bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surgical innovation revisited: A historical narrative of the minimally invasive “Agarwal sliding‐clip renorrhaphy” technique for partial nephrectomy and its application to an Australian cohort
Authors: Silagy A. W. , Young R. , Kelly B. D. , Reeves F. , Furrer M. , Costello A. J. , Challacombe B. J. , Corcoran N. M. , Kearsley J. , Dundee P. , Agarwal D. K. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate local clinical outcomes of sliding clip renorrhaphy, from inception to current utilization for open, laparoscopic, and robotically assisted partial nephrectomy.MethodsWe reviewed prospectively maintained databases of three surgeons performing partial nephrectomies with the sliding‐clip technique at teaching hospitals between 2005 and 2019. Baseline characteristics, operative parameters, including surgical approach, RENAL Nephrometry Score, and post‐operative outcomes, including Clavien‐Dindo classification of complications, were recorded for 76 consecutive cases. We compared perioperative and 90‐day events with patient and tumor characteristics, stratified by operative approach and case complexity, using Wilcoxon rank‐sum test for continuous variables and the Chi‐squared or Fisher's exact test, for binary and categorical variables, respectively.ResultsOpen surgery (n = 15) reduced ischemia time and operative time, but increased hospital admission time. Pre‐ and post‐operative estimated glomerular filtration rates did not change significantly by operative approach. Older patients (P = .007) and open surgery (P = .003) were associated with a higher rate of complications (any‐grade). Six grade ≥3 complications occurred: these were associated with higher RENAL Nephrometry Score (P = .016) and higher pathological tumor stage (P = .045). Limits include smaller case volumes which incorporate the learning curve cases; therefore, these data are most applicable to lower volume teaching hospitals.ConclusionThe sliding‐clip technique for partial nephrectomy was first described by Agarwal et al and has low complication rates, acceptable operative time, and preserves renal function across open and minimally invasive surgeries. This series encompasses the initial learning curve with developing the technique through to present‐day emergence as a routine standard of practice.
Improved generalized raking estimators to address dependent covariate and failure‐time outcome error
Authors: Oh Eric J. , Shepherd Bryan E. , Lumley Thomas , Shaw Pamela A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBiomedical studies that use electronic health records (EHR) data for inference are often subject to bias due to measurement error. The measurement error present in EHR data is typically complex, consisting of errors of unknown functional form in covariates and the outcome, which can be dependent. To address the bias resulting from such errors, generalized raking has recently been proposed as a robust method that yields consistent estimates without the need to model the error structure. We provide rationale for why these previously proposed raking estimators can be expected to be inefficient in failure‐time outcome settings involving misclassification of the event indicator. We propose raking estimators that utilize multiple imputation, to impute either the target variables or auxiliary variables, to improve the efficiency. We also consider outcome‐dependent sampling designs and investigate their impact on the efficiency of the raking estimators, either with or without multiple imputation. We present an extensive numerical study to examine the performance of the proposed estimators across various measurement error settings. We then apply the proposed methods to our motivating setting, in which we seek to analyze HIV outcomes in an observational cohort with EHR data from the Vanderbilt Comprehensive Care Clinic.
Error‐free recombination in sugarcane mediated by only 30 nucleotides of homology and CRISPR/Cas9 induced DNA breaks or Cre‐recombinase
Authors: Zhao Yang , Karan Ratna , Altpeter Fredy 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPrecision genome editing by homology directed repair has tremendous potential for crop improvement. This study describes in planta homologous recombination mediated by CRISPR/Cas9 induced DNA double strand break in proximity to a single short (∼30 nt) homology arm. The efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated recombination between two loxP sites was compared with Cre (Cyclization recombination enzyme) and codon‐optimized Cre‐mediated site‐specific recombination in sugarcane. A transgenic locus was generated with a selectable nptII coding sequence with terminator between two loxP sites located downstream of a constitutive promoter and acting as transcription block for the downstream promoter‐less gusA coding sequence with terminator. Recombination between the two loxP sites resulted in deletion of the transcription block and restored gus activity. This transgenic locus provided an efficient screen for identification of recombination events in sugarcane callus following biolistic delivery of Cre, codon‐optimized Cre, or the combination of sgRNA and Cas9 targeting the 5′ loxP site. The Cre codon optimized for sugarcane displayed the highest efficiency in mediating the recombination that restored gus activity followed by cre and CRISPR/Cas9. Remarkably the short region of homology of the loxP site cleaved by Cas9 (30 nt)‐mediated error‐free recombination in all 21 events from three different experiments that were analyzed by Sanger sequencing consistent with homology directed repair. These findings will inform rational design of strategies for precision genome editing in plants.
