bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bos taurus haplotypes segregating in Nellore (Bos indicus) cattle
Authors: Utsunomiya Y. T. , Fortunato A. A. A. D. , Milanesi M. , Trigo B. B. , Alves N. F. , Sonstegard T. S. , Garcia J. F. 
Published: December 2021

SummaryBrazil is the largest exporter of beef in the world, and most of that beef derives from Nellore cattle. Although considered a zebu breed (Bos indicus), the history of Nellore cattle in Brazil is marked by the importation of bulls from India, the use of a Creole taurine (Bos taurus) maternal lineage to quickly expand the herds and backcrossing to Nellore bulls to recover zebu ancestry. As a consequence, the current Brazilian Nellore population carries an average taurine ancestry of approximately 1%. Although that percentage seems small, some taurine variants deviate substantially from that average, with the better‐known cases being the PLAG1‐Q haplotype involved with body size variation and the Guarani (PG) polled variant producing hornless animals. Here, we report taurine haplotypes in 9074 Nellore animals genotyped for 539 657 imputed SNP markers. Apart from PLAG1‐Q and PG, our analysis further revealed common taurine haplotypes (>3%) spanning genes related to immunity, growth, reproduction and hair and skin phenotypes. Using data from 22 economically important traits, we showed that many of the major QTL previously reported in the breed are at least partially driven by taurine haplotypes. As B. taurus and B. indicus haplotypes are highly divergent, presenting widely different sets of functional variants, our results provide promising targets for future scrutiny in Nellore cattle.
Digital information and communication technologies on histology learning: What to expect?—An integrative review
Authors: Joaquim Davide Carlos , Hortsch Michael , Silva Andrea Soares Rocha da , David Priscila Barros , Leite Ana Caroline Rocha de Melo , Girão‐Carmona Virgínia Cláudia Carneiro 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis integrative review summarizes the scientific evidence about the use of information and communication technologies in the teaching of histology and discusses its implications. The authors used the descriptors ‘Educational Technology’, ‘Information Technology’, ‘Histology’, ‘Teaching’, ‘Learning’, and their corresponding Portuguese translation for a comprehensive search of the published literature. This research was performed in May 2020 and targeted the PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, WOS, and SCOPUS databases. Studies published between 2010 and 2020 in Portuguese, English, and Spanish were included in the analysis. After excluding dissertations, reports, and duplicate reviews, 11 articles were identified for an in‐depth analysis, which discussed the use of different technologies, such as digital platforms, mobile apps, virtual microscopy, and video classes for the teaching of histology. All studies concluded that these technologies could have a considerable impact, both positive and negative, on academic performance, the correct interpretation of histological structures, as well as students’ motivation and satisfaction. The authors’ analysis indicates that the use of the above‐mentioned technologies in combination with traditional methods has the potential of transforming the teaching and learning process for histology. However, how such technologies impact students’ learning success needs to be carefully considered.
Measuring the outcomes for aged care residents’ participation in physical activity interventions: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Wootten Steven , Wiseman Nicola , Harris Neil 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectivesLack of physical activity presents substantial health risks to older adults living in residential aged care facilities. The objective of this review was to examine the suitability of physical activity outcome measurement instruments among cognitively sound residents.MethodsSearch terms were used to explore health, nursing and social science databases to identify applicable English‐language research from January 2000 to July 2020.ResultsSixteen papers met the inclusion criteria. The findings show that a diverse range of outcome measurement instruments have been used to evaluate physical activity intervention effectiveness. Most were found not to be validated for use specifically with residential aged care populations.ConclusionsA range of Outcome Measurement Instruments (OMI) appear to effectively measure physical activity intervention outcomes among residential aged care older adults. Results highlighted the need for greater rigour in study design and selection of valid and population‐appropriate instruments for use with this population.
