bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased sensitization rates to tree pollens in allergic children and adolescents and a change in the pollen season in the metropolitan area of Seoul, Korea
Authors: Lee Kyung Suk , Kim Kyunghoon , Choi Young‐Jin , Yang Seung , Kim Chang‐Ryul , Moon Jin‐Hwa , Kim Kyu Rang , Lee Yung‐Seop , Oh Jae‐Won 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIntroductionChildren with allergies are at greater risk of becoming sensitized to allergenic pollens in response to environmental changes. This study investigated the relationship between changes in pollination associated with meteorologic changes and the sensitization rates of children to tree pollen allergens in the metropolitan area of Seoul, Korea.MethodsThe study population consisted of 8,295 children who visited the pediatric allergy clinics at Hanyang University Seoul and Guri Hospital for allergy symptoms between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2019. Pollen was collected at the two hospitals during the study using a Burkard 7‐day sampler. Meteorologic data were obtained from the National Weather Service.ResultsAmong the major tree pollens, the largest increase in allergic sensitization was to oak, hazel, and alder pollens (0.28% annually). The pollen‐sensitization rates increased annually within younger age groups. The duration of the pollen season was 98 days in 1998 and 140 days in 2019. Positive correlations were determined between the duration of the pollen season and the rates of sensitization to tree pollens, as well as between the pollen‐sensitization rates and increasing temperature.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the correlation between weather changes and the resulting changes in the pollen season with sensitization rates to allergenic pollens in children living in the Seoul metropolitan area. An annual increase in sensitization rates in younger children was determined. This pattern is expected to continue due to continuing climate change.
Genetic architecture of phenotypic indices for simultaneous improvement of protein content and grain yield in triticale (×triticosecale)
Authors: Neuweiler Jan E. , Maurer Hans Peter , Würschum Tobias 
Published: February 2021

AbstractOur study aimed to assess the potential of indices, including grain protein deviation and protein yield, to simultaneously improve grain yield and protein content in triticale. Our analysis of 1.218 triticale genotypes revealed significant genotypic variation and high heritabilities for all traits. We analysed the suitability of the indices for phenotypic selection for both high grain yield and increased protein content. We show that some genotypes were selected irrespective of the applied index, but also observed considerable differences between the indices. To uncover the genetic architecture of grain yield, protein content and derived indices, we performed genome‐wide association mapping and biparental QTL mapping. This revealed many pleiotropic QTL with opposite effects on grain yield and protein content and a complex inheritance of all traits, suggesting that the genetic architecture limits the potential of marker‐assisted selection. Nevertheless, the use of these indices is recommended for breeding of special‐purpose cultivars, like high‐protein cultivars for on‐farm feed production.
A chloroplast heat shock protein modulates growth and abiotic stress response in creeping bentgrass
Authors: Sun Xinbo , Huang Ning , Li Xin , Zhu Junfei , Bian Xiuju , Li Huibin , Wang Lihong , Hu Qian , Luo Hong 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSmall heat shock proteins (sHSPs), a family of the ubiquitous stress proteins in plants acting as molecular chaperones to protect other proteins from stress‐induced damage, have been implicated in plant growth and development as well as plant response to environmental stress, especially heat stress. In this study, a chloroplast‐localized sHSP, AsHSP26.8, was overexpressed in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) to study its role in regulating plant growth and stress response. Transgenic (TG) creeping bentgrass plants displayed arrested root development, slow growth rate, twisted leaf blades and are more susceptible to heat and salt but less sensitive to drought stress compared to wild‐type (WT) controls. RNA‐seq analysis revealed that AsHSP26.8 modulated the expression of genes in auxin signalling and stress‐related genes such as those encoding HSPs, heat shock factors and other transcription factors. Our results provide new evidence demonstrating that AsHSP26.8 negatively regulates plant growth and development and plays differential roles in plant response to a plethora of diverse abiotic stresses.
