bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of a Modified Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Activity Score Using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12 as a Measure of Quality of Life
Authors: Perruccio Anthony V. , Got Matthew , Li Suzanne , Ye Yang , Gladman Dafna D. , Chandran Vinod 
Published: March 2019

ObjectiveThe Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Activity Score (PASDAS) is a composite measure of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) disease activity. The length of its patient‐reported components raises concern about questionnaire burden. The PASDAS includes the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF‐36) health survey. We undertook this study to investigate the agreement between the PASDAS and a modified PASDAS (mPASDAS), which substituted the SF‐36 with the shortened SF‐12.MethodsA total of 100 patients who fulfilled the criteria of the Classification of Psoriatic Arthritis Study Group for PsA were consecutively recruited. All of the PASDAS‐required variables were collected. The 12 item responses for SF‐12 were extracted from the SF‐36 questionnaire. The PASDAS and the mPASDAS were calculated using the SF‐36 and SF‐12 scores, respectively. A Bland‐Altman plot of the mean differences in PASDAS and mPASDAS scores was generated to evaluate agreement. Construct validity was assessed by examining correlations of the PASDAS and the mPASDAS with the Health Assessment Questionnaire, the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue subscale, the EuroQol 5‐domain instrument (health‐related quality of life), and pain scores (range 0–10, visual analog scale). The kappa statistic was used to measure agreement between disease activity states as determined by the PASDAS and mPASDAS.ResultsThe mean ± SD PASDAS and mPASDAS was 3.29 ± 1.39 and 3.24 ± 1.27, respectively. The correlation between the 2 scores was 0.998 (P < 0.0001), and the mean difference was –0.05 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] –0.07, –0.03). Construct validity was found, with nearly identical correlations of the PASDAS and mPASDAS with each of the external health measures. The misclassification rate with the mPASDAS was only 6%. The weighted κ = 0.90 (95% CI 0.82, 0.97).ConclusionThe mPASDAS may replace the PASDAS in disease activity assessment given the excellent agreement, validity, and low misclassification rate.
Increased Incidence of Resistant Hypertension in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Gandelman Jocelyn S. , Khan Omair A. , Shuey Megan M. , Neal Jacquelyn E. , McNeer Elizabeth , Dickson Alyson , Barnado April , Wang Li , Anandi Prathima , Dupont William D. , Stein C. Michael , Chung Cecilia P. 
Published: March 2019

