bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Process evaluation of PrEP implementation in Kenya: adaptation of practices and contextual modifications in public HIV care clinics
Authors: Irungu Elizabeth M. , Odoyo Josephine , Wamoni Elizabeth , Bukusi Elizabeth A. , Mugo Nelly R. , Ngure Kenneth , Morton Jennifer F. , Mugwanya Kenneth K. , Baeten Jared M. , O'Malley Gabrielle ,   for the Partners Scale‐Up Project Team
Published: September 2021

AbstractIntroductionIn Africa, oral pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is largely provided via over‐burdened public HIV care clinics. Successfully incorporating PrEP services into these clinics may require adaptations to practices outlined in national implementation guidelines and modifications to routine existing service delivery. We aimed to describe adaptations made by public HIV clinics in Kenya to integrate PrEP delivery into existing services.MethodsThe Partners Scale‐Up Project aimed to catalyse integration of PrEP in 25 public HIV care clinics. Between May and December 2018, we conducted qualitative interviews with health providers and documented clinic observations in technical assistance (TA) reports to understand the process of PrEP service integration. We analysed 36 health provider interview transcripts and 25 TA reports to identify clinic‐level adaptations to activities outlined in Kenyan Ministry of Health PrEP guidelines and modifications made to existing service delivery practices to successfully incorporate PrEP services. Identified adaptations were reported using the expanded framework for reporting adaptations and modifications (FRAME).ResultsAll clinics (n = 25) performed HIV testing, HIV risk assessment, PrEP education and adherence counselling as stipulated in the guidelines. Most clinics initiated clients on PrEP without creatinine testing if otherwise healthy. While monthly refill appointments are recommended, a majority of clinics issued PrEP users two to three months of pills at a time. Clinics also implemented practices that had not been specified in the guidelines including incorporating PrEP‐related topics into routine health talks, calling clients with missed PrEP appointments, discussing PrEP service delivery in regular staff meetings, ‘fast‐tracking’ PrEP clients and dispensing PrEP in clinic rooms rather than at clinic‐based pharmacies. PrEP initiation numbers were highest among clinics that did not require creatinine testing, conducted peer on‐the‐job PrEP training and those that discussed PrEP delivery in their routine meetings. Above‐average continuation was observed among clinics that discussed PrEP in their routine meetings, dispensed PrEP in clinic rooms and offered PrEP at nonregular hours.ConclusionsHealth providers in public HIV care clinics instituted practices and made innovative adaptations to PrEP delivery to reduce barriers for clients and staff. Encouraging clinic level adaptations to national implementation guidelines will facilitate scale‐up of PrEP delivery.
Mitofusin-2 regulates leukocyte adhesion and β2 integrin activation
Authors: Liu Wei , Hsu Alan Y , Wang Yueyang , Lin Tao , Sun Hao , Pachter Joel S , Groisman Alex , Imperioli Matthew , Yungher Fernanda Wajnsztajn , Hu Liang , Wang Penghua , Deng Qing , Fan Zhichao 
Published: September 2021

AbstractNeutrophils are critical for inflammation and innate immunity, and their adhesion to vascular endothelium is a crucial step in neutrophil recruitment. Mitofusin-2 (MFN2) is required for neutrophil adhesion, but molecular details are unclear. Here, we demonstrated that β2-integrin-mediated slow-rolling and arrest, but not PSGL-1-mediated cell rolling, are defective in MFN2-deficient neutrophil-like HL60 cells. This adhesion defect is associated with reduced expression of fMLP (N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine) receptor FPR1 as well as the inhibited β2 integrin activation, as assessed by conformation-specific monoclonal antibodies. MFN2 deficiency also leads to decreased actin polymerization, which is important for β2 integrin activation. Mn2+-induced cell spreading is also inhibited after MFN2 knockdown. MFN2 deficiency limited the maturation of β2 integrin activation during the neutrophil-directed differentiation of HL60 cells, which is indicated by CD35 and CD87 markers. MFN2 knockdown in β2-integrin activation-matured cells (CD87high population) also inhibits integrin activation, indicating that MFN2 directly affects β2 integrin activation. Our study illustrates the function of MFN2 in leukocyte adhesion and may provide new insights into the development and treatment of MFN2 deficiency-related diseases.
