bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High‐dose Cholecalciferol Supplementation in Adults with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Janzen Kristin M. , Sakon Colleen , Lehman Angela , Sommer Bekah , Brown Cynthia 
Published: July 2019

IntroductionDespite the availability of consensus guidelines for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency, prospective trials are lacking to examine alternative dosing strategies for adult patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) who do not meet therapeutic goals with standard regimens.ObjectivesThe primary objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of high‐dose cholecalciferol supplementation in increasing serum vitamin D (25‐OHD) levels in adult patients with CF.MethodsPatients were eligible for inclusion if they were 18 years or older, had baseline 25‐OHD levels lower than 30 ng/ml, and were diagnosed with CF and pancreatic insufficiency. Patients were given a single dose of cholecalciferol 300,000 or 500,000 IU based on baseline 25‐OHD levels. Response was defined by 25‐OHD and ionized calcium levels at 3 months. At 6 months, responders received a second dose of the same strength, and nonresponders were given a weekly supplement of cholecalciferol 50,000 IU in addition to cholecalciferol 500,000 IU. A second 25‐OHD level was obtained at 9 months.ResultsOf the 46 patients enrolled, 32 patients (70%) completed the study. Baseline levels of 25‐OHD significantly increased over time in the per protocol population at 3 and 9 months. A total of 16 patients (50%) were considered nonresponders and required weekly supplementation.ConclusionA protocol using high‐dose cholecalciferol or high‐dose plus weekly cholecalciferol is safe and effective in treating adult patients with CF and pancreatic insufficiency.
Association between First Trimester Antidepressant Use and Risk of Spontaneous Abortion
Authors: Wu Pingsheng , Velez Edwards Digna R. , Gorrindo Phillip , Sundermann Alexandra C. , Torstenson Eric S. , Jones Sarah H. , Chan Ronna L. , Hartmann Katherine E. 
Published: July 2019

Study ObjectiveThe potential for maternal antidepressant use to influence the risk of spontaneous abortion, one of the most important adverse pregnancy outcomes, is not clear. We aimed to assess whether first trimester antidepressant exposure was associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion.DesignCommunity‐based prospective cohort study (Right from the Start).SettingEight metropolitan areas in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.ParticipantsA total of 5451 women (18 years of age or older) who were planning to conceive or were pregnant (before 12 weeks of completed gestation) and were enrolled in the study between 2000 and 2012; of those women, 223 used antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs] only [170],SSRIs and non‐SSRIs [9], and non‐SSRIs only [44]) during their first trimester, and 5228 did not (never users).Measurements and Main ResultsFirst trimester antidepressant use was determined during a first trimester telephone interview. Spontaneous abortion was self‐reported and verified by medical records. The association of first trimester antidepressant use and spontaneous abortion was assessed by using Cox proportional hazard regression. Among the 5451 women enrolled, 223 (4%) reported first trimester antidepressant use, and 659 (12%) experienced a spontaneous abortion.SSRIs were the most common class of antidepressants used (179 [80%]). Compared with women who never used antidepressants during the first trimester of pregnancy, women who reported antidepressant use were 34% (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97–1.85) more likely to experience a spontaneous abortion after adjusting for covariates. Women who reported ever usingSSRIs were 45% (aHR1.45, 95%CI1.02–2.06) more likely to experience a spontaneous abortion compared with never users. When time of loss relative to the time of interview was taken into consideration, the association between first trimesterSSRIuse and spontaneous abortion was significant only among those with losses before the interview (aHR1.49, 95%CI1.04–2.13) but was not significant among those with losses after the interview (aHR0.43, 95%CI0.06–3.15).ConclusionThe association between use of first trimester antidepressants, particularlySSRIuse, and spontaneous abortion was significant only among women whose exposure status was assessed after loss. In this instance, reporting bias may create a spurious association. Future studies should take the timing of data collection relative to the timing of loss into consideration.