Person‐centred experiential therapy: Perceptions of trainers and developers
Authors: Haake Rinda , Hardy Gillian E. , Barkham Michael 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundTop‐up training in person‐centred experiential therapy (PCET) was developed in 2011 and is offered, through four university centres, to counsellors working in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services in England. Research into PCET training has now gained more importance, with the implementation of the IAPT Data Set Version 2.0 in September 2020, which requires IAPT services to report on the qualifications of care personnel. Previous research has explored the experiences of PCET trainees, but there is a need to investigate similarities and differences in the views and experiences of other stakeholders in the PCET initiative.MethodTen trainers and developers of the model were interviewed, including the full population of those personnel currently delivering the training. The framework method was used in the analysis of transcripts.FindingsTensions were identified between the individualism of the person‐centred approach and the standardisation expected by IAPT. Participants recognised that manualisation of the PCET model was controversial, but welcomed the coherence of the model and the ability to articulate theory and practice. Practical differences between centres were identified in the delivery of training, raising the question of whether such differences reflect the individualism of the person‐centred approach and the flexibility of the model, or reveal a lack of consistency in the understanding and delivery of PCET nationally.ConclusionsPCET training is an opportunity to improve the consistency of PCET therapists' theoretical understanding and practice, enhancing their status and opportunities for research. Differences between training centres may compromise this consistency.
Swimming against the tide: Therapists' accounts of the relationship between p/Politics and therapy
Authors: Winter Laura Anne 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectivesThere has been an increasing emphasis on ‘social justice’ across applied psychology, counselling and psychotherapy. Nevertheless, despite hints at the political nature of this concept and work, limited prior research has considered the connection between politics and therapy. This research aimed to explore therapists' understandings and experiences of politics in their work.DesignAn exploratory, qualitative methodology was used.MethodsData were generated via a qualitative online survey and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsFive main themes were developed: (1) Swimming against the tide: working against p/Politics in therapy; (2) Therapeutic work as p/Political; (3) ‘We have to park our impressions of politics at the door’; (4) Professional ethics and p/Politics: striking a balance; and (5) ‘A culture of silence’: lack of training and support.ConclusionsThis analysis suggests that therapists' experience p/Politics as influencing therapy in a myriad of ways. It is both something inherent to therapy and something external, which exerts an influence on the work. Attending to the p/Political and the ethical in therapy can be challenging and is experienced as a lonely and unsupported process at times. Implications for practice and training are discussed.
Advances of Ultrasonic Scaling Removal Technology and Heat Transfer Enhancement Technology
Authors: Zhao Kelin , Wu Jinxing , Li Xue , Li Zhe , Chen Yabo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe presence of scale substances seriously affects the normal operation of industrial equipment. Ultrasonic scaling removal technology has been getting significant attention because of cleanliness, safety and no secondary pollution. As a new heat transfer enhancement technology, ultrasonic has also achieved good results. This article reviews the research progress and innovations made in recent years on the ultrasonic scaling removal technology and heat transfer enhancement technology. A special focus is concentrated on the influence of the key factors on the comprehensive performance. These factors include ultrasonic parameters, fluid parameters, geometry parameters. At present, ultrasonic heat transfer enhancement technology mainly stays in the laboratory research stage, and there is no industrial‐scale application.
Dual inhibition of TGFβR and ROCK reverses the epithelial to mesenchymal transition in collectively migrating zebrafish keratocytes
Authors: Pascual Agnes S. , Rapanan Jose L. , Uppalapati Chandana K. , Cooper Kimbal E. , Leyva Kathryn J. , Hull Elizabeth E. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThere is a growing controversy about the role of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the fibrosis associated with chronic disease. Recent studies suggest that it is not the EMT transcriptional program but differentiation of progenitor cells, response to chronic inflammation, or some combination of both which cause the appearance of fibroblasts and the production of the extracellular matrix. To address this issue, we study the EMT process in the zebrafish keratocytes which migrate from primary explants of epithelial tissue as these cells are both terminally differentiated and able to divide. To firmly place this EMT process in the context of other systems, we first demonstrate that the zebrafish keratocyte EMT process involves nuclear accumulation of twist and snail/slug transcription factors as part of a TGFβR‐mediated EMT process. As assessed by the expression and localization of EMT transcription factors, the zebrafish keratocyte EMT process is reversed by the addition of Rho‐activated kinase (ROCK) in combination with TGFβR inhibitors. The complete cycle of EMT to MET observed in this system links these in vitro results more closely to the process of wound healing in vivo. However, the absence of observable activation of EMT transcription factors when keratocytes are cultured on compliant substrata in a TGFβ1‐containing medium suggests that ROCK signaling, initiated by tension within the sheet, is an essential contributor to the EMT process. Most importantly, the requirement for ROCK activation by culturing on noncompliant substrata suggests that EMT in these terminally differentiated cells would not occur in vivo.
