bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis by conditioned medium derived from human amniotic fluid stem cells
Authors: O’Connell Joshua S. , Li Bo , Zito Andrea , Ahmed Abdalla , Cadete Marissa , Ganji Niloofar , Lau Ethan , Alganabi Mashriq , Farhat Nassim , Lee Carol , Eaton Simon , Mitchell Robert , Ray Steve , De Coppi Paolo , Patel Ketan , Pierro Agostino 
Published: December 2021

Purpose
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most distressing gastrointestinal emergencies affecting neonates. Amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSC) improve intestinal injury and survival in experimental NEC but are difficult to administer. In this study, we evaluated whether conditioned medium (CM) derived from human AFSC have protective effects.

Methods
Three groups of C57BL/6 mice were studied: (i) breast-fed mice as control; (ii) experimental NEC mice receiving PBS; and (iii) experimental NEC mice receiving CM. NEC was induced between post-natal days P5 through P9 via: (A) gavage feeding of hyperosmolar formula four-time a day; (B) 10 minutes hypoxia prior to feeds; and (C) lipopolysaccharide administration on P6 and P7. Intra-peritoneal injections of either PBS or CM were given on P6 and P7. All mice were sacrificed on P9 and terminal ileum were harvested for analyses.

Results
CM treatment increased survival and reduced intestinal damage, decreased mucosal inflammation (IL-6; TNF-α), neutrophil infiltration (MPO), and apoptosis (CC3), and also restored angiogenesis (VEGF) in the ileum. Additionally, CM treated mice had increased levels of epithelial proliferation (Ki67) and stem cell activity (Olfm4; Lgr5) compared to NEC+PBS mice, showing restored intestinal regeneration and recovery during NEC induction. CM proteomic analysis of CM content identified peptides that regulated immune and stem cell activity.

Conclusions
CM derived from human AFSC administered in experimental NEC exhibited various benefits including reduced intestinal injury and inflammation, increased enterocyte proliferation, and restored intestinal stem cell activity. This study provides the scientific basis for the use of CM derived from AFSC in neonates with NEC.
Utilization rate and usage patterns of phakic and pseudophakic donor corneas recovered by the Singapore Eye Bank
Authors: Kyauk Sai , Cajucom-Uy Howard Y. , Htoon Hla Myint , Aung Z. Zaw Htoi , Mehta Jodhbir S. , Anshu Arundhati 
Published: December 2021

PurposeTo compare the utilization rate and usage patterns of pseudophakic and phakic donor corneas recovered by the Singapore Eye Bank.MethodsRecords of local donor corneas recovered by the Singapore Eye Bank from 2012 to 2017 were examined. Corneas that were deemed suitable for clinical use were stratified into phakic and pseudophakic groups. We examined the basic demographic pattern of both groups and the initial type of surgery/ies that the corneas were suitable for based on tissue parameters such as time from harvesting, stromal clarity, the clear central corneal area, the presence of Descemet’s membrane tears or defects, and endothelial cell density and quality. We also identified the types of corneal grafts that the corneas were eventually used for; Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK), Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (ALK), Endothelial Keratoplasty (EK). Finally, the overall utilization rates for each group were determined.ResultsA total of 986 corneas deemed suitable for transplant were analyzed, 908 (92%) were phakic and 78 were pseudophakic (8%). The average age of pseudophakic donor corneas was (65 ± 8 yrs. old) and there was a slight male preponderance for both groups (55%). Age adjusted analysis of pseudophakic corneas showed the endothelial cell density (ECD) (mean: 2327 ± 47.1 cells/mm2) and clear area (mean: 7.0 ± 0.7 mm) were lesser than phakic corneas. The percentage of pseudophakic corneas that were of EK standard (ECD >2500 cells/mm2) were lower compared to phakic corneas (37% and 77% respectively, p < 0.001). There was significant correlation between previous cataract surgery and the endothelial cell count of the donor corneas (p < 0.001), and regression analysis also showed a strong association of ECD with cataract surgery in reference to non-cataract surgery (-478.8 (95% CI-576.9 to -380.7). The overall utilization rate for pseudophakic corneas was 58% compared to that of phakic corneas at 83%. The most common reason for pseudophakic corneas not to be utilized was due to the presence of Descemet’s membrane (DM) tears or defects under the main or side port incision created during phacoemulsification (30%). Phakic corneas were used primarily for optical grafts 84% (mainly EK) while pseudophakic corneas were used mostly for therapeutic/tectonic grafts 47% (mainly ALK or patch grafts).ConclusionCompared to phakic donor corneas, pseudophakic corneas generally have lower overall tissue quality leading to lower uptake by surgeons and lower utilization rates. Eye banks must continuously refine their donor acceptance criteria and engage surgeons to optimize utilization of each recovered tissue.
Cervicovaginal levels of human beta defensins during bacterial vaginosis
Authors: Noda-Nicolau Nathalia Mayumi , Silva Mariana de Castro , Bento Giovana Fernanda Cosi , Ferreira Jeniffer Sena Baptista , Novak Juliano , Morales Júlia Andrade Pessoa , Tronco Júlia Abbade , Bolpetti Aline Nascimento , Pinto Gabriel Vitor Silva , Polettini Jossimara , Marconi Camila , Silva Márcia Guimarães da 
Published: December 2021

