bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of procedural efficacy and biophysical parameters between two competing cryoballoon technologies for pulmonary vein isolation: Insights from an initial multicenter experience
Authors: Yap Sing‐Chien , Anic Ante , Breskovic Toni , Haas Annika , Bhagwandien Rohit E. , Jurisic Zrinka , Szili‐Torok Tamas , Luik Armin 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIntroductionRecently a novel cryoballoon system (POLARx, Boston Scientific) became available for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. This cryoballoon is comparable with Arctic Front Advance Pro (AFA‐Pro, Medtronic), however, it maintains a constant balloon pressure. We compared the procedural efficacy and biophysical characteristics of both systems.MethodsOne hundred and ten consecutive patients who underwent first‐time cryoballoon ablation (POLARx: n = 57; AFA‐Pro: n = 53) were included in this prospective cohort study.ResultsAcute isolation was achieved in 99.8% of all pulmonary veins (POLARx: 99.5% vs. AFA‐Pro: 100%, p = 1.00). Total procedure time (81 vs. 67 min, p < .001) and balloon in body time (51 vs. 35 min, p < .001) were longer with POLARx. After a learning curve, these times were similar. Cryoablation with POLARx was associated with shorter time to balloon temperature −30°C (27 vs. 31 s, p < .001) and −40°C (32 vs. 54 s, p < .001), lower balloon nadir temperature (−55°C vs. −47°C, p < .001), and longer thawing time till 0°C (16 vs. 9 s, p < .001). There were no differences in time‐to‐isolation (TTI; POLARx: 45 s vs. AFA‐Pro 43 s, p = .441), however, POLARx was associated with a lower balloon temperature at TTI (−46°C vs. −37°C, p < .001). Factors associated with acute isolation differed between groups. The incidence of phrenic nerve palsy was comparable (POLARx: 3.5% vs. AFA‐Pro: 3.7%).ConclusionThe novel cryoballoon is comparable to AFA‐Pro and requires only a short learning curve to get used to the slightly different handling. It was associated with faster cooling rates and lower balloon temperatures but TTI was similar to AFA‐Pro.
Seraprevir and sofosbuvir for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection: A single‐arm, open‐label, phase 3 trial
Authors: Kong Fei , Wen Xiaoyu , Wen Xiaofeng , Wang Xiaozhong , Wu Guicheng , Lin Shide , Wang Li , Xing Huichun , Yan Xuebing , Zheng Sujun , Ning Qin , Wang Zheng , Zhang Liaoyun , Lin Jianmei , Tong Zhaowei , Huang Chengyu , Su Minghua , Tong Lixin , Jia Jidong , Xin Yongning , Zhu Qingjing , Wang Jing , Chen Li , Li Xiaowen , Wu Xuegang , Niu Duan , Liu Quan , Wei Wei , Zhang Yuexin , Li Guangming , Niu Junqi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackground and AimThis single‐arm, open‐label, multicenter, phase 3 trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of seraprevir, an hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 3/4A (NS3/4A) inhibitor, combined with sofosbuvir for treating Chinese patients with chronic HCV infection without cirrhosis.MethodsTreatment‐naive or interferon‐experienced adult patients without cirrhosis were treated with a universal, combinational regimen of seraprevir 100 mg, twice daily and sofosbuvir 400 mg, once daily, for 12 or 24 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virologic response at week 12 after treatment (SVR12).ResultsOverall, 205 patients with genotype 1 HCV infection without cirrhosis were enrolled from 23 sites, 202 of whom completed the full treatment and post‐treatment course and 3 discontinued follow‐up. In total, 27 patients (13.2%) were interferon experienced. SVR12 was achieved by 201 out of 205 (98.0% [95% CI, 95.1%, 99.5%]) patients, 100.0% of patients with genotype 1a, and 98.0% of genotype 1b. In the other exploratory study, SVR 12 was achieved by 100% patients with genotype 2 (n = 21), genotype 3 (n = 7), and genotype 6 (n = 8). The majority of adverse events were mild to moderate and transient and did not require a specific medical intervention.ConclusionsThe all‐oral, ribavirin‐free regimen of seraprevir and sofosbuvir is an effective and well‐tolerated treatment option for Chinese patients mono‐infected with HCV, including those with a history of interferon treatment.