High‐Dose Gabapentin for the Treatment of Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis
Authors: Levine Alexander R. , Carrasquillo Lorna , Mueller Jane , Nounou Mohamed Ismail , Naut Edgar R. , Ibrahim Danyal 
Published: July 2019

Study ObjectiveGabapentin has been proved to be beneficial in promoting abstinence, decreasing alcohol cravings, and improving mood and sleep quality when given at higher doses; however, data are limited regarding the efficacy and safety of using high‐dose gabapentin as part of the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of high‐dose gabapentin on benzodiazepine requirements, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and hospital length of stay in patients hospitalized with AWS.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingLarge academic medical center.PatientsAll adults presenting to the emergency department between January 2015 and April 2018 with a diagnosis of severe AWS (Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol Scale, Revised [CIWA‐Ar] score ≥ 15) and prescribed the institution's alcohol withdrawal agitated delirium protocol were eligible for inclusion in the study. Of these, 50 patients who received high‐dose gabapentin (≥ 1800 mg/day) in the first 48 hours of hospital admission (treatment group) were propensity score–matched to 50 patients who did not receive gabapentin (control group).Measurements and Main ResultsPatients who received high‐dose gabapentin required a significantly lower overall amount of benzodiazepines (mean ± SD 109.5 ± 53.4 mg vs 88.5 ± 35.6 mg [lorazepam equivalents], p=0.023) and had a significantly lower mean CIWA‐Ar score (10.1 ± 4.7 vs 7.7 ± 3.9, p=0.010) and maximum CIWA‐Ar score (16.0 ± 7.0 vs 12.6 ± 6.1, p=0.016) on day 3 of hospitalization. The high‐dose gabapentin regimen was well tolerated, without an increased risk of oversedation, compared with the control group (Richmond Agitation‐Sedation Scale score < −1: 34% in the treatment group vs 20% in the control group, p=0.115). Patients receiving high‐dose gabapentin had a shorter length of hospital stay (7.4 ± 4.0 days vs 6.0 ± 2.6 days, p=0.034) and increased likelihood of being discharged home (66% vs 88%, p=0.009) compared with the control group.ConclusionEarly initiation of high‐dose gabapentin was associated with a significant reduction in benzodiazepine exposure, faster stabilization of alcohol withdrawal–related symptoms, and shorter hospital length of stay. Future studies evaluating gabapentin's effect on long‐term safety and hospital readmission are warranted.
Bio‐based Mg(OH)2@M‐Phyt: improving the flame‐retardant and mechanical properties of flexible poly(vinyl chloride)
Authors: Meng Weihua , Wu Weihong , Zhang Weiwei , Cheng Luyao , Han Xiangzhuo , Xu Jianzhong , Qu Hongqiang 
Published: July 2019

AbstractTwo novelty bio‐based multifunctional metallic phytate coated (M‐Phyt, M ≡ Cu, Zn) Mg(OH)2 (MH@M‐Phyt) were designed and incorporated into flexible poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). MH@M‐Phyt was incorporated into PVC materials in a powder form. The morphology of the interface between MH and M‐Phyt and their binding states were characterized by TEM and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The TEM images of MH@M‐Phyt indicated that M‐Phyt was successfully coated on the MH surface. Additionally, from the XPS spectra M‐Phyt and MH were connected by Mg–O–P bonds. The flame retardancy and mechanical properties of the PVC composites were investigated through the limiting oxygen index, cone calorimetry and mechanical tests. The char residues were analyzed by SEM. The results revealed that the MH@M‐Phyt powder functioned well in PVC, with a flame retardancy, smoke density, tensile strength and elongation at break better than those of PVC/MH. With 10 phr loading, the peak heat release rate of PVC/MH@Zn‐Phyt and PVC/MH@Cu‐Phyt decreased by 33.5% and 24.6%, respectively, benefitting from the formation of firmer and denser char layers on the char residues. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of the annealing procedure and the molecular weight on the crystalline phase morphology and thermal properties of polylactide