LncRNA HOTTIP inhibits cell pyroptosis by targeting miR‐148a‐3p/AKT2 axis in ovarian cancer
Authors: Tan Cai , Liu Wei , Zheng Zhi‐Hua , Wan Xiao‐Gang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractLong noncoding RNA HOTTIP is a crucial regulator in multiple types of cancer, including ovarian cancer (OC). However, the biological roles and underlying mechanisms of HOTTIP in OC have rarely been studied. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the functional correlation between HOTTIP and pyroptosis in OC progression. The expression of HOTTIP in OC tissues and cell lines was characterized by quantitative real‐time PCR. Cell proliferation was evaluated using Cell Counting Kit‐8 and clone formation assays. Western blot was performed to quantify protein levels. A dual‐luciferase reporter assay was used to analyze the molecular interaction among HOTTIP, miR‐148a‐3p, and AKT2. The expression of HOTTIP was significantly upregulated in OC tissue samples and cell lines. The silencing of HOTTIP led to the inhibition of cell proliferation and NLRP1 inflammasome‐mediated pyroptosis. In addition, HOTTIP increased AKT2 expression by negatively regulating miR‐148a‐3p and then inhibited ASK1/JNK signaling. Further rescue experiments revealed that downregulation of miR‐148a‐3p and overexpression of AKT2 obviously diminished the effects of HOTTIP downregulation in OC cells. Thus, our study elucidated a novel pyroptosis‐related mechanism by which HOTTIP participated in OC progression, which might provide a theoretical reference for clinical treatment.
Treatment approaches for treating hypertrophic scars and keloids
Authors: Gianatasio Chloe , Abrouk Michael , Waibel Jill S. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackground and PurposeHypertrophic and keloid scars can have a dramatic impact on the quality of life for patients. Their complexity and multimodal nature also present significant challenges to physicians. Each scar presentation is unique due to influences such as the source of injury and specific healing properties of the patient. As such, each treatment must be equally individual. The goal of this study is to provide the tools to navigate complex hypertrophic and keloid scar treatment by outlining treatment algorithms that can be tailored to each specific presentation.MethodsThe authors combined a review of rising clinical research and consensus papers with lessons drawn from clinical practice to create comprehensive treatment recommendations.ResultsA wide variety of treatment options were incorporated into the algorithms which were drawn from world scar expert consensus including moisturization/compression, surgery, laser therapy, and laser‐assisted drug delivery. Scars of all ages were included and should be treated, though age should factor into treatment intensity. Particularly with hypertrophic and keloid scars, location and resulting tension is a primary consideration in treatment strategy. In keloid scars, radiation therapy can also play a role.ConclusionThe authors propose that a combination treatment strategy customized to scar type, depth, texture, and dyschromia is necessary to produce optimal results. Early intervention is preferable though not essential to achieve scar mitigation. With careful and appropriate treatment algorithms, patients with debilitating scarring may recover significant function, cosmesis, and overall quality of life.
Land‐use drives the temporal stability and magnitude of soil microbial functions and modulates climate effects
Authors: Kostin Julia E. , Cesarz Simone , Lochner Alfred , Schädler Martin , Macdonald Catriona A. , Eisenhauer Nico 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSoil microbial community functions are essential indicators of ecosystem multifunctionality in managed land‐use systems. Going forward, the development of adaptation strategies and predictive models under future climate scenarios will require a better understanding of how both land‐use and climate disturbances influence soil microbial functions over time. Between March and November 2018, we assessed the effects of climate change on the magnitude and temporal stability of soil basal respiration, soil microbial biomass and soil functional diversity across a range of land‐use types and intensities in a large‐scale field experiment. Soils were sampled from five common land‐use types including conventional and organic croplands, intensive and extensive meadows, and extensive pastures, under ambient and projected future climate conditions (reduced summer precipitation and increased temperature) at the Global Change Experimental Facility (GCEF) in Bad Lauchstädt, Germany. Land‐use and climate treatment interaction effects were significant in September, a month when precipitation levels slightly rebounded following a period of drought in central Germany: compared to ambient climate, in future climate treatments, basal respiration declined in pastures and increased in intensive meadows, functional diversity declined in pastures and croplands, and respiration‐to‐biomass ratio increased in intensive and extensive meadows. Low rainfall between May and August likely strengthened soil microbial responses toward the future climate treatment in September. Although microbial biomass showed declining levels in extensive meadows and pastures under future climate treatments, overall, microbial function magnitudes were higher in these land‐use types compared to croplands, indicating that improved management practices could sustain high microbial ecosystem functioning in future climates. In contrast to our hypothesis that more disturbed land‐use systems would have destabilized microbial functions, intensive meadows and organic croplands showed stabilized soil microbial biomass compared to all other land‐use types, suggesting that temporal stability, in addition to magnitude‐based measurements, may be useful for revealing context‐dependent effects on soil ecosystem functioning.
