bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis C reinfection by treatment pathway among people who inject drugs in Tayside, Scotland
Authors: Caven Madeleine , Baiano Cassandra X. , Robinson Emma M. , Stephens Brian , Macpherson Iain , Dillon John F. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe efficacy of direct‐acting antivirals (DAA) provides an excellent opportunity to scale up HCV diagnosis and treatment, achieving the WHO target of HCV elimination by 2030. However, HCV reinfection among people who inject drugs (PWID) remains a concern and may impede elimination efforts. We assessed reinfection rates among PWID across six specialized treatment pathways, following DAA‐based and interferon‐based therapies in Tayside, Scotland. Data were collected retrospectively for every treatment episode that resulted in a sustained viral response (SVR) after undergoing treatment. Reinfection rates were calculated for each treatment pathway: hospital outpatient clinic; community pharmacy; drug treatment outreach; prison clinic; nurse‐led outreach clinic; and injection equipment provision site. Reinfection is defined as a positive RNA test result after SVR. Incidences of reinfection are expressed in 100 person‐years (PYs). In total, 916 treatment episodes met selection criteria. Of these, 100 reinfections were identified, generating an overall reinfection rate of 5.27 per 100 PYs (95%CI: 4.36–6.38). The hospital outpatient clinic had the lowest reinfection incidence (1.81 per 100 PYs, 95%CI: 1.11–2.93), with the injection equipment provision site treatment pathway having the highest reinfection incidence (19.89 per 100 PYs, 95%CI: 14.91–26.54). The incidence of reinfection among those treated with interferon‐based therapies and those treated with DAA‐based therapies was 4.93 per 100 PYs (95%CI: 3.97–6.11) and 7.17 per 100 PYs (95%CI: 4.75–10.82), respectively. Specialized treatment pathways in Tayside yield varying reinfection incidence rates, with different subpopulations of patients at varying risk of reinfection post‐SVR. Results suggest that resources should be targeted at the injection equipment provision site pathway in order to reduce the incidence of reinfection and achieve elimination targets. The study found comparable rates of reinfection following interferon‐based and DAA‐based therapies, providing support for widening access to treatment services.
Comparison of effectiveness between modified transvaginal mesh surgery and vaginal pessary treatment in patients with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse
Authors: Kinjo Manami , Tanba Mitsuko , Masuda Kazuki , Nakamura Yu , Tanbo Mitsuhiro , Fukuhara Hiroshi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectivesThis study aimed to compare the efficacy of modified transvaginal mesh (TVM) surgery and vaginal pessary in patients with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP).MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 130 patients with symptomatic POP treated with either modified TVM (n = 62) or vaginal pessary (n = 68). To evaluate the prolapse, lower urinary tract, bowel, and sexual symptoms and prolapse‐related quality of life (QOL) were assessed using the prolapse QOL questionnaire. All questionnaires were completed before treatment and 1 year after the treatment.ResultsOne year after the treatment, the prolapse and voiding symptoms and all prolapse‐related QOL domains, except for the personal relationships and sleep/energy, were significantly improved in the pessary group. The prolapse, urinary storage, voiding, bowel, and sexual symptoms and all QOL domains significantly improved in the modified‐TVM group.ConclusionsBoth the modified TVM surgery and vaginal pessary effectively treated prolapse and voiding symptoms and improved most of the prolapse‐related QOL domains. Modified TVM surgery was more effective in improving urinary storage, bowel, and sexual symptoms than the pessary treatment. Modified TVM seemed to position the organs more correctly to improve bladder, bowel, and sexual function than pessary insertion.
Child growth faltering dynamics in food insecure districts in rural Ethiopia
Authors: Hirvonen Kalle , Wolle Abdulazize , Laillou Arnaud , Vinci Vincenzo , Chitekwe Stanley , Baye Kaleab 
Published: September 2021