Authors: Hortós Martí , Anakabe Jon , Arrillaga Alex , Espino Sebastián , Bou Jordi J 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe thermomechanical properties of poly(lactide) (PLA) are strongly related to its semicrystalline microstructure and morphology. Thermal annealing is a strategy to improve the crystallinity of PLA. However, the different techniques and specimen types needed for each kind of characterization could lead to misleading conclusions. In this work, annealed samples of three PLA grades with different molecular weights were studied by DSC, wide angle X‐ray scattering and polarized optical microscopy (POM) and the results are related to their thermomechanical and impact properties. Special focus is put on the POM results obtained by different approaches and the suitability of each of them to be related to the thermomechanical properties. By annealing medium molecular weight PLA specimens at 140 °C an important increase of the heat distortion temperature was obtained, which was not related to the spherulite size but to the combination of high crystallinity degree together with high α/α′ crystal type ratio. However, the impact properties of annealed PLA decreased with increase in the annealing temperature according to an increment in crystallinity and in the α/α′ crystal ratio. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Systematic Development of Sandwich Immunoassays for the Plasma Secretome
Authors: Häussler Ragna S. , Bendes Annika , Iglesias MariaJesus , Sanchez‐Rivera Laura , Dodig‐Crnković Tea , Byström Sanna , Fredolini Claudia , Birgersson Elin , Dale Matilda , Edfors Fredrik , Fagerberg Linn , Rockberg Johan , Tegel Hanna , Uhlén Mathias , Qundos Ulrika , Schwenk Jochen M. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe plasma proteome offers a clinically useful window into human health. Recent advances from highly multiplexed assays now call for appropriate pipelines to validate individual candidates. Here, a workflow is developed to build dual binder sandwich immunoassays (SIA) and for proteins predicted to be secreted into plasma. Utilizing suspension bead arrays, ≈1800 unique antibody pairs are first screened against 209 proteins with recombinant proteins as well as EDTA plasma. Employing 624 unique antibodies, dilution‐dependent curves in plasma and concentration‐dependent curves of full‐length proteins for 102 (49%) of the targets are obtained. For 22 protein assays, the longitudinal, interindividual, and technical performance is determined in a set of plasma samples collected from 18 healthy subjects every third month over 1 year. Finally, 14 of these assays are compared with with SIAs composed of other binders, proximity extension assays, and affinity‐free targeted mass spectrometry. The workflow provides a multiplexed approach to screen for SIA pairs that suggests using at least three antibodies per target. This design is applicable for a wider range of targets of the plasma proteome, and the assays can be applied for discovery but also to validate emerging candidates derived from other platforms.
Phenol Neurolysis for Management of Focal Spasticity in the Distal Upper Extremity
Authors: Karri Jay , Zhang Bei , Li Sheng 
Published: July 2019

BackgroundWhen managing patients with focal spasticity, phenol neurolysis is often avoided largely because of its presumed poor adverse effect profile. It is suggested that dysesthesias may be more common with phenol neurolysis of the mixed sensorimotor nerves (eg, radial, median, and ulnar nerves) compared to neurolysis of pure motor nerves. However, these risks may be mitigated with precise localization of pure motor branches by ultrasound and electrical stimulation (EStim).ObjectiveTo explore practice patterns of phenol neurolysis to distal upper extremity mixed sensorimotor nerves with ultrasound and EStim guidance.DesignA retrospective analysis of all neurolysis procedure records at a single institution from January 2013 to February 2018. Demographic and clinical variables including primary neurological diagnosis, concurrent spasticity treatments, nerves injected, phenol dosage and adverse events were abstracted from the electronic medical records.Participants57 patients who received phenol neurolysis with ultrasound and EStim guidance for spasticity management to radial, median, or ulnar nerves.Main Outcome MeasuresReported adverse effects.ResultsA total of 57 patients who collectively received neurolysis to 139 nerves across 102 encounters, met inclusion criteria. Most prevalent diagnoses included traumatic brain injury (N = 27, 47.4%) and stroke (N = 18, 31.6%), with a smaller subset having spinal cord injury (N = 10, 17.5%). Most patients received concomitant chemodenervation with botulinum toxin (N = 44, 77.2%). The average phenol dosage per nerve was 1.8 mL, with a range of 0.5‐9.0 mL. Reported adverse effects included three cases of prolonged pain, but no dysesthesias were reported during the follow‐up period (>40 days).ConclusionsPhenol neurolysis with ultrasound and EStim guidance was successfully and safely used to manage focal spasticity in the distal upper extremity.Level of EvidenceIII.