Effect of decorin and selected glycosylation inhibitors on the adhesion of caruncular epithelial cells of pregnant cows—part I
Authors: Jamioł Monika , Wawrzykowski Jacek , Bulak Kamila , Kankofer Marta 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAdhesion process ensures the formation of the appropriate connection between mother and foetus during placentation and further placental development, which determines physiological pregnancy course. Extracellular matrix of foetal membranes are a rich source of biologically active proteins, the synthesis of which is regulated by hormones. Depending on the stage of pregnancy, the protein profile of the placenta changes, thanks to which its remodelling is possible. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of decorin, as well as selected glycosylation inhibitors on the adhesion of caruncular epithelial cells derived from cows during pregnancy. Placental cells were isolated from healthy, pregnant (2nd and 4th month) cows after slaughter, which allowed for the establishment of 4 primary cell cultures without visible cells of fibroblast morphology. The presence of decorin in cell monolayer and cell lysates was determined by the use of immunocytochemistry and Western blotting, respectively. The viability of cells was evaluated by MTT assay. The adhesion of cells to fibronectin was measured spectrophotometrically. Protein N‐glycosylation and O‐glycosylation have a modulating effect on the adhesion and viability of placental cells during early–mid pregnancy. Decorin and tunicamycin were shown to have anti‐adhesive properties with respect to caruncular cells of the pregnant bovine uterus.
Dynamic Risk Perceptions in Times of Avian and Seasonal Influenza Epidemics: A Repeated Cross‐Sectional Design
Authors: Lages Nadine C. , Debbeler Luka J. , Blumenschein Michael , Kollmann Josianne , Szymczak Hermann , Keim Daniel A. , Schupp Harald T. , Renner Britta 
Published: February 2021

AbstractInfectious diseases pose a serious threat to humans. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how accurately people perceive these risks. However, accuracy can be operationalized differently depending on the standard of comparison. The present study investigated accuracy in risk perceptions for three infectious diseases (avian influenza, seasonal influenza, common cold) using three different standards for accuracy: Social comparison (self vs. others’ risk perceptions), general problem level (risk perceptions for diseases with varying threat levels), and dynamic problem level (risk perceptions during epidemics/seasons vs. nonepidemic/off‐season times). Four online surveys were conducted using a repeated cross‐sectional design. Two surveys were conducted during epidemics/seasons of avian influenza, seasonal influenza, and common cold in 2006 (n = 387) and 2016 (n = 370) and two surveys during nonepidemic/off‐season times for the three diseases in 2009 (n = 792) during a swine flu outbreak and in 2018 (n = 422) during no outbreak of zoonotic influenza. While on average participants felt less at risk than others, indicating an optimistic bias, risk perceptions matched the magnitude of risk associated with the three infectious diseases. Importantly, a significant three‐way interaction indicated dynamic accuracy in risk perceptions: Participants felt more at risk for seasonal influenza and common cold during influenza and cold seasons, compared with off‐season times. However, these dynamic increases were more pronounced in the perceived risk for others than for oneself (optimistic bias). The results emphasize the importance of using multiple approaches to assess accuracy of risk perception as they provided different information on how accurately people gauge their risk when facing infectious diseases.
A Bayesian Nonparametric Model for Textural Pattern Heterogeneity
Authors: Li Xiao , Guindani Michele , Ng Chaan S. , Hobbs Brian P. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCancer radiomics is an emerging discipline promising to elucidate lesion phenotypes and tumour heterogeneity through patterns of enhancement, texture, morphology and shape. The prevailing technique for image texture analysis relies on the construction and synthesis of grey-level co-occurrence matrices (GLCM). Practice currently reduces the structured count data of a GLCM to reductive and redundant summary statistics for which analysis requires variable selection and multiple comparisons for each application, thus limiting reproducibility. In this article, we develop a Bayesian multivariate probabilistic framework for the analysis and unsupervised clustering of a sample of GLCM objects. By appropriately accounting for skewness and zero inflation of the observed counts and simultaneously adjusting for existing spatial autocorrelation at nearby cells, the methodology facilitates estimation of texture pattern distributions within the GLCM lattice itself. The techniques are applied to cluster images of adrenal lesions obtained from CT scans with and without administration of contrast. We further assess whether the resultant subtypes are clinically oriented by investigating their correspondence with pathological diagnoses. Additionally, we compare performance to a class of machine learning approaches currently used in cancer radiomics with simulation studies.
