bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phase II randomized study of preoperative calcitriol to prevent hypocalcemia following thyroidectomy
Authors: Shonka David C. , Maxwell Anne K. , Petroni Gina R. , Jameson Mark J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundA prospective, stratified, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study was conducted to observe the impact of preoperative calcitriol supplementation on serum calcium levels following total thyroidectomy.MethodsSubjects were randomized 1:1 to receive 1 μg calcitriol or placebo for 1 week preceding thyroidectomy. The primary outcome measure was change in serum calcium from baseline to 18 h post‐thyroidectomy. Subjects were also assessed for incidence of symptomatic hypocalcemia, length of stay, readmission for hypocalcemia, and intravenous calcium supplementation.ResultsForty‐seven patients underwent thyroidectomy; 23 received preoperative calcitriol supplementation, and 24 received placebo. Repeated measures regression demonstrated no difference in postoperative serum calcium over time (p = 0.22). There were no occurrences of hypocalcemia, intravenous calcium supplementation, or readmission in either group. No difference was observed in length of stay (p = 0.38). One patient in the calcitriol group developed Grade 3 hypercalcemia.ConclusionsPreoperative calcitriol supplementation had no impact on postoperative serum calcium levels compared to placebo.
Long‐coronavirus disease among people living with HIV in western India: An observational study
Authors: Pujari Sanjay , Gaikwad Sunil , Chitalikar Abhishek , Dabhade Digamber , Joshi Kedar , Bele Vivek 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundLong‐COVID is emerging as a significant problem among individuals who recovered from COVID‐19. Scant information is available on the prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors for long‐COVID among people living with HIV (PLHIV).SettingA tertiary level, private, HIV clinic in western India.MethodsA prospective, observational study was conducted to assess the prevalence of long‐COVID among PLHIV. Long‐COVID was defined as the presence of at least one symptom after 30 days of illness onset. A questionnaire for assessing general, cardiorespiratory, neuro‐psychiatric, and gastro‐intestinal symptoms was used to screen individuals with history of confirmed COVID‐19. Data on demographics, HIV‐related variables, comorbidities, and severity of COVID‐19 were abstracted from electronic medical records. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify risk factors for long‐COVID.ResultsNinety‐four PLHIV were screened for long‐COVID. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 51 (47–56) years and 73.4% were males. The majority (76.6%) had a history of asymptomatic–mild COVID‐19 illness. The prevalence of long‐COVID was 43.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 33.4–54.2). Moderate–severe COVID‐19 illness was significantly associated with long‐COVID (adjusted odds ratio, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.4–17.9; p = .016). Among individuals with long‐COVID, cough (22.3%) and fatigue (19.1%) were the commonest symptoms. The median (IQR) duration for resolution of symptoms was 15 (7–30) days. Ten individuals (10.6%) had persistent symptoms at a median of 109 days since the onset of COVID‐19.ConclusionLong‐COVID is common among PLHIV with moderate–severe acute COVID‐19 illness. There is a need for integration of long‐COVID diagnosis and care services within antiretroviral therapy clinics for PLHIV with COVID‐19.
Exploring the challenges of women taking antiretroviral treatment during the COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown in peri‐urban Harare, Zimbabwe
Authors: Nyashanu Mathew , Chireshe Rumbidzai , Mushawa Fungisai , Ekpenyong Mandu S. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the challenges of women taking antiretroviral treatment (ART) during the COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown in a peri‐urban area.MethodsAn exploratory qualitative study approach was used. Semi‐structured questions were devised and used to elicit data on the impact of the COVID‐19 lockdown on women accessing treatment for HIV. Twenty women were interviewed through contacts from community and faith organizations in peri‐urban Harare. All interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and entered into NVivo to make analysis easy. The data were thematically analyzed, underpinned by the four phases of data analysis in the Silences Framework.ResultsThe study discovered that transport problems, confusing COVID‐19 restrictions, abuse by police and soldiers at roadblocks, a shortage of medication, lack of health check‐up routines, involuntary default of ART, and a shortage of personal protective equipment affected HIV‐positive women accessing ART during the COVID‐19 lockdown.ConclusionPeople living with HIV need a robust supporting environment and a functioning health system. In response to COVID‐19 all services were halted to prevent the spread of COVID‐19. Pandemic preparedness is important in keeping an adequate supply of ART and responding to the needs of individuals on HIV treatment.