The role of social support in physical activity for cancer survivors: A systematic review
Authors: McDonough Meghan H. , Beselt L. Jayne , Daun Julia T. , Shank Jena , Culos‐Reed S. Nicole , Kronlund Liam J. , Bridel William 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectiveSocial support is conceptualized and operationalized in many ways, making it challenging to understand what types of support best predict physical activity (PA) in cancer survivors. This review examined associations between social support and PA among cancer survivors.MethodsFollowing PRISMA guidelines, we searched eight databases for studies that reported an association between social support and PA among adult cancer survivors. We conducted an appraisal and a narrative synthesis of the findings from quantitative studies.ResultsFifty studies representing 28 366 participants were included. Studies collectively included concepts addressing the presence of relationships, others' PA behavior, perceptions of being supported, and function/quality. Findings were mixed in suggesting a positive or null association with PA.ConclusionsWhile results are not definitive, this review takes a step toward mapping the social support literature in PA for cancer survivors. Limitations include the homogeneity of the participants in extant studies, and the secondary focus on testing the effects of social support on outcomes. Future research systematically testing the effects of social support is important for facilitating PA in this population.
Structural and functional studies of USP20 ZnF‐UBP domain by NMR
Authors: Yang Yuanyuan , Ding Yiluan , Zhou Chen , Wen Yi , Zhang Naixia 
Published: July 2019

AbstractDeubiquitinase USP20/VDU2 has been demonstrated to play important roles in multiple cellular processes by controlling the life span of substrate proteins including hypoxia‐inducible factor HIF1α, and so forth. USP20 contains four distinct structural domains including the N‐terminal zinc‐finger ubiquitin binding domain (ZnF‐UBP), the catalytic domain (USP domain), and two tandem DUSP domains, and none of the structures for these four domains has been solved. Meanwhile, except for the ZnF‐UBP domain, the biological functions for USP20's catalytic domain and tandem DUSP domains have been at least partially clarified. Here in this study, we determined the solution structure of USP20 ZnF‐UBP domain and investigated its binding properties with mono‐ubiquitin and poly‐ubiquitin (K48‐linked di‐ubiquitin) by using NMR and molecular modeling techniques. USP20's ZnF‐UBP domain forms a spherically shaped fold consisting of a central β‐sheet with either one α‐helix or two α‐helices packed on each side of the sheet. However, although having formed a canonical core structure essential for ubiquitin recognition, USP20 ZnF‐UBP presents weak ubiquitin binding capacity. The structural basis for understanding USP20 ZnF‐UBP's ubiquitin binding capacity was revealed by NMR data‐driven docking. Although the electrostatic interactions between D264 of USP5 (E87 in USP20 ZnF‐UBP) and R74 of ubiquitin are kept, the loss of the extensive interactions formed between ubiquitin's di‐glycine motif and the conserved and non‐conserved residues of USP20 ZnF‐UBP domain (W41, E55, and Y84) causes a significant decrease in its binding affinity to ubiquitin. Our findings indicate that USP20 ZnF‐UBP domain might have a physiological role unrelated to its ubiquitin binding capacity.
Metal‐dependent assembly of a protein nano‐cage
Authors: Cristie‐David Ajitha S. , Marsh E. Neil G. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractShort, alpha‐helical coiled coils provide a simple, modular method to direct the assembly of proteins into higher order structures. We previously demonstrated that by genetically fusing de novo–designed coiled coils of the appropriate oligomerization state to a natural trimeric protein, we could direct the assembly of this protein into various geometrical cages. Here, we have extended this approach by appending a coiled coil designed to trimerize in response to binding divalent transition metal ions and thereby achieve metal ion‐dependent assembly of a tetrahedral protein cage. Ni2+, Co2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ ions were evaluated, with Ni2+ proving the most effective at mediating protein assembly. Characterization of the assembled protein indicated that the metal ion–protein complex formed discrete globular structures of the diameter expected for a complex containing 12 copies of the protein monomer. Protein assembly could be reversed by removing metal ions with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or under mildly acidic conditions.