Peony seed oil ameliorates neuroinflammation-mediated cognitive deficits by suppressing microglial activation through inhibition of NF-κB pathway in presenilin 1/2 conditional double knockout mice
Authors: Gao Jie , Wang Lijun , Zhao Chenyi , Wu Yongkang , Lu Zhiyuan , Gu Yining , Ba Zongtao , Wang Xingyu , Wang Jian , Xu Ying 
Published: September 2021

AbstractChronic neuroinflammation has been shown to exert adverse influences on the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), associated with the release of abundant proinflammatory mediators by excessively activated microglia, causing synaptic dysfunction, neuronal degeneration, and memory deficits. Thus, the prevention of microglial activation-associated neuroinflammation is important target for deterring neurodegenerative disorders. Peony seed oil (PSO) is a new food resource, rich in α-linolenic acid, the precursor of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, which exhibit anti-inflammatory properties by altering cell membrane phospholipid fatty acid compositions, disrupting lipid rafts, and inhibiting the activation of the proinflammatory transcription factor NF-κB. However, few studies have examined the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of PSO in AD, and the relevant molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Presenilin1/2 conditional double knockout (PS cDKO) mice display obvious AD-like phenotypes, such as neuroinflammatory responses, synaptic dysfunction, and cognitive deficits. Here, we assessed the potential neuroprotective effects of PSO against neuroinflammation-mediated cognitive deficits in PS cDKO using behavioral tests and molecular biologic analyses. Our study demonstrated that PSO suppressed microglial activation and neuroinflammation through the down-regulation of proinflammatory mediators, such as inducible NOS, COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α, in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of PS cDKO mice. Further, PSO significantly lessened memory impairment by reversing hyperphosphorylated tau and synaptic proteins deficits in PS cDKO mice. Importantly, PSO's therapeutic effects on cognitive deficits were due to inhibiting neuroinflammatory responses mediated by NF-κB signaling pathway. Taken together, PSO may represent an effective dietary supplementation to restrain the neurodegenerative processes of AD.
Isoxazole‐9 reduces enhanced fear responses and retrieval in ethanol‐dependent male rats
Authors: Staples Miranda C. , Herman Melissa A. , Lockner Jonathan W. , Avchalumov Yosef , Kharidia Khush M. , Janda Kim D. , Roberto Marisa , Mandyam Chitra D. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPlasticity in the dentate gyrus (DG) is strongly influenced by ethanol, and ethanol experience alters long‐term memory consolidation dependent on the DG. However, it is unclear if DG plasticity plays a role in dysregulation of long‐term memory consolidation during abstinence from chronic ethanol experience. Outbred male Wistar rats experienced 7 weeks of chronic intermittent ethanol vapor exposure (CIE). Seventy‐two hours after CIE cessation, CIE and age‐matched ethanol‐naïve Air controls experienced auditory trace fear conditioning (TFC). Rats were tested for cue‐mediated retrieval in the fear context either twenty‐four hours (24 hr), ten days (10 days), or twenty‐one days (21 days) later. CIE rats showed enhanced freezing behavior during TFC acquisition compared to Air rats. Air rats showed significant fear retrieval, and this behavior did not differ at the three time points. In CIE rats, fear retrieval increased over time during abstinence, indicating an incubation in fear responses. Enhanced retrieval at 21 days was associated with reduced structural and functional plasticity of ventral granule cell neurons (GCNs) and reduced expression of synaptic proteins important for neuronal plasticity. Systemic treatment with the drug Isoxazole‐9 (Isx‐9; small molecule that stimulates DG plasticity) during the last week and a half of CIE blocked altered acquisition and retrieval of fear memories in CIE rats during abstinence. Concurrently, Isx‐9 modulated the structural and functional plasticity of ventral GCNs and the expression of synaptic proteins in the ventral DG. These findings identify that abstinence‐induced disruption of fear memory consolidation occurs via altered plasticity within the ventral DG, and that Isx‐9 prevented these effects.
