bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Pollen Diversity Available to Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Major Cropping Systems During Pollination in the Western United States
Authors: Topitzhofer Ellen , Lucas Hannah , Chakrabarti Priyadarshini , Breece Carolyn , Bryant Vaughn , Sagili Ramesh R 
Published: June 2019

AbstractGlobal western honey bee, Apis mellifera (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), colony declines pose a significant threat to food production worldwide. Poor nutrition resulting from habitat loss, extensive monocultures, and agricultural intensification is among the several suggested drivers for colony declines. Pollen is the primary source of protein for honey bees; therefore, both pollen abundance and diversity are critical for colony growth and survival. Many cropping systems that employ honey bee colonies for pollination may lack sufficient pollen diversity and abundance to provide optimal bee nutrition. In this observational study, we documented the diversity and relative abundance of pollen collected by honey bees in five major pollinator-dependent crops in the western United States. We sampled pollen from pollen traps installed on honey bee colonies in the following cropping systems—almond, cherry, highbush blueberry, hybrid carrot, and meadowfoam. The pollen diversity was estimated by documenting the number of different pollen pellet colors and plant taxa found in each pollen sample. The lowest pollen diversity was found in almond crop. Relatively higher quantities of pollen collection were collected in almond, cherry, and meadowfoam cropping systems. The information gleaned from this study regarding pollen diversity and abundance may help growers, land managers, and beekeepers improve pollen forage available to bees in these cropping systems.
Effect of inbreeding on sex ratio in the apple snail Pomacea canaliculata
Authors: Kumagai Natsumi , Yusa Yoichi 
Published: June 2019

ABSTRACT
Female-biased sex ratios are adaptive in populations founded by a small number of individuals and are mainly due to local mate competition (the haystack model). However, little empirical support for this theory exists and, with the exception of terrestrial vertebrates and arthropods, very little is known about the possible mechanisms for biased sex ratios under this model in animals. The highly invasive freshwater snail Pomacea canaliculata usually reproduces in small temporary water bodies and is characterized by genetically based variable brood sex ratios. We conducted a mating experiment to test the prediction that sex ratio is biased towards females in inbred populations. Inbred lines (pairing of a male and a female from the same brood) and outcrossed lines (pairing of a male and a female from different broods) were reared in the lab, and sex ratios were compared between these two breeding types for three generations (the F1 generation was produced by outcrossing only). As predicted, the sex ratios of the inbred lines showed greater bias towards females (average proportion of males per generation was 0.38–0.40) than the outcrossed lines (0.45–0.55). The female-biased sex ratios of P. canaliculata may facilitate rapid population growth and may thus enhance the invasive capacity of this snail. Female-biased sex ratios under metapopulation structures, as predicted by the haystack models, may be more common than previously considered.
Design and Validation of a Cervical Laminectomy Simulator using 3D Printing and Hydrogel Phantoms
Authors: Weiss Menachem Y , Melnyk Rachel , Mix Doran , Ghazi Ahmed , Vates G Edward , Stone Jonathan J 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The development of technical skills for a cervical laminectomy are traditionally acquired through intraoperative learning and cadaveric courses. These methods provide little objective assessment, involve financial and biohazard considerations, and may not incorporate desired pathology.

OBJECTIVE
To develop an inexpensive cervical spine laminectomy simulator capable of measuring operative performance and to assess its face, content, and construct validity.

METHODS
A virtual model was generated and 3D printed into negative molds. A multilayered surgical phantom was fabricating by filling molds with hydrogels, plaster, and fiberglass. A pressure transducer measured simulated spinal cord manipulation. Participants completed full-procedural laminectomy simulations. Post-simulation surveys assessed face and content validity. Construct validity was assessed by comparing expert and novice procedural metrics.

RESULTS
Twelve surgeons participated. The simulator received median face and content validity ratings of 4/5. Differences between experts and novices were found in mean intrathecal pressure wave count (84 vs 153, P = .023), amplitude (4 vs 12% > 2SD above expert mean, P < .001), area under curve (4 vs 12% > 2SD above expert mean, P < .001), procedure time (35 vs 69 min P = .003), and complication rates (none vs 3 incorrect levels decompressed and 1 dural tear, P = .06). Insignificant differences were found in mean pressure wave slope and blood loss.

