bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of ethoxyquin and its oxidation products in swine tissues by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for evaluating the feed-to-animal tissue transfer of ethoxyquin and its metabolites
Authors: Zhang Chi , Gai Xiangrong , Tian Ying , Wang Jiayi , He Dongting , Yang Wenjun , Zhang Liying , Chen Yiqiang 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Ethoxyquin (EQ) is a common antioxidant which is widely used in animal feed. But the supplement of EQ in animal feed may lead to the residues of EQ and its major oxidation products: ethoxyquin quinone imine (EQI) and ethoxyquin dimer (EQDM) in animal tissue. Thus, it would pose potential health hazards to consumers. However, the method for the simultaneous determination of EQ, EQI and EQDM in animal tissues is currently not available, and the accumulation extend of these chemicals in animal tissues after EQ administration remains to be evaluated.

Results
A gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was successfully developed for the simultaneous determination of EQ, EQI and EQDM in swine tissues. The quantitative limits of EQ, EQI and EQDM can achieve to 0.5, 5.0 and 5.0 μg/kg in swine tissues, respectively. The spiked-recovery ratios of the three analytes (5–2000 μg/kg) were in the range of 64.7%–100.7% with relative standard deviations below 11.6%. Moreover, the utilization of this method for the analysis of actual swine tissue samples revealed that the application of commercial EQ additive in swine diet would produce the residues of all the three chemicals (EQ, EQI and EQDM) in fat, kidney, liver and muscle.

Conclusions
The assay accuracy and precision of this GC-MS/MS method can meet the requirement of quantitative analysis. Meanwhile, the safety of EQ as a feed additive should be seriously considered with regard to food safety concerns since the oxidation product of EQ may have potential carcinogenicity.
HIV-positive demonstrate more salt sensitivity and nocturnal non-dipping blood pressure than HIV-negative individuals
Authors: Masenga Sepiso K. , Kirabo Annet , Hamooya Benson M. , Nzala Selestine , Kwenda Geoffrey , Heimburger Douglas C. , Mutale Wilbroad , Koethe John R. , Pilic Leta , Munsaka Sody M. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
High dietary salt and a lack of reduced blood pressure (BP) at night (non-dipping) are risk factors for the development of hypertension which may result in end-organ damage and death. The effect of high dietary salt on BP in black people of sub-Saharan Africa living with HIV is not well established. The goal of this study was to explore the associations between salt sensitivity and nocturnal blood pressure dipping according to HIV and hypertension status in a cohort of adult Zambian population.

Methods
We conducted an interventional study among 43 HIV-positive and 42 HIV-negative adults matched for age and sex. Study participants were instructed to consume a low (4 g) dietary salt intake for a week followed by high (9 g) dietary salt intake for a week. Salt resistance and salt sensitivity were defined by a mean arterial pressure difference of ≤5 mmHg and ≥ 8 mmHg, respectively, between the last day of low and high dietary salt intervention. Nocturnal dipping was defined as a 10–15% decrease in night-time blood pressure measured with an ambulatory blood pressure monitor.

Results
The median age was 40 years for both the HIV-positive and the HIV-negative group with 1:1 male to female ratio. HIV positive individuals with hypertension exhibited a higher BP sensitivity to salt (95%) and non-dipping BP (86%) prevalence compared with the HIV negative hypertensive (71 and 67%), HIV positive (10 and 24%) and HIV-negative normotensive (29 and 52%) groups, respectively (p < 0.05). Salt sensitivity was associated with non-dipping BP and hypertension in both the HIV-positive and HIV-negative groups even after adjustment in multivariate logistic regression (< 0.001).