ObjectiveTo compare the risk of resistant hypertension (RHTN) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and in controls without SLE, and to define factors associated with RHTN in patients with SLE.MethodsWe studied 1,044 patients with SLE and 5,241 control subjects using de‐identified electronic health records from a tertiary care center. SLE was defined as ≥4 International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes for SLE and antinuclear antibody titer ≥1:160. RHTN was defined as uncontrolled blood pressure on 3 antihypertensive medications or requiring 4 or more antihypertensives to attain control. First, we compared the risk of RHTN between groups. Second, we examined the association between RHTN and all‐cause mortality in patients with SLE.ResultsRHTN was nearly twice as prevalent in patients with SLE compared to control subjects (10.2% and 5.3%, respectively), with an incidence rate of 10.2 versus 6.1 cases per 1,000 person‐years of observation (hazard ratio [HR] 1.72 [95% confidence interval 1.28–2.30]; P < 0.001, adjusted for age, sex, race, baseline end‐stage renal disease [ESRD], creatinine, and calendar year). In patients with SLE, we found associations between RHTN and black race, lower renal function, hypercholesterolemia, and increased inflammatory markers. RHTN was associated with a significantly higher mortality risk (HR 2.91, P = 0.0005) after adjustment for age, sex, race, calendar year, creatinine, baseline ESRD, and number of visits.ConclusionPatients with SLE have a higher risk of RHTN compared to frequency‐matched controls, independent of multiple covariates. RHTN is an important comorbidity for clinicians to recognize in SLE, because it is associated with a higher risk of mortality.
Chemical Characterization of Euphorbia heterophylla L. Essential Oils and Their Antioxidant Activity and Allelopathic Potential on Cenchrus echinatus L.
Authors: Elshamy Abdelsamed I. , Abd‐ElGawad Ahmed M. , El Gendy Abd El‐Nasser G. , Assaeed Abdulaziz M. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe genus Euphorbia attracted the attention of many researchers worldwide from natural products, bioactivity, and ecological perspective. The essential oils (EOs) of Euphorbia heterophylla are poorly studied. Therefore, the present study aimed to provide a detailed profile of the E. heterophylla EOs as well as to determine their antioxidant and allelopathic activities. The EOs from aerial parts of E. heterophylla were extracted using hydrodistillation and analyzed via GC/MS. The antioxidant activity was determined based on scavenging of the free radical, 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl and H2O2. Various concentrations of the EOs were tested against the noxious weed, Cenchrus echinatus. Thirty‐five compounds were identified representing 100 % of the total mass. Four classes of components were characterized, among which terpenoids were the main components (88.70 %). Monoterpenes represented the main class (69.48 %), followed by sesquiterpenes (18.63 %), and only one diterpenoid, kaur‐16‐ene, was identified. 1,8‐Cineole (32.03 %), camphor (16.54 %), β‐elemene (5.92 %), endo‐borneol (4.94 %), limonene (4.27 %), pentatriacontane (3.91 %), and α‐pinene (3.89 %) were the major compounds. The EOs composition of Egyptian E. heterophylla ecospecies was comparable to that of other reported Euphorbia species, although it showed no correlation with Nigerian E. heterophylla ecospecies. The EOs from E. heterophylla aerial parts exhibited significant antioxidant activity. Moreover, a concentration of 100 μL L−1 of the EOs reduced the germination, root, and shoot growth of C. echinatus by about 93.95 %, 84.6 %, and 57.8 %, respectively. Therefore, the EOs from E. heterophylla could be integrated into the control of this weed, as eco‐friendly biocontrol method. Further study is needed to characterize their allelopathic activity under field conditions as well as to evaluate their durability and biosafety.
“Click” Silica‐Supported Sulfonic Acid Catalysts with Variable Acid Strength and Surface Polarity
Authors: Kasinathan Palraj , Lang Charlotte , Radhakrishnan Sambhu , Schnee Josefine , D'Haese Cécile , Breynaert Eric , Martens Johan A. , Gaigneaux Eric M. , Jonas Alain M. , Fernandes Antony E. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSolid acid catalysts are central in our chemical industry and are major players in the valorization of bioresources. However, there is still a need to develop solid acid catalysts with enhanced acid strength and improved, or tunable, physicochemical profile to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of chemical processes. Here, a modular approach to tune the acid strength and surface polarity of silica‐supported sulfonic acid catalysts, based on a versatile copper‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC)‐based anchoring scheme, is presented. The CuAAC‐formed triazole link was used to enhance the activity of the grafted sulfonic acids and to pair the acid sites with secondary hydrophobic functions. The beneficial effects of both the triazolium link and the paired hydrophobic site, as well as the optimal positioning of the sulfonic moiety on the triazole ring, are discussed in model esterification reactions.
3D Heterocycles from Sulfonimidamides by Sequential C−H Bond Alkenylation/Aza‐Michael Cyclization
Authors: Bachon Anne‐Katrin , Hermann Alina , Bolm Carsten 
Published: March 2019

AbstractStarting from NH‐sulfonimidamides, rhodium‐catalyzed C−H bond alkenylation followed by aza‐Michael cyclization leads to unprecedented benzoisothiazole 1‐oxides. The applicability and robustness of the method is demonstrated in 25 examples with yields up to 95 %. The resulting scaffolds are partly saturated, 3D heterocycles with potential significance for medicinal and agricultural chemistry.
Back Cover: Electrochemical Radical Borylation of Aryl Iodides (Chin. J. Chem. 4/2019)
Authors: Hong Junting , Liu Qianyi , Li Feng , Bai Guangcan , Liu Guoquan , Li Man , Nayal Onkar S. , Fu Xuefeng , Mo Fanyang 
Published: March 2019

