bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tribological Behavior of Surface Textured Short Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Nylon Composites Fabricated by Three-Dimensional Printing Techniques
Authors: Luo Ming , He Qinghao , Wang Hongjian , Chang Li 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In this paper, short carbon fiber-reinforced nylon (SCFRN) composites were fabricated using the fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology. In particular, different surface textures, namely convex squares and triangles, were created by using the printing method. It was found that fiber reinforcements could effectively enhance the load-carry capacity of the printed polymeric materials. Moreover, the tribological performance of SCFRN can be further improved with the surface textures. Microscopy observations revealed that the surface textures are particularly beneficial for the wear reduction by collecting hard wear debris such as broken fibers. The work has demonstrated that 3D printing technology has great potential for developing new wear-resistant engineering materials by controlling and creating desirable compositions and geometric structures/textures simultaneously.
CVA AND VULNERABLE OPTIONS IN STOCHASTIC VOLATILITY MODELS
Authors: ALÒS E. , ANTONELLI F. , RAMPONI A. , SCARLATTI S. 
Published: March 2021

This work aims to provide an efficient method to evaluate the Credit Value Adjustment (CVA) for a vulnerable European option, which is an option subject to some default event concerning the issuer solvability. Financial options traded in OTC markets are of this type. In particular, we compute the CVA in some popular stochastic volatility models such as SABR, Hull et al., which have proven to fit quite well market derivatives prices, admitting correlation with the default event. This choice covers the relevant case of Wrong Way Risk (WWR) when a credit deterioration determines an increase in the claim value. Contrary to the structural modeling adopted in [G. Wang, X. Wang & K. Zhu (2017) Pricing vulnerable options with stochastic volatility, Physica A 485, 91–103; C. Ma, S. Yue & Y. Ma (2020) Pricing vulnerable options with Stochastic volatility and Stochastic interest rate, Computational Economics 56, 391–429], we use the reduced-form intensity-based approach to provide an explicit representation formula for the vulnerable option price and related CVA. Later, we specialize the evaluation formula and construct its approximation for the three models mentioned above. Assuming a CIR model for the default intensity process, we run a numerical study to test our approximation, comparing it with Monte Carlo simulations. The results show that for moderate values of the correlation and maturities not exceeding one year, the approximation is very satisfactory as of accuracy and computational time.
Renal Vascular Response to Angiotensin II Administration in Two Kidneys-One Clip Hypertensive Rats Treated with High Dose of Estradiol: The Role of Mas Receptor
Authors: Choopani Samira , Nematbakhsh Mehdi 
Published: March 2021

Backgrounds. High blood pressure is one of the most important causes of death around the world. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and estradiol are two important items that regulate arterial blood pressure in women. However, hypertension, RAS, and sex hormone estradiol may influence renal vascular responses. This study was designed to determine the role of Mas receptor (MasR) on renal vascular response to angiotensin II (Ang II) administration in two kidneys-one clip (2K1C) hypertensive rats treated with estradiol. Method. The ovariectomized rats were subjected to 2K1C or non-2K1C and simultaneously treated with estradiol (500 μg/kg/weekly) or placebo for a period of 4 weeks. Subsequently, under anesthesia, renal vascular responses to graded doses of Ang II administration with MasR blockade (A779) or its vehicle were determined. Results. A779 or its vehicle did not alter mean arterial pressure (MAP), renal perfusion pressure (RPP), and renal blood flow (RBF). However, in non-2K1C rats, Ang II infusion decreased RBF and increased renal vascular resistance (RVR) responses in a dose-related manner (

P
treat
<
0.0001

). The greatest responses were found in ovariectomized estradiol-treated rats that received A779 (

P
group
<
0.05

) in non-2K1C rats. Such findings were not detected in 2K1C hypertensive rats. For example, in estradiol-treated rats that received A779, at 1000 ng/kg/min of Ang II infusion, RBF reduced from

