bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation of hematological parameters and cycle threshold in ambulatory patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Girón‐Pérez Daniel Alberto , Benitez‐Trinidad Alma Betsaida , Ruiz‐Manzano Rocio Alejandra , Toledo‐Ibarra Gladys Alejandra , Ventura‐Ramón Guadalupe Herminia , Covantes‐Rosales Carlos Eduardo , Ojeda‐Durán Ansonny Jhovany , Díaz‐Reséndiz Karina Janice Guadalupe , Mercado‐Salgado Ulises , Girón‐Pérez Manuel Iván 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIntroductionFormer studies have shown that hematologic parameters are affected by the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection which has caused a global health problem. Therefore, this research aims to identify the most frequent symptoms and comorbidities in SARS‐CoV‐2 infected outpatients; besides, to analyze hematological parameters and their correlation with cycle threshold (Ct) values.MethodsWe analyzed a total of sixty outpatients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. They were divided according to sex. Afterward, a questionnaire was carried out to find out their symptoms and comorbidities. Additionally, blood biometry data were correlated with the Ct value, respectively.ResultsSixty patients were analyzed; the mean age was 43 years. All patients were from Nayarit, Mexico. The frequency index showed that the main symptoms were headache and anosmia, and the comorbidities were obesity and smoking. The analysis of blood biometry showed a clear increase in red blood cells (RBC) related parameters in women. In both sexes an increase in the number of white blood cells (WBC) was observed. Also, all the hematological alterations correlated with the grade of infection.ConclusionHeadache and anosmia are the most common symptoms according to the frequency index, the main comorbidities were obesity and smoking. Also, there is a Ct value correlation with hematological parameters (WBC, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, hemoglobin); they can be used as a prognostic marker of infection.
A family‐based weight loss randomized controlled trial for youth with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Bandini Linda G. , Eliasziw Misha , Dittrich Gretchen A. , Curtin Carol , Maslin Melissa , Must Aviva , Boutelle Kerri N. , Fleming Richard K. 
Published: June 2021

SummaryBackgroundScant data exist on weight loss interventions for youth with intellectual disabilities (ID).ObjectiveTo compare weight loss among youth with ID randomized to a 6‐month, family‐based behavioural intervention (FBBI) or a waitlist and to compare weight loss among youth who completed a 6‐month maintenance (FBBI‐M) intervention to a control group (FBBI‐C).MethodsYouth with ID and overweight/obesity, aged 14‐22 years, were randomized to the FBBI or to a waitlist and subsequently randomized to a maintenance intervention or a control group. Sessions were held weekly during the FBBI and biweekly during the FBBI‐M. Using an intention‐to‐treat approach, we used linear mixed models to test differences in the change in weight and in BMI from the start of FBBI.ResultsThe 24 participants who received the FBBI lost, on average (SE), 5.1 (1.1) kg (P < .001) over 6 months. The 13 participants who were waitlisted gained, on average (SE), 1.2 (1.6) kg over the 6‐month waiting period. At 12 months, those who received FBBI‐M lost, on average (SE), 4.4 (1.7) kg more than those who received FBBI‐C (−7.6 vs −3.2 kg, P‐value = .008).ConclusionParticipation in an intensive FBBI for weight loss with ID was efficacious, and continued participation in a maintenance intervention yielded additional weight loss.
Effects of the prenatal environment on cryptorchidism: A narrative review
Authors: Mitsui Takahiko 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCryptorchidism, the absence of testes from the scrotum, is the most common genital disorder in boys and a risk factor for reduced fertility and testicular cancer. The mechanism responsible for cryptorchidism involves two discrete stages: a transabdominal and an inguinoscrotal phase. These phases of testicular descent are regulated by the prenatal sex hormone environment, including levels of testosterone, insulin‐like factor 3, and calcitonin gene‐related peptide. Environmental endocrine disruptors, which are unfavorable environmental factors, may also affect testicular descent through prenatal sex hormones. This review examined the effects of environmental factors, particularly environmental endocrine disruptors, such as phthalates, organochlorine pesticides, diethylstilbestrol, bisphenol A, dioxins/dioxin‐like compounds, and perfluoroalkyl substances, and parental lifestyles on the risk of cryptorchidism. Although some studies have shown that environmental endocrine disruptors can affect testicular descent by changing the hormonal environment during the prenatal period, no significant association has been established between exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors and the incidence of cryptorchidism. Therefore, the role played by environmental endocrine disruptor exposure (if any) in the pathogenesis of cryptorchidism remains unknown. Further studies are needed to examine these issues.