Will predicted positive effects of climate change be enough to reverse declines of the regionally Endangered Natterjack toad in Ireland?
Authors: Reyne Marina , McGowan Natasha E. , Flanagan Jason , Nolan Paul , Aubry Aurélie , Emmerson Mark , Marnell Ferdia , Reid Neil 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe global amphibian crisis is driven by a range of stressors including disease, habitat loss, and environmental contamination. The role of climate change remains poorly studied and is likely to influence environmental suitability, ranges, reproduction, and phenology. This study aimed to characterize the bioclimatic‐habitat niche space of the Natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita) throughout its European range and to assess the impact of climate on the toad's environmental suitability and breeding behavior in Ireland, where declines in recent decades have resulted in it being regionally Red‐Listed as Endangered. To address these questions, we first identified which climate variables best predict the current bioclimatic niche, fecundity (number of eggs deposit), and phenology. We then used future climate projections for two time periods (2041–2060 and 2061–2080) and two greenhouse gas emission scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) to predict how the species range, fecundity, and phenology would change. The European range of the species was found to be limited by winter temperatures while its bioclimatic niche varied markedly throughout its range. Species distribution models suggested projected climate change will increase environmental suitability for the species throughout its range, including Ireland, but most notably in Scandinavia and the Baltic. Fecundity in Ireland was greatest during the cool temperatures of spring and after wet winters associated with ephemeral breeding pool availability. Warm, dry summers in the preceding year influenced fecundity the following spring indicative of carryover effects. Initiation of spawning was driven by spring temperatures, not rainfall. Projections suggested future climate change may increase fecundity in Ireland while spawning may commence earlier throughout the 21st century especially under a high greenhouse gas emission scenario (RCP 8.5). Despite recent range contraction and population declines due to habitat deterioration, the Natterjack toad, if subject to a suitable species conservation strategy, has the potential to be a climate change winner, notwithstanding unpredictable habitat and land‐use change, sea‐level rise inducing coastal erosion, changes in invertebrate prey abundance, and disease.
A parasite indirectly affects nutrient distribution by common mycorrhizal networks between host and neighboring plants
Authors: Yuan Yongge , van Kleunen Mark , Li Junmin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCascading effects are ubiquitous in nature and can modify ecological processes. Most plants have mutualistic associations with mycorrhizal fungi, and can be connected to neighboring plants through common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs). However, little is known about how the distribution of nutrients by CMNs to the interconnected plants is affected by higher trophic levels, such as parasitic plants. We hypothesized that parasitism would indirectly drive CMNs to allocate more nutrients to the nonparasitized neighboring plants rather than to the parasitized host plants, and that this would result in a negative‐feedback effect on the growth of the parasitic plant. To test this, we conducted a container experiment, where each container housed two in‐growth cores that isolated the root system of a single Trifolium pratense seedling. The formation of CMNs was either prevented or permitted using nylon fabric with a mesh width of 0.5 or 25 μm, respectively. In each container, either both T. pratense plants were not parasitized or only one was parasitized by the holoparasite Cuscuta australis. To quantify the nutrient distribution by CMNs to the host and neighboring plants, we used 15N labeling. Growth and 15N concentrations of C. australis and T. pratense were measured, as well the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi–colonization rates of T. pratense. We found that parasitism by C. australis reduced the biomass of T. pratense. In the absence of the parasite, CMNs increased the 15N concentration of both T. pratense plants, but did not affect their biomass. However, with the parasite, the difference between host and neighboring T. pratense plants in 15N concentration and biomass were amplified by CMNs. Furthermore, CMNs decreased the negative effect of C. australis on growth of the host T. pratense plants. Finally, although CMNs did not influence the 15N concentration of C. australis, they reduced its biomass. Our results indicate that when T. pratense was parasitized by C. australis, CMNs preferentially distributed more mineral nutrients to the nonparasitized neighboring T. pratense plant, and that this had a negative feedback on the growth of the parasite.
Prolinol as a Chiral Auxiliary in Organophosphorus Chemistry
Authors: Kozioł Anna E. , Włodarczyk Adam 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSeveral strategies for the development of the synthesis of P‐chiral organophosphorus compounds with (L)‐prolinol as a source of chirality have been examined. A reaction of L‐prolinol with a set of different alkyl/arylphosphonous acid diamides led in most of the cases to the quantitative formation of the appropriate bicyclic oxazaphospholidines with complete diastereo and enantioselectivity. The latter were reacted with BH3 complex and the formed borane analogues were submitted to structural modifications leading to tertiary phosphine‐boranes. Additionally, the effectiveness of oxazaphospholidines as ligands in transition metal asymmetric catalysis has been tested in hydrogenation of dehydroaminoacid esters and imine.