1.6
±
0.2

to

0.89
±
0.19

ml/min in non-2K1C rats, and it reduced from

1.6
±
0.2

to

1.2
±
0.2

ml/min in 2K1C rats. Conclusion. Hypertension induced by 2K1C may attenuate the role of A779 and estradiol in renal vascular responses to Ang II infusion. Perhaps, this response can be explained by the reduction of Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) expression in the 2K1C hypertensive rats.
Transcriptome Sequencing of Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Reveals Novel Splice-Altering Variants in
MYBPC3
Authors: Holliday Mira , Singer Emma S. , Ross Samantha B. , Lim Seakcheng , Lal Sean , Ingles Jodie , Semsarian Christopher , Bagnall Richard D. 
Published: March 2021

Background:
Transcriptome sequencing can improve genetic diagnosis of Mendelian diseases but requires access to tissue expressing disease-relevant transcripts. We explored genetic testing of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using transcriptome sequencing of patient-specific human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). We also explored whether antisense oligonucleotides (AOs) could inhibit aberrant mRNA splicing in hiPSC-CMs.

Methods:

We derived hiPSC-CMs from patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy due to
MYBPC3
splice-gain variants, or an unresolved genetic cause. We used transcriptome sequencing of hiPSC-CM RNA to identify pathogenic splicing and used AOs to inhibit this splicing.

Results:

Transcriptome sequencing of hiPSC-CMs confirmed aberrant splicing in 2 people with previously identified
MYBPC3
splice-gain variants (c.1090+453C>T and c.1224-52G>A). In a patient with an unresolved genetic cause of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy following genome sequencing, transcriptome sequencing of hiPSC-CMs revealed diverse cryptic exon splicing due to an
MYBPC3
c.1928-569G>T variant, and this was confirmed in cardiac tissue from an affected sibling. Antisense oligonucleotide treatment demonstrated almost complete inhibition of cryptic exon splicing in one patient-specific hiPSC-CM line.

Conclusions:
Transcriptome sequencing of patient specific hiPSC-CMs solved a previously undiagnosed genetic cause of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and may be a useful adjunct approach to genetic testing. Antisense oligonucleotide inhibition of cryptic exon splicing is a potential future personalized therapeutic option.
Gum arabic collection in northern Kenya: unexploited resources, underdeveloped markets
Authors: Vellema Wytse , Mujawamariya Gaudiose , D'Haese Marijke 
Published: March 2021

Gum arabic is a resin collected from several types of Acacia tree growing most densely in arid and semi-arid lands in East Africa and the Sahel. Kenya is particularly well endowed with gum-yielding trees but exports only small amounts of gum.
Methodology: A combination of descriptive livelihood and value chain analysis was used to gain insight into the socio-economic characteristics of collectors and the role of gum arabic in their livelihood.
Results: The degree of poverty encountered is considerable with most collectors barely able to maintain a subsistence level. Marketed quantities of gum arabic are low, collection practices are rudimentary, and the market is severely underdeveloped.
Conclusion: Thin markets, evidenced by a lack of specialised traders and the infrequency of their visits, removes incentives for increasing the quantity and quality of marketed gum arabic. Only when this situation changes will collectors be motivated to improve their current collecting and marketing practices, for which there is ample scope.
Effects of Wave–Current Interaction on the Eastern China Coastal Waters during Super Typhoon Lekima (2019)
Authors: Wu Renhao , Wu Shimei , Chen Tianhua , Yang Qinghua , Han Bo , Zhang Han 
Published: March 2021