Resource partitioning is not coupled with assortative mating in sympatrically divergent ricefish in a Wallacean ancient lake
Authors: Kakioka Ryo , Sutra Nobu , Kobayashi Hirozumi , Ansai Satoshi , Masengi Kawilarang W. A. , Nagano Atsushi J. , Okuda Noboru , Tanaka Rieko , Sato Masahiro , Yamahira Kazunori 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSympatric speciation is considered to be difficult without the coupling between ecological traits that allow resource partitioning and reproductive traits that allow assortative mating. Such “magic traits” are known to be involved in most of the compelling examples of sympatric speciation. In this study, we report a possible case of sympatric speciation without magic traits. Three species of ricefish (genus Oryzias) are suggested to have diverged sympatrically within Lake Poso, an ancient lake in Sulawesi. An analysis of genome‐wide single‐nucleotide polymorphisms showed that these three species are reproductively isolated from each other throughout the lake. Stable isotope analyses revealed that the three species use different food resources, which reflect differences in their feeding morphologies (gill rakers and digestive tracts) and feeding sites. Field and laboratory observations showed that O. nebulosus and O. orthognathus share a mating habitat of cobbles, where they scatter fertilized eggs, whereas this site is never used by O. nigrimas, indicating that assortative mating is partly achieved by spatial isolation. The small, less‐adhesive eggs of O. nebulosus and O. orthognathus probably reflect their adaptation to spawning on cobble beaches. Laboratory mating experiments showed strong prezygotic isolation between O. nebulosus and O. orthognathus, which is achieved by strong species recognition presumably by both sexes based on species‐specific mating dances and nuptial coloration. In summary, the assortative mating of O. nebulosus and O. orthognathus is probably not coupled to resource partitioning. We discussed how sympatric speciation among these species might have been achieved even without magic traits.
English and Spanish‐speaking vulnerable older adults report many barriers to advance care planning
Authors: Phung Linda H. , Barnes Deborah E. , Volow Aiesha M. , Li Brookelle H. , Shirsat Nikita R. , Sudore Rebecca L. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackground/objectivesAdvance care planning (ACP) rates are low in diverse, vulnerable older adults, yet little is known about the unique barriers they face and how these barriers impact ACP documentation rates.DesignValidated questionnaires listing patient, family/friend, and clinician/system‐level ACP barriers and an open‐ended question on ACP barriers.SettingTwo San Francisco public/Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals.ParticipantsOne thousand two hundred and forty‐one English and Spanish‐speaking patients, aged 55 and older, with two or more chronic conditions.MeasurementsThe open‐ended question on ACP barriers was analyzed using content analysis. We conducted chart review for prior ACP documentation.We used chi‐square/Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests and logistic regression to assess associations between ACP barriers and demographic characteristics/ACP documentation.ResultsParticipant mean age was 65 ± 7.4 years; they were 74% from racial/ethnic minority groups, 36% Spanish‐speaking, and 36% with limited health literacy. A total of 26 barriers were identified (15 patient, 4 family/friend, 7 clinician/system‐level), and 91% reported at least one ACP barrier (mean: 5.6 ± 4.0). The most common barriers were: (patient‐level) discomfort thinking about ACP (60%), wanting to leave health decisions to “God” (44%); (family/friend‐level) not wanting to burden friends/family (33%), assuming friends/family already knew their preferences (31%); (clinician/system‐level) assuming doctors already knew their preferences (41%), and mistrust (37%). Compared with those with no barriers, participants with at least one reported barrier were more likely to be from a racial/ethnic minority group (76% vs 53%), Spanish‐speaking (39% vs 6%), with fair‐to‐poor health (48% vs 34%), and limited health literacy (39% vs 9%) (p < 0.001 for all). Participants who reported barriers were less likely to have ACP documentation (adjusted odds ratio = 0.64, 95% confidence interval [0.42, 0.98]).ConclusionEnglish‐ and Spanish‐speaking older adults reported 26 unique barriers to ACP, with higher barriers among vulnerable populations, and barriers were associated with lower ACP documentation. Barriers must be considered when developing customized ACP interventions for diverse older adults.