The back cover picture shows an electrochemical strategy for the borylation of aryl iodides via a radical pathway using current as a driving force. This method features mild reaction conditions, good functional groups tolerance, and prompt reaction time. EPR, CV and DPV experiments verified the formation of aryl radicals in this electrochemical borylation reaction, and the current plays an important role in the generation of radical intermediate. More details are discussed in the article by Mo et al. on page 347–351.
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Assessing Blood Clotting and Coagulation Factors in Mice
Authors: Brake Marisa A. , Ivanciu Lacramioara , Maroney Susan A. , Martinez Nicolas D. , Mast Alan E. , Westrick Randal J. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe mammalian blood coagulation system was designed to restrict blood loss due to injury as well as keep the blood fluid within the blood vessels of the organism. Blood coagulation activity in inbred mouse strains varies widely among strains, suggesting that many genomic variants affect hemostasis. Some of these molecules have been discovered and characterized; however, many are still unknown. Genetically modified mouse technologies are providing a plethora of new mouse models for investigating the regulation of blood coagulation. Here we provide a protocol for the tail bleeding time as a primary assessment of in vivo blood coagulation, as well as in vitro methods such as the prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and thrombin generation assay. We also provide protocols for the assessment of the activities of specific known factors involved in blood coagulation. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Exploring perceptions, motivations, and practices regarding outsourcing support services by general hospitals in Uganda: A mixed methods study
Authors: Mujasi Paschal N. , Nkosi Zerish Z. 
Published: March 2019

SummaryResearch on outsourcing in a developing country using a mixed methods approach can provide insights on outsourcing decisions and practices. This study investigated motivations, practices, perceived benefits, and barriers to outsourcing by general hospitals in Uganda.An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used. Quantitative data were collected using a self‐administered questionnaire from managers in 32 randomly selected hospitals. Qualitative data were latter collected from eight purposively selected managers using an interview guide. Quantitative data were statistically analyzed using SAS 9.3. Qualitative data were managed using ATLAS ti 7 and coded manually, and content analysis was conducted.Quantitative findings indicate that outsourcing of support services was prevalent (72% of hospitals). The key motivation for outsourcing was to gain access to quality service (68%). Limited availability of service providers was a key challenge during outsourcing (57%). Managers perceive improved productivity and better services as key benefits of outsourcing (90%). The main barrier to outsourcing is limited financing. These findings were confirmed and explained by the qualitative data.Findings and recommendations from this study are critical in developing interventions to encourage effective outsourcing by hospitals in Uganda and other developing countries.
Globalization and women's HIV
Authors: Kim Yiyeon 
Published: March 2019