Dentoalveolar radiation dose following IMRT in oropharyngeal cancer—An observational study
Authors: Patel Vinod , Humbert‐Vidan Laia , Thomas Christopher , Sassoon Isabel , McGurk Mark , Fenlon Michael , Urbano Teresa Guerrero 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectivesThis observational study aims to determine individual dental doses in oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) patients managed by intensity modulated radiation treatment (IMRT).Materials and methodsOPC patients treated with IMRT had each tooth individually contoured on post‐IMRT CT scans. The mean, maximum and minimum doses were calculated per tooth‐based upon patient and tumor demographics (tumor size and nodal status).ResultsA total of 160 patients were included in this study. Escalating tumor size and nodal status led to an observed increase in Dmean doses to the dentition on the contralateral tumor side. A significant region in both jaws received >30 Gy in this tumor group.ConclusionTumor demographics were observed to influence RT doses to the dentition and need to be considered when providing a pre‐RT dental assessment. The observed dose of >30 Gy in large spans of the dentition and jaws highlights future risk of dental deterioration and ORN with long term survival.
The patient's agenda: nurses’ experience of learning and using guided self‐determination
Authors: Dehn Pernille , Strømberg Charlotte , Linnet Olesen Mette 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectivesHealth care has seen a shift towards person‐centred care to encompass the entirety of a person's needs and preferences, but research is sparse on healthcare professionals learning and using person‐centred care.AimTo investigate nurses’ experiences of learning and using the person‐centred method guided self‐determination (GSD) in three different gynaecological settings and to determine whether, and potentially, how new tasks introduced by the GSD method influence their professional identity.DesignA qualitative interview study conducted between January 2019 and January 2020.MethodWe conducted 16 semi‐structured interviews with nurses educated in using GSD. Applying inductive and deductive reasoning, we analysed the interviews using thematic analysis. The study was registered with the Danish Data Protection Agency (file no.: VD‐2018‐445, I‐Suite no.: 6700).ResultsThe analysis generated three main themes with two subthemes each: (a) prerequisites and barriers to learning and using GSD in terms of personal factors and organisational and method‐related factors; (b) new knowledge and understanding of illness with the subthemes expanded understanding of illness and a different relationship; and (c) nursing undergoing change with the subthemes, a new role and a professional self shaped through interaction with other professions.ConclusionsAlthough other professionals may have either supported or challenged the use of GSD, most nurses indicated that it supplemented their professional role and identity as they gained new knowledge about person‐centred challenges and felt more confident. When introducing GSD in nursing, the organisation must not only consider individual characteristics, multidisciplinary collaboration and communication but also plan individual education and supervision. This is necessary because all these factors affect how a new professional role is constructed and adopted, not to mention how it influences the nurses’ perception of their professional identity and use of GSD. Establishing a helpful person‐centred environment must also be considered.
Absolute blood volume variations during hemodialysis: Does dialysate temperature play a role?
Authors: Álvarez Nadal Marta , Martín Capón Irene , Viera Ramírez Elizabeth Romelia , Fernández Lucas Milagros 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundVascular refilling occurs to preserve hemodynamic stability during hemodialysis (HD). Recent studies report a feasible and noninvasive method to determine absolute blood volume (ABV), and estimate vascular refilling during HD. The objective of this study is to analyze if lowering dialysate temperature modifies variations in ABV during HD.MethodsThe study was performed in 50 patients under HD. During two different sessions, relative blood volume was assessed using dialysate temperatures of 35.5°C (cool dialysate) and 36.5°C (neutral dialysate). ABV and vascular refilling were calculated using Kron et al methodology.ResultsThirty‐nine intradialytic morbid events (IMEs) were observed in 30 patients, 14 under cool dialysate and 25 during neutral dialysate. We did not found statistically differences in ABV or in refilling volume between cool and neutral temperature. When analyzing apart only those patients who presented IME, we observed lower drop in ABV in the 35.5°C dialysate treatments (0.57 L) versus 36.5°C dialysate treatments (0.71 L). When cool dialysate was used, the vascular refilling fraction tended to be higher, but data did not turn statistically significant.ConclusionsIn selected groups of patients the use of cool dialysate induces lower ABV variations that could improve hemodynamic stability during HD treatments.
