bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First trimester angiogenic and inflammatory factors in women with chronic hypertension and impact of blood pressure control: a case–control study
Authors: Nzelu D , Nicolaides KH , Kametas NA 
Published: July 2021

ObjectivesTo assess first trimester serum placental growth factor (PLGF), soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFLT‐1), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), endothelin and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) in women with chronic hypertension (CH) stratified according to blood pressure (BP) control.DesignCase–control.SettingTertiary referral centre.Population650 women with CH, 142 normotensive controls.MethodsIn the first trimester, patients with CH were subdivided into four groups. Group 1 included women without pre‐pregnancy CH presenting with BP ≥140/90 mmHg. Groups 2–4 had pre‐pregnancy CH; in group 2 the BP was <140/90 mmHg without antihypertensive medication, in group 3 the BP was <140/90 mmHg with antihypertensive medication, and in group 4 the BP was ≥140/90 mmHg despite antihypertensive medication. PLGF, sFLT‐1, IL‐6, TNF‐α, endothelin and VCAM were measured at 11+0–13+6 weeks’ gestation and converted into multiples of the expected median (MoM) using multivariate regression analysis in the controls.Main outcome measureComparisons of MoM values of PLGF, sFLT‐1, endothelin, IL‐6, TNF‐α and VCAM between the entire cohort of women with CH and the control group were made using Student’s t‐test or Mann–Whitney U‐test. Comparisons between the four CH groups were made using analysis of variance or Kruskal–Wallis tests.ResultsCompared with the control group, women with CH had significantly lower MoM of PLGF, sFLT‐1 and IL‐6 and a significantly higher MoM of endothelin. Between the four groups of women with CH, there were no significant differences in the MoM of sFLT‐1, PLGF, sFLT‐1/PLGF ratio, endothelin, IL‐6 or VCAM, or in the levels of TNF‐ α.ConclusionIn women with CH, differences exist in first trimester angiogenic and inflammatory profiles when compared with normotensive pregnancies. However, these differences do not assist in the stratification of women with CH to identify those with more severe underlying disease and worse pregnancy outcomes.Tweetable abstractFirst trimester blood pressure control impacts on serum PLGF, sFLT‐1, endothelin and IL‐6 in women with chronic hypertension.
Levator ani avulsion: a Systematic evidence review (LASER)
Authors: Rusavy Z , Paymova L , Kozerovsky M , Veverkova A , Kalis V , Kamel RA , Ismail KM 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundThere is variation in the reported incidence rates of levator avulsion (LA) and paucity of research into its risk factors.ObjectiveTo explore the incidence rate of LA by mode of birth, imaging modality, timing of diagnosis and laterality of avulsion.Search strategyWe searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED and MIDIRS with no language restriction from inception to April 2019.Study eligibility criteriaA study was included if LA was assessed by an imaging modality after the first vaginal birth or caesarean section. Case series and reports were not included.Data collection and analysisRevMan v5.3 was used for the meta‐analyses and SW SAS and STATISTICA packages were used for type and timing of imaging analyses.ResultsWe included 37 primary non‐randomised studies from 17 countries and involving 5594 women. Incidence rates of LA were 1, 15, 21, 38.5 and 52% following caesarean, spontaneous, vacuum, spatula and forceps births, respectively, with no differences by imaging modality. Odds ratio of LA following spontaneous birth versus caesarean section was 10.69. The odds ratios for LA following vacuum and forceps compared with spontaneous birth were 1.66 and 6.32, respectively. LA was more likely to occur unilaterally than bilaterally following spontaneous (P < 0.0001) and vacuum‐assisted (P = 0.0103) births but not forceps. Incidence was higher if assessment was performed in the first 4 weeks postpartum.ConclusionsLA incidence rates following caesarean, spontaneous, vacuum and forceps deliveries were 1, 15, 21 and 52%, respectively. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging were comparable tools for LA diagnosis.Tweetable abstractLevator avulsion incidence rates after caesarean, spontaneous, vacuum and forceps deliveries were 1, 15, 21 and 52%, respectively.