AbstractChild undernutrition disproportionally affects children in low‐ and middle‐income countries. In Ethiopia, both wasting and stunting are serious public health concerns, with high human and economic costs. Understanding the dynamics in ponderal and linear growth faltering is critical to inform the design of innovative interventions that can prevent both wasting and stunting in poor and complex settings. Using two longitudinal studies conducted in 2017 and 2019 in four highland regions of Ethiopia, we evaluated the dynamics and drivers of child growth faltering in children 6–23 months of age (N = 5003). Child wasting prevalence peaked during the first 6 months of life, whereas stunting increased significantly after 6 months of age. Male sex, child illnesses (i.e., diarrhoea or fever) and low consumption of fruits and vegetables were associated with higher odds of acute undernutrition (P < 0.05). The consumption of animal source foods (ASF) was associated with increases (β: 95% CI) in weight‐for‐length Z‐score (WLZ; 0.12: 0.0002; 0.242), whereas fruit or vegetables consumption was associated with increases in midupper arm circumference (MUAC; 0.11 cm: 0.003; 0.209). Only consumption of ASF was the statistically significant predictor of future linear growth (0.14: 0.029; 0.251). Distinct trends in WLZ and MUAC were observed by child sex and age. Improving diet quality through improved nutrition knowledge and increased access and affordability of ASFs, along with effective infection prevention/control measures could prevent both child wasting and stunting concurrently.
Finicky transfer learning—A method of pruning convolutional neural networks for cracks classification on edge devices
Authors: Żarski Mateusz , Wójcik Bartosz , Książek Kamil , Miszczak Jarosław Adam 
Published: September 2021

AbstractHigh demand for computational power significantly limits the possibility of using modern deep learning methods in the environments where one has to deal with devices limited by the performance and the energy constraints. To address this issue, this paper proposes a novel method of combining the pruning and the transfer learning (TL) techniques for the purpose of delivering solid accuracy while simultaneously lowering the demand for energy and computing power. This method is referred to as finicky TL as it is finicky during the process of selecting filters from a pretrained feature extractor to compose a sparser architecture. The proposed filter selection process is based on an original approach utilizing the Jaccard similarity coefficient calculated between the activation maps and the masks obtained by semantic segmentation. This enables the use of convolutional neural networks, trained previously on a large generic dataset, in a crack classification task. The presented method significantly lowers the inference time while maintaining or even slightly increasing the classification accuracy, enabling real‐time operation on single‐board computers.
Distribution and abundance of common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) over the French Mediterranean continental shelf
Authors: Labach Hélène , Azzinari Caroline , Barbier Maxime , Cesarini Cathy , Daniel Boris , David Léa , Dhermain Frank , Di‐Méglio Nathalie , Guichard Benjamin , Jourdan Julie , Lauret Valentin , Robert Nicolas , Roul Marine , Tomasi Nicolas , Gimenez Olivier 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) subpopulation in the Mediterranean is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This species is strictly protected in France and the designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) is required under the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC). However, little information is available about the structure and dynamics of bottlenose dolphins in French Mediterranean waters. We collected photo‐identification data over the whole French Mediterranean continental shelf year‐round between 2013 and 2015. We sighted 151 groups of bottlenose dolphins allowing the individual photo‐identification of 766 animals. The encounter rate distribution showed the presence of bottlenose dolphins over the whole continental shelf year‐round. We estimated for the first time, using capture‐recapture methods, the size of this bottlenose dolphin population at 2,350 individuals, 95% credible interval [1,827, 3,135]. Our results were used in support of the designation of a new dedicated SAC in the Gulf of Lion and provide a baseline for the bottlenose dolphin monitoring in the French Mediterranean waters in the context of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
Strigolactone biosynthesis catalyzed by cytochrome P450 and sulfotransferase in sorghum
Authors: Yoda Akiyoshi , Mori Narumi , Akiyama Kohki , Kikuchi Mayu , Xie Xiaonan , Miura Kenji , Yoneyama Kaori , Sato‐Izawa Kanna , Yamaguchi Shinjiro , Yoneyama Koichi , Nelson David C. , Nomura Takahito 
Published: September 2021

Summary

Root parasitic plants such as Striga, Orobanche, and Phelipanche spp. cause serious damage to crop production world‐wide. Deletion of the Low Germination Stimulant 1 (LGS1) gene gives a Striga‐resistance trait in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). The LGS1 gene encodes a sulfotransferase‐like protein, but its function has not been elucidated.