Aims
To compare the cervicovaginal levels of human beta defensin (hBD)-1, 2 and 3 of women according to the status of Nugent-defined bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Methods
A total of 634 women of reproductive age were included in the study. Participants were equally distributed in two groups: according to the classification of vaginal smears according to Nugent criteria in normal (scores 0 to 3) and BV (scores ≥7). Cervicovaginal fluid samples were used for measurements of hBDs1, 2 and 3 levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Levels of each hBD were compared between the two study groups using Mann-Whitney test, with p-value <0.05 considered as significant. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated for sociodemographic variables and hBD1-3 levels associated with BV a multivariable analysis. Correlation between Nugent score and measured levels of hBDs1-3 were calculated using Spearman’s test.

Results
Cervicovaginal fluids from women with BV showed lower levels of hBD-1 [median 2,400.00 pg/mL (0–27,800.00); p<0.0001], hBD-2 [5,600.00 pg/mL (0–45,800.00); p<0.0001] and hBD-3 [1,600.00 pg/mL (0–81,700.00); p = 0.012] when compared to optimal microbiota [hBD-1: [median 3,400.00 pg/mL (0–35,600.00), hBD-2: 12,300.00 pg/mL (0–95,300.00) and hBD-3: 3,000.00 pg/mL (0–64,300.00), respectively]. Multivariable analysis showed that lower levels of hBD-1 (OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.46–2.87), hBD-2 (OR: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.32–2.60) and hBD-3 (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.37–2.64) were independently associated BV. Significant negative correlations were observed between Nugent scores and cervicovaginal levels of hBD-1 (Spearman’s rho = -0.2118; p = 0.0001) and hBD-2 (*Spearman’s rho = -0.2117; p = 0.0001).

Conclusions
Bacterial vaginosis is associated with lower cervicovaginal levels of hBDs1-3 in reproductive-aged women.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers and oral squamous cell carcinoma survival: A propensity-score-matched cohort study
Authors: Wu Ching-Nung , Wu Shao-Chun , Chen Wei-Chih , Yang Yao-Hsu , Chin Jo-Chi , Chien Chih-Yen , Fang Fu-Min , Li Shau-Hsuan , Luo Sheng-Dean , Chiu Tai-Jan 
Published: December 2021

Objectives
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) improve the survival rates of patients with various cancers. However, it remains unclear whether ARBs confer a survival benefit on patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Here, we assessed the associations between ARB use and survival in patients with OSCC of different stages.

Materials and methods
This was a 10-year retrospective cohort study of OSCC patients. We enrolled 7,558 patients diagnosed with oral cancer between January 2007 and December 2017 whose details had been entered into the Chang Gung Research Database. Seven hundred and fourteen patients were recruited from the Chang Gung Research Database after performing 1:1 propensity score-matching between ARB users and non-users. Cox’s regression models with adjusted covariates were employed to detect factors influencing the survival rates of patients with OSCC.

Results
Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the overall survival (OS) rate of 180-day ARB users increased (p = 0.038). Cox’s regression models indicated that ARB use, younger patients, early-stage OSCC, and patients without diabetes mellitus were independently prognostic of improved OS. Increased OS was more prominent in 180-day ARB users in stage III, Iva, and IVb categories.