Adnexectomy by vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery versus laparoscopy: results of a first randomised controlled trial (NOTABLE trial)
Authors: Baekelandt J , De Mulder PA , Le Roy I , Mathieu C , Laenen A , Enzlin P , Morlion B , Weyers S , Mol BWJ , Bosteels JJA 
Published: July 2021

ObjectiveTo compare adnexectomy by vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (vNOTES) versus laparoscopy.DesignParallel group, 1:1 single‐centre single‐blinded randomised trial, designed as non‐inferiority study with a margin of 15%.SettingBelgian teaching hospital.PopulationNon‐pregnant non‐virgin women with an intact uterus and without obliteration of the pouch of Douglas scheduled to undergo removal of an adnexal mass assessed to be benign on ultrasound by IOTA criteria.MethodsRandomisation to laparoscopy (control group) or vNOTES (experimental group). Stratification according to adnexal size. Blinding of participants and outcome assessors by sham incisions.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome measure was adnexectomy by the allocated technique. Secondary outcomes included duration of surgery, pain scores and analgesics used, quality of life and adverse events.ResultsWe randomly assigned 67 participants (34 to the vNOTES group and 33 to the laparoscopy group). The primary end point was always reached in both groups: there were no conversions. We performed a sensitivity analysis for the primary outcome, assuming one conversion in the vNOTES group and no conversions in the laparoscopy group: the one‐sided 95% upper limit for the differences in proportions of conversion was estimated as 13%, which is below the predefined non‐inferiority margin of 15%. The secondary outcomes demonstrated a shorter duration of surgery, lower pain scores, lower total dose of analgesics and a trend for more adverse events in the vNOTES group.ConclusionsvNOTES is non‐inferior to laparoscopy for a successful adnexectomy without conversion. vNOTES allowed shorter operating times and less postoperative pain but there was a trend for more adverse events.
The specificity and reproducibility of general Schallamach pattern on heel part of rubber outsole
Authors: Zhang He , Liu Luoxi , Quan Yongzhi , Luo Yaping 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe Schallamach pattern is an acquired characteristic that is sometimes observed in crime scenes. However, the detailed pattern is not always visible, although its general pattern is still recognizable. To determine the discrimination power (DP) of the general Schallamach pattern (GSP), 55 outsoles worn by 33 volunteers were chosen for the experiment. Their prints were lifted after different intervals for six months using magnetic powder and self‐adhesive lifters. After the prints were segmented into grids using Photoshop CS6, the presence/absence, angle, and density of the GSP were observed and measured in each grid. There were 18747 pairs of same‐source samples among the 1447 dust impressions. An algorithm (weight combination of the presence/absence, angle, and density) was determined when a weight combination of the parameters considered recognized most of the same‐source sample pairs. The results showed that the angles of the GSP on the left and right shoes were concentrated in the range [–5.5°, –20.43°] and [8.8°, 24.97°], respectively, and the DP was only 37.5%. With a simply optimized algorithm, the DP reached 54.82%, and the DP of sample pairs lifted within one day reached 79.04%. The study demonstrates that one can distinguish the Schallamach pattern on the heel part of the outsole without information regarding the presence/absence, angle, and density of patterns.
Orchidopexy for congenital and acquired undescended testes ‐ Long‐term follow up needed
Authors: Tang Michelle Yeuk‐lam , Wong Yuen‐shan , Pang Kristine Kit‐yi , Tam Yuk‐him 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIntroductionUndescended testis (UDT) is the most common urological anomaly in boys with orchidopexy as the standard of treatment. However, characteristics of UDT and long‐term outcomes after orchidopexy had not been reported in our locality. This study aimed to review the late surgical outcomes of these patients in our centre.MethodsA retrospective review was performed on patients under 16 years old with orchidopexy done for UDT from 2005 to 2010. Patient demographics, UDT characteristics, pre‐operative imaging, peri‐operative complications and any late testicular ascent or atrophy were documented. Only those with 1‐year follow up after operation were included for long‐term outcome analysis.ResultsA total of 331 testes in 290 boys were included; 244 (73.7%) testes were congenital while 43 (13%) were acquired UDT. Of the 43 acquired UDT, 28 (65.1%) had been followed up by us for retractile testis and had significantly earlier orchidopexy than those who had not (6 vs 9.6 years; P = .04). More patients with acquired UDT had hypospadias (20%) compared with 2.3% in those with congenital UDT (P < .001). The median follow up time was 8 years (1‐13 years) and the overall success rate of orchidopexy was 93.8% (271/289). The median time to detect any late complication was 17.5 months (3‐46 months).ConclusionAcquired UDT accounted for at least 13% of orchidopexies in our centre. Patients after orchidopexy should have a minimum follow up time of 4 years in order to detect any late failures. Early referral of retractile testes to a specialised paediatric surgical centre for regular follow up is recommended for earlier detection of acquired UDT. Boys with a history of hypospadias and retractile testes had higher risk of acquired UDT.