Protein microarray analysis of amniotic fluid proteins associated with spontaneous preterm birth in women with preterm labor
Authors: Park Kyo Hoon , Kim Hyeon Ji , Lee Young Eun , Kim Yu Mi , Lee Ji Eun , Hong Subeen 
Published: December 2021

AbstractProblemTo identify proteins present in the amniotic fluid (AF) that could be associated with spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB; delivery < 7 days) in women with preterm labor (PTL).Method of studyFirst, the AF proteome of 20 women with PTL and SPTB was compared with that of 20 matched women with term deliveries using an antibody microarray. Next, nine identified candidate biomarkers of SPTB were further validated in 267 singleton pregnant women with PTL who underwent amniocentesis at 26–33 weeks of gestation using ELISA, and whether the degree of expression of these proteins was associated with the risk severity for subsequent SPTB was retrospectively assessed.ResultsOf the 507 proteins evaluated in the microarray analysis, 27 displayed significant intergroup differences. In particular, ELISA quantification confirmed that the expression of EN‐RAGE, IL‐6, IL‐8, IP‐10, lipocalin‐2, MMP‐8, MMP‐9, S100 A8/A9, and TNFR2 were all increased in the AF of women spontaneously delivering within 7 days of sampling compared with those delivering after 7 days. Moreover, the odds of SPTB within 7 days, even upon adjusting for confounders, tended to significantly increase with each increasing quartile of baseline AF levels of each protein (P‐value for trend < .05).ConclusionNine AF proteins were found to be independently associated with higher risk of subsequent SPTB in women with PTL, all of which were immune‐, inflammation‐, and extracellular matrix‐related proteins. Moreover, risk severity for this subsequent SPTB is closely related to the degree of expression of each of these proteins.
The impact on obstetric and perinatal outcomes in term infants following the introduction of a colour‐coded, hierarchical cardiotocography classification system: A retrospective non‐inferiority study
Authors: Willis Meg , Dunn Liam , Okano Satomi , Janssens Sarah , Kumar Sailesh 
Published: December 2021

BackgroundQueensland introduced a colour‐coded cardiotocograph (CTG) classification system (green, blue, yellow and red) to complement the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists prose‐based classification system of ‘low, unlikely, maybe or likely’ fetal compromise.AimsThe aim of the study was to determine the clinical impact of the introduction of the colour‐coded CTG classification system compared to the prose‐based system. We hypothesised there would be no change in the rate of operative delivery for intrapartum fetal compromise (OD‐IFC).Materials and methodsThis retrospective non‐inferiority study from November 2014 to May 2018 used routinely collected data from the Mater Mother’s Hospital. Non‐insured women with a singleton, non‐anomalous, cephalic fetus at term, attempting a vaginal birth with continuous intrapartum CTG were included. The primary outcome was OD‐IFC. Secondary outcomes included various obstetric and perinatal outcomes. Non‐inferiority analysis was performed with a pre‐specified non‐inferiority margin of 2% risk difference.ResultsEleven thousand seven hundred and twenty‐seven participants were included. The OD‐IFC rate was similar across the study groups (prose‐based 15.1% vs colour‐coded 15.3%, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.02, 95% CI 0.93–1.13) with the adjusted risk difference of 0.29% (95% CI −0.98 to 1.56), which did not exceed the inferiority margin. There were more spontaneous (aOR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04–1.19) and fewer instrumental (aOR 0.87, 95% CI 0.80–0.95) vaginal births in the colour‐coded cohort. There were no differences in neonatal outcomes.ConclusionsReassuringly, the colour‐coded CTG classification system was non‐inferior to the prose‐based system, did not influence OD‐IFC but was associated with more spontaneous vaginal deliveries.
Combining factor VIII levels and thrombin/plasmin generation: A population pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic model for patients with haemophilia A
Authors: Bukkems Laura H. , Valke Lars L. F. G. , Barteling Wideke , Laros‐van Gorkom Britta A. P. , Blijlevens Nicole M. A. , Cnossen Marjon H. , van Heerde Waander L. , Schols Saskia E. M. , Mathôt Ron A. A. 