Quality improvement outcomes from the introduction of a geriatrician into a rehabilitation setting
Authors: Fitzgerald Sabrina R. , Norman Richard , Sinha Samir K. , Romanovsky Lindy 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObjectivesGeriatrician impact on patient and system outcomes in formal rehabilitation settings has not been well described to date. We studied the effect of adding a geriatric medicine consultation service to a geriatric focused rehabilitation setting providing care to dialysis and non‐dialysis patients.Design/setting/participantsA pre‐ and post‐retrospective observational cohort study from January 1, 2009 to June 30, 2019 on all consecutively admitted adults aged 65 and older to general rehabilitation program, and adults aged 60 and older to specialized dialysis rehabilitation program, within a 25 bed general rehabilitation unit in a large urban academic rehabilitation center in Toronto, Ontario. Data were analyzed with quality improvement methodology including Statistical Process Control charts (XmR and U charts).InterventionAddition of a geriatric medicine service providing automatic comprehensive geriatric assessment and co‐management consultative services for all admitted patients from admission onwards who met criteria for the intervention. The intervention commenced on August 1, 2013.MeasurementsOutcome measures were length of stay (days), service interruption frequency, and average functional independence measure (FIM) change (discharge FIM minus admission FIM) which uses the validated FIM score, a marker of functional ability. A 22 point change in FIM score is clinically relevant.ResultsPatient characteristics: general rehabilitation patients (n = 1395, mean age = 79.7, 50.1% female) and dialysis rehabilitation patients (n = 838, mean age = 72.8, 41.8% female). The average FIM change following intervention improved from 20.8 to 29.3 in the general rehabilitation cohort (40.6% improvement, SD = 5.51) and from 22.1 to 30.6 in the dialysis rehabilitation cohort (38.6% improvement, SD = 5.88). Changes in length of stay (24.9%–28.1% reduction) and service interruption frequency (34.3%–49.7% reduction) were also observed.ConclusionIntroduction of a geriatric medicine service for rehabilitation inpatients was associated with significant FIM score improvements. Our results suggest this intervention contributes to important gains in functional independence in reduced time for older adults receiving inpatient rehabilitative care.
Dietary supplementation of Aspergillus niger‐expressed glucose oxidase ameliorates weaning stress and improves growth performance in weaning pigs
Authors: Dang De Xin , Liu Yanjie , Chen Ningbo , Kim In Ho 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWeaning is one of the most stressful events in the pig's life, which disrupts physiological balance and leads to oxidative stress. It is reported that glucose oxidase supplementation could alleviate oxidative stress in animals by increasing the concentration of antioxidant enzymes in vivo. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Aspergillus niger‐expressed glucose oxidase (AN‐GOX) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal microbiota, faecal gas emission and serum antioxidant enzyme parameters in weaning pigs. A total of 120 21‐day‐old weaning pigs [(Yorkshire ×Landrace) × Duroc] with an initial body weight of 6.54 ± 0.55 kg were used in a 21‐day experiment (phase 1, days 1–7; phase 2, days 8–21) with a completely randomized block design. Pigs were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups with 6 replicate pens per treatment and 5 pigs per pen (2 barrows and 3 gilts). Dietary treatments were corn‐soybean meal‐based basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.01, 0.03 or 0.05% AN‐GOX (1000 unit/g). The results of this study showed that average daily gain during days 1–7 and 1–21 and the concentrations of serum glutathione peroxidase and glutathione increased linearly at graduated doses of AN‐GOX increased in the diet. However, dietary supplementation of AN‐GOX had no effects on the apparent nutrient digestibility, faecal microbiota and faecal gas emission. In conclusion, supplementing AN‐GOX to the diet of weaning pigs ameliorated weaning stress, which manifested as the increase in serum antioxidant enzyme levels, thus improving growth performance. The suitable dosage of AN‐GOX used in the diet of weaning pigs was 0.05%.