1,25(OH)2D3 attenuates sleep disturbance in mouse models of Lewis lung cancer, in silico and in vivo
Authors: Ai Min , Li Shuang‐shuang , Chen Hong , Wang Xi‐ting , Sun Jiang‐nan , Hou Bao , Cai Wei‐wei , Zhou Yue‐tao , Qiu Li‐ying 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMany clinical studies have reported that patients diagnosed with cancer will suffer from sleep disturbance during their clinical process, especially among lung cancer patients, and this effect will not easily subside. 1,25‐dihydroxy‐vitamin‐D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], the activated form of vitamin D, can participate in neuronal differentiation and prevent damage to the nervous system. However, little is known about the potential therapeutic effects of cancer‐related psychiatric symptoms. In light of this, we hypothesized that a low circulating level of vitamin D was related to sleep quality in the presence of a tumor, 1,25(OH)2D3 may be an effective way to ameliorate sleep disturbance and neurochemical alterations along with the cancer progress. Male C57BL/6 mice were implanted with intracranial transmitters to monitor electroencephalogram and were subcutaneously inoculated with Lewis lung cancer cells. The results demonstrated that on Days 19–20, tumor‐bearing mice displayed fragmented sleep, shortened wake phase, prolonged sleep in the non‐rapid eye movement phase, and the levels of vitamin D‐associated genes in the brain had changed a lot compared to control mice. Importantly, 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment really effectively saved the sleep quality of tumor‐bearing mice. We further explored and confirmed that 1,25(OH)2D3 repressed tumor‐induced neuroinflammation (IL‐1β, TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐10, IFN‐γ, and IL‐2), enhanced neurotrophic factors (brain‐derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF], glialcellline‐derived neurotrophic factor) and 5‐HT system in the hippocampus, hypothalamus or cortex. A molecular docking approah manifested the ability of 1,25(OH)2D3 to affect the activity of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 and BDNF. Together, our results suggested that 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment may attenuate sleep disturbance in Lewis lung cancer‐bearing mice, and become a promising strategy for treating cancer symptom clusters to ameliorate the quality of life of patients with cancer.
Patient risk stratification and tailored clinical management of post‐transplant CMV‐, EBV‐, and BKV‐infections by monitoring virus‐specific T‐cell immunity
Authors: Papadopoulou Anastasia , Koukoulias Kiriakos , Alvanou Maria , Papadopoulos Vassilios K. , Bousiou Zoe , Kalaitzidou Vasiliki , Kika Fotini S. , Papalexandri Apostolia , Mallouri Despina , Batsis Ioannis , Sakellari Ioanna , Anagnostopoulos Achilles , Yannaki Evangelia 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundDespite routine post‐transplant viral monitoring and pre‐emptive therapy, viral infections remain a major cause of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation‐related morbidity and mortality.ObjectiveWe here aimed to prospectively assess the kinetics and the magnitude of cytomegalovirus‐(CMV), Epstein Barr virus‐(EBV), and BK virus‐(BKV)‐specific T cell responses post‐transplant and evaluate their role in guiding therapeutic decisions by patient risk‐stratification.Study designThe tri‐virus‐specific immune recovery was assessed by Elispot, in 50 consecutively transplanted patients, on days +20, +30, +60, +100, +150, +200 post‐transplant and in case of reactivation, weekly for 1 month.ResultsThe great majority of the patients experienced at least one reactivation, while over 40% of them developed multiple reactivations from more than one of the tested viruses, especially those transplanted from matched or mismatched unrelated donors. The early reconstitution of virus‐specific immunity (day +20), favorably correlated with transplant outcomes. Εxpanding levels of CMV‐, EBV‐, and BKV‐specific T cells (VSTs) post‐reactivation coincided with decreasing viral load and control of infection. Certain cut‐offs of absolute VST numbers or net VST cell expansion post‐reactivation were determined, above which, patients with CMV or BKV reactivation had >90% probability of complete response (CR).ConclusionImmune monitoring of virus‐specific T‐cell reconstitution post‐transplant may allow risk‐stratification of virus reactivating patients and enable patient‐tailored treatment. The identification of individuals with high probability of CR will minimize unnecessary overtreatment and drug‐associated toxicity while allowing candidates for pre‐emptive intervention with adoptive transfer of VSTs to be appropriately selected.