Since the profile of strigolactones (SLs) that induce seed germination in root parasitic plants is altered in the lgs1 mutant, LGS1 is thought to be an SL biosynthetic enzyme. In order to clarify the enzymatic function of LGS1, we looked for candidate SL substrates that accumulate in the lgs1 mutants and performed in vivo and in vitro metabolism experiments.

We found the SL precursor 18‐hydroxycarlactonoic acid (18‐OH‐CLA) is a substrate for LGS1. CYP711A cytochrome P450 enzymes (SbMAX1 proteins) in sorghum produce 18‐OH‐CLA. When LGS1 and SbMAX1 coding sequences were co‐expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana with the upstream SL biosynthesis genes from sorghum, the canonical SLs 5‐deoxystrigol and 4‐deoxyorobanchol were produced.

This finding showed that LGS1 in sorghum uses a sulfo group to catalyze leaving of a hydroxyl group and cyclization of 18‐OH‐CLA. A similar SL biosynthetic pathway has not been found in other plant species.
Correlation Analysis for Selection of Microtitanium Plates with Different Specifications for Use in a Cervical Vertebral Dome Expansion Laminoplasty
Authors: Zhou Run‐tian , Zhao Xiao‐feng , Zhao Yi‐bo , Lu Xiang‐dong , Fan Zhi‐feng , Qi De‐tai , Wang Xiao‐nan , Jin Yuan‐zhang , Zhao Bin 
Published: September 2021

ObjectiveTo analyze correlations between the selection of microtitanium plates with different specifications for use in a cervical vertebral dome expansion laminoplasty.MethodsSixteen patients that underwent the cervical vertebral dome expansion laminoplasty with a cervical spinal stenosis angioplasty procedure for treatment of their cervical spinal cords were recruited at our hospital. From February 2017 to September 2018, medical records confirmed that all patients underwent cervical CT and MRI tests pre‐ and postsurgery. The anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal, changes in the cross‐sectional area of the spinal canal, and the pre‐ and postsurgery distance of the cervical spinal cord after applying microtitanium plates with different lengths were measured by Mimics version 17.0 software (Materialise NV, Leuven, Belgium). A statistical regression and correlation analysis of relevant specification parameters of the microtitanium plate was then studied.ResultsAs the size of the microtitanium plate increased, we found that the cross‐sectional area of cervical spinal canal and distance between the descendants of the lamina and the distance of cervical spinal cord concordantly increased, and these data changes linearly. The regression equation associated with sagittal diameter, cross‐sectional area, and posterior movement distance of the cervical spinal cord was obtained.ConclusionAccording to the correlation analysis of imaging data changes, the regression equation was obtained to guide the selection of microtitanium plates with appropriate specifications in a cervical vertebral dome expansion laminoplasty.
The use of tracheostomy to support critically ill children receiving orthotopic liver transplantation: a single‐center experience
Authors: Mian Muhammad Umair M. , Kennedy Curtis , Fogarty Thomas , Naeem Buria , Lam Fong , Coss‐Bu Jorge , Arikan Ayse A. , Nguyen Trung , Bashir Dalia , Virk Manpreet , Harpavat Sanjiv , Raynor Tiffany , Rana Abbas A. , Goss John , Leung Daniel , Desai Moreshwar S. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundChildren with end‐stage liver disease and multi‐organ failure, previously considered as poor surgical candidates, can now benefit from liver transplantation (LT). They often need prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) post‐LT and may need tracheostomy to advance care. Data on tracheostomy after pediatric LT are lacking.MethodRetrospective chart review of children who required tracheostomy in the peri‐LT period in a large, freestanding quaternary children's hospital from 2014 to 2019.ResultsOut of 205 total orthotopic LTs performed in 200 children, 18 (9%) required tracheostomy in the peri‐transplant period: 4 (2%) pre‐LT and 14 (7%) post‐LT. Among those 14 needing tracheostomy post‐LT, median age was 9 months [IQR = 7, 14] at LT and 10 months [9, 17] at tracheostomy. Nine (64%) were infants and 12 (85%) were cirrhotic at the time of LT. Seven (50%) were intubated before LT. Median MV days prior to LT was 23 [7, 36]. Eight (57%) patients received perioperative continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). The median MV days from LT to tracheostomy was 46 [33, 56]; total MV days from initial intubation to tracheostomy was 57 [37, 66]. Four (28%) children died, of which 3 (21%) died within 1 year of transplant. Total ICU and hospital length of stay were 92 days [I72, 126] and 177 days [115, 212] respectively. Among survivors, 3/10 (30%) required MV at home and 8/10 (80%) were successfully decannulated at 400 median days [283, 584].ConclusionTracheostomy though rare after LT remains a feasible option to support and rehabilitate critically ill children who need prolonged MV in the peri‐LT period.
Narrow vessels cavitate first during a simulated drought in Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Authors: Barigah Têtè Sévérien , Gyenge Javier Enrique , Barreto Florencia , Rozenberg Philippe , Fernández María Elena 
Published: September 2021