Conclusions
ARB use for more than 180 days is associated with an increased survival rate and is a positive, independent prognostic factor in patients with OSCC. A further two-arm study should be conducted to confirm the clinical usefulness of ARBs in OSCC patients.
Applied Theatre and Sexual Health: Apertures of Possibility, Katharine E. Low (2021)
Authors: Zontou Zoe 
Published: December 2021

Review of: Applied Theatre and Sexual Health: Apertures of Possibility, Katharine E. Low (2021)
New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 323 pp.,
ISBN 978-1-349-95975-4, h/bk, €77.99
Living Transnationally between Japan and Brazil: Routes Beyond Roots, Sarah Lebaron von Baeyer (2020)
Authors: Tsuda Takeyuki 
Published: December 2021

Review of: Living Transnationally between Japan and Brazil: Routes Beyond Roots, Sarah Lebaron von Baeyer (2020)
Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 256 pp.,
ISBN 978-1-49858-036-6, h/bk, $100
Impact of Value Added Tax to Enugu’s Economy
Authors: GONZALES MARIA LUISA , ODE FRIDAY 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACT
Value-added tax is everywhere; it is in the most of goods and services we purchase. Take for instance; when we go to the salon to get our hair done, when we gas up our car, vat is also included in what we pay. In the Philippines, the value-added tax is a form of sales tax. It is a tax on the consumption levied on the sale, barter exchange, or lease of goods, properties, and services in the Philippines, and on importation of goods into the country, it is an indirect tax that may be shifted or passed into the buyer transferring lease of goods, properties or services. While in Nigeria, VAT is a Federal Government Tax that is administered using the existing machinery of the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS). This study assessed the impact of value-added tax on Enugu Nigeria’s Economy, specifically to Government, Business Organizations, and Consumers, the problems identified, significant relationships, and the solutions recommended. The findings revealed that VAT has a significant impact on business organizations and consumers but positively on the part of the government. Recommendation for the improvement is for the consumer with low average earnings should be exempted in paying the VAT provided however, criteria must be set to exempt them in VAT.
Keyword: Social Sciences, Impact, Value added Tax, Revenue, descriptive research design, Philippines
Comparison of different autoanalyzers for the determination of lymphocyte and neutrophil counts in mouse blood
Authors: Gupta Saurabh Kumar , Gohil Dievya , Panigrahi Girish Ch. , Vaykar Swati , Rane Pallavi , Chavan Preeti , Gota Vikram 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Autoanalyzers are used in clinical haematology for analysis of blood samples in clinical as well as in nonclinical studies. The results from these analyzers vary from machine to machine. In this study, we compared the lymphocyte and neutrophil count of mouse blood between ADVIA 2120i, Horiba Yumizen H2500 and CellaVision analyzers against manual counting as gold standard.

Methods
Blood samples from 28 female BALB/c mice were collected and analyzed. Agreement between different autoanalyzers and manual counting were determined by Bland–Altman method.

Results
A high level of agreement was found between CellaVision and manual technique for lymphocyte (bias=4.75, 95% limits of agreement −14 to 24) and neutrophil count (bias=0.68 [−17 to 19]). Agreement in lymphocyte count was also observed between ADVIA and manual counting, but to a lesser extent compared to CellaVision (bias=13.9 [−10.45 to 38.27]). However, no agreement was observed for ADVIA (Neutrophils), Horiba (lymphocytes and neutrophils) with manual counting.