Conclusions
The results of the present study suggest that high dietary salt intake raises blood pressure and worsens nocturnal BP dipping to a greater extent in hypertensive than normotensive individuals and that hypertensive individuals have higher dietary salt intake than their normotensive counterparts. Regarding HIV status, BP of HIV-positive hypertensive patients may be more sensitive to salt intake and demonstrate more non-dipping pattern compared to HIV-negative hypertensive group. However, further studies with a larger sample size are required to validate this.
Assessment of antibiosis potential of Bacillus sp. against the soil-borne fungal pathogen Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. (Athelia rolfsii (Curzi) Tu & Kimbrough)
Authors: Kumari Puja , Bishnoi Santosh Kumar , Chandra Sheela 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the rhizosphere bacterial isolates’ antagonistic property against the soil-borne fungal phytopathogen,Sclerotium rolfsiiSacc. (Athelia rolfsii(Curzi) Tu & Kimbrough). The chemical control of the disease caused byS.rolfsiiis economically and environmentally unsustainable, and therefore, a bio-control agent in the form of rhizospheric bacteria is gaining importance.Main bodyFive rhizosphericBacillusspecies viz.B.subtilissubsp.Subtilisstr.168 (accession no. MH283878),B.siamensisstrain PDA 10 (accession no. MH283879),B.amyloliquefaciensstrain 1034 (accession no. MH283880),B.velezensisstrain FZB42165 (accession no. MH283881), andB.atrophaeusstrain NBRC 15539 (accession no. MH283882) were assessed for their antagonistic potential againstS.rolfsiibased on 3 different screening methods. Among these, 100% fungal growth inhibition by all 5Bacillusspp. was observed in the novel ring method, whereas in the dual culture method, the maximum growth inhibition was (58%) exhibited by the strain NBRC 15539 ofB.atrophaeus. The antagonistic activity showed by the modified dual culture method was also relatively high, and the highest activity (93.7%) was shown by the strain NBRC 15539 ofB.atrophaeus. Besides, theBacillussp. was also evaluated for their plant growth-promoting attributes and other properties such as the production of siderophore, HCN, amylase, protease, lipase, and ammonia, including their assessment for chitinase and cellulase activity.ConclusionThe study provided empirical evidence ofBacillussp. antagonistic potential againstS.rolfsiiand should be of contributive value in developing a biocontrol agent for this highly important crop fungal pathogen.
Development of a test for assessment of the lipreading ability for children in the Arabic-speaking countries
Authors: Hegazi Mona Abdel-Fattah , Saad Aya Mohammed , Khodeir Mona Sameeh 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Lipreading is considered an important skill that varies considerably among normal-hearing (NH) and hearing-impaired (HI) children. It is well known that normal-hearing children use audition as the primary sensory modality for speech perception, whereas HI children use lipreading cues as the primary sensory modality for speech perception. Moreover, speech perception is a multisensory process that involves attention to auditory signals as well as visual articulatory movements, and the integration of auditory and visual signals occurs naturally and automatically in normal individuals of all ages. Most researches proved that lipreading is a natural and important skill needed for language acquisition in HI children. Lipreading also helps HI children to perceive speech, acquire spoken language, and acquire phonology. In the Arabic language, tools are deficient for assessing the lipreading ability for HI children, so this study was conducted to develop a test suitable for assessing the lipreading ability of hearing-impaired children among Arabic-speaking countries. The constructed lipreading test was administered to 160 Arabic-speaking Egyptian children including 100 typically developing NH children and 60 HI children. Participants’ responses were statistically analyzed to assess the validity and reliability and to compare the lipreading ability between the NH and HI children. Ranks of percentiles were established to provide an estimate of the lipreading ability in children.

Results
Statistically significant differences were found between the normal-hearing and HI children as regards all subtotal and total scores of the Arabic lipreading test, with good validity and reliability of the test.

Conclusions
The Arabic lipreading test is a valid and reliable test that can be applied to assess the lipreading ability among Arabic-speaking children with HI.
Mental health services for children in care: investigation to elicit outcomes of direct and indirect interventions
Authors: Deuchar Samuel , Majumder Pallab 
Published: January 2021

Aims and methodThe aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of direct therapy and indirect consultation for treating mental health difficulties among looked after children (LAC), and also to identify any demographic or clinical predictor variables for outcomes in this cohort. A retrospective evaluation of mental health outcomes for 104 LAC was conducted. All children received network consultation in combination with or without direct therapeutic work. Outcomes were compared between the groups with and without direct therapeutic intervention.ResultsThose receiving both treatments displayed significantly greater Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)-rated improvements than those receiving just consultation. Nonetheless, improvements in scores for the latter group were significant relative to baseline. Treatment duration, younger age at referral and start SDQ were all correlated with positive outcomes, while number of address changes predicted higher start SDQ scores.Clinical implicationsDespite the retrospective design of this study, its results can be considered as preliminary findings to guide treatment decisions in LAC.
Cost-Effectiveness of Temozolamide for Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme in India
Authors: Gupta Nidhi , Prinja Shankar , Patil Vijay , Bahuguna Pankaj 
Published: January 2021