AbstractEstablishing drying‐limits for mortality of different tree species and understanding the anatomical and physiological traits involved is crucial to predict forests' responses to climate change. The xylem of Eucalyptus camaldulensis presents a complex of solitary vessels surrounded by different imperforate tracheary elements and parenchyma that influence, in a poorly known way, its hydraulic functioning. We aimed at describing the dynamics of embolism propagation in this type of xylem, seeking any vessel‐size pattern, and unraveling the threshold of xylem embolism leading to nonrecovery after drought in E. camaldulensis. We assigned potted saplings to a protracted water‐stress for 70 days. We relied on colorimetric and hydraulic methods to test for links between xylem anatomy and embolism propagation in the main stem. On average, the occurrence of embolism was randomly distributed in the stem xylem, but the probability of embolized vessels was higher than predicted by chance in the narrowest vessels of individuals that experienced low to moderate water‐stress. The saplings could recover from severe water‐stress if their percentage loss of conductance (PLC) was <77%, but not when the PLC was ˃ 85%. We concluded that, contrary to results reported for most species, the narrowest vessels are the most vulnerable to cavitation in E. camaldulensis, suggesting a lack of tradeoff between xylem efficiency and safety (in response to drought) at the tissue level. These results challenge the well‐established paradigm of the effect of vessel size on cavitation, which states that the widest conduits are the most vulnerable to both freeze–thaw and drought‐induced cavitation.
The inhibition of CD4+ T cell proinflammatory response by lactic acid is independent of monocarboxylate transporter 1
Authors: Yang Peng , Sun Ying , Zhang Min , Hu Linhan , Wang Xinwei , Luo Longlong , Qiao Chunxia , Wang Jing , Xiao He , Li Xinying , Feng Jiannan , Chen Yu , Zheng Yuanqiang , Shi Yanchun , Chen Guojiang 
Published: September 2021