Published: December 2021

AimsProphylactic treatment of haemophilia A patients with factor VIII (FVIII) concentrate focuses on maintaining a minimal trough FVIII activity level to prevent bleeding. However, due to differences in bleeding tendency, the pharmacokinetic (PK)‐guided dosing approach may be suboptimal. An alternative approach could be the addition of haemostatic pharmacodynamic (PD) parameters, reflecting a patient's unique haemostatic balance. Our aim was to develop a population PK/PD model, based on FVIII activity levels and Nijmegen Haemostasis Assay (NHA) patterns, a global haemostatic assay that measures thrombin/plasmin generation simultaneously.MethodsPK/PD measurements were collected from 30 patients treated with standard half‐life FVIII concentrate. The relationship between FVIII activity levels and the thrombin/plasmin generation parameters (thrombin potential, thrombin peak height and plasmin peak height), were described by sigmoidal Emax functions.ResultsThe obtained EC50 value was smallest for the normalized thrombin potential (11.6 IU/dL), followed by normalized thrombin peak height (56.6 IU/dL) and normalized plasmin peak height (593 IU/dL), demonstrating that normalized thrombin potential showed 50% of the maximal effect at lower FVIII activity levels. Substantial inter‐individual variability in the PD parameters, such as EC50 of thrombin potential (86.9%) was observed, indicating that, despite similar FVIII activity levels, haemostatic capacity varies significantly between patients.ConclusionThese data suggest that dosing based on patients' individual PK/PD parameters may be beneficial over dosing solely on individual PK parameters. This model could be used as proof‐of‐principle to examine the application of PK/PD‐guided dosing. However, the relation between the PD parameters and bleeding has to be better defined.
Influence of baseline QTc on sotalol‐induced prolongation of ventricular repolarization in men and women
Authors: Funck‐Brentano Christian , Salem Joe‐Elie 
Published: December 2021

The extent of sotalol‐induced QTc prolongation on the electrocardiogram, is variable among subjects and influenced by sex. However, the influence of baseline QTc on the extent of drug‐induced QTc prolongation remains unclear. This was studied around peak plasma concentration in a large cohort of 376 healthy male and 614 healthy female subjects who received 80 mg of sotalol orally. Baseline QTc was 379 ± 16 ms in men and 393 ± 15 ms in women (P < .0001). The change in QTc from baseline was highly variable among both sexes and was greater in women than in men (26.5 ± 13.2 vs.13.0 ± 10.8 ms; P < .0001). The slope of the regression line between QTc on sotalol and baseline QTc did not significantly differ from unity in men and in women, indicating that the extent of QTc prolongation with sotalol was not influenced by baseline QTc. Assessing QTc after administration of an IKr blocker may be more important than measuring a baseline QTc.
Estimating Cell Type Composition Using Isoform Expression One Gene at a Time
Authors: Heiling Hillary M. , Wilson Douglas R. , Rashid Naim U. , Sun Wei , Ibrahim Joseph G. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Human tissue samples are often mixtures of heterogeneous cell types, which can confound the analyses of gene expression data derived from such tissues. The cell type composition of a tissue sample may itself be of interest and is needed for proper analysis of differential gene expression. A variety of computational methods have been developed to estimate cell type proportions using gene-level expression data. However, RNA isoforms can also be differentially expressed across cell types, and isoform-level expression could be equally or more informative for determining cell type origin than gene-level expression. We propose a new computational method, IsoDeconvMM, which estimates cell type fractions using isoform-level gene expression data. A novel and useful feature of IsoDeconvMM is that it can estimate cell type proportions using only a single gene, though in practice we recommend aggregating estimates of a few dozen genes to obtain more accurate results. We demonstrate the performance of IsoDeconvMM using a unique data set with cell type–specific RNA-seq data across more than 135 individuals. This data set allows us to evaluate different methods given the biological variation of cell type–specific gene expression data across individuals. We further complement this analysis with additional simulations.
Is the label ‘conspiracy theory’ a cause or a consequence of disbelief in alternative narratives?