An analysis of the impact of suicide prevention messages and memorials on motorway bridges
Authors: O'Neill Siobhan , Potts Courtney , Bond Raymond , Mulvenna Maurice , Ennis Edel , McFeeters Danielle , Boyda David , Morrissey Jacqui , Scowcroft Elizabeth , Isaksen Mette , Turkington Robin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractRecently, there has been activity at public locations where people have died by suicide, including the erection of suicide prevention messages and memorials (decorations). This research looks at the impact of these decorations and associated media coverage of the decorations on suicidal behaviour at bridges. Incidents (n = 160) of suicidal behaviour on 26 bridges across motorways in England were analysed. Overall, there was no significant difference in the proportion of incidents pre‐decoration versus post‐decoration (p‐value = .55). The incident rates were not significantly different pre‐ and post‐decoration (p = .46). Only one bridge had statistically significantly more incidents post‐decoration and media reporting (p = .03). However, following correction for multiple testing there was no significant difference in pre‐ and post‐incident rates at any of the bridges. In total, 58% of bridges had a greater frequency of incidents when decorations were absent; however, this proportion was not statistically significant (p = .41). Further research is required to establish how suicide prevention messages are perceived. There does not appear to be any benefit, but it often generates media coverage which has been shown to increase risk.
Relationship between compaction and infiltration capacity of amended soil for urban flood damage mitigation
Authors: Itsukushima Rei , Ideta Kazufumi , Takata Hiroshi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTo mitigate urban flooding, conserving pervious areas and securing the infiltration capacity are important. The infiltration capacity of an area can be significantly reduced by compaction; thus, we attempted to build a runoff reduction technology that can ensure the infiltration capacity even after compaction to mitigate urban flooding. Herein, we revealed the relationship between the degree of compaction and infiltration capacity of amended soils using humus and bamboo chips. We performed a watering infiltration experiment, which initially demonstrated the nonoccurrence of surface runoff in all experimental materials for rainfall intensities of 60 and 120 mm hr−1, without compaction. However, as the degree of compaction increased, humus mixed with soil exhibited behaviour similar to that of unimproved soil and the surface runoff exceeded seepage drainage. In contrast, in the case of bamboo chips mixed with soil, the surface runoff remained small even at high degrees of compaction. Consequently, when the rainfall intensity was 120 mm hr−1 and compaction was 3 kg cm−2, the surface runoff per unit time for bamboo chips mixed with soil was 2.4 times less than that for humus mixed with soil and 2.2 times less than that for unimproved soil. Moreover, such differences were observed in the infiltration capacity with respect to compaction because of the void structure owing to soil improvement. Thus, we conclude that soil improvement using bamboo chips can be considered an effective technology to mitigate urban flooding.
TINY BRANCHED HAIR functions in multicellular trichome development through an ethylene pathway in Cucumis sativus L.
Authors: Zhang Yaqi , Shen Junjun , Bartholomew Ezra S. , Dong Mingming , Chen Shuying , Yin Shuai , Zhai Xuling , Feng Zhongxuan , Ren Huazhong , Liu Xingwang 
Published: February 2021

SummaryThe fruit trichomes of Cucurbitaceae are widely desired in many Asian countries and have been a key determinant of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cultivar selection for commercial production and breeding. However, our understanding of the initiation and development of cucumber trichomes is still limited. Here, we found that the cucumber TINY BRANCHED HAIR (TBH) gene is preferentially expressed in multicellular trichomes. Overexpression of CsTBH in tbh mutants restored the trichome phenotype and increased the percentage of female flowers, whereas silencing of CsTBH in wild‐type plants resulted in stunted trichomes with a lower rate of female flowers. Furthermore, we provide evidence that CsTBH can directly bind to the promoters of cucumber 1‐Aminocyclopropane‐1‐Carboxylate Synthase (CsACS) genes and regulate their expression, which affects multicellular trichome development, ethylene accumulation, and sex expression. Two cucumber acs mutants with different trichome morphology and sex morphs compared with their near‐isogenic line further support our findings. Collectively, our study provides new information on the molecular mechanism of CsTBH in regulating multicellular trichome development and sex expression through an ethylene pathway.