Flexible foraging decisions made by workers of the social waspVespula germanica(Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in response to different resources: influence of ontogenetic shifts and colony feedback
Authors: Mattiacci Analía , Masciocchi Maité , Corley Juan C. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractDecisions made by foraging animals conform a complex process based on the integration of information from multiple external environmental stimuli and internal physiological signals, which in turn are modulated by individual experience and a detection threshold of each individual. For social insects in which foraging is limited to given age subcastes, individual foraging decisions may also be affected by ontogenetic shifts and colony requirements. We studied the short‐term changes in foraging preferences of the generalist waspVespula germanica, focusing on whether the individual response to different resources could be influenced by the ontogenetic shifts and/or by social interaction with nestmates. We carried both laboratory and field experiments to confront worker wasps to a short‐term resource switch between either protein or carbohydrate‐based foods. We tested the response of (1)Preforagerworkers (no foraging experience nor interaction with other wasps), (2)Foragerworkers (experience in foraging and no colony feedback), and (3)Wild foragerworkers (foraging naturally and exposed to free interactions with nestmates). We evaluated the maxilla‐labium extension response (MaLER) for laboratory assays or the landing response for field assays. We observed that for wasps deprived of colony feedback (eitherpreforagers or foragers), the protein‐rich foods acceptance threshold increased (and thus a lower level of foraging on that item was observed) if they had foraged on carbohydrates previously, whereas carbohydrates were accepted in all assays. However, wasps immersed in a natural foraging context did accept protein foods regardless of their first foraging experience and reduced the carbohydrates collected when trained on protein foods. We provide evidence that short‐term changes in foraging preferences depend on the type of resource foraged and on the social interactions, but not on ontogenetic shifts.
Melt–Fluid and Fluid–Fluid Immiscibility in a Na2SO4–SiO2–H2O System and Implications for the Formation of Rare Earth Deposits
Authors: CUI Hao , ZHONG Richen , XIE Yuling , WANG Xiaolin , CHEN Huan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractLiquid–liquid immiscibility has crucial influences on geological processes, such as magma degassing and formation of ore deposits. Sulfate, as an important component, associates with many kinds of deposits. Two types of immiscibility, including (i) fluid–melt immiscibility between an aqueous solution and a sulfate melt, and (ii) fluid–fluid immiscibility between two aqueous fluids with different sulfate concentrations, have been identified for sulfate–water systems. In this study, we investigated the immiscibility behaviors of a sulfate‐ and quartz‐saturated Na2SO4–SiO2–H2O system at elevated temperature, to explore the phase relationships involving both types of immiscibility. The fluid–melt immiscibility appeared first when the Na2SO4–SiO2–H2O sample was heated to ∼270°C, and then fluid–fluid immiscibility emerged while the sample was further heated to ∼450°C. At this stage, the coexistence of one water‐saturated sulfate melt and two aqueous fluids with distinct sulfate concentrations was observed. The three immiscible phases remain stable over a wide pressure–temperature range, and the appearance temperature of the fluid–fluid immiscibility increases with the increased pressure. Considering that sulfate components occur extensively in carbonatite‐related deposits, the fluid–fluid immiscibility can result in significant sulfate fractionation and provides implications for understanding the formation of carbonatite‐related rare earth deposits.