AbstractLactic acid was originally a by‐product of glucose metabolism, but many studies have shown that lactic acid plays a vital role in regulating immune cell polarization, differentiation and effector functions. In this study, we provide evidence that lactic acid and low pH impaired the effector function of CD4+ T cells in response to TCR and non‐TCR stimulation. Specifically, lactic acid or hydrochloric acid treatment significantly decreased IL‐2 and IFN‐γ production as well as CD25/CD69 expression. Furthermore, although MCT1 was required for the suppression of CD25 and CD69 expression by lactic acid, using pharmacological inhibition and genetic deletion, we demonstrated that it was dispensable for lactic acid‐mediated inhibition of IL‐2 and IFN‐γ production.
Voter experience and ballot language framing effects: Evidence from a survey experiment
Authors: Rossier Ted D. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectiveDiscover the extent to which habitual voting may alter the effects of framing in the language of ballot measures.MethodsOnline survey was conducted using Amazon Mechanical Turk crowd labor service. Participants were presented with two ballot questions with two separate sets of language, randomized so that each participant had an equal chance of seeing either version. Logistic regression was used to analyze responses.ResultsSupport for one measure was drastically reduced with the change in question framing; for the other, the results were inconclusive. None of the models exhibited any evidence that habitual voting mitigated framing effects.ConclusionExperienced voters are no more immune to framing effects than inexperienced voters.
The new older adult participant in American politics
Authors: Burge Ryan P. , Bramlett Brittany H. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis article analyzes the politics of older Americans in the 21st century. Older Americans have been significantly involved in American politics, relative to younger generations. Political participation typically increases with age, even ramping up during the early period of older adulthood. However, past work has indicated that political participation drops off due to frailty and loss of cognition in the latest years of the life span. And, yet, people are living longer than in previous decades when much of the past research on this relationship was conducted. We want to know whether these relationships remain consistent and want to especially analyze the old–old, a growing age group that has been difficult to study in the past due to their low numbers in traditional surveys. With tens of thousands of respondents, survey data from the Cooperative Election Studies from 2008 to 2020 allow us to analyze these older groups in recent years, across types of participation and party affiliation. We find that there is not much of a dip in political activity among the old–old. They are still quite active, particularly when it comes to donating money to campaigns and voting. Additionally, through analyzing birth cohorts, we find that political activity gradually increases as people age through their 60s and 70s and does not notably decline when they move into the old–old age group.
The new donor vigilance system in Denmark reveals regional differences in adverse reactions supposedly caused by variation in the registration
Authors: Mikkelsen Christina , Paarup Helene Martina , Bruun Mie Topholm , Pedersen Louise Ørnskov , Hasslund Sys , Larsen Rune , Aagaard Bitten , Sørensen Betina Samuelsen 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesIn recent years, there has been an increased focus among blood bank professionals on the health and safety of blood donors. In 2019, the Danish Haemovigilance Committee designed a national donor vigilance system to improve the registration of adverse reactions (AR) in blood donors. The new donor vigilance system was implemented on 1 January 2020 and we here present the results from the first year of registration.Materials and MethodsAR categories, severity level and imputability score were defined based on the definitions from the International Society of Blood Transfusion, AABB and the European Commission directive 2005/61/EC, respectively.ResultsAcross all severity levels, AR in Danish blood donors were found to be rare (1498 per 100,000 donations). Only 0.2% of the registered reactions were classified as serious (2.7 per 100,000 donations). Large regional differences were seen in the registration of citrate reactions and haematomas.ConclusionSignificant differences across regions in what to categorize as an AR were persistent even when including a severity score in the reporting. The Danish Haemovigilance Committee will commence a national work to align the definitions but suggests that this matter is raised to an international level as part of the current work to agree upon definitions for assessment of donor AR.
Roller Massage Prior to Running Does Not Affect Gait Mechanics in Well-Trained Runners
Authors: Hunter Jessica G. , Garcia Gina L. , Ranadive Sushant M. , Shim Jae Kun , Miller Ross H. 
Published: September 2021

Context:Understanding if roller massage prior to a run can mitigate fatigue-related decrements in muscle force production during prolonged running is important because of the association between fatigue and running-related injury.Objective:The authors investigated whether a bout of roller massage prior to running would (1) mitigate fatigue-related increases in vertical average load rate and free moment of the ground reaction force of running and (2) mitigate decreases in maximal countermovement jump height.Design:Repeated-measures study.Setting:Laboratory.Participants:A total of 14 recreational endurance athletes (11 men and 3 women) volunteered for the study.Interventions:A 12.5-minute foam roller protocol for the lower extremities and a fatiguing 30-minute treadmill run.Main Outcome Measures:Vertical average load rate, free moment, and maximal jump height before (PRE) and after (POST) the fatiguing treadmill run on separate experimental days: once where participants sat quietly prior to the fatiguing run (REST) and another where the foam roller protocol was performed prior to the run (ROLL).Results:A 2-way multiple analysis of variance found no significant differences in vertical average load rate, free moment, and jump height between PRE/POST times in both REST/ROLL conditions.Conclusions:The authors concluded that recreational endurance athletes maintain running mechanics and jump performance after a fatiguing run regardless of prerun roller massage and may not rely on prerun roller massage as a form of injury prevention.