bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drug repurposing in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: back to the future with pioglitazone
Authors: Mao Zhiguo , Valluru Manoj K , Ong Albert C M 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited cause of end-stage kidney failure. At present, only one drug, tolvaptan, has been approved for use to slow disease progression, but its use is limited by reduced tolerability and idiosyncratic liver toxicity. Thiazolidinediones were first developed as insulin-sensitizers but also regulate gene transcription in multiple tissues, leading to systemic effects on metabolism, inflammation and vascular reactivity. In this issue, Blazer-Yost et al. report the results of a single-centre Phase 1b double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) agonist pioglitazone in 18 ADPKD patients. Encouragingly, there were no major safety signals, although evidence of efficacy could not be demonstrated due to the small sample size. We review the preclinical evidence for the use of PPAR-γ agonists in ADPKD and speculate on the likely beneficial and adverse clinical effects of this interesting class of compounds in a future trial.
Visual Sequence Repetition Learning is Not Impaired in Signing DHH Children
Authors: Terhune-Cotter Brennan P , Conway Christopher M , Dye Matthew W G 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe auditory scaffolding hypothesis states that early experience with sound underpins the development of domain-general sequence processing abilities, supported by studies observing impaired sequence processing in deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) children. To test this hypothesis, we administered a sequence processing task to 77 DHH children who use American Sign Language (ASL) and 23 hearing monolingual children aged 7–12 years and found no performance difference between them after controlling for age and nonverbal intelligence. Additionally, neither spoken language comprehension scores nor hearing loss levels predicted sequence processing scores in the DHH group, whereas ASL comprehension scores did. Our results do not indicate sequence processing deficits in DHH children and do not support the auditory scaffolding hypothesis; instead, these findings suggest that factors related to experience with and/or proficiency in an accessible language during development may be more important determinants of sequence processing abilities.
‘From the Wells of Disappointment’: The Curious Case of the International Law of Democracy and the Politics of International Legal Scholarship
Authors: Rasulov Akbar 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
It is a common impression shared by many international lawyers today that the brief ‘turn to democracy’ that occurred in some segments of international legal scholarship in the early to mid-1990s was, on the whole, little more than a detour of overly excitable imagination – not exactly a complete error of judgement or an outright frivolity, but certainly a lapse of conceptual clarity and professional rigour. Whatever changes may have occurred within the broader international legal system, the argument goes, they certainly did not amount to a ‘democratic revolution’, and any claims to the contrary were and are simply baseless. The kind of fundamental reorganization of the international legal system that was forecasted by scholars like Thomas Franck and Anne-Marie Slaughter never took place, and the main lesson one should learn from this whole episode is that international legal scholars should not give in to their utopian reflexes as quickly and as readily as the ‘pro-democracy enthusiasts’ did, but should rather exercise analytical restraint and professional judgement and attend much more carefully to matters of legal logic and technical legal reasoning. This, in a nutshell, is the received wisdom about the history behind international law’s ‘turn to democracy’, and the aim of this article is essentially to challenge it – in part by uncovering the latent theoretical fudging behind it, in part by exploring the general narrative structure that supports this received wisdom and the latter’s relationship to the broader ideology of international legal anti-utopianism.
eHealth for service delivery in conflict: a narrative review of the application of eHealth technologies in contemporary conflict settings
Authors: Bowsher Gemma , El Achi Nassim , Augustin Katrin , Meagher Kristen , Ekzayez Abdulkarim , Roberts Bayard , Patel Preeti 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The role of eHealth in conflict settings is increasingly important to address geographic, epidemiologic and clinical disparities. This study categorizes various forms of eHealth usage in conflict and aims to identify gaps in evidence to make recommendations for further research and practice. The analysis was carried out via a narrative hermeneutic review methodology. Articles that fulfilled the following screening criteria were reviewed: (1) describing an eHealth intervention in active conflict or ongoing insurgency, (2) an eHealth intervention targeting a conflict-affected population, (3) an e-learning platform for delivery in conflict settings and (4) non-interventional descriptive reviews relating to eHealth in conflict. Of the 489 papers eligible for screening, 46 merited final inclusion. Conflict settings described include Somalia, Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Chechnya, Gaza and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Thirty-six studies described specific eHealth initiatives, while the remainder were more generic review papers exploring general principles. Analysis resulted in the elucidation of three final categories of current eHealth activity in conflict-affected settings: (1) eHealth for clinical management, (2) e-learning for healthcare in conflict and (3) eHealth for information management in conflict. Obvious disparities in the distribution of technological dividends from eHealth in conflict are demonstrated by this review. Conflict-affected populations are predominantly subject to ad hoc and voluntary initiatives delivered by diaspora and civil society organizations. While the deployment of eHealth technologies in conflict settings is increasingly normalized, there is a need for further clarification of global norms relating to practice in this context.