A high‐fat diet exacerbates the Alzheimer's disease pathology in the hippocampus of the AppNL−F/NL−F knock‐in mouse model
Authors: Mazzei Guianfranco , Ikegami Ryohei , Abolhassani Nona , Haruyama Naoki , Sakumi Kunihiko , Saito Takashi , Saido Takaomi C. , Nakabeppu Yusaku 
Published: July 2021

AbstractInsulin resistance and diabetes mellitus are major risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD), and studies with transgenic mouse models of AD have provided supportive evidence with some controversies. To overcome potential artifacts derived from transgenes, we used a knock‐in mouse model, AppNL−F/NL−F, which accumulates Aβ plaques from 6 months of age and shows mild cognitive impairment at 18 months of age, without the overproduction of APP. In the present study, 6‐month‐old male AppNL−F/NL−F and wild‐type mice were fed a regular or high‐fat diet (HFD) for 12 months. HFD treatment caused obesity and impaired glucose tolerance (i.e., T2DM conditions) in both wild‐type and AppNL−F/NL−F mice, but only the latter animals exhibited an impaired cognitive function accompanied by marked increases in both Aβ deposition and microgliosis as well as insulin resistance in the hippocampus. Furthermore, HFD‐fed AppNL−F/NL−F mice exhibited a significant decrease in volume of the granule cell layer in the dentate gyrus and an increased accumulation of 8‐oxoguanine, an oxidized guanine base, in the nuclei of granule cells. Gene expression profiling by microarrays revealed that the populations of the cell types in hippocampus were not significantly different between the two mouse lines, regardless of the diet. In addition, HFD treatment decreased the expression of the Aβ binding protein transthyretin (TTR) in AppNL−F/NL−F mice, suggesting that the depletion of TTR underlies the increased Aβ deposition in the hippocampus of HFD‐fed AppNL−F/NL−F mice.
Development and external validation of the KIIDS‐TBI tool for managing children with mild traumatic brain injury and intracranial injuries
Authors: Greenberg Jacob K. , Ahluwalia Ranbir , Hill Madelyn , Johnson Gabbie , Hale Andrew T. , Belal Ahmed , Baygani Shawyon , Olsen Margaret A. , Foraker Randi E. , Carpenter Christopher R. , Yan Yan , Ackerman Laurie , Noje Corina , Jackson Eric , Burns Erin , Sayama Christina M. , Selden Nathan R. , Vachhrajani Shobhan , Shannon Chevis N. , Kuppermann Nathan , Limbrick David D. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundClinical decision support (CDS) may improve the postneuroimaging management of children with mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) and intracranial injuries. While the CHIIDA score has been proposed for this purpose, a more sensitive risk model may have broader use. Consequently, this study's objectives were to: (1) develop a new risk model with improved sensitivity compared to the CHIIDA model and (2) externally validate the new model and CHIIDA model in a multicenter data set.MethodsWe analyzed children ≤18 years old with mTBI and intracranial injuries included in the PECARN head injury data set (2004–2006). We used binary recursive partitioning to predict the composite outcome of neurosurgical intervention, intubation for > 24 h due to TBI, or death due to TBI. The new model was externally validated in a separate data set that included children treated at any one of six centers from 2006 to 2019.ResultsBased on 839 patients from the PECARN data set, a new risk model, the KIIDS‐TBI model, was developed that incorporated imaging (e.g., midline shift) and clinical (e.g., Glasgow Coma Scale score) findings. Based on the model‐predicted probability of the composite outcome, three cutoffs were evaluated to classify patients as “high risk” for level of care decisions. In the external validation data set consisting of 1,630 patients, the most conservative cutoff (i.e., any predictor present) identified 119 of 119 children with the composite outcome (sensitivity = 100%), but had the lowest specificity (26.3%). The other two decision‐making cutoffs had worse sensitivity (94.1%–96.6%) but improved specificity (67.4%–81.3%). The CHIIDA model lacked the most conservative cutoff and otherwise showed the same or slightly worse performance compared to the other two cutoffs.ConclusionsThe KIIDS‐TBI model has high sensitivity and moderate specificity for risk stratifying children with mTBI and intracranial injuries. Use of this CDS tool may help improve the safe, resource‐efficient management of this important patient population.