AbstractLekima was a devastating super typhoon hitting China in 2019. Here, we use a high-resolution wave–current coupling model to investigate the impacts of wave–current interaction during Lekima on wave height, storm surge, ocean currents, and momentum balance. The model results were in good agreement with observations. It was found that, in the open waters, the strong currents generated by the typhoon winds reduced the typhoon-induced maximum significant wave heights (MSWHs) by 6%–15%. The baroclinicity of seawater also slightly reduced the MSWHs by approximately 3%. In the coastal waters, the MSWHs were increased by 6%–15% when feedbacks from water levels were considered. The typhoon-induced highest storm surge occurred in the coastal waters right of the typhoon’s landing position. The nonconservative wave forces contributed by approximately 0.1–0.4 m to the most severe storm surge (3 m), with this effect being most prominent in coastal waters. The baroclinicity of seawater generally increased the storm surge but had little influence on very shallow waters. Tides tend to exacerbate storm surge in most nearshore waters, except in a small bay. Waves generally increased the velocity of offshore ocean currents via the wave-breaking-induced acceleration. A cross-shore momentum balance analysis shows that when the typhoon was near the shore, the dominant terms in the momentum equation were the horizontal pressure gradient force and the surface wind stress, and the contribution of wave breaking had similar pattern to that of the wind stress but a lower magnitude. Our findings have significant implications for the numerical modeling of typhoons and the prediction of their impacts in the coastal environment.
Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on workflows and infection prevention strategies of endoscopy units in Hungary: a cross-sectional survey
Authors:   Hungarian GI Endoscopy COVID-19 Study Group, Bor Renáta , Szántó Kata Judit , Fábián Anna , Farkas Klaudia , Szűcs Mónika , Rutka Mariann , Tóth Tibor , Bálint Anita , Milassin Ágnes , Dubravcsik Zsolt , Szepes Zoltán , Molnár Tamás 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Health care professionals in endoscopic labs have an elevated risk for COVID-19 infection, therefore, we aimed to determine the effect of current pandemic on the workflow and infection prevention and control strategies of endoscopy units in real-life setting.

Methods
All members of Hungarian Society of Gastroenterology were invited between 7 and 17 April 2020 to participate in this cross-section survey study and to complete an online, anonymous questionnaire.

Results
Total of 120 endoscopists from 83 institutes were enrolled of which 35.83% worked in regions with high cumulative incidence of COVID-19. Only 33.33% of them had undergone training about infection prevention in their workplace. 95.83% of endoscopists regularly used risk stratification of patients for infection prior endoscopy. While indications of examinations in low risk patients varied widely, in high-risk or positive patients endoscopy was limited to gastrointestinal bleeding (95.00%), removal of foreign body from esophagus (87.50%), management of obstructive jaundice (72.50%) and biliary pancreatitis (67.50%). Appropriate amount of personal protective equipment was available in 60.85% of endoscopy units. In high-risk or positive patients, surgical mask, filtering facepiece mask, protective eyewear and two pairs of gloves were applied in 30.83%, 76.67%, 90.00% and 87.50% of cases, respectively. Personal protective equipment fully complied with European guideline only in 67.50% of cases.

Conclusions
Survey found large variability in indications of endoscopy and relative weak compliance to national and international practical recommendations in terms of protective equipment. This could be improved by adequate training about infection prevention.
Improvement of renal function after transcatheter aortic valve replacement and its impact on survival
Authors: Kylies Dominik , Freitag-Wolf Sandra , Fulisch Florian , Seoudy Hatim , Kuhn Christian , Kihm Lars Philipp , Pühler Thomas , Lutter Georg , Dempfle Astrid , Frey Norbert , Feldkamp Thorsten , Frank Derk 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Chronic kidney disease as well as acute kidney injury are associated with adverse outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, little is known about the prognostic implications of an improvement in renal function after TAVR.

Methods
Renal improvement (RI) was defined as a decrease in postprocedural creatinine in μmol/l of ≥1% compared to its preprocedural baseline value. A propensity score representing the likelihood of RI was calculated to define patient groups which were comparable regarding potential confounders (age, sex, BMI, NYHA classification, STS score, log. EuroSCORE, history of atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter, pulmonary disease, previous stroke, CRP, creatinine, hsTNT and NT-proBNP). The cohort was stratified into 5 quintiles according to this propensity score and the survival time after TAVR was compared within each subgroup.

Results
Patients in quintile 5 (n = 93) had the highest likelihood for RI. They were characterized by higher creatinine, lower eGFR, higher NYHA class, higher NT-proBNP, being mostly female and having shorter overall survival time. Within quintile 5, patients without RI had significantly shorter survival compared to patients with RI (p = 0.002, HR = 0.32, 95% CI = [0.15–0.69]). There was no survival time difference between patients with and without RI in the whole cohort (p = 0.12) and in quintiles 1 to 4 (all p > 0.16). Analyses of specific subgroups showed that among patients with NYHA class IV, those with RI also had a significant survival time benefit (p < 0.001, HR = 0.15; 95%-CI = [0.05–0.44]) compared to patients without RI.