PURPOSE Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) has poor outcomes following surgery and radiation. Adjuvant temozolamide along with radiation therapy has been shown to improve survival. In this paper, we evaluate the cost-effectiveness of concomitant temozolamide with radiation and maintenance temozolamide for 6 months of treatment for GBM in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used a Markov model to evaluate the lifetime costs and consequences of treating GBM with radiation alone versus radiation with adjuvant temozolamide. The model was calibrated using the published evidence from European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer-NCIC trial on progression-free survival and overall survival to estimate the life years (LYs) and quality-adjusted LYs (QALYs). Cost of treatment and management of complications were estimated using the data from the National Health System Cost Database and Indian studies. Future cost and consequences were discounted at 3%. Incremental cost per QALY gained with temozolamide was estimated to assess cost effectiveness. RESULTS Temozolamide resulted in an increase of 0.59 (0.53-0.66) LY and 0.33 (0.29-0.40) QALY per person at an incremental cost of ₹75,120 in Indian national rupee (INR) (59,337-93,960). Overall, the use of temozolamide incurs an incremental cost of ₹212,020 INR (138,127-401,466) per QALY gained, which has a 4.7% probability to be cost-effective at 1-time per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) threshold. In case the current price of temozolamide could be decreased by 90%, the probability of its use for GBM being cost-effective increases to 80%. CONCLUSION Temozolamide is not cost-effective for treatment of patients with GBM in India. This evidence should be used while framing guidelines for treatment and price regulation.
Phase II Trial of Costimulation Blockade With Abatacept for Prevention of Acute GVHD
Authors: Watkins Benjamin , Qayed Muna , McCracken Courtney , Bratrude Brandi , Betz Kayla , Suessmuth Yvonne , Yu Alison , Sinclair Shauna , Furlan Scott , Bosinger Steven , Tkachev Victor , Rhodes James , Tumlin Audrey Grizzle , Narayan Alexandria , Cribbin Kayla , Gillespie Scott , Gooley Ted A. , Pasquini Marcelo C. , Hebert Kyle , Kapoor Urvi , Rogatko Andre , Tighiouart Mourad , Kim Sungjin , Bresee Catherine , Choi Sung W. , Davis Jeffrey , Duncan Christine , Giller Roger , Grimley Michael , Harris Andrew C. , Jacobsohn David , Lalefar Nahal , Norkin Maxim , Farhadfar Nosha , Pulsipher Michael A. , Shenoy Shalini , Petrovic Aleksandra , Schultz Kirk R. , Yanik Gregory A. , Waller Edmund K. , Levine John E. , Ferrara James L. , Blazar Bruce R. , Langston Amelia , Horan John T. , Kean Leslie S. 
Published: January 2021

PURPOSESevere (grade 3-4) acute graft-versus-host disease (AGVHD) is a major cause of death after unrelated-donor (URD) hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT), resulting in particularly high mortality after HLA-mismatched transplantation. There are no approved agents for AGVHD prevention, underscoring the critical unmet need for novel therapeutics. ABA2 was a phase II trial to rigorously assess safety, efficacy, and immunologic effects of adding T-cell costimulation blockade with abatacept to calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)/methotrexate (MTX)-based GVHD prophylaxis, to test whether abatacept could decrease AGVHD.METHODSABA2 enrolled adults and children with hematologic malignancies under two strata: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled stratum (8/8-HLA-matched URD), comparing CNI/MTX plus abatacept with CNI/MTX plus placebo, and a single-arm stratum (7/8-HLA-mismatched URD) comparing CNI/MTX plus abatacept versus CNI/MTX CIBMTR controls. The primary end point was day +100 grade 3-4 AGVHD, with day +180 severe-AGVHD-free-survival (SGFS) a key secondary end point. Sample sizes were calculated using a higher type-1 error (0.2) as recommended for phase II trials, and were based on predicting that abatacept would reduce grade 3-4 AGVHD from 20% to 10% (8/8s) and 30% to 10% (7/8s). ABA2 enrolled 142 recipients (8/8s, median follow-up = 716 days) and 43 recipients (7/8s, median follow-up = 708 days).RESULTSIn 8/8s, grade 3-4 AGVHD was 6.8% (abatacept) versus 14.8% (placebo) ( P = .13, hazard ratio = 0.45). SGFS was 93.2% (CNI/MTX plus abatacept) versus 82% (CNI/MTX plus placebo, P = .05). In the smaller 7/8 cohort, grade 3-4 AGVHD was 2.3% (CNI/MTX plus abatacept, intention-to-treat population), which compared favorably with a nonrandomized matched cohort of CNI/MTX (30.2%, P < .001), and the SGFS was better (97.7% v 58.7%, P < .001). Immunologic analysis revealed control of T-cell activation in abatacept-treated patients.CONCLUSIONAdding abatacept to URD HCT was safe, reduced AGVHD, and improved SGFS. These results suggest that abatacept may substantially improve AGVHD-related transplant outcomes, with a particularly beneficial impact on HLA-mismatched HCT.
Racial Disparities in Intravenous Bisphosphonate Use Among Older Patients With Multiple Myeloma Enrolled in Medicare
Authors: Zhou Jifang , Sweiss Karen , Nutescu Edith A. , Han Jin , Patel Pritesh R. , Ko Naomi Y. , Lee Todd A. , Chiu Brian C.-H. , Calip Gregory S. 
Published: January 2021