SummaryWomen's HIV has been a significant issue for decades. While economic integration has increased, little research has investigated the effects of globalization on women's HIV rate. This study argues that trade and FDI have differently affected women's HIV: While larger volume of trade has had the effect of decreasing female labor participation, thus increasing women's HIV rate, greater FDI inflows have worked to increase female labor participation, thereby decreasing women's HIV rate according to pooled time‐series cross‐sectional data of 89 developing countries. These findings suggest that globalization has both negative and positive effects on women's economic status and their health and that more research should be conducted into how economic integration affects marginalized populations such as children or people with low incomes.
The importance of sewage effluent discharge in the export of dissolved organic carbon from U.K. rivers
Authors: Worrall Fred , Howden Nicholas J.K. , Burt Tim P. , Bartlett Rebecca 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe flux of fluvial carbon from the terrestrial biosphere to the world's oceans is known to be an important component of the global carbon cycle, but within this pathway, the flux and return of carbon to the river network via sewage effluent has not been quantified. In this study, monitoring data from 2000 to 2016 for the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration, biochemical oxygen demand, and chemical oxygen demand of the final effluent of sewage treatment works from across England were examined to assess the amount of DOC contributing to national‐scale fluvial fluxes of carbon. The study shows that the median concentration of DOC in final effluent was 9.4 compared with 4.8 mg C/L for all surface waters for the United Kingdom over the study period and that the DOC in final effluent significantly declined over the study period from 11.0 to 6.4 mg C/L. Rivers receiving sewage effluent showed a significant, on average 19%, increase in DOC concentration downstream of sewage discharges. At the scale of the United Kingdom, the flux of DOC in final effluent was 31 ktonnes C/year with a per capita export of 0.55 kg C/year and compared with an average annual flux of DOC from the United Kingdom of 859 ktonnes C/year, that is, only 3.6% of national‐scale flux. The lability of this DOC was limited, with only 7.4% loss of final effluent DOC concentration over in‐stream residence times of up to 5 days. The direct decline in DOC concentration from sewage treatment works was not large enough on its own to explain the declines observed in DOC concentration in U.K. rivers at their tidal limit.
Denosumab Treatment Improved Health‐Related Quality of Life in Osteoporosis: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hayashi Shinya , Fukuda Koji , Maeda Toshihisa , Chinzei Nobuaki , Kihara Shinsuke , Miura Yasushi , Sakai Yoshitada , Hashimoto Shingo , Matsumoto Tomoyuki , Takayama Koji , Niikura Takahiro , Kuroda Ryosuke 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTImproving patient health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) and prevention of bone fracture are important components of the treatment of osteoporosis. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the effect of denosumab treatment in improving HRQOL among patients with osteoporosis. Our analysis was based on 332 patients with osteoporosis, followed for 24 months. All patients received denosumab (60 mg) subcutaneously every 6 months. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed at the distal radius, with serum concentration of calcium, phosphate, P1NP, and TRACP5b also measured. HRQOL assessment included pain (visual analogue scale [VAS]) and the EQ‐5D questionnaire. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify the possible confounders associated with deterioration in the EQ‐5D utility score in response to denosumab treatment. Denosumab treatment yielded a 3.4% increase in BMD at 24 months. Serum levels of TRACP5b and P1NP decreased significantly, from baseline, at 6 months, with no effect on calcium and phosphate levels. Pain VAS and EQ‐5D utility score improved significantly, from baseline, at 6 months, with the EQ‐5D utility score correlating with the BMD at all time points of measurement over the 24‐month period of observation. Knee osteoarthritis and multiple comorbidities were significantly associated with a worse HRQOL in response to denosumab treatment. Denosumab treatment increased BMD, with improvements in BMD correlating with improved HRQOL, supporting a possible benefit of using denosumab for the treatment of osteoporosis. © 2019 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Immune and cytokine/chemokine responses of PBMCs in rotavirus‐infected rhesus infants and their significance in viral pathogenesis
Authors: Zhou Yan , Qiao Hongtu , Yin Na , Chen Linlin , Xie Yuping , Wu Jinyuan , Du Jing , Lin Xiaochen , Wang Yi , Liu Yang , Yi Shan , Zhang Guangming , Sun Maosheng , He Zhanlong , Li Hongjun 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe rotavirus (RV) is the most important causative agent of severe gastroenteritis in infants and children aged less than 5 years worldwide. However, the response and the roles of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) in RV clearance have yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, we established the neonatal rhesus monkey model of RV infection with histopathological changes in the small intestine. Then, we investigated gene expression changes in PBMCs from the monkey model of RV infection. Similar pathways regulated in rhesus monkeys that received intragastric administration of the RV monkey SA11 strain (G3P[2]) and the human wild‐type strain ZTR‐68 (G1P[8]). Gene profiling showed differences in functional genes mainly associated with chemokine signaling pathways and cytokine‐cytokine receptor interactions post RV infection. Transferrin and C‐C motif chemokine ligand 23 (CCL23) gene expression were upregulated in PBMCs of monkeys when stimulated by simian and human RV strains. Monkeys infected with RV had an enhanced and prolonged inflammatory response that was associated with increased levels of CCL20, CCL23, and C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 1; while inhibition of major histocompatibility complex class I expression may be important for immune evasion by RV. The RV infection was also characterized by pathological changes in the small intestine with a cytokine and chemokine storm. This study identified the chemokine signaling pathway and immune response genes involved in RV infection in infant rhesus monkeys. The SA11 RV strain is more suitable for establishing a monkey diarrhea model than the ZTR‐68 RV strain.
Impact Of Vulvovaginal Atrophy Of Menopause In Spanish Women: Prevalence And Symptoms According To The EVES Study
Authors: Palacios Santiago , González Silvia P. , Fernández-Abellán Micaela , Manubens Montserrat , García-Alfaro Pascual , Prieto C.Argudo , Mainar L.Baquedano , Abu-Amshah J.Calleja , Hidalgo M.J.Cancelo , Castelo-Branco i Flores C. , Martin P.Coronado , Rancel M.Correa , Abellán M.Fernández , Moya J.M.Fernández , Alfaro P.García , Fernández M.González , Rodríguez S.González , Bravo E.Iglesias , Coto P.Llaneza , Grau M.Manubens , Sánchez P.Marín , Ladrón de Guevara N.Mendoza , García-Ramos B.Otero , Palacios S. , Lorite J.C.Presa , Borrego R.Sánchez , Méndez S.Sánchez , Fernández F.Vázquez 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Introduction
The prevalence of menopausal women with confirmed vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) oscillates between 67–98%.