The development of food portion sizes suitable for 4–18‐year‐old children used in a theoretical meal plan meeting energy and nutrient requirements
Authors: More J. A. , Lanigan J. , Emmett P. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundHealthy eating guidelines for school‐aged children are available but without advice on portion sizes. This is a concern because consuming large portions is associated with an increased risk of overweight/obesity. The present study aimed to calculate recommended portion sizes for school‐aged children based on weight for age and use them to develop a meal plan to meet nutritional needs within energy requirements.MethodsPortion size data on foods consumed by school‐aged children (4–18 years) were extracted from two sources: (i) British National Diet and Nutrition Survey (1997) and (ii) Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (1997–2006). Foods were allocated to groups based on the UK Eatwell Guide and the US My Plate Model. Portion sizes were developed for a variety of foods. A meal plan that included portion size guidance and met healthy eating guidelines was developed based on the number of portions of each food group needed to meet dietary requirements.ResultsPortion sizes were developed for 131 foods that were commonly eaten by children in age groups 4–6, 7–10, 11–14 and 15–18 years. The meal plan met requirements for energy and nutrients as specified by UK dietary reference values, except for vitamin D for which there are few dietary sources.ConclusionsFood portion sizes informed by usual intake in UK children can help inform dietary advice for a range of childhood settings and for parents. The meal plan included a wide variety of foods to encourage dietary diversity and meet energy and nutrient needs for school‐aged children.
Motives for weight loss and weight loss maintenance: results from the MedWeight study
Authors: Poulimeneas Dimitrios , Anastasiou Costas A. , Kokkinos Alexander , Panagiotakos Demosthenes B. , Yannakoulia Mary 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe relationship of weight loss motives with long‐term outcomes is equivocal. We aimed to examine differences in weight loss motives of maintainers and regainers, as well as explore associations between motives and successful maintenance.MethodsThe study sample includes 607 adults, with a history of overweight/obesity and self‐reported ≥10% voluntary weight loss, 12 months before study entry. Participants were classified as maintainers (weighing ≤90% maximum weight) or regainers. Volunteers identified possible motives for weight loss and maintenance (maintainers only), from a specific list.ResultsBoth maintainers and regainers were predominantly motivated by physical appearance (38.6% versus 39.9%, P > 0.05) and self‐esteem (26.8% versus 32.0%, P > 0.05) for weight loss. Compared to regainers, more maintainers reported weight reduction driven by social purposes (16.6% versus 9.4%, P = 0.022) and less were prompted by friends/family to lose weight (21.1% versus 31.7%, P = 0.005). In maintainers, shifts in motives from weight loss to maintenance phase were found, including an increased prevalence of health motives (6.4% versus 9.6%, P < 0.001) and decreased physical appearance motives (38.6% versus 30.3%, P < 0.001). Reporting physical appearance as main maintenance motive was inversely associated with maintained weight loss, after adjusting for age, sex and years of education (B = −3.49 [1.07], P = 0.001); maintainers reporting physical appearance as the main motive maintained 3.5% less weight loss compared to those who did not (P = 0.001).ConclusionsThe present study has highlighted motivational influences associated with weight loss outcomes. Future studies should explore the ability of people with overweight/obesity to act upon motives for long‐term weight management, as well as the impact of shifting through motives on the magnitude of maintenance.
The Anti/Corruption Continuum: Generation, Politics and Grassroots Anti‐Corruption Mobilization in Guatemala
Authors: Burrell Jennifer , El Kotni Mounia , Calmo Ramiro Fernando 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis article takes anticorruption activism as a starting point for analyzing how young activists unequally experience the inequalities produced by corruption, as well as the bureaucratic and financial weight of anticorruption and audit culture. Against the backdrop of Guatemala's now‐defunct pioneering anticorruption commission, the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), we utilize the concept of the anti/corruption continuum to analyze the contradictory positions of young people fighting against and depending on corruption for their economic survival. Gender, age, and class dynamics and young people's economic precarity make clientelism difficult to avoid and often curtail participation in movements for change. While most discussions of the CICIG's work focus on the national level, this is a unique view on how national‐level politics reverberated locally in a Mayan community.