Relative contribution of soil moisture, boundary‐layer and microphysical perturbations on convective predictability in different weather regimes
Authors: Keil Christian , Baur Florian , Bachmann Kevin , Rasp Stephan , Schneider Linda , Barthlott Christian 
Published: July 2019

The relative contributions of soil moisture heterogeneities, a stochastic boundary‐layer perturbation scheme and varied aerosol concentrations representing microphysical uncertainties on the diurnal cycle of convective precipitation and its spatial variability are examined conditional on the prevailing weather regime. To achieve this, separate perturbed‐parameter ensemble simulations are performed with the Consortium for Small‐scale Modeling (COSMO) model at convection‐permitting horizontal grid spacing for 10 days during a high‐impact weather episode in 2016 in Central Europe. We consider hourly precipitation amounts and their spatial distribution, focus on ensemble mean and spread aggregated over strong and weak forcing conditions, and employ spatial evaluation techniques. The convective adjustment time‐scale diagnostic is used to distinguish the different precipitation regimes. While the total amount of daily precipitation is hardly changed by the different perturbation approaches (less than 5%), the spatial variability of precipitation exhibits clear differences. Soil moisture heterogeneity primarily introduces variability during convection initiation causing a steeper increase in normalized rainfall spread prior to the onset of afternoon precipitation. The stochastic boundary‐layer perturbations lead to the largest spatial variability impacting precipitation from initial time onwards with an amplitude comparable to the operational ensemble spread. Similarly, perturbed aerosol concentrations impact spatial precipitation variability from the model start onwards, but to a smaller degree. Soil moisture heterogeneity shows the strongest weather regime dependence, with the greatest impact on convection during weak synoptic forcing. All types of perturbation increase dispersion of precipitation while maintaining the domain‐averaged precipitation rates.
Summertime midlatitude weather and climate extremes induced by moisture intrusions to the west of Greenland
Authors: Baggett Cory , Lee Sukyoung 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe summer of 2010 was characterized by weather and climate extremes such as the western Russia heatwave and the Pakistan floods. A recent study found that summer was dominated by a particular 200 hPa geopotential height pattern featuring an anomalous Rossby wave train with ridges centred over Greenland, Europe and Russia. The daily frequency of this pattern has dramatically increased recently and closely resembles the mean‐state difference in 200 hPa geopotential height fields between 1998–2014 (P2) and 1979–1997 (P1). Because anomalous wave trains are often driven by localized diabatic heating, it is tested in this study whether the P2 minus P1 pattern is caused by diabatic heating anomalies near Greenland. While it is found that sea ice concentrations declined and sea‐surface temperatures rose over Baffin Bay to the west of Greenland during P2, surface latent heat fluxes actually increased downward, indicating that surface processes were likely not the source of diabatic heating. Rather, an increase in vertically integrated horizontal latent‐heat flux convergence over Baffin Bay was observed in P2, which led to the condensation of water vapour and latent heating. Thus, the mid‐tropospheric circulation established the diabatic heating. A set of initial‐value calculations with idealized heating over Baffin Bay show solutions that remarkably resemble the P2 minus P1 pattern and provide a plausible explanation as to why the pattern has been occurring more frequently. This study demonstrates that changes in the Arctic can arise from moisture transport from the midlatitudes, and, in turn, these changes can induce weather and climate extremes in distant midlatitude regions.
Financial statement change and equity risk
Authors: Senteney Michael H. , Stowe David L. , Stowe John D. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWhile financial statement analysis is a rich tool, there is no widely used holistic measure of the amount of change in corporate financial statements. Statistical decomposition analysis has been employed as an index of the amount of change, but has fallen into disuse because it does not allow negative accounting numbers. As a remedy, this paper suggests three distance measures adapted from cluster analysis that avoid this critical data limitation. We successfully apply these proposed distance measures to explain the total and systematic risk of stock returns (in the CAPM and Fama–French model), corporate bond ratings, and corporate distress.