functional training sessions of 10 min each and a control group without training. Bonded lateral biteplates disengaged occlusion among both groups throughout the 15‐day experiment. Customised registration‐training appliances consisted of a maxillary component with an anterior plane and a mandibular component with an attached metal sphere. Training sessions consisted of repeated mouth‐opening/closing cycles (frequency: 30/min) to hit an anteriorly positioned hemispherical target notch with this metal sphere. The HMP was registered at defined times during the experiment.ResultsThe HMP in the training group showed a statistically significant anterior shift of 1.6 mm (interquartile range [IQR]: 1.2 mm), compared with a significant posterior shift of −0.8 mm (IQR: 2.8 mm) in the control group (p < .05). Although the anterior shift among the training group showed a partial relapse 4 days after the first training block, it then advanced slightly in the 4‐day interval after the second training block, which might indicate neuroplasticity of the masticatory motor system.ConclusionsMotor learning by repetitive training of the mandible into an anterior position might help to improve the results of functional appliance therapy among patients with mandibular retrognathism.
Institutions and the uneven geography of the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Rodríguez‐Pose Andrés , Burlina Chiara 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis paper examines the uneven geography of COVID‐19‐related excess mortality during the first wave of the pandemic in Europe, before assessing the factors behind the geographical differences in impact. The analysis of 206 regions across 23 European countries reveals a distinct COVID‐19 geography. Excess deaths were concentrated in a limited number of regions—expected deaths exceeded 20% in just 16 regions—with more than 40% of the regions considered experiencing no excess mortality during the first 6 months of 2020. Highly connected regions, in colder and dryer climates, with high air pollution levels, and relatively poorly endowed health systems witnessed the highest incidence of excess mortality. Institutional factors also played an important role. The first wave hit regions with a combination of weak and declining formal institutional quality and fragile informal institutions hardest. Low and declining national government effectiveness, together with a limited capacity to reach out across societal divides, and a frequent tendency to meet with friends and family were powerful drivers of regional excess mortality.
Tooth wear, growth and height in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) fed pelleted or extruded diets with or without added abrasives
Authors: Martin Louise F. , Ackermans Nicole L. , Tollefson Troy N. , Kircher Patrick R. , Richter Henning , Hummel Jürgen , Codron Daryl , Hatt Jean‐Michel , Clauss Marcus 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAmong the different factors thought to affect dental wear, dietary consistency is possibly the least investigated. To understand tooth wear of herbivorous animals consuming different dietary consistencies with different abrasive potential, we fed 14 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) exclusively with a timothy grassmeal‐based diet in either pelleted or extruded form, or the same diets with an addition of 5% fine sand abrasives (mean size 130 µm). First, we offered the rabbits the pelleted and extruded diets as well as the pelleted control and pelleted abrasive diet in a two‐stage preference experiment. Then, the rabbits received each diet for 2 weeks in a randomised serial feeding experiment, where each animal served as its own control. Tooth measurements for wear, growth and height were achieved using a manual calliper, endoscopic examination and CT scans. The analysis of the diets as fed showed almost identical mean particle size, but the extruded diet had a lower density (volume/mass) and softer consistency compared to the pelleted one and was favoured by most rabbits. The rabbits selected against the diet with sand during the preference experiment, possibly because it caused more tooth wear, especially on the teeth most exposed to wear along the upper tooth row (upper P4 and M1). The maxillary teeth also showed evidence of an increased chewing laterality by the end of the experiment. The extruded diet led to a significantly lower cheek teeth height than the pelleted diet, potentially due to the higher chewing effort needed for a similar dry matter intake. The results suggest that dietary hardness alone is a poor predictor of dental wear. The regrowth of the teeth matched wear consistently.
Sexual dimorphism, temporal niche differentiation, and evidence for the Jack Sprat effect in an annual dioecious plant
Authors: Yu Qian , Barrett Spencer C. H. , Wang Xin‐Jia , Zhong Li , Wang Hong , Li De‐Zhu , Zhou Wei 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSexual dimorphism in dioecious plants often occurs as a consequence of the different resource requirements of females and males, especially during reproduction. The contrasting reproductive roles of the sexes can influence the phenology of growth, plant size, and flowering time, with implications for the intensity of competitive interactions within and between the sexes. Here, we investigate the influence of contrasting nutrient regimes and intra‐sexual and inter‐sexual competition on the expression of sexual dimorphism in life‐history traits and biomass allocation throughout the life cycle of the dioecious annual Rumex hastatulus Baldw. (Polygonaceae). Development of a sex‐specific marker enabled us to quantify the influence of competition on sex‐specific differences in mortality and vegetative traits. We were particularly interested in determining whether the overall performance of the sexes might differ between the two forms of intra‐specific competition, potentially providing evidence for sexual specialization in resource acquisition and niche differentiation. Our results indicated that although patterns of sexual dimorphism were dynamic, they were largely insensitive to nutrient conditions. We found that intra‐sexual competition was more severe than inter‐sexual competition, differentially affecting mortality and most traits during the vegetative and particularly the reproductive stage of the life history. Female trait values generally increased more under inter‐sexual than intra‐sexual competition in comparison to males. Our findings are consistent with temporal niche differentiation resulting from sexual specialization for different resource requirements and provide evidence for the “Jack Sprat effect.”
Assembly processes lead to divergent soil fungal communities within and among 12 forest ecosystems along a latitudinal gradient
Authors: Zheng Yong , Chen Liang , Ji Niu‐Niu , Wang Yong‐Long , Gao Cheng , Jin Sheng‐Sheng , Hu Hang‐Wei , Huang Zhiqun , He Ji‐Zheng , Guo Liang‐Dong , Powell Jeff R. 
Published: May 2021

Summary

Latitudinal gradients provide opportunities to better understand soil fungal community assembly and its relationship with vegetation, climate, soil and ecosystem function. Understanding the mechanisms underlying community assembly is essential for predicting compositional responses to changing environments.