Conclusions
We here describe a propensity score-derived specific subgroup of patients in which RI after TAVR correlated with a significant survival benefit.
The role of antimicrobial resistance on long-term mortality and quality of life in critically ill patients: a prospective longitudinal 2-year study
Authors: Koukoubani Triantafyllia , Makris Demosthenes , Daniil Zoe , Paraforou Theoniki , Tsolaki Vasiliki , Zakynthinos Epaminondas , Papanikolaou John 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundIn the recent era, antimicrobial resistance has been identified as one of the most important threats to human health worldwide. The rapid emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens (ABRP) in the modern intensive care unit (ICU) also represents a “nightmare scenario” with unknown clinical consequences. In the Greek ICU, in particular, gram negative ABRPs are now considered endemic. However, the possible longitudinal impact of ABRPs on long-term outcomes of ICU patients has not yet been determined.MethodsIn this two-year (January 2014-December 2015) single-centre observational longitudinal study, 351 non-neurocritical ICU patients ≥ 18 year-old were enrolled. Patients’ demographic, clinical and outcome data were prospectively collected. Quality-adjusted life years (QALY) were calculated at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after ICU admission.ResultsFifty-eight patients developed infections due to ABRP (ABRP group), 57 due to non-ABRP (non-ABRP group), and 236 demonstrated no infection (no-infection group) while in ICU. Multiple regression analysis revealed that multiple organ dysfunction syndrome score (OR: 0.676, 95%CI 0.584–0.782; P < 0.001) and continuous renal replacement therapy (OR: 4.453, 95%CI 1.805–10.982; P = 0.001) were the only independent determinants for ABRP infections in ICU. Intra-ICU, 90-day and 2-year mortality was 27.9%, 52.4% and 61.5%, respectively. Compared to the non-ABRP and no-infection group, the ABRP group demonstrated increased intra-ICU, 90-day and 2-year mortality (P ≤ 0.022), worse 2-year survival rates in ICU patients overall and ICU survivor subset (Log-rank test, P ≤ 0.046), and poorer progress over time in 2-year QALY kinetics in ICU population overall, ICU survivor and 2-year survivor subgroups (P ≤ 0.013). ABRP group was further divided into multi-drug and extensively-drug resistant subgroups [MDR (n = 34) / XDR (n = 24), respectively]. Compared to MDR subgroup, the XDR subgroup demonstrated increased ICU, 90-day and 2-year mortality (P ≤ 0.031), but similar 90-day and 2-year QALYs (P ≥ 0.549). ABRP infections overall (HR = 1.778, 95% CI 1.166–2.711; P = 0.008), as well as XDR [HR = 1.889, 95% CI 1.075–3.320; P = 0.027) but not MDR pathogens, were independently associated with 2-year mortality, after adjusting for several covariates of critical illness.ConclusionsThe present study may suggest a significant association between ABRP (especially XDR) infections in ICU and increased mortality and inability rates for a prolonged period post-discharge that requires further attention in larger-scale studies.
Characterization of polycystic ovary syndrome among Flo app users around the world
Authors: Jain Tarun , Negris Olivia , Brown Dannielle , Galic Isabel , Salimgaraev Rodion , Zhaunova Liudmila 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex and multi-faceted endocrine disorder that affects 5–20% of women. Literature is limited regarding potentially differing PCOS phenotypes among women around the world.ObjectiveTo use Flo app technology to understand the multifaceted characteristics of PCOS across several countries and identify contributing risk factors to the development of this condition.Study designFlo is a widely used female health and wellbeing app with period tracking functionality that provides a globally representative and medically unbiased perspective on PCOS symptomatology. A chatbot dialog on PCOS was subsequently administered on the Flo application (app) to users from 142 countries (with at least 100 respondents) who have the app running in English during September–October 2019.ResultsFor analyses, we selected the five countries with the greatest number of respondents: US (n = 243,238), UK (n = 68,325), India (n = 40,092), Philippines (n = 35,131), and Australia (n = 29,926). Bloating was the most frequently reported symptom among PCOS-positive women and appeared to be the main predictor of PCOS in our model (odds ratio 3·76 [95% CI 3·60–3·94];p < 0·0001). Additional top predictors of PCOS are high blood cholesterol and glucose levels. As BMI increased, the percentage of women who reported a physician-confirmed PCOS diagnosis also increased. However, women in India did not follow this trend.ConclusionOur findings are based on the largest known PCOS dataset and indicate that symptoms are more complex than previously understood. The most frequently reported symptoms (bloating, facial hirsutism, irregular cycles, hyperpigmentation, and baldness) are broader than those included in the Rotterdam criteria. Future work should reevaluate and refine the criteria utilized in PCOS diagnosis.
Aging in psoriasis vulgaris: female patients are epigenetically older than healthy controls
Authors: Borsky Pavel , Chmelarova Marcela , Fiala Zdenek , Hamakova Kvetoslava , Palicka Vladimir , Krejsek Jan , Andrys Ctirad , Kremlacek Jan , Rehacek Vit , Beranek Martin , Malkova Andrea , Svadlakova Tereza , Holmannova Drahomira , Borska Lenka 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Psoriasis vulgaris is a skin autoimmune disease. Psoriatic patients have significantly lowered life expectancy and suffer from various comorbidities. The main goal of the study was to determine whether psoriatic patients experience accelerated aging. As accelerated aging might be the reason for the higher prevalence of comorbidities at lower chronological ages, we also wanted to investigate the relationship between aging and selected parameters of frequent psoriatic comorbidities - endocan, vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-17. Samples were obtained from 28 patients and 42 healthy controls. Epigenetic age measurement was based on the Horvath clock. The levels of endocan, vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-17 were analyzed using standardized ELISA methods.