Aim
To assess the prevalence of postmenopausal women with VVA confirmed by gynecologic clinical assessment among all women attending menopause centers in Spain, as well as to describe the impact of VVA on quality of life and sexual functioning.

Methods
Women aged 45–75 years old with the last menstrual period &gt;12 months before were included in a cross-sectional study.

Main Outcome Measures
Women with ≥1 VVA symptoms filled out a number of questionnaires, including EuroQoL, Day-to-Day Impact of Vaginal Aging, Female Sexual Function Index, and Female Sexual Distress Scale-revised. A gynecologic examination was performed to confirm diagnosis.

Results
1,177 evaluable patients were included. VVA was confirmed in 87.3% of the patients. Almost 80% of women who acknowledged being sexually active (n = 717) presented pain during intercourse. As compared with patients without confirmed VVA (n = 66), patients with confirmed VVA (n = 1,028) were significantly older (P &lt; .0001), had lower rates of sexual activity (P &lt; .05), and used more VVA treatments (P &lt; .05). Severe vaginal atrophy and severe vulvar atrophy were more prevalent in VVA-confirmed women (P &lt; .0001, in both cases). No differences regarding the confirmation of VVA were observed for EuroQoL and Day-to-Day Impact of Vaginal Aging quality-of-life questionnaires. Sexual function measured through the Female Sexual Function Index score was significantly reduced in sexually-active patients with confirmed VVA (P &lt; .05).

Conclusion
VVA signs and symptoms are highly prevalent in Spanish postmenopausal women. Confirmation of VVA diagnosis was associated with impaired sexual function. The early recognition of VVA symptoms should be actively promoted in medical practice, instead of waiting until signs appear to exclude other reasons for VVA and to manage treatment effectively.
Why Does Amazon Precipitation Decrease When Tropical Forests Respond to Increasing CO2?
Authors: Langenbrunner B. , Pritchard M. S. , Kooperman G. J. , Randerson J. T. 
Published: March 2019

Earth system models predict a zonal dipole of precipitation change over tropical South America, with decreases over the Amazon and increases over the Andes. Much of this has been attributed to the physiological response of the rainforest to elevated CO2, which describes a basin‐wide reduction in stomatal conductance and transpiration. While robust in Earth system model experiments, details of the underlying atmospheric mechanism—specifically how it evolves in the context of land‐atmosphere interaction and the diurnal cycle—are unresolved. We investigate this using idealized model simulations and find that within 24 hr of a CO2 increase, changes occur over the Amazon that engender synoptic timescale feedbacks. Decreased evapotranspiration from the rainforest throttles near‐surface moisture, inducing a drier, warmer, and deeper boundary layer. Above this, enhanced turbulent diffusivity increases vapor in the lower free troposphere. Together, these processes reduce convective activity and cause immediate decreases in Amazon rainfall. Over the synoptic timescale, these changes leave behind lower tropospheric moisture, which is advected westward by the background jet and increases Andean precipitation. This produces a dipole of precipitation change consistent across global and regional models as well as parameterized and resolved convection, though details are sensitive to model topography and boundary layer formulation. The mechanism reported here stresses the importance of fast timescale processes affecting stability over a period of hours that can influence longer‐term vegetation‐climate interactions. These results help clarify the Amazon's physiological response to rising CO2 and provide insight into possible causes of historical model biases and end‐of‐century uncertainty in this region.