Association of an emergency department febrile neutropenia intervention protocol with time to initial antibiotic treatment
Authors: Seltzer Justin A. , Frankfurt Olga , Kyriacou Demetrios N. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundEarlier initial antibiotic treatment for febrile neutropenia is associated with improved clinical outcomes. This study was conducted to evaluate the association of an emergency department (ED) intervention protocol with time to initial antibiotic treatment for febrile neutropenia patients.MethodsWe conducted a cohort study of adult ED febrile neutropenia patients before and after implementation of an intervention protocol. Analyses included comparison of means and medians, Kaplan‐Meier estimates, multivariable regression analyses, interrupted time‐series analyses, and causal mediation analyses. The intervention protocol included specific triage and process‐of‐care actions to reduce the primary outcome of time to initial antibiotic treatment.ResultsThere were 69 patients in the 12‐month preintervention period and 52 patients in the 8‐month postintervention period. The mean (±SD) times to initial antibiotics were 197.6 (±85.4) min for the preintervention group and 97.7 (±51.0) min for the postintervention group (difference of 99.9 min with 95% confidence interval [CI] = 73.5 to 126.4, p < 0.001). The patients’ probability for receiving initial antibiotics within 90 min was severalfold greater (adjusted risk ratio = 10.31, 95% CI = 4.99 to 21.30, p < 0.001) for the postintervention group versus preintervention group. ED length of stay, hospital length of stay, 30‐day readmissions, and 30‐day all‐cause mortality were not different between the study groups. The association of the intervention protocol with time to initial antibiotics appeared to be mediated through times to treatment room placement, report of absolute neutrophil count, and initial antibiotic order.ConclusionsThe intervention protocol was associated with a significant reduction in time to initial antibiotics for ED patients with febrile neutropenia. This association appears to be facilitated through specific intermediate process‐of‐care variables. A larger multicenter study is needed to assess the potential effects of an ED febrile neutropenia protocol on patient‐centered clinical outcomes and resource utilization.
Learning‐by‐doing: the experience effect in mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Cai Chen , Li Huimin , Zhou Haigang 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe examine the relation between firms' prior acquisition experience and subsequent acquisition performance. Based on our sample firms' complete acquisition histories, we find that acquirers with prior experience in the target industry perform better in subsequent diversifying acquisitions, and that the effect is stronger in industries with higher uncertainty. The outperformance is attributable to experienced acquirers' ability to identify targets with higher synergies. Additional analysis shows that the experience effect is robust after controlling for management experience and other firm‐specific factors, and that considering small acquisitions as part of a firm's learning process is essential to the experience effect.
Institutional ownership and liquidity commonality: evidence from Australia
Authors: Bradrania Reza , Elliott Robert , Wu Winston 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe study the liquidity commonality impact of local and foreign institutional investment in the Australian equity market in the cross‐section and over time. We find that commonality in liquidity is higher for large stocks compared to small stocks in the cross‐section of stocks, and the spread between the two has increased over the past two decades. We show that this divergence can be explained by foreign institutional ownership. This finding suggests that foreign institutional investment contributes to an increase in the exposure of large stocks to unexpected liquidity events in the local market. We find a positive association between foreign institutional ownership and commonality in liquidity across all stocks, particularly in large and mid‐cap stocks. Correlated trading by foreign institutions explains this association. However, local institutional ownership is positively related to the commonality in liquidity for large‐cap stocks only.
A bird's eye view on the role of dendritic cells in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: Perspectives for immune‐based vaccines
Authors: Galati Domenico , Zanotta Serena , Capitelli Ludovica , Bocchino Marialuisa 
Published: July 2021

AbstractCoronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) is a complex disorder caused by the pandemic diffusion of a novel coronavirus named SARS‐CoV‐2. Clinical manifestations vary from silent infection to severe pneumonia, disseminated thrombosis, multi‐organ failure, and death. COVID‐19 pathogenesis is still not fully elucidated, while increasing evidence suggests that disease phenotypes are strongly related to the virus‐induced immune system's dysregulation. Indeed, when the virus‐host cross talk is out of control, the occurrence of an aberrant systemic inflammatory reaction, named “cytokine storm,” leads to a detrimental impairment of the adaptive immune response. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen‐presenting cells able to support innate immune and promote adaptive responses. Besides, DCs play a key role in the anti‐viral defense. The aim of this review is to focus on DC involvement in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection to better understand pathogenesis and clinical behavior of COVID‐19 and explore potential implications for immune‐based therapy strategies.