Genetic variation in endocannabinoid signaling is associated with differential network‐level functional connectivity in youth
Authors: Sisk Lucinda M. , Rapuano Kristina M. , Conley May I. , Greene Abigail S. , Horien Corey , Rosenberg Monica D. , Scheinost Dustin , Constable R. Todd , Glatt Charles E. , Casey B. J. , Gee Dylan G. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe endocannabinoid system is an important regulator of emotional responses such as fear, and a number of studies have implicated endocannabinoid signaling in anxiety. The fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) C385A polymorphism, which is associated with enhanced endocannabinoid signaling in the brain, has been identified across species as a potential protective factor from anxiety. In particular, adults with the variant FAAH 385A allele have greater fronto‐amygdala connectivity and lower anxiety symptoms. Whether broader network‐level differences in connectivity exist, and when during development this neural phenotype emerges, remains unknown and represents an important next step in understanding how the FAAH C385A polymorphism impacts neurodevelopment and risk for anxiety disorders. Here, we leveraged data from 3,109 participants in the nationwide Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study℠ (10.04 ± 0.62 years old; 44.23% female, 55.77% male) and a cross‐validated, data‐driven approach to examine associations between genetic variation and large‐scale resting‐state brain networks. Our findings revealed a distributed brain network, comprising functional connections that were both significantly greater (95% CI for p values = [<0.001, <0.001]) and lesser (95% CI for p values = [0.006, <0.001]) in A‐allele carriers relative to non‐carriers. Furthermore, there was a significant interaction between genotype and the summarized connectivity of functional connections that were greater in A‐allele carriers, such that non‐carriers with connectivity more similar to A‐allele carriers (i.e., greater connectivity) had lower anxiety symptoms (β = −0.041, p = 0.030). These findings provide novel evidence of network‐level changes in neural connectivity associated with genetic variation in endocannabinoid signaling and suggest that genotype‐associated neural differences may emerge at a younger age than genotype‐associated differences in anxiety.
How do zebrafish (Danio rerio) respond to MK‐801 and amphetamine? Relevance for assessing schizophrenia‐related endophenotypes in alternative model organisms
Authors: Benvenutti Radharani , Gallas‐Lopes Matheus , Sachett Adrieli , Marcon Matheus , Strogulski Nathan Ryzewski , Reis Carlos Guilherme , Chitolina Rafael , Piato Angelo , Herrmann Ana Paula 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSchizophrenia pathophysiology has been associated with dopaminergic hyperactivity, NMDA receptor hypofunction, and redox dysregulation. Most behavioral assays and animal models to study this condition were developed in rodents, leaving room for species‐specific biases that could be avoided by cross‐species approaches. As MK‐801 and amphetamine are largely used in mice and rats to mimic schizophrenia features, this study aimed to compare the effects of these drugs in several zebrafish (Danio rerio) behavioral assays. Male and female adult zebrafish were exposed to MK‐801 (1, 5, and 10 μM) or amphetamine (0.625, 2.5, and 10 mg/L) and observed in paradigms of locomotor activity and social behavior. Oxidative parameters were quantified in brain tissue. Our results demonstrate that MK‐801 disrupted social interaction, an effect that resembles the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. It also altered locomotion in a context‐dependent manner, with hyperactivity when fish were tested in the presence of social cues and hypoactivity when tested alone. On the other hand, exposure to amphetamine was devoid of effects on locomotion and social behavior, while it increased lipid peroxidation in the brain. Key outcomes induced by MK‐801 in rodents, such as social interaction deficit and locomotor alterations, were replicated in zebrafish, corroborating previous studies and reinforcing the use of zebrafish to study schizophrenia‐related endophenotypes. More studies are necessary to assess the predictive validity of preclinical paradigms with this species and ultimately optimize the screening of potential novel treatments.