Deconstructing cissexism: The journey of becoming an affirmative family therapist for transgender and nonbinary clients
Authors: McGeorge Christi R. , Coburn Katelyn O. , Walsdorf Ashley A. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis article proposes a model for family therapists to become more competent, inclusive, and affirmative in their clinical work with transgender and nonbinary clients. In particular, this article details: (1) barriers to transgender and nonbinary affirmative therapy, (2) impacts of these barriers on transgender and nonbinary people's mental health, (3) a three‐step model for becoming an affirmative therapist for transgender and nonbinary clients, and (4) strategies for deconstructing cissexism in therapy. This goal of this article is to invite family therapists to join in on a lifelong journey of “becoming” an affirmative therapist for transgender and nonbinary clients, a journey on which none of us will ever “arrive”. We can, however, take continual action to minimize the negative impacts of cissexism on therapists and clients; this article offers ideas for a place to start.
Three‐dimensional visualization of the bovine cardiac conduction system and surrounding structures compared to the arrangements in the human heart
Authors: De Almeida Marcos C. , Mori Shumpei , Anderson Robert H. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn the human heart, the atrioventricular node is located toward the apex of the triangle of Koch, which is also at the apex of the inferior pyramidal space. It is adjacent to the atrioventricular portion of the membranous septum, through which it penetrates to become the atrioventricular bundle. Subsequent to its penetration, the conduction axis is located on the crest of the ventricular septum, sandwiched between the muscular septum and ventricular component of the membranous septum, where it gives rise to the ramifications of the left bundle branch. In contrast, the bovine conduction axis has a long non‐branching component, which penetrates into a thick muscular atrioventricular septum having skirted the main cardiac bone and the rightward half of the non‐coronary sinus of the aortic root. It commonly gives rise to both right and left bundle branches within the muscular ventricular septum. Unlike the situation in man, the left bundle branch is long and thin before it branches into its fascicles. These differences from the human heart, however, have yet to be shown in three‐dimensions relative to the surrounding structures. We have now achieved this goal by injecting contrast material into the insulating sheaths that surround the conduction network, evaluating the results by subsequent computed tomography. The fibrous atrioventricular membranous septum of the human heart is replaced in the ox by the main cardiac bone and the muscular atrioventricular septum. The apex of the inferior pyramidal space, which in the bovine, as in the human, is related to the atrioventricular node, is placed inferiorly relative to the left ventricular outflow tract. The bovine atrioventricular conduction axis, therefore, originates from a node itself located inferiorly compared to the human arrangement. The axis must then skirt the non‐coronary sinus of the aortic root prior to penetrating the thicker muscular ventricular septum, thus accounting for its long non‐branching course. We envisage that our findings will further enhance comparative anatomical research.
Factors that contribute to the impairment of quality of life in gastroparesis
Authors: Parkman Henry P. , Wilson Laura A. , Yates Katherine P. , Koch Kenneth L. , Abell Thomas L. , McCallum Richard W. , Sarosiek Irene , Kuo Braden , Malik Zubair , Schey Ron , Shulman Robert J. , Grover Madhusudan , Farrugia Gianrico , Miriel Laura , Tonascia James , Hamilton Frank , Pasricha Pankaj J. ,   For the NIDDK/NIH Clinical Gastroparesis Consortium
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundUnderstanding factors that impair quality of life (QOL) in gastroparesis is important for clinical management. Aims: (a) Determine QOL in patients with gastroparesis; (b) Determine factors that impair QOL.MethodsGastroparetic patientsAQ6 underwent history and questionnaires assessing symptoms (PAGI‐SYM and Rome III), QOL (SF‐36v2 and PAGI‐QOL), depression (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]), and anxiety (State Trait Anxiety InventoryAQ7).Key Results715 gastroparesis patients (256 diabetic (DG), 459 idiopathic (IG)) were evaluated. SF‐36 physical component (PC) score averaged 33.3 ± 10.5; 41% had impaired score <30. SF‐36 PC scores were similar between diabetic and idiopathic gastroparesis. Impaired SF‐36 PC associated with increased nausea/vomiting and upper abdominal pain subscores, acute onset of symptoms, higher number of comorbidities, use of narcotic pain medications, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). SF‐36 mental component (MC) score averaged 38.9 ± 13.0; 26% had impaired score <30. Poor SF‐36 MC associated with diabetic etiology, higher Beck depression inventory, and state anxiety scores. PAGI‐QOL score averaged 2.6 ± 1.1; 50% had a score of <2.6. Low PAGI‐QOL associated with higher fullness, bloating, and upper abdominal pain subscores, more depression and Trait anxiety, smoking cigarettes, need for nutritional support, progressively worsening symptoms and periodic exacerbations.Conclusions & InferencesMultiple measures show poor QOL present in gastroparesis. Several areas impacted on reduced QOL: (a) Symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, as well as IBS; (b) Etiology and acute onset and progressively worsening symptoms; (c) Comorbidities and psychological factors such as anxiety and depression; (d) Patient‐related factors such as smoking. Targeting the modifiable factors may improve patient outcomes in gastroparesis.