PURPOSE: Intravenous (IV) bisphosphonates reduce the risk of skeletal-related events in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, data describing racial differences in IV bisphosphonate utilization outside of clinical trial settings are limited. We evaluated population-level IV bisphosphonate initiation and discontinuation among patients of age ≥ 65 years with MM. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients of age ≥ 65 years diagnosed with first primary MM between 2001 and 2011. Patients were identified using the SEER-Medicare linked database and followed through December 2013. Cumulative incidences of IV bisphosphonate initiation and time to discontinuation among users were compared between racial and ethnic groups. In Fine and Gray competing risk models, we estimated subdistribution hazard ratios (SHRs) and 95% CIs for initiation and discontinuation. RESULTS: We included 14,231 eligible patients with MM (median age, 76 years; 52% male). Over a median follow-up of 23.1 months, 54% of patients received at least one IV bisphosphonate dose. Our final analytical sample included 10,456 non-Hispanic (NH) Whites, 2,267 NH Blacks, 548 Asian and Pacific islanders, and 815 Hispanic and Latino patients. A higher proportion of White patients (56.1%) newly received IV bisphosphonates after MM diagnosis compared with NH Blacks (45.4%). Compared with White patients, NH Black patients were less likely to initiate IV bisphosphonates (SHR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.70 to 0.79) and slightly more likely to discontinue treatment (SHR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.19). CONCLUSION: Approximately half of the patients with MM of age ≥ 65 years did not receive IV bisphosphonates, with significant delay among racial minority groups. These findings highlight the need for improvement of IV bisphosphonate uptake in patients with MM of age ≥ 65 years.
Stuttering and Incident Type 2 Diabetes: A Population-Based Study of 2.2 Million Adolescents
Authors: Tsur Avishai M , Hershkovich Shir , Zucker Inbar , Lutski Miri , Pinhas-Hamiel Orit , Vivante Asaf , Fischman Maya , Amir Ofer , Rotchild Jacob , Gerstein Hertzel C , Cukierman-Yaffe Tali , Friedensohn Limor , Mosenzon Ofri , Derazne Estela , Tzur Dorit , Tirosh Amir , Afek Arnon , Raz Itamar , Twig Gilad 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Purpose
To investigate the association between stuttering in adolescence and incident type 2 diabetes in young adulthood.

Methods
This nationwide population-based study included 2 193 855 adolescents of age 16 to 20 years who were assessed for military service between 1980 and 2013. Diagnoses of stuttering in adolescence were confirmed by a speech-language pathologist. Diabetes status for each individual as of December 31, 2016, was determined by linkage to the Israeli National Diabetes Registry. Relationships were analyzed using regression models adjusted for socioeconomic variables, cognitive performance, coexisting morbidities, and adolescent body mass index.

Results
Analysis was stratified by sex (Pinteraction = 0.035). Of the 4443 (0.4%) adolescent men with stuttering, 162 (3.7%) developed type 2 diabetes, compared with 25 678 (2.1%) men without stuttering (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.6). This relationship persisted when unaffected brothers of men with stuttering were used as the reference group (adjusted OR = 1.5; 95% CI, 1.01-2.2), or when the analysis included only adolescents with unimpaired health at baseline (adjusted OR = 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.7). The association was stronger in later birth cohorts, with an adjusted OR of 2.4 (1.4-4.1) for cases of type 2 diabetes before age 40. Of the 503 (0.1%) adolescent women with stuttering 7 (1.4%) developed type 2 diabetes, compared with 10 139 (1.1%) women without stuttering (OR = 2.03; 95% CI, 0.48-2.20).