Emerging and advanced membrane technology for wastewater treatment: A review
Authors: Bera Sweta Parimita , Godhaniya Manoj , Kothari Charmy 
Published: September 2021

AbstractOver the years, conventional wastewater treatment processes have achieved to some extent in treating effluents for discharge pints. Development in wastewater treatment processes is essential to make treated wastewater reusable for industrial, agricultural, and domestic purposes. Membrane technology has emerged as an ideal technology for treating wastewater from different wastewater streams. Membrane technology is one of the most up‐to‐date advancements discovered to be successful in fundamentally lessening impurities to desired levels. In spite of having certain impediments, membrane bioreactors (MBRs) for biological wastewater treatment provide many advantages over conventional treatment. This review article covers all the aspects of membrane technology that are widely used in wastewater treatment process such as the principle of membrane technology, the classification of membrane technology processes in accordance to pressure, concentration, electrical and thermal‐driven processes, its application in different industries, advantages, disadvantages and the future prospective.
Searching for medical devices – Practical guidance
Authors: Cooper Chris , Dawson Sarah , Lefebvre Carol 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSystematic reviews of medical devices have generally adopted the same methodology for the conduct of their reviews as reviews of other clinical interventions, in particular, medicines. It has been suggested that these methods may need to be developed to account for the challenges of reviewing the evidence for medical devices when compared to reviews of medicines.The purpose of this research note is to focus on the methods of searching for medical devices. Our aim is to set out guidance on ‘how to search’ for medical devices. This includes:
Defining what you are searching for;
How to design a search strategy;
Searching bibliographic databases;
Searching beyond bibliographic databases; and
Search reporting.
The research note is written by three experienced searchers/researchers with experience of critically appraising Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme (MTEP) submissions, undertaking systematic searches and/or reviews of medical devices, or developing guidance for searching for studies for systematic reviews of the effectiveness of interventions, including medical devices. The research note includes a worked example of a search for a fictitious medical device.
Comparison of outcomes between neoadjuvant imatinib and upfront surgery in patients with localized rectal GIST: An inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis
Authors: Ling Jia‐Yu , Ding Miao‐Miao , Yang Zi‐Feng , Zhao Yan‐Dong , Xie Xiao‐Yu , Shi Li‐Shuo , Wang Huai‐Ming , Cao Wu‐Teng , Zhang Jian‐Wei , Hu Hua‐Bin , Cai Yue , Wang Hui , Deng Yan‐Hong 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThis study aimed to compare outcomes between neoadjuvant imatinib and upfront surgery in patients with localized rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) patients.MethodsEighty‐five patients with localized rectal GIST were divided into two groups: upfront surgery ± adjuvant imatinib (Group A, n = 33) and the neoadjuvant imatinib + surgery + adjuvant imatinib (Group B, n = 52). Baseline characteristics between groups were controlled for with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) adjusted analysis.ResultsThe response rate to neoadjuvant imatinib was 65.9%. After the IPTW‐adjusted analysis, patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy had better distant recurrence‐free survival (DRFS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS) compared with those who underwent upfront surgery (5‐year DRFS 97.8 vs. 71.9%, hazard ratio [HR], 0.15; 95% CI, 0.03–0.87; p = 0.03; 5‐year DSS 100 vs. 77.1%; HR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.01–0.92; p = 0.04). While no significant association was found between overall survival (OS) and treatment groups (p = 0.07), 5‐year OS was higher for the neoadjuvant group than upfront surgery group (97.8% vs. 71.9%; HR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.03–1.15).ConclusionsIn patients with localized rectal GIST, neoadjuvant imatinib not only shrunk the tumor size but also decreased the risk of metastasis and tumor‐related deaths when compared to upfront surgery and adjuvant imatinib alone.