Low Use of Ocular Sun Protection among Agricultural Workers in South Africa: Need for Further Research
Authors: Linde Karlien , Wright Caradee Yael , Kapwata Thandi , du Plessis Johannes Lodewykus 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAlthough ocular diseases related to solar ultraviolet radiation exposure have a high prevalence in Africa, little is known about the occupational use of ocular photoprotective measures on the continent. In a survey of South Africa farmworkers on a farm in the Limpopo Province, we analyzed factors related to ocular sun protection including use of different types of hats and sunglasses in relation to age, gender and duration of agricultural employment. Majority of participants (80%) never wore sunglasses while 23% never wore a hat when working. More male workers used measures to protect their eyes than female workers. The type of hat most worn was a cap although broad‐brimmed hats provide more effective photoprotection. The need for awareness campaigns that focus on the importance of using photoprotective measures in both an agricultural and South Africa contexts was identified.
Insights into the plant responses to drought and decoding the potential of root associated microbiome for inducing drought tolerance
Authors: Mathur Piyush , Roy Swarnendu 
Published: January 2021

AbstractGlobal increase in water scarcity is a serious problem for sustaining crop productivity. The lack of water causes the degeneration of the photosynthetic apparatus, an imbalance in key metabolic pathways, an increase in free radical generation as well as weakens the root architecture of plants. Drought is one of the major stresses that directly interferes with the osmotic status of plant cells. Abscisic acid (ABA) is known to be a key player in the modulation of drought responses in plants and involvement of both ABA‐dependent and ABA‐independent pathways have been observed during drought. Concomitantly, other phytohormones such as auxins, ethylene, gibberellins, cytokinins, jasmonic acid also confer drought tolerance and a crosstalk between different phytohormones and transcription factors at the molecular level exists. A number of drought‐responsive genes and transcription factors have been utilized for producing transgenic plants for improved drought tolerance. Despite relentless efforts, biotechnological advances have failed to design completely stress tolerant plants until now. The root microbiome is the hidden treasure that possesses immense potential to revolutionize the strategies for inducing drought resistance in plants. Root microbiota consist of plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria, endophytes and mycorrhizas that form a consortium with the roots. Rhizospheric microbes are proliferous producers of phytohormones, mainly auxins, cytokinin, and ethylene as well as enzymes like the 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate deaminase (ACC deaminase) and metabolites like exopolysaccharides that help to induce systemic tolerance against drought. This review, therefore focuses on the major mechanisms of plant‐microbe interactions under drought‐stressed conditions and emphasizes the importance of drought‐tolerant microbes for sustaining and improving the productivity of crop plants under stress.