Framing China's rise in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom
Authors: McCourt David M 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Optimism about China's rise has in recent years given way to deep concern in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom. Drawing on an original set of interviews with China experts from each country, and an array of primary and secondary sources, I show that shifting framings of China's rise reflect the dynamics of the US, Australian and UK national security fields. The article highlights three features specifically: first, the US field features a belief that China's rise can be arrested or prevented, absent in Australia and the UK. I root this dynamic in the system of professional appointments and the intense US ‘marketplace of ideas’, which gives rise to intense framing contestation and occasional sharp frame change. I then identify the key positions produced by each field, from which key actors have shaped the differing interpretations of China and its meaning. The election of Donald Trump, a strong China-critic, to the US presidency empowered key individuals across government who shifted the predominant framing of China from potential challenger to current threat. The smaller and more centralized fields in Australia and Britain feature fewer and less intense China-sceptical voices; responses have thereby remained largely pragmatic, despite worsening diplomatic relations in each case.
Identifying partners at sea from joint movement metrics of pelagic pair trawlers
Authors: Joo Rocío , Bez Nicolas , Etienne Marie-Pierre , Marin Pablo , Goascoz Nicolas , Roux Jérôme , Mahévas Stéphanie 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHere, we present an approach to identify partners at sea based on fishing track analysis, and describe this behaviour in several fleets: pelagic pair trawlers, large and small bottom otter trawlers, mid-water otter trawlers, all in the North-East Atlantic Ocean, anchovy purse-seiners in the South-East Pacific Ocean, and tuna purse-seiners in the western Indian Ocean. This type of behaviour is known to exist within pair trawlers, since these vessels are in pairs at least during their fishing operations. To identify partners at sea, we used a heuristic approach based on joint-movement metrics computed from vessel monitoring system data and Gaussian mixture models. The models were fitted to joint-movement metrics of the pelagic pair trawlers, and subsequently used to identify partners at sea in other fleets. We found partners at sea in all of the fleets except for the tuna purse-seiners. We then analysed the connections between vessels and identified exclusive partners. Exclusiveness was more common in pelagic pair trawlers and small bottom otter trawlers, with 82% and 74% of the vessels involved in partnerships having exclusive partners. This work shows that there are collective tactics at least at a pairwise level in diverse fisheries in the world.
Does gender bias affect outcomes in mitral valve surgery for degenerative mitral regurgitation?
Authors: Kandula Viswajit , Kislitsina Olga N , Rigolin Vera H , Thomas James D , Malaisrie S Chris , Andrei Adin-Cristian , Ramesh Ashvita , Kruse Jane , Cox James L , McCarthy Patrick M 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study was conducted to determine if gender bias explains the worse outcomes in women than in men who undergo mitral valve surgery for degenerative mitral regurgitation.

METHODS
Patients who underwent mitral valve surgery for degenerative mitral regurgitation with or without concomitant ablation surgery for atrial fibrillation were identified from the Cardiovascular Research Database of the Clinical Trial Unit of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and were defined according to the Society of Thoracic Surgery National Adult Cardiac Surgery Database. Of the 1004 patients (33% female, mean age 62.1 ± 12.4 years; 67% male, mean age 60.1 ± 12.4 years) who met this criteria, propensity score matching was utilized to compare sex-related differences.

RESULTS
Propensity score matching of 540 patients (270 females, mean age 61.0 ± 12.2; 270 males, mean age 60.9 ± 12.3) demonstrated that 98% of mitral valve surgery performed in both groups was mitral valve repair and 2% was mitral valve replacement. Preoperative CHA2DS2-VASc scores were higher in women and fewer women were discharged directly to their homes. Before surgery, women had smaller left heart chambers, lower cardiac outputs, higher diastolic filling pressures and higher volume responsiveness than men. However, preoperative left ventricular and right ventricular strain values, which are normally higher in women, were similar in the 2 groups, indicating worse global strain in women prior to surgery.

CONCLUSIONS
The worse outcomes reported in women compared to men undergoing surgery for degenerative mitral regurgitation are misleading and not based on gender bias except in terms of referral patterns. Men and women who present with the same type and degree of mitral valve disease and similar comorbidities receive the same types of surgical procedures and experience similar postoperative outcomes. Speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess global longitudinal strain of the left and right ventricles should be utilized to monitor for myocardial dysfunction related to chronic mitral regurgitation.