We quantified the relative importance of stochastic and deterministic processes in structuring soil fungal communities using patterns of community dissimilarity observed within and between 12 natural forests and related these to environmental variation within and among sites.

The results revealed that whole fungal communities and communities of arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal fungi consistently exhibited divergent patterns but with less divergence for ectomycorrhizal fungi at most sites. Within those forests, no clear relationships were observed between the degree of divergence within fungal and plant communities. When comparing communities at larger spatial scales, among the 12 forests, we observed distinct separation in all three fungal groups among tropical, subtropical and temperate climatic zones. Soil fungal β‐diversity patterns between forests were also greater when comparing forests exhibiting high environmental heterogeneity.

Taken together, although large‐scale community turnover could be attributed to specific environmental drivers, the differences among fungal communities in soils within forests was high even at local scales.
An ex vivo biomechanical comparison of two suture materials and two pattern combinations for equine superficial digital flexor tendon tenorrhaphy
Authors: Giacchi Andrea , McMaster Mattie A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo compare biomechanical characteristics of three‐loop pulley (3LP) pattern versus Bunnell technique (BT) using polydioxanone (PDS) suture; to determine the influence of polyester tape (PT) versus PDS on the BT for equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) tenorrhaphy; to compare BT with PT versus 3LP with PDS.Study DesignEx vivo biomechanical study.Sample PopulationForty equine forelimb SDFT.MethodsTwo experiments were performed: (1) 10 SDFT pairs were repaired with 3LP or BT using PDS; (2) 10 SDFT pairs were repaired with PDS or PT using BT. Load at failure, mode of failure, load at 2 mm gap, and gap at failure were obtained using a material testing machine.ResultsIn experiment 1, 3LP + PDS1had higher loads at failure (p < .001) and at 2 mm gap (p < .001), and smaller gap at failure than BT + PDS1(p = .024). In experiment 2, BT + PT2had higher loads at failure (p < .001) and at 2 mm gap (p = .001), and larger gap at failure (p = .004) than the BT + PDS2. 3LP + PDS1and BT + PT2mostly failed by suture/implant pull‐through while BT + PDS failed by suture breakage. BT + PT2had greater load (p = .035) and gap at failure (p < .001) than 3LP + PDS1,with no difference in load at 2 mm gap (p = .14).ConclusionThe use of BT may be justified over 3LP if combined with PT. However, the larger size of the PT required stab incisions in the tendon for placement and was subjectively more difficult to place than PDS.Clinical SignificanceThe BT + PT, although the strongest among the tested repairs, would only be able to withstand 12%–24% of the load encountered by the SDFT at walk.
Nasal expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors in newborns
Authors: Heinonen Santtu , Helve Otto , Andersson Sture , Janér Cecilia , Süvari Liina , Kaskinen Anu 
Published: May 2021

BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 infection is typically mild in children. Lower expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors in the nasal epithelia have been described in children compared with adults. However, data from newborns are lacking. We compared nasal expression of four SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors between term and preterm newborns and adults.MethodsNasal scrape samples were obtained from 28 newborns (17 term and 11 preterm) and 10 adults. Reverse-transcription quantitative PCR was used to measure mRNA expression of ACE2, transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), neuropilin 1 (NRP1) and neuropilin 2 (NRP2) and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R).ResultsExpression levels of ACE2, TMPRSS2, NRP1 and NRP2 were lower in term and preterm newborns and IGF1R lower in term newborns compared with adults (p<0.05).ConclusionsBoth term and preterm newborns, compared with adults, have lower expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors in nasal epithelium.
Game jams for cultural safety training in Colombian medical education: a pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Pimentel Juan , Cockcroft Anne , Andersson Neil 
Published: May 2021

ObjectivesExplore the acceptability and feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to assess game jams—participatory events to cocreate digital or board games in a time-constrained environment—in cultural safety training of medical students. The pilot tests methods and procedures and explores the validity and reliability of our research instrument.DesignTwo-arm parallel-group pilot RCT with a 1:1 allocation ratio.SettingFaculty of Medicine in Chia, Colombia.Participants79 final-year medical students completed the baseline questionnaire. 64 completed the assessment immediately after the intervention: 31 in the intervention group (20 female) and 33 in the control group (18 female). 35 completed the final assessment (18 control and 17 intervention) 4 months after the intervention.InterventionsThe intervention group joined a 5-hour game jam composed of a 1-hour lecture and a 4-hour session to create and to play educational games about cultural safety. The control group had a 1-hour conventional lesson, followed by a 4-hour study session of selected readings on cultural safety.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe instrument, an online self-administered Likert-type questionnaire, assessed a self-reported cultural safety results chain based on a planned behaviour theory. Student recruitment, retention and perception of the activity determined acceptability. The methodological and logistical factors for a full-scale study determined feasibility.ResultsAfter the intervention, students randomised to that arm reported a slightly higher cultural safety score (26.9) than those in the control group (25.9) (difference −1, 95% CI −3.0 to 1.0). Students described game jam learning in favourable terms and considered cultural safety training relevant. The university authorised the conduct of the full-scale trial.ConclusionGame jam learning is feasible and acceptable for cultural safety training of Colombian medical students. Researchers and educators may find our results informative in the design of RCTs assessing educational interventions.Trial registration numberISRCTN14261595(stage: pilot study results)