Results of owner questionnaires describing long‐term outcome in Norwich terriers with upper airway syndrome: 2011‐2018
Authors: Johnson Lynelle R. , Mayhew Philipp D. , Culp William T. N. , Stanley Bryden J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundNorwich terriers are affected by an upper airway syndrome (NTUAS) but little is known about outcome in affected dogs.ObjectiveTo determine outcome in dogs with NTUAS using owner questionnaires.AnimalsThirty‐four client‐owned dogs.MethodsAt initial assessment, owners were questioned about respiratory noises and exercise tolerance. A NTUAS score was prospectively constructed based on the number and severity of obstructive lesions detected endoscopically (range, 0‐25). Owner questionnaires on respiratory noises, exercise tolerance, and quality of life (QOL) were obtained 2.2‐9.3 years (median, 4.2 years) after endoscopy.ResultsDogs ranged from 0.5 to 10.7 years of age (median, 4.75 years) at initial examination and no correlation was found between age and NTUAS score (median, 13; range, 1‐25). Of 5 possible laryngeal abnormalities, 7 dogs had 1‐2, 10 dogs had 3, and 17 dogs had 4‐5 abnormalities (median, 3.5). Surgery was performed in 15 dogs, which had higher NTUAS scores (18.5 ± 6.3) than dogs that did not have surgery (7.7 ± 4.7, P < .0001). Scores for QOL ranged from 0 to 31 out of 40, with higher scores indicating worse QOL. Owner surveys resulted in QOL scores of ≤3 in 25/31 dogs (81%), with worse scores in dogs that had surgery performed (median 5, vs 0; P = .003). No correlation was noted between NTUAS and QOL scores, but age at follow‐up was weakly associated with worse QOL.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceDespite variable severity of NTUAS scores, owners reported excellent QOL for most Norwich terriers examined.
Greater higher order aberrations induced by toric orthokeratology versus soft toric multifocal contact lens wear
Authors: Tomiyama Erin S , Hu Chuan , Marsack Jason D , Richdale Kathryn 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPurposeSpherical orthokeratology and soft multifocal contact lenses are commonly used for myopia control and correction, but have been shown to increase spherical aberration, coma and total higher order root mean square (HORMS) aberrations. There are limited myopia control contact lens options for patients with moderate to high astigmatism. The purpose of this study was to quantify changes in higher order aberrations (HOA) in myopic astigmatic eyes fitted with toric orthokeratology (TOK) and soft toric multifocal (STM) contact lenses.MethodsOcular wavefront aberrations were measured in both eyes of 30 adult subjects and are reported through the 6th radial order over a 5 mm, dilated pupil. All eyes met refractive criteria of myopia (−5.00 D to plano) and cylinder (−3.50 to −1.25 D). Three measurements were taken at baseline and after 10 ± 2 days of lens wear (TOK, STM). Sixteen subjects achieved logMAR high contrast visual acuity of 0.30 or better in both eyes and were included in this analysis. Repeated measures analysis of variance and post‐hoc paired t‐tests were used, as appropriate, with Benjamini‐Hochberg correction.ResultsHigher order root mean square, spherical aberration (C12), and coma RMS (C7, C8) increased with TOK (0.641 [0.222], 0.409 [0.157], 0.426 [0.187] µm, respectively) and STM (0.481 [0.107], 0.223 [0.139], 0.320 [0.130] µm, respectively) from baseline (all p < 0.001). TOK was elevated compared to STM for HORMS (p = 0.03), spherical aberration (p = 0.001) and coma RMS (p = 0.04).ConclusionsToric orthokeratology induced more HORMS, spherical aberration and coma RMS than STM in myopic astigmats; however, both lens types showed an increase in HOA compared to baseline, which placed patients outside the age and pupil size matched normative ranges. While the optical changes that accompany these modalities are helpful for myopia management, the induction of HOAs may have unintended consequences on visual performance.
The Virtue of Consistency
Authors: Qu Hsueh 
Published: June 2021

AbstractConsistency is commonly taken to be an interpretive virtue in scholarship, but the rationale behind this assumption is unclear. This paper explores the question of why we should take consistency to be an interpretive virtue; it finds that while considerations of accuracy might render the issue underdetermined, we nevertheless have reason to take consistency to be an interpretive virtue on the basis of considerations of philosophical worth.
Rare genetic mutation triggering acute liver failure in a toddler requiring a liver transplant
Authors: Chen Charles B. , Mistry Ambani Nila , Zeft Andrew , Garcia‐Naviero Reinaldo , Hupertz Vera , Hashimoto Koji , Radhakrishnan Kadakkal 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAPS‐1 is an extremely rare, autosomal recessive condition that often presents with candidiasis, adrenal insufficiency, and hypoparathyroidism. This condition is associated with autoimmune hepatitis in less than 20% of cases, and there have only been a few reports of children with the condition who developed ALF. We present a unique case of an infant with APS‐1 who developed ALF and subsequently required liver transplantation.