LncRNA TUG1 ameliorates diabetic nephropathy via inhibition of PU.1/RTN1 signaling pathway
Authors: Meng Dongdong , Wu Lina , Li Zhifu , Ma Xiaojun , Zhao Shuiying , Zhao Di , Qin Guijun 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDiabetic nephropathy (DN) is a leading cause of end-stage renal failure. The study aimed to investigate whether long noncoding RNA taurine-upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) can ameliorate the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in DN, and the underlying mechanism. The DN mouse model was established by streptozocin injection, and the human renal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 was treated with high glucose (HG) to mimic DN in vitro. The molecular mechanism was explored through dual-luciferase activity assay, RNA pull-down assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) assay. The expression of TUG1 was significantly decreased in the renal tubules of DN model mice. Overexpression of TUG1 reduced the levels of ERS markers and apoptosis markers by inhibiting reticulon-1 (RTN1) expression in HG-induced HK-2 cells. Furthermore, TUG1 down-regulated RTN1 expression by inhibiting the binding of transcription factor PU.1 to the RTN1 promoter, thereby reducing the levels of ERS markers and apoptosis markers. Meanwhile, TUG1-overexpression adenovirus plasmids injection significantly alleviated tubular lesions, and reduced RTN1 expression, ERS markers and apoptosis markers, whereas these results were reversed by injection of PU.1-overexpression adenovirus plasmids. TUG1 restrains the ERS and apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells and ameliorates DN through inhibition of transcription factor PU.1.
Precipitation influence on and response to early and late Arctic sea ice melt onset during melt season
Authors: Marcovecchio Alexa , Behrangi Ali , Dong Xiquan , Xi Baike , Huang Yiyi 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe region containing portions of the East Siberian Sea and Laptev Sea (73°–84°N, 90°–155°E) is the area of focus (AOF) for this study. The impacts of precipitation, latent heat (LH) and sensible heat (SH) fluxes on sea ice melt onset in the AOF are investigated. Four early melting years (1990, 2012, 2003, and 1991) and four late melting years (1982, 1983, 1984, and 1996) are compared to better identify the different responses to melt onset timing. A consistency check is performed between multiple Arctic precipitation products (including NASA MERRA‐2, ECMWF ERA‐Interim [ERA‐I], and ECMWF ERA5 reanalyses as well as GPCP V2.3 observations) since there is not yet a high‐quality ground‐truth Arctic precipitation data product. MERRA‐2 has the greatest monthly average precipitation, snowfall, evaporation, and net LH flux. ERA‐I suggests that liquid precipitation starts earlier in the year than MERRA‐2 and ERA5, while GPCP shows different seasonal precipitation variations from the reanalyses. MERRA‐2 has the clearest and most amplified seasonal trends for the parameters used in this study, so the daily time series and anomalies of MERRA‐2 variables before and after the first major melt event are investigated. ERA5 is used to check these results because ERA‐I and ERA5 display similar seasonal trends. According to MERRA‐2, during early melt years, surface SH flux loss and precipitation are above average in the days before and after the first major melt event. During late melt years, surface SH flux loss and precipitation are below average in the month leading up to the first major melt event.
Building a multilevel integrated framework of ambidexterity: The role of dynamically changing environment and human capital management in the performance of Greek firms
Authors: Katou Anastasia A. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to investigate the serially mediating mechanisms of human capital management practices and organizational ambidexterity, expressed by exploration and exploitation, in the relationship between environmental dynamism and organizational performance, expressed by creativity and productivity. The study is based on 1,183 employees working in 83 Greek private sector firms. By applying multi‐level structural equation modeling, the findings show that the dynamically changing environment has a positive impact on human capital management practices, which in turn have a differential positive impact on exploration and exploitation, which then have a positive influence on organizational creativity and productivity. The study contributes to the literature on organizational ambidexterity by examining whether human capital management practices constitute an antecedent of organizational ambidexterity, and whether organizational performance constitutes a consequence.