The Deficit in the Gaussian Log-Sobolev Inequality and Inverse Santaló Inequalities
Authors: Gozlan Nathael 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
We establish dual equivalent forms involving relative entropy, Fisher information, and optimal transport costs of inverse Santaló inequalities. We show in particular that the Mahler conjecture is equivalent to some dimensional lower bound on the deficit in the Gaussian logarithmic Sobolev inequality. We also derive from existing results on inverse Santaló inequalities some sharp lower bounds on the deficit in the Gaussian logarithmic Sobolev inequality. Our proofs rely on duality relations between convex functionals (introduced in [ 16] and [ 62]) related to the notion of moment measure.
Dry Reagent Tests in the 1880s—Dr Pavy’s Pellets and Dr Oliver’s Papers
Authors: Kricka Larry J , Park Jason Y 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background
In the 1880s, concern over the inconvenience of hazardous chemical solutions used for bedside urinalysis sparked an interest in the development of dry reagents for a range of common urine tests.

Content
This article examines the history of Dr Pavy’s Pellets and Dr Oliver’s Papers, 2 different dry reagent systems developed in the 1880s for bedside urine testing. It sets these developments in the context of the earlier dry chemistry work (e.g., indicator papers) and the subsequent work that led to modern day reagent tablets and dipstick devices.

Summary
Tests based on dry reagents can be traced back to the 1st century, but active development, in the form of indicator papers, dates from the 1600s. In the 1880s, spurred by dissatisfaction with liquid-based bedside urine testing among clinicians, Dr Frederick William Pavy and Dr George Oliver developed dry reagent tests, based on pellets (Dr Pavy’s Pellets) and chemically impregnated papers (Dr Oliver’s Papers) for urine sugar and urine albumin. These reagents were commercialized by a number of companies and provided in convenient cases (Physician’s Pocket Reagent Case). Eventually, these tests lost popularity and were replaced by the type of tablets and dipsticks developed by both Eli Lilly, and the Ames Division of Miles Laboratories (subsequently Bayer, and currently Siemens Healthineers) during the 1940s and 1950s.
Lower socioeconomic status neighborhoods in Puerto Rico have more diverse mosquito communities and higher Aedes aegypti abundance
Authors: Scavo Nicole A , Barrera Roberto , Reyes-Torres Limarie J , Yee Donald A 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Mosquito community dynamics in urban areas are influenced by an array of both social and ecological factors. Human socioeconomic factors (SEF) can be related to mosquito abundance and diversity as urban mosquito development sites are modified by varying human activity, e.g., level of abandoned structures or amount of accumulated trash. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationships among mosquito diversity, populations of Aedes aegypti, and SEF in a tropical urban setting. Mosquitoes were collected using BG Sentinel 2 traps and CDC light traps during three periods between late 2018 and early 2019 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and were identified to species. SEFs (i.e. median household income, population density, college-level educational attainment, unemployment, health insurance coverage, percentage of households below the poverty line, amount of trash and level of abandoned homes) were measured using foot surveys and U.S. Census data. We found 19 species with the two most abundant species being Culex quinquefasciatus (n = 10 641, 87.6%) and Ae. aegypti (n = 1558, 12.8%). We found a positive association between Ae. aegypti abundance and mosquito diversity, which were both negatively related to SES and ecological factors. Specifically, lower socioeconomic status neighborhoods had both more Ae. aegypti and more diverse communities, due to more favorable development habitat, indicating that control efforts should be focused in these areas.
Rif1 regulates telomere length through conserved HEAT repeats
Authors: Shubin Calla B , Mayangsari Rini , Swett Ariel D , Greider Carol W 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In budding yeast, Rif1 negatively regulates telomere length, but the mechanism of this regulation has remained elusive. Previous work identified several functional domains of Rif1, but none of these has been shown to mediate telomere length. To define Rif1 domains responsible for telomere regulation, we localized truncations of Rif1 to a single specific telomere and measured telomere length of that telomere compared to bulk telomeres. We found that a domain in the N-terminus containing HEAT repeats, Rif1177–996, was sufficient for length regulation when tethered to the telomere. Charged residues in this region were previously proposed to mediate DNA binding. We found that mutation of these residues disrupted telomere length regulation even when Rif1 was tethered to the telomere. Mutation of other conserved residues in this region, which were not predicted to interact with DNA, also disrupted telomere length maintenance, while mutation of conserved residues distal to this region did not. Our data suggest that conserved amino acids in the region from 436 to 577 play a functional role in telomere length regulation, which is separate from their proposed DNA binding function. We propose that the Rif1 HEAT repeats region represents a protein-protein binding interface that mediates telomere length regulation.