Authors: Douglas Karen M. , van Prooijen Jan‐Willem , Sutton Robbie M. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractUsing the label ‘conspiracy theory’ is widely perceived to be a way of discrediting wild ideas and unsubstantiated claims. However, prior research suggests that labelling statements as conspiracy theories does not reduce people's belief in them. In four studies, we probed this effect further, and tested the alternative hypothesis that the label ‘conspiracy theory’ is a consequence rather than a cause of (dis)belief in conspiracy‐related statements. Replicating prior research, Study 1 (N = 170) yielded no evidence that the label ‘conspiracy theory’ affects belief in statements. In Study 2 (N = 199), we discovered that the less people believed in statements, the more they favoured labelling them as ‘conspiracy theories’. In Studies 3 and 4 (Ns = 150 and 151), we manipulated the relative believability of statements and found that participants preferred the label ‘conspiracy theory’ for relatively less believable versus more believable statements. The current research therefore supports the hypothesis that prior (dis)agreement with a statement affects the use of the label ‘conspiracy theory’ more than the other way around.
Heterospecific infanticide among sympatric peccaries in Costa Rica
Authors: Carrillo Eduardo , Fuller Todd K. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWe observed white‐lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) killing infant collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu) on the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica. Camera trap data indicated high overlap of peccary activity periods, but spatio‐temporal avoidance of white‐lipped peccaries by collared peccaries. Heterospecific infanticide is unknown among ungulates, but could be an important factor in reinforcing niche partitioning.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
Phase 1/2 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of DSP‐7888 dosing emulsion in myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Ueda Yasunori , Usuki Kensuke , Fujita Jiro , Matsumura Itaru , Aotsuka Nobuyuki , Sekiguchi Naohiro , Nakazato Tomonori , Iwasaki Hiromi , Takahara‐Matsubara Mariko , Sugimoto Saori , Goto Masashi , Naoe Tomoki , Kizaki Masahiro , Miyazaki Yasushi , Aakashi Koichi 
Published: December 2021

AbstractDSP‐7888 is an immunotherapeutic cancer vaccine derived from the Wilms’ tumor gene 1 (WT1) protein. This phase 1/2 open‐label study evaluated the safety and efficacy of DSP‐7888 dosing emulsion in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). DSP‐7888 was administered intradermally (3.5 or 10.5 mg) every 2 weeks for 6 months and then every 2‐4 weeks until lack of benefit. Twelve patients were treated in phase 1 (3.5 mg, n = 6; 10.5 mg, n = 6), with no dose‐limiting toxicities reported. Thus, the 10.5 mg dose was selected as the recommended phase 2 dose, and 35 patients were treated in phase 2. Forty‐seven patients received ≥1 dose of the study drug and comprised the safety analysis set. The most common adverse drug reaction (ADR) was injection site reactions (ISR; 91.5%). Grade 3 ISR were common (58.8%) in phase 1 but occurred less frequently in 2 (22.9%) following implementation of risk minimization strategies. Other common ADR were pyrexia (10.6%) and febrile neutropenia (8.5%). In the efficacy analysis set, comprising patients with higher‐risk MDS after azacitidine failure in phases 1 and 2 (n = 42), the disease control rate was 19.0%, and the median overall survival (OS) was 8.6 (90% confidence interval [CI], 6.8‐10.3) months. Median OS was 10.0 (90% CI, 7.6‐11.4) months in patients with a WT1‐specific immune response (IR; n = 33) versus 4.1 (90% CI, 2.3‐8.1) months in those without a WT1‐specific IR (n = 9; P = .0034). The acceptable safety and clinical activity findings observed support the continued development of DSP‐7888 dosing emulsion.