Conclusions
Our data suggests that CellaVision could be used for the differential counting of neutrophil and lymphocytes in mouse blood sample.
Influence of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genetic polymorphisms on disorders in transplant patients: a systematic review
Authors: Pita-Oliveira Murilo , Rodrigues-Soares Fernanda 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The glutathione-S-transferase (GST) enzymes are phase II isoenzymes responsible for protection against free radicals and xenobiotics. Since these proteins are described as polymorphic, polymorphisms in genes that encode them may alter enzymatic function and contribute to oxidative stress. In this context, such polymorphisms were already associated with several diseases and multiple therapeutic outcomes. A systematic review was performed to evaluate studies regarding the association between polymorphisms in three genes encoding enzymes of the GST family – GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 – and disorders in transplant patients. A total of 125 articles on which inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied were identified at PubMed database. Thirty-two studies met the target criteria and were included in the review. The mechanisms by which GST genotypes influence the development of disorders in transplant patients differ by disorder: they may participate in it by decreasing metabolism of drugs administered to patients undergoing transplantation, then exposing them to greater toxicity; by decreasing the repair ability against oxidative stress; or by encoding proteins that may be recognized as foreign, setting of an alloimmune reaction. Although some results are better established – such as GSTM1 null genotype’s role in the development of toxicity events in transplant patients – others require further evidences, as GST influence on the development of pulmonary decline and posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM). The importance of investigating these associations lies in a personalized medicine, in which the high-risk genotype patient has its treatment individualized and its care for prophylaxis and surveillance increased, potentially reducing this population’s morbimortality.
Religion as Political Tribalism
Authors: Campbell David E. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIs religion a form of political tribalism? Conventional wisdom suggests it is. Discussion of religion and American politics generally focuses on the “God Gap”—the tendency for religious Americans to vote Republican, while the non-religious vote Democratic. However, there is also reason to argue that religion cannot be reduced to political tribalism. The God Gap is found mostly among white voters; among people of color, religiosity is a far weaker predictor of the vote. Even among white voters, the size of the God Gap varies across different religious traditions. Furthermore, there is more nuance to the non-religious population than suggested by the standard account of the God Gap. When the analysis includes the full scope of the American religious landscape, religion is not as “tribal” as conventional wisdom suggests.
Optimal control for dengue eradication program under the media awareness effect
Authors: Aldila Dipo 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
In this article, a mathematical model is proposed to assess the effects of media awareness on dengue eradication programs. First, the existence and local stability of equilibrium points are discussed using the concept of the basic reproduction number. Using the center-manifold theorem, it is shown that the proposed model always undergoes a forward bifurcation at the basic reproduction number equal to unity. It is observed that the high-intensity media awareness could reduce the size of the endemic equilibrium. Based on local sensitivity analysis, we identify the three most sensitive parameters, namely the natural death rate of mosquito (μ

v
), infection rates (β

h1, β

v1), and hospitalization rate (η). Hence, control variables need to be introduced to increase/reduce these parameters. In this article, we use three different control variables, namely the media campaign, (u
1(t)), to reduce infection rates, additional hospitalization rate, (u
2(t)), and fumigation rate, (u
3(t)), to increase mosquitoes death rate. Pontryagin’s maximum principle is used to determine the optimal conditions. Some numerical simulations are performed to describe a possible scenario in the field. Cost effectiveness analysis is then conducted to determine the best strategy for the dengue eradication program. We conclude that a combination of media campaigns and fumigation is the most effective strategy to prevent a significant increase in the number of infected individuals.
Modeling Qualitative Outcomes by Supplementing Participant Data with General Population Data: A New and More Versatile Approach
Authors: Erard Brian 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Although one often has detailed information about participants in a program, the lack of comparable information on non-participants precludes standard qualitative choice estimation. This challenge can be overcome by incorporating a supplementary sample of covariate values from the general population. This paper presents new estimators based on this sampling strategy, which perform comparably to the best existing supplementary sampling estimators. The key advantage of the new estimators is that they readily incorporate sample weights, so that they can be applied to Census surveys and other supplementary data sources that have been generated using complex sample designs. This substantially widens the range of problems that can be addressed under a supplementary sampling estimation framework. The potential for improving precision by incorporating imperfect knowledge of the population prevalence rate is also explored.
Geoarchaeological and Paleo-Hydrological Overview of the Central-Western Mediterranean Early Neolithic Human–Environment Interactions
Authors: Berger Jean-Francois 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Climate change is still a subject of debate for archaeologist-neolithicists. Its exact chronology, internal pattern, variations in space and time, and impacts on sites and ecosystems and on coastal dynamic and river systems have yet to be assessed. Only a strict comparative approach at high chronological resolution will allow us to make progress on the causality of the socio-environmental processes at work during Neolithisation. Post-depositional impacts on the Early Neolithic hidden reserve also remain underestimated, which has led to the perpetuation of terms such as “Macedonian desert” and “archaeological silence” in the literature on the Neolithic. Off-site geoarchaeological and paleoenvironmental approaches provide some answers to these questions and opens up new research perspectives.
Slavery versus Labor
Authors: Dari-Mattiacci Giuseppe , de Oliveira Guilherme 
Published: December 2021