HLA class I depletion by citric acid, and irradiation of apheresis platelets for transfusion of refractory patients
Authors: Mirlashari Mohammad Reza , Vetlesen Annette , Nissen‐Meyer Lise Sofie H. , Naper Christian , Tjønnfjord Geir Erland , Njerve Ida Unhammer , Ezligini Farshid , Landmark Brynjar Fowels , Meinke Stephan , Sandgren Per , Höglund Petter , Hetland Geir 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundPatients can form antibodies to foreign human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class I antigens after exposure to allogeneic cells. These anti‐HLA class I antibodies can bind transfused platelets (PLTs) and mediate their destruction, thus leading to PLT refractoriness. Patients with PLT refractoriness need HLA‐matched PLTs, which require expensive HLA typing of donors, antibody analyses of patient sera and/or crossmatching. An alternative approach is to reduce PLT HLA Class I expression using a brief incubation in citric acid on ice at low pH.Methods and MaterialsApheresis PLT concentrates were depleted of HLA Class I complexes by 5 minutes incubation in ice‐cold citric acid, at pH 3.0. Surface expression of HLA Class I complexes, CD62P, CD63, phosphatidylserine, and complement factor C3c was analyzed by flow cytometry. PLT functionality was tested by thromboelastography (TEG).ResultsAcid treatment reduced the expression of HLA Class I complexes by 71% and potential for C3c binding by 11.5‐fold compared to untreated PLTs. Acid‐treated PLTs were significantly more activated than untreated PLTs, but irrespective of this increase in steady‐state activation, CD62P and CD63 were strongly upregulated on both acid‐treated and untreated PLTs after stimulation with thrombin receptor agonist peptide. Acid treatment did not induce apoptosis over time. X‐ray irradiation did not significantly influence the expression of HLA Class I complexes, CD62P, CD63, and TEG variables on acid treated PLTs.ConclusionThe relatively simple acid stripping method can be used with irradiated apheresis PLTs and may prevent transfusion‐associated HLA sensitization and overcome PLT refractoriness.
Multicenter observational study evaluating the impact of platelet transport bags on product wastage
Authors: Kron Amie , Vijenthira Shangari , Pendergrast Jacob , Modi Dimpy , McLaren Alyson , MacDonald Anna , Armali Chantal , Cserti‐Gazdewich Christine , Smith Erica , Quest Graeme , Gabanowicz Katie , Lieberman Lani , Aseltine Laura , Sani Luarne , Roche Margaret , DeOliviera Maria , Yu Philip , Fazari Sandra , Patel Sneha , Lin Yulia , Kelly Zofia , Callum Jeannie 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundPlatelets are the most commonly discarded blood product in Canada, with the most common cause of in‐date product loss being improper storage. Transport containers to maintain temperature and extend acceptable return time may represent a method to reduce wastage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a validated Platelet Transport Bag (PTB) on platelet wastage.Study Design and MethodsThirty‐six hospitals with the highest platelet discards were invited to participate in a before–after observational study. Hospitals were instructed to utilize a validated 4‐h PTB for clinical situations where immediate transfusion was not planned. Five hospitals audited in‐date platelet discards from July 2018 to November 2019 to characterize wastage causes. In‐date platelet discard data 12 months before and after the start date for each site were analyzed to determine changes in wastage.ResultsOf 36 hospital sites, 16 agreed to participate. Pre‐ and postdiscards were 277 and 301, respectively, for all sites combined. There were no significant before–after change in wastage rate (+0.05%, p = .51). Fifty discards were included in the detailed audit; the most common reasons were return to the blood bank after more than 60 min outside a PTB (n = 17, 34%) and return in a red cell cooler (n = 10, 20%).ConclusionImplementation of PTB did not improve wastage. Common causes of in‐date discards were return after 1 h outside of a PTB and placement in a red cell cooler in error. Further research is required to investigate potential strategies to mitigate in‐date platelet wastage.