Results
The difference between the epigenetic age and the chronological age of each individual subject did not increase with the increasing chronological age of patients. We cannot conclude that psoriasis causes accelerated aging. However, the epigenetic and chronological age difference was significantly higher in female patients than in female controls, and the difference was correlated with endocan (r = 0.867, p = 0.0012) and vascular endothelial growth factor (r = 0.633, p = 0.0365) only in female patients.

Conclusions
The findings suggest a possible presence of pathophysiological processes that occur only in female psoriatic patients. These processes make psoriatic females biologically older and might lead to an increased risk of comorbidity occurrence. This study also supports the idea that autoimmune diseases cause accelerated aging, which should be further explored in the future.
Pharmacist medication instructions are associated with continued medication self-management in older adults: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Kose Eiji , Endo Hidetatsu , Hori Hiroko , Hosono Shingo , Kawamura Chiaki , Kodama Yuta , Yamazaki Takashi , Yasuno Nobuhiro 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundVarious factors are related to self-management of medication. However, few reports comprehensively examine the factors related to patients, medication levels, and other factors related to the recuperative environment, such as family support. The aim of this study was to investigate factors affecting the continuation of medication self-management among hospitalized older adults receiving convalescent rehabilitation.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective observational study with 274 consecutive patients newly admitted to the convalescent rehabilitation wards at a single hospital in Japan between January 2017 and May 2018. Participants who were assessed for their ability to take their medication using the Japanese Regimen Adherence Capacity Tests, were deemed to be self-manageable, and were able to successfully continue to self-manage their medication from admission to discharge were categorized as the “continuation group,” and those who were not able to continue were categorized as the “non-continuation group.” We analyzed the groups’ demographic data, laboratory data, and Functional Independence Measure. The primary outcome was the continuation of medication self-management from admission to discharge.ResultsAfter enrollment, 134 patients (median age 82 years; 62.7% women) were included in the final analysis. Some 60.4% of eligible patients were able to maintain medication self-management during their hospitalization. The multiple logistic regression analysis for the continuation of medication self-management during hospitalization after adjusting for confounding factors revealed that pharmacist medication instructions were independently and positively correlated with successful continuation of medication self-management (odds ratio: 1.378; 95% confidence interval 1.085–1.831;p = 0.0076).ConclusionSuccessful continuation of medication self-management is associated with pharmacist medication instructions among hospitalized older adults undergoing rehabilitation.Trail registrationThe Ethics Committee’s registration number is “TGE01216–066”.