The 2020 Rourke Baby Record release: A time for reflection and looking forward
Authors: Rowan-Legg Anne , Bayoumi Imaan , Kwok Bruce , Leduc Denis , Rourke Leslie L , Rourke James , Li Patricia 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The Rourke Baby Record (RBR) is a health supervision guide for providing care and anticipatory guidance to children aged 0 to 5 years in Canada. First developed in 1979, it has been revised regularly to ensure that it remains current and evidence-informed. The RBR has a longstanding relationship with the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS), and relies on this organization for its expertise to inform the RBR guide’s content. The 2020 edition of the RBR includes many recommendations based on evidence provided in current CPS position statements. The RBR Working Group is planning to develop app-based resources and an adapted RBR for clinical care provision in this challenging pandemic time to ensure that Canadian infants and children continue to receive high-quality care.
Isolating an active and inactive CACTA transposon from lettuce color mutants and characterizing their family
Authors: Gurdon Csanad , Kozik Alexander , Tao Rong , Poulev Alexander , Armas Isabel , Michelmore Richard W , Raskin Ilya 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Dietary flavonoids play an important role in human nutrition and health. Flavonoid biosynthesis genes have recently been identified in lettuce (Lactuca sativa); however, few mutants have been characterized. We now report the causative mutations in Green Super Lettuce (GSL), a natural light green mutant derived from red cultivar NAR; and GSL-Dark Green (GSL-DG), an olive-green natural derivative of GSL. GSL harbors CACTA 1 (LsC1), a 3.9-kb active nonautonomous CACTA superfamily transposon inserted in the 5′ untranslated region of anthocyanidin synthase (ANS), a gene coding for a key enzyme in anthocyanin biosynthesis. Both terminal inverted repeats (TIRs) of this transposon were intact, enabling somatic excision of the mobile element, which led to the restoration of ANS expression and the accumulation of red anthocyanins in sectors on otherwise green leaves. GSL-DG harbors CACTA 2 (LsC2), a 1.1-kb truncated copy of LsC1 that lacks one of the TIRs, rendering the transposon inactive. RNA-sequencing and reverse transcription quantitative PCR of NAR, GSL, and GSL-DG indicated the relative expression level of ANS was strongly influenced by the transposon insertions. Analysis of flavonoid content indicated leaf cyanidin levels correlated positively with ANS expression. Bioinformatic analysis of the cv Salinas lettuce reference genome led to the discovery and characterization of an LsC1 transposon family with a putative transposon copy number greater than 1,700. Homologs of tnpA and tnpD, the genes encoding two proteins necessary for activation of transposition of CACTA elements, were also identified in the lettuce genome.
Associations of Coexisting Pain and Fatigue Severity with Physical Performance and Quality of Life Among Middle-Aged and Older Individuals with Chronic Knee Pain: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Chen Yen Tzu , Murphy Susan Lynn 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo examine associations of combined pain and fatigue severity with physical performance and quality of life in people with chronic knee pain.DesignCross-sectional.SettingGeneral community.ParticipantsAdults (N = 193) ≥50 years of age with chronic knee pain.MethodsPhysical performance measures included the Six-Minute Walk test, Timed Up and Go test, and 20-foot timed walk test. Quality of life (QOL) was measured by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-12 Health Survey. The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) were used to evaluate pain and fatigue. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine associations of coexisting pain and fatigue severity with physical performance and QOL.ResultsParticipants were categorized by BPI and BFI scores into four severity groups: mild pain / mild fatigue; moderate pain / mild fatigue; mild pain / moderate fatigue; and moderate pain / moderate fatigue (which included severe pain / severe fatigue). The moderate pain / moderate fatigue group had significantly worse physical performance on the Six-Minute Walk (standardized beta [β] = −0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.38 to −0.06, P &lt; 0.05) and poorer physical (β = −0.41, 95% CI −0.61 to −0.20, P &lt; 0.001) and mental QOL (β = −0.26, 95% CI −0.46 to −0.07, P &lt; 0.05) than the mild pain / mild fatigue group. Moreover, the mild pain / moderate fatigue group had significantly lower levels of mental QOL (β = −0.27, 95% CI −0.44 to −0.10, P &lt; 0.05) than those of the mild pain / mild fatigue group. The moderate pain / mild fatigue group did not differ statistically from the mild pain / mild fatigue group.ConclusionsCoexisting moderate pain and moderate fatigue were related to worse physical performance and QOL. Fatigue contributed to lower levels of mental QOL. Clinical assessment of fatigue in addition to pain should be included as a standard examination for chronic knee pain.