Box–Behnken design aided optimization and validation of developed reverse phase HPLC analytical method for simultaneous quantification of dolutegravir sodium and lamivudine co‐loaded in nano‐liposomes
Authors: Mutalik Sadhana P , Mullick Prashansha , Pandey Abhijeet , Kulkarni Smita S. , Mutalik Srinivas 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA stability‐indicating reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography method for simultaneous estimation of dolutegravir sodium and lamivudine encapsulated in the nanoliposomal formulation was developed. The chromatographic parameters namely, organic phase ratio, flow rate, and sample injection volume were selected as independent factors and were optimized by multivariate Box–Behnken design. Responses analyzed were retention time, peak area, and resolution. The optimized chromatographic method with Hypersil BDS C8 CN column as stationary phase and methanol and acetonitrile mixture and acidified Milli‐Q water (pH 2.8, adjusted with 0.02% v/v orthophosphoric acid) as the mobile phase in an isocratic elution mode was validated according to parameters of International Conference on Harmonization Q1(R2) guidelines. The validated reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography method exhibited specificity for both dolutegravir sodium and lamivudine in the presence of degradation products as well as the liposomal matrix. This method was effectively utilized to determine the amount of drug entrapped and drug loading efficiency of dolutegravir sodium and lamivudine in a nano‐liposomal formulation.
Anatomical Features Around Eustachian Tube in Eosinophilic Otitis Media With Eosinophilic Sinusitis
Authors: Ohira Shinya , Komori Manabu , Matsui Hidehito , Furuya Hanae , Kajiwara Riko , Matsuura Kentaro , Wada Kota 
Published: June 2021

Objectives/HypothesisThis study investigated the relationships between anatomical findings around the eustachian tube (ET) and eosinophilic otitis media (EOM) accompanied by eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS).Study DesignThis study employed axial, coronal, sagittal and oblique computed tomography.MethodsPatients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery at the Department of Otolaryngology, Toho University Medical Center Omori Hospital and were diagnosed with ECRS (106 patients) based on the Japanese Epidemiological Survey of Refractory Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis study were included. Subsequently, the presence of EOM accompanied by ECRS in 212 ear sides was assessed, and preoperative sinus computed tomography was used to evaluate various anatomical findings, such as the development of the sphenoid sinus and mastoid cells at the apex of petrous bone, the angle and length of the ET, and the size of the tympanic orifice of the ET. The relationships between these anatomical findings and the presence of EOM were analyzed statistically.ResultsEOM accompanied by ECRS was associated with a high peripheral blood eosinophil count and bronchial asthma. Among anatomical factors, the absence of peri‐ET cells or petrous apex cells, and a low angle and short length of the ET, were risk factors for the onset of EOM.ConclusionAnatomical factors such as the absence of peri‐eustachian cells or petrous apex cells, and low angle or short length of the ET, are risk factors for the onset of EOM along with ECRS. Assessment of these factors may help in preventing the future onset or aggravation of EOM.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 131:E2689–E2695, 2021
Growth‐dependent changes in elemental stoichiometry and macromolecular allocation in the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi under different environmental conditions
Authors: Zhang Yong , Li Zhengke , Schulz Kai G. , Hu Yingyu , Irwin Andrew J. , Finkel Zoe V. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe growth rate hypothesis (GRH) posits an increase in ribosomal ribonucleic acid (RNA) content, and therefore cellular phosphorus (P), with increasing growth rate. There is evidence that the GRH may not apply to phytoplankton under all conditions. Here, we experimentally controlled four conditions (light, temperature, pH, and CO2) to alter the growth rate of Emiliania huxleyi, a biogeochemically important coccolithophorid, and monitored changes in RNA, protein, and carbohydrate content. We show that an increase in growth rate caused by increasing light, pH, and CO2 resulted in increased RNA per unit of organic carbon (RNA : POC), but that increasing temperature, leading to increase of growth rate, resulted in a decrease in RNA : POC. Protein per unit of organic carbon (protein : POC) increased in our increased temperature, pH, and CO2 treatments that increased growth rate, but there was little change in protein : POC in our light treatment despite it inducing the same increase in growth rate. Carbohydrate per unit of organic carbon (Carbohydrate : POC) increased with growth rate under increased light and CO2 but did not vary significantly in the temperature or pH treatments. These results indicate that physiological acclimation to specific environmental conditions can lead to contrasting patterns in RNA, protein, and carbohydrate composition and therefore contrasting changes in carbon : nitrogen : phosphorus ratios with growth rate in E. huxleyi.