Trade and capital flows: Substitutes or complements? An empirical investigation
Authors: Belke Ansgar , Domnick Clemens 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis paper examines the linkages between the trade of goods and financial assets. Do both flows behave as complements (implying a positive correlation) or as substitutes (negative correlation)? Although a classic topic in international macroeconomics, the empirical evidence has remained relatively scarce so far, in particular for the Euro area where trade and financial imbalance played a prominent role in the build‐up of the European sovereign debt crisis. Consequentially, we use a novel dataset, providing estimates for financial flows and its four main categories for 42 countries and covering the period from 2002 to 2012, to test the so‐called trade‐finance nexus. Since theoretical models stress that both flows might be influencing each other simultaneously, we introduce a novel time‐varying instrumental variable based on capital control restrictions to estimate a causal effect. The results of the gravity regressions support theories that underline the complementarity between exports and capital flows. When testing the trade‐finance nexus for different types of capital flows, the estimated coefficient is most pronounced for foreign direct investment, in line with theories stressing informational frictions. Robustness checks in the form of different estimation methods, alternative proxies for capital flows and sample splits confirm the positive relationship. Interestingly, the trade‐finance nexus does not differ among countries belonging to the EMU, the European Union or among core and peripheral Euro area countries.
What Is Theoretical Knowledge?
Authors: Klausen Søren Harnow , Petersen Esben Nedenskov 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWhile it is common in social epistemology, philosophy of education and sociology to speak of theoretical knowledge, the concept of theoretical knowledge used in ordinary discourse has not been properly examined, and its relations to other types of knowledge remain unclear. This article argues that this ordinary language notion of theoretical knowledge has a distinct meaning different from the meanings of terms for other knowledge types, for example, knowledge‐that, and meta‐cognitive knowledge, and provides an analysis that characterizes theoretical knowledge as distinguished by its indirectness. The article then discusses the implications of this view for the practical role of theoretical knowledge and suggests that a reappraisal of its epistemic significance is due.
Correlation between SARS‐COV‐2 antibody screening by immunoassay and neutralizing antibody testing
Authors: Mendrone‐Junior Alfredo , Dinardo Carla Luana , Ferreira Suzete Cleuza , Nishya Anna , Salles Nanci Alves , de Almeida Neto Cesar , Hamasaki Debora Toshei , Facincani Tila , de Oliveira Alves Lucas Bassolli , Machado Rafael Rahal Guaragna , Araujo Danielle Bastos , Durigon Edison Luiz , Rocha Vanderson , Sabino Ester Cerdeira 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe efficacy of convalescent plasma (CP), an alternative for the treatment of COVID‐19, depends on high titers of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs), but assays for quantifying nAbs are not widely available. Our goal was to develop a strategy to predict high titers of nAbs based on the results of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 immunoassays and the clinical characteristics of CP donors.Study Design and MethodsA total of 214 CP donors were enrolled and tested for the presence of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies (IgG) using two commercial immunoassays: EUROIMMUN (ELISA) and Abbott (Chemiluminescence). Quantification of nAbs was performed using the Cytopathic Effect‐based Virus Neutralization test. Three criteria for identifying donors with nAbs ≥ 1:160 were tested: – C1: Curve ROC; − C2: Conditional decision tree considering only the IA results and – C3: Conditional decision tree including both the IA results and the clinical variables.ResultsThe performance of the immunoassays was similar referring to both S/CO and predictive value for identifying nAbs titers ≥1:160. Regarding the studied criteria for identifying CP donors with high nAbs titers: (a) C1 showed 76.1% accuracy if S/CO = 4.65, (b) C2 presented 76.1% accuracy if S/CO ≥4.57 and (c) C3 had 71.6% accuracy if S/CO was ≥4.57 or if S/CO was between 2.68‐4.57 and the last COVID‐19‐related symptoms were recent (within 19 days).ConclusionSARS‐CoV‐2 IgG immunoassays (S/CO) can be used to predict high anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 nAbs titers. This study has proposed different criteria for identifying donors with ≥1:160 nAbs titers, all with high efficacy.
Transfusion management for children supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Karam Oliver , Nellis Marianne E. 
Published: January 2021

Key Ideas
Due to the patients' underlying illness, in combination with circuit‐induced coagulopathy, as well as PLT dysfunction, children supported by ECMO are a risk of receiving large volumes of blood components.
Given the increasing use of modified blood products and newer biologics, it is unknown whether these products have equal efficacy and safety, in ECMO.
The majority of guidance for transfusion therapy is based on expert opinion alone, and research on indications for RBC, plasma, and PLT transfusions for children on ECMO should be a priority.