Patient‐reported outcome measures comparing static computer‐aided implant surgery and conventional implant surgery for single‐tooth replacement: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kunavisarut Chatchai , Santivitoonvong Akarin , Chaikantha Sarunya , Pornprasertsuk‐Damrongsri Suchaya , Joda Tim 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo compare static computer‐aided implant surgery (s‐CAIS) and conventional implant surgery (CIS) for single‐tooth replacement in posterior sites in terms of patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs).MethodsForty patients were divided into two groups for treatment with s‐CAIS (Test) and CIS (Control). Patients’ anxiety level was measured using the modified dental anxiety score before implant surgery. After surgery, patients completed two questionnaires for 7 days. The first questionnaire assessed pain level using a visual analog scale (VAS) and the incident rate of pain using a 5‐point Likert scale; analgesic intake was also recorded. The second questionnaire investigated patients’ oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) including postoperative symptoms, oral function, and daily activity. The difference between data was compared at significance level (α = 0.05).ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference in pretreatment dental anxiety level, postoperative pain scores, and OHRQoL between treatment groups. Overall, mild or moderate dental anxiety was reported by 70% and 20% of patients, respectively. Pain score was significantly reduced by postoperative Day 3 in the test group and Day 4 in the control group, compared with baseline. Both groups significant reduced analgesic intake by postoperative Day 5. Most OHRQoL‐related complaints subsided approximately 3 days after surgery.ConclusionsOverall, PROMs between s‐CAIS and CIS were not significantly different for the single‐tooth implant surgery in the posterior area. Postoperative symptoms after implant surgery still inevitably occurred, reflecting the normal process of oral wound healing.
Exploring the impact of climate change on the future of community‐based wildlife conservation
Authors: Carpenter Stefan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractCommunity‐based conservation (CBC) is a wildlife governance approach popular in areas projected to experience a decline in precipitation due to climate change. A survey of residents in four Namibian CBC areas found that the overwhelming majority of respondents felt that (a) a prolonged drought coincided with an increased rate of human‐wildlife conflict (HWC), and (b) costs from HWC outweighed any CBC benefits they received. Perceptions of increased HWC frequency were negatively associated with the likelihood of respondents feeling that wildlife benefits exceeded costs. These findings raise questions about the impact of predicted climate change effects on CBC programs across much of the global south.
COVID Connections: Lessons from Adaptations to COVID‐19 as Strategies for Building Food System Resilience
Authors: O’Connell Caela , Gay Rosemary , McDonald Noreen , Tayal Sita 
Published: December 2021

AbstractTo identify elements of crisis response that might hold lessons for resilience beyond the current moment, we studied a central North Carolina food system during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Based on ethnographic interviews with farmers, employees and volunteers of food access organizations, and local government employees, our work found that connection, networking, innovation, and technology adoption were sources of strength and growth. Lessons: food system actors found that their social connections helped them to exchange information and resources, meet increased food needs among SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) participants and Latina/os immigrants, and combine efforts to adopt technologies and learn from new labor pools. Challenges: while navigating COVID‐19, food system actors faced challenges spanning labor, safety, information, government policies, supply shortages, weather, and unreliable information. In addition to lessons and challenges, we offer a series of future research directions that we identified in our study findings. Our study shows that small‐scale production and local food organization and government responses are important and dynamic parts of a resilient food system. Regional systems’ actors were able to pivot more quickly than large‐scale systems and presented a more flexible, locally suitable model that will likely prove adaptive beyond the pandemic.
Can borderline regression method be used to standard set OSCEs in small cohorts?
Authors: Moreno‐López Rosa , Hope David 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIntroductionAbsolute methods of standard setting (SS) are more suitable for OSCEs. However, previous studies have theorised that borderline regression method (BRM) is not reliable for small sample sizes.Materials and methodsOSCE results for the 2017–2019 cohorts were analysed to compare BRM versus Modified Angoff. We reported on whether the stations in multiple cohorts were sufficiently equivalent to aggregate the results together to calculate which method of SS was more reliable. We finally used the bootstrapping method to compare the accuracy of BRM for small versus simulated larger cohorts.ResultsBRM was a valid method for SS OSCEs in this dataset when station quality was sufficiently high. However, a large gap between the Angoff and BRM in some of the OSCEs was observed, which could be explained by poor use of the grading scale. Model fit statistics were generally adequate even with low sample sizes. Using the bootstrap of datasets, the error rate was much higher for low‐quality stations but was not an issue in high‐quality ones.DiscussionThis study adds to the evidence that well‐designed OSCEs can use BRM for small cohorts. However, there is a need for the institutions to properly assess their stations and their assessors, before embarking into using this method, to prevent from having to remove stations.ConclusionsThis analysis suggests that BRM is an acceptable replacement for Angoff SS in small cohorts, where there is a range of candidates undertaking the assessments and there are well‐designed OSCES with well‐trained examiners.