Conclusions
Adolescent stuttering is associated with an increased risk for early-onset type 2 diabetes among men.
Improving Executive Function of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder through Cycling Skill Acquisition
Authors: TSE ANDY C. Y. , ANDERSON DAVID I. , LIU VENUS H. L. , TSUI SHERRY S. L. 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT

Purpose
Executive dysfunction has been widely reported in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although studies have clearly documented the cognitive benefits of physical exercise on cognition in children, similar studies in children with ASD are scarce. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of cognitively engaging exercise and noncognitively engaging exercise on executive function in children with ASD.

Methods
Sixty-two children diagnosed with ASD (50 males and 12 females, M
age = 9.89 ± 1.53 yr, M
height = 1.43 ± 0.15 m, and M
weight = 44.69 ± 11.96 kg) were randomly assigned into three groups: learning to ride a bicycle (n = 22), stationary cycling (n = 20), and control (n = 20). Four executive function components (planning, working memory, flexibility, and inhibition) were assessed.

Results
Results revealed significant improvements in all executive function components in the learning to ride a bicycle group (Ps < 0.05) but not in the other two groups after controlling for age and IQ.

Conclusion
Our findings highlight the value of cognitive engagement in exercise programs designed to improve cognition in children with ASD.
Which is the optimally defined vestibular cross-section to diagnose unilateral Meniere’s disease with delayed post-gadolinium 3D fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI?
Authors: Connor Steve , Hulley Kate , Burd Christian , Amin Nikul , Pai Irumee 
Published: January 2021

Objectives:
Delayed post-gadolinium 3D fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MRI is used to support a diagnosis of Ménière’s disease (MD) with the ratio of the endolymphatic space (ES) to the sum of the endolymphatic and perilymphatic spaces (SEPS) on a cross-section through the vestibule being a key diagnostic criterion. It was hypothesised that the exact definition of the vestibular cross-section would influence the ES: SEPS ratio, its ability to diagnose MD, and its reproducibility.

Methods:
Following institutional approval, 22 patients (five male, 17 female; mean age 52.1) with unilateral MD and delayed post-gadolinium 3D FLAIR MRI were retrospectively analysed. Two observers measured the ES and SEPS on predefined axial (superior and inferior) and sagittal vestibular cross-sections. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, Bland-Altman plots and intraclass correlation (ICC) were analysed for the ES:SEPS ratios.

Results:
The area under the curve (AUC) was decreased for the ES:SEPS ratios on the superior axial section through the vestibule (AUC 0.737) compared to the inferior axial (AUC 0.874) and sagittal sections (AUC 0.878). The resulting optimal thresholds (sensitivities/specificities) were 0.21 (0.66/0.75), 0.16 (0.77/0.9) and 0.285 (0.75/0.96). The reproducibility was excellent for all measures with ICCs of 0.97, 0.98 and 0.99.

Conclusion:
Inferior axial or sagittal vestibular cross-sections are more accurate for the diagnosis of MD ears and have excellent reproducibility.

Advances in knowledge:
The choice of vestibular cross-section influences both the ability to distinguish MD from asymptomatic contralateral ears, and the optimum threshold ES:SEPS value.
Optical frequency generation using fiber Bragg grating filters for applications in portable quantum sensing
Authors: Macrae Calum D. , Bongs Kai , Holynski Michael 
Published: January 2021

A method for the agile generation of the optical frequencies required for laser cooling and atom interferometry of rubidium is demonstrated. It relies on fiber Bragg grating technology to filter the output of an electro-optic modulator and was demonstrated in an alignment-free, single-seed, frequency-doubled fiber laser system. The system was capable of frequency switching over a 30 GHz range in less than 40 ns, with

∼

0.5

W

output power and amplitude modulation with a

∼

15

n
s

rise/fall time and an extinction ratio exceeding 80 dB. The technology is ideal for enabling high-bandwidth, mobile industrial, and space applications of quantum technologies.
Cascaded SSB comb generation using injection-locked seed lasers
Authors: Yokota Nobuhide , Yasaka Hiroshi 
Published: January 2021

We investigate a novel concept of cascaded single side band (SSB) comb
generation for improving the carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR), which
degrades when the bandwidth of the SSB comb becomes wider.
Wavelength-multiplexed seed lasers are simultaneously modulated in a
recirculating frequency shifter loop with an SSB modulator, an
Er-doped fiber amplifier, and a fiber Bragg grating whose reflective
notch filter nature enables seed lasers to be synchronized through the
injection locking (IL). A maximum CNR improvement of 11.3 dB is
experimentally demonstrated under the IL condition. The proposed
technique effectively improves the CNR of wide-bandwidth SSB
combs.