Surgical and oncologic outcomes following arterial resection and reconstruction for advanced solid tumors
Authors: Cruz Sylvia M. , Basmaci Ugur N. , Bateni Cyrus P. , Darrow Morgan A. , Judge Sean J. , Monjazeb Arta M. , Thorpe Steven W. , Humphries Misty D. , Canter Robert J. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesAlthough arterial involvement for advanced tumors is rare, vascular resection may be indicated to achieve complete tumor resection. Given the potential morbidity of this approach, we sought to evaluate perioperative outcomes, vascular graft patency, and survival among patients undergoing tumor excision with en bloc arterial resection and reconstruction.MethodsFrom 2010 to 2020, we identified nine patients with tumors encasing or extensively abutting major arterial structures for whom en bloc arterial resection and reconstruction was performed.ResultsMean age was 53 ± 20 years, and 89% were females. Diagnoses were primary sarcomas (5), recurrent gynecologic carcinomas (3), and benign retroperitoneal fibrosis (1). Tumors involved the infrarenal aorta (2), iliac arteries (6), and superficial femoral artery (1). Three patients (33%) had severe perioperative morbidity (Grade III + ) with no mortality. At a median follow‐up of 23 months, eight patients (89%) had primary graft patency, and five patients (56%) had no evidence of disease.ConclusionsArterial resection and reconstruction as part of the multimodality treatment of regionally advanced tumors is associated with acceptable short‐ and long‐term outcomes, including excellent graft patency. In appropriately selected patients, involvement of major arterial structures should not be viewed as a contraindication to attempted curative surgery.
The efficiency of a combined injection technique for sentinel lymph node mapping in intermediate‐high‐risk endometrial cancer
Authors: Wang Qian , Wang Bo , Wang Lulu , Xue Yu , Shan Weiwei , Luo Xuezhen , Wang Chao , Chen Xiaojun 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesSentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping was considered for treating endometrial cancer (EC) which was apparent confined to the uterus. Nevertheless, intermediate‐high‐risk EC patients have super high risk to undergo isolated para‐aortic lymph node metastases comparing with low‐risk patients. Therefore, this investigation aimed to compare the efficacy of two SLN methods in detecting para‐aortic lymph node metastases.MethodsAccording to SLN mapping injection methods, intermediate‐high‐risk EC patients who received both SLN mapping and systematic lymphadenectomy were divided into the combined group (fundal and cervical injections) and the cervical group (cervical injection only).ResultsThe para‐aortic SLN detection rate in the combined group (40.4%) was higher than that in the cervical group (4.4%) with p < 0.001. While the differences concerning the sensitivity, false‐negative rate, and negative predictive value between the two groups were not significant. The survival outcomes of patients were comparable between the two groups.ConclusionOur data showcased that the combined (fundal and cervical) injection had a higher detection rate of para‐aortic SLNs than cervical injection only. The efficiency of SLN mapping and the survival outcomes were not significantly different between the two groups. Further investigations are warranted to assess the value of combined injection regarding SLN technique.
Adoption of multiple sustainable land management practices among irrigator rural farm households of Ethiopia
Authors: Bekele Rahel Deribe , Mirzabaev Alisher , Mekonnen Dawit 
Published: September 2021

AbstractUsing a household and plot‐level survey conducted in Ethiopia, this study analyses the difference in farmers' adoption of sustainable land management (SLM) practices between their rainfed and irrigated plots. The paper also investigates the varying influence of different types of irrigation water management systems and associated irrigation technologies on the adoption of SLM practices in irrigated plots. After controlling for heterogeneity among different irrigation water management systems and technologies, we found that access to irrigation play major role in enhancing farmers' motivation to adopt more SLM practices. Furthermore, the combined effect of irrigation water management system and irrigation technology on type and number of SLM practices adopted is quite varied and very significant. The evidence highlights that farmers adopt more SLM practices in their plots with pump irrigation compared with those plots where gravity irrigation is applied because pump irrigation systems enhance complementarities with SLM practices. Finally, the findings underscore that the type of irrigation water management and the irrigation technology applied play an important role in restoring degraded lands and maintaining soil fertility, even when farmers' adoption of irrigation was not explicitly triggered by concerns for soil health.