AbstractSlavery has been a long-lasting and often endemic problem across time and space, and has commonly coexisted with a free-labor market. To understand (and possibly eradicate) slavery, one needs to unpack its relationship with free labor. Under what conditions would a principal choose to buy a slave rather than to hire a free worker? First, slaves cannot leave at will, which reduces turnover costs; second, slaves can be subjected to physical punishments, which reduces enforcement costs. In complex tasks, relation-specific investments are responsible for high turnover costs, which makes principals prefer slaves over workers. At the other end of the spectrum, in simple tasks, the threat of physical punishment is a relatively cheap way to produce incentives as compared to rewards, because effort is easy to monitor, which again makes slaves the cheaper alternative. The resulting equilibrium price in the market for slaves affects demand in the labor market and induces principals to hire workers for tasks of intermediate complexity. The available historical evidence is consistent with this pattern. Our analysis sheds light on cross-society differences in the use of slaves, on diachronic trends, and on the effects of current anti-slavery policies.
The orthorhombic-to-monoclinic phase transition in NbCrP – Peierls distortion of the chromium chain
Authors: Paulsen Christian , Kösters Jutta , Seidel Stefan , Kuwata Yoshiki , Kotegawa Hisashi , Tou Hideki , Sugawara Hitoshi , Harima Hisatomo , Pöttgen Rainer 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The equiatomic metal-rich phosphide NbCrP shows a structural phase transition around 125 K. The structures of the high- and low-temperature modifications were refined from single crystal X-ray diffractometer data of an un-twinned crystal: TiNiSi type, Pnma, a = 619.80(2), b = 353.74(4), c = 735.24(6) pm, wR = 0.0706, 288 F
2 values, 20 variables at 240 K and P121/c1, a = 630.59(3), b = 739.64(4), c = 933.09(5) pm, β = 132.491(6)°, wR = 0.0531, 1007 F
2 values, 57 variables at 90 K. The structural phase transition is of a classical Peierls type. The equidistant chromium chain in HT-NbCrP (353.7 pm Cr–Cr) splits pairwise into shorter (315.2 pm) and longer (373.2 pm) Cr–Cr distances. This goes along with a strengthening of Cr–P bonding. The superstructure formation is discussed on the basis of a group–subgroup scheme. Electronic structure calculations show a lifting of band degeneracy. Protection of the non-symmorphic symmetry of space group Pnma is crucial for the phase transition. The estimated charge modulation is consistent with the interpretation as Peierls transition.
A Review of Factors Influencing Rolling Shear in CLT and Test Methodology
Authors: Kumar Chandan , Li Xin , Subhani Mahbube , Shanks Jon , Dakin Tony , McGavin Robert L. , Ashraf Mahmud 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Rolling shear (RS) is one of the key design parameters that influence the out-of-plane bending stiffness of cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and thus affects the design and performance of CLT floor and wall systems. Various experimental methods are currently used to determine the RS capacity of CLT panels and feedstock. Some methods have been adapted to measure RS properties of clear wood such as Iosipescu, Arcan, and single cube apparatus, but there is no specific standard test method to accurately determine the RS stiffness or strength of CLT feedstock. This article presents a comprehensive review of potential RS test methods and highlights the importance of considering RS in CLT design. Test methods were thoroughly reviewed, and critically evaluated for their relative advantages and shortcomings. It was shown that sample preparation, testing procedure, and post-processing of results can significantly affect experimental outcomes, especially the RS modulus. It is recommended that in addition to current recommendations in CEN - EN 408, Timber Structures – Structural Timber and Glued Laminated Timber – Determination of Some Physical and Mechanical Properties, further specifications should be outlined in regards to plate material and type, glue type, and, more importantly, the relative location of reference points used for deformation measurement to ensure consistent and reliable comparison of RS characteristics reported by researchers. An equation was derived, and is presented, that ensures the vertical load passes through the centroid of the inclined specimen to avoid eccentricity in the specimen and moment transfer at the base of the plates. The effect of various factors on RS properties have been reviewed.