A single‐center report of COVID‐19 disease course and management in liver transplanted pediatric patients
Authors: Yuksel Muhammed , Akturk Hacer , Mizikoglu Ozlem , Toroslu Ertug , Arikan Cigdem 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundIn 2019, SARS‐CoV‐2 causing COVID‐19 emerged. Severe COVID‐19 symptoms may evolve by virtue of hyperactivation of the immune system. Equally, immunocompromised patients may be at increased risk to develop COVID‐19. However, treatment guidelines for children following liver transplantation are elusive.MethodsAs a liver transplantation center, we diagnosed and followed up 10 children (male/female: 8/2) with a median age of 8.5 years (IQR: 5.2–11.0), with COVID‐19 post‐liver transplant between March 2019 and December 2020. COVID‐19 diagnosis was based on PCR test and or florid X‐ray findings compatible with COVID‐19 in the absence of other cause. We retrospectively collected clinical and laboratory data from electronic patient records following written consent from patients/parents.ResultsNine patients were diagnosed as definitive (PCR positive) with one patient being diagnosed as probable COVID‐19. Seven patients recovered without any support whereas three were admitted for non‐invasive oxygenation. Lymphopenia and/or high levels of serum IL‐6 were detected in four patients. Six patients mounted anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies at median 30 days (IQR: 26.5–119.0) following COVID‐19 diagnosis. Antibiotic therapy, favipiravir, anakinra, and IVIG were used as treatment in 4,1,1 and 2 patients, respectively. Furthermore, we kept the tacrolimus with or without everolimus but stopped MMF in 2 patients. Importantly, liver allograft function was retained in all patients.ConclusionsWe found that being immunocompromised did not affect disease severity nor survival. Stopping MMF yet continuing with tacrolimus was an apt treatment modality in these patients.
Marginal parent donors—Process and ethics
Authors: Filler Guido , de Ferris Maria E. Diaz‐Gonzalez , Elliott Launa 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundPre‐emptive kidney transplantation for end‐stage kidney disease in children has many advantages and may lead to the consideration of marginal parent donors.MethodsUsing the example of the transplant of a kidney with medullary sponge disease from a parent to the child, we review the ethical framework for working up such donors.ResultsThe four principles of health ethics include autonomy (the right of the patient to retain control over his/her own body); beneficence (healthcare providers must do all they can do to benefit the patient in each situation); non‐maleficence (“first do no harm”—providers must consider whether other people or society could be harmed by a decision made, even if it is made for the benefit of an individual patient) and justice (there should be an element of fairness in all medical decisions). Highly motivated donors may derive significant psychological benefit from their donation and may thus be willing to incur more risk. The transplantation team and, ideally, an independent donor advocate team must make a judgment about the acceptability of the risk‐benefit ratio for particular potential donors, who must also make their own assessment. The transplantation team and donor advocate team must be comfortable with the risk‐benefit ratio before proceeding.ConclusionsAn independent donor advocacy team that focuses on the donor needs is needed with sufficient multidisciplinary ethical, social, and psychological expertise. The decision to accept or reject the donor should be within the authority of the independent donor advocacy team and not the providers or the donor.
The Politics of preemption: American federalism and risk regulation
Authors: Vogel David 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis article discusses four examples of risk regulations in the United States, namely vehicle emissions, appliance efficiency, chemical safety, and the labeling of genetically modified food. In each example, consumer or environmental regulations were initiated at the state level despite business opposition. But when faced with a multiplicity of state product regulations, the affected firms decided to support the expansion of federal regulations. They were willing to accept stronger federal standards in order to preempt individual states from enacting more stringent standards than the federal government. This, in turn, led to a conflict between firms who wanted federal preemption of state restrictions and states who wanted to be able to enact regulations more stringent than those of the federal government. The outcomes of each of these conflicts over the scope of federal preemption had important impacts on each multilevel governance regulatory regime. The ability of both levels of the American government to enact more innovative risk regulations – often referred to as dynamic federalism – has made it more likely that they will be strengthened.