Resonant Nonlinear Synthetic Metasurface with Combined Phase and Amplitude Modulations
Authors: Wang Bingxia , Wang Kai , Hong Xuanmiao , Sheng Yan , Qian Shuhang , Lu Peixiang 
Published: June 2021

AbstractNonlinear metasurfaces provide a promising platform for integrated nonlinear photonic devices owing to their unprecedented capability of nonlinear wavefront manipulation. However, the previously reported second‐harmonic (SH) metasurfaces are mainly based on the nonlinear Pancharatnam–Berry phase modulation. While this method is quite convenient and robust, it shows limitations of modulation efficiency and the difficulty in extending to multidimensional combined modulations. Here, the resonant nonlinear synthetic metasurface is proposed and experimentally demonstrated for independent phase and amplitude modulations of the SH beam. A high SH modulation efficiency of 75% (with a theoretical limit of 90%) is achieved in the polarization‐dependent SH metalens. Moreover, SH holographic imaging with phase and amplitude (at 2 and 4 levels) combined modulation is realized experimentally. Compared with the pure‐phase modulation, the signal‐to‐noise ratios are increased by 2 and 3 times when 2‐ and 4‐level amplitude controls are introduced. This is not only an important step in the improvement and innovation of holographic display technology, but also paves a distinct avenue toward multifunctional, higher efficiency, and ultracompact nonlinear optical devices.
Spread‐out Bragg peak proton FLASH irradiation using a clinical synchrocyclotron: Proof of concept and ion chamber characterization
Authors: Darafsheh Arash , Hao Yao , Zhao Xiandong , Zwart Townsend , Wagner Miles , Evans Tucker , Reynoso Francisco , Zhao Tianyu 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this work is to (a) demonstrate the feasibility of delivering a spread‐out Bragg peak (SOBP) proton beam in ultra‐high dose rate (FLASH) using a proton therapy synchrocyclotron as a major step toward realizing an experimental platform for preclinical studies, and (b) evaluate the response of four models of ionization chambers in such a radiation field.MethodsA clinical Mevion HYPERSCAN®synchrocyclotron was adjusted for ultra‐high dose rate proton delivery. Protons with nominal energy of 230 MeV were delivered in pulses with temporal width ranging from 12.5 μs to 24 μs spanning from conventional to FLASH dose rates. A boron carbide absorber and a range modulator block were placed in the beam path for range modulation and creating an SOBP dose profile. The radiation field was defined by a brass aperture with 11 mm diameter. Two Faraday cups were used to determine the number of protons per pulse at various dose rates. The dosimetric response of two cylindrical (IBA CC04 and CC13) and two plane‐parallel (IBA PPC05 and PTW Advanced Markus®) ionization chambers were evaluated. The dose rate was measured using the plane‐parallel ionization chambers. The integral depth dose (IDD) was measured with a PTW Bragg Peak®ionization chamber. The lateral beam profile was measured with EBT‐XD radiochromic film. Monte Carlo simulation was performed in TOPAS as the secondary check for the measurements and as a tool for further optimization of the range modulators’ design.ResultsFaraday cups measurement showed that the maximum protons per pulse is 39.9 pC at 24 μs pulse width. A good agreement between the measured and simulated IDD and lateral beam profiles was observed. The cylindrical ionization chambers showed very high ion recombination and deemed not suitable for absolute dosimetry at ultra‐high dose rates. The average dose rate measured using the PPC05 ionization chamber was 163 Gy/s at the pristine Bragg peak and 126 Gy/s at 1 cm depth for the SOBP beam. The SOBP beam range and modulation were measured 24.4 mm and 19 mm, respectively. The pristine Bragg peak beam had 25.6 mm range. Simulation results showed that the IDD and profile flatness can be improved by the cavity diameter of the range modulator and the number of scanned spots, respectively.ConclusionsFeasibility of delivering protons in an SOBP pattern with >100 Gy/s average dose rate using a clinical synchrocyclotron was demonstrated. The dose heterogeneity can be improved through optimization of the range modulator and number of delivered spots. Plane‐parallel chambers with smaller gap between electrodes are more suitable for FLASH dosimetry compared to the other ion chambers used in this work.