CONCLUSION
This inexpensive cervical laminectomy simulator received favorable face and content validity ratings, and distinguished novice from expert participants. Further studies are needed to determine this simulator's role in the training and assessment of novice surgeons.
Is Symmetry Breaking into Special Subgroup Special?
Authors: Kugo Taichiro , Yamatsu Naoki 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to show that symmetry breaking into special subgroups is not special at all, contrary to the usual wisdom. To demonstrate this explicitly, we examine the dynamical symmetry breaking pattern in four-dimensional $SU(N)$ Nambu–Jona-Lasinio-type models in which the fermion matter belongs to an irreducible representation of $SU(N)$. Potential analysis shows that for almost all cases at the potential minimum the $SU(N)$ group symmetry is broken to its special subgroups such as $SO(N)$ or ${USp}(N)$ when symmetry breaking occurs.
Hydroxychloroquine treatment downregulates systemic interferon activation in primary Sjögren’s syndrome in the JOQUER randomized trial
Authors: Bodewes Iris L A , Gottenberg Jacques-Eric , van Helden-Meeuwsen Cornelia G , Mariette Xavier , Versnel Marjan A 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Objective
HCQ is frequently used to treat primary SS (pSS), but evidence for its efficacy is limited. HCQ blocks IFN activation, which is present in half of the pSS patients. The effect of HCQ treatment on the expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) was studied in pSS. Furthermore, HCQ-treated patients were stratified based on IFN activation and differences in disease activity and clinical parameters were studied.

Methods
Expression of ISGs and IFN scores was determined in 77 patients, who were previously enrolled in the placebo-controlled JOQUER trial. Patients were treated for 24 weeks with 400 mg/d HCQ or placebo.

Results
HCQ treatment reduced IFN scores and expression of ISGs compared with the placebo-treated group. HCQ reduced ESR, IgG and IgM levels independently of the patients' IFN activation status. No differences in EULAR SS disease activity index or EULAR SS patient reported index scores were observed after HCQ treatment, even after IFN stratification.

Conclusion
Treatment for 24 weeks with HCQ significantly reduced type I IFN scores and ISG-expression compared with the placebo-treated group. HCQ reduced several laboratory parameters, but failed to improve clinical response. This suggests that in pSS, type I IFN is associated to some laboratory parameters abnormalities, but not related to the clinical response.
Ways to use interventions to increase participation in mail-out bowel cancer screening: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Myers Larry , Goodwin Belinda , March Sonja , Dunn Jeff 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
The impact of colorectal cancer can be reduced through nationwide fecal occult blood test (FOBT) screening. Unfortunately, participation in screening programs are low with interventions only increasing participation modestly.
This meta-analysis explores if intervention effectiveness can be increased by targeting specific subpopulations with specific interventions or by combining interventions. Six databases were searched for studies aiming to increase participation in mail-out FOBT screening. To investigate if interventions are more effective for certain subpopulations, the difference in (log) Risk Ratios (RRs) between alternate subpopulations (male vs. female; low vs. high Socioeconomic Status (SES); &lt;65 vs. ≥65 years) was assessed. To investigate if interventions should be combined, uptake rates for single interventions were compared to uptake rates for combined interventions. Cochrane Collaboration tools were used to assess the risk of bias.
Searches found 3,436 articles, with 32 meeting the inclusion criteria. These contained 30 trials that reported uptake rates within subpopulations and 17 trials that combined interventions. Most differences in intervention effects between subpopulations were nonsignificant. Combining interventions led to greater participation, RR = 1.06, confidence interval [1.03; 1.10]. As interventions rarely affect subpopulations differently, targeting them at specific subpopulations may be an ineffective strategy. While individual interventions show modest effects, these results indicate that future programs might overcome this by combining interventions together. Care is needed when selecting interventions to combine as adding some interventions (e.g., additional print materials) can reduce the effectiveness of a combined strategy. Future research should examine methods for effectively combining interventions in nationwide programs to maximize participation.
Physiologically Based Kinetic Modeling-Facilitated Reverse Dosimetry to Predict In Vivo Red Blood Cell Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition Following Exposure to Chlorpyrifos in the Caucasian and Chinese Population
Authors: Zhao Shensheng , Kamelia Lenny , Boonpawa Rungnapa , Wesseling Sebastiaan , Spenkelink Bert , Rietjens Ivonne M C M 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Organophosphates have a long history of use as insecticides over the world. The aim of the present study was to investigate the interethnic differences in kinetics, biomarker formation, and in vivo red blood cell acetylcholinesterase inhibition of chlorpyrifos (CPF) in the Chinese and the Caucasian population. To this purpose, physiologically based kinetic models for CPF in both the Chinese and Caucasian population were developed, and used to study time- and dose-dependent interethnic variation in urinary biomarkers and to convert concentration-response curves for red blood cell acetylcholinesterase inhibition to in vivo dose-response curves in these 2 populations by reverse dosimetry. The results obtained revealed a marked interethnic difference in toxicokinetics of CPF, with lower urinary biomarker levels at similar dose levels and slower CPF bioactivation and faster chlorpyrifos-oxon detoxification in the Chinese compared with the Caucasian population, resulting in 5- to 6-fold higher CPF sensitivity of the Caucasian than the Chinese population. These differences might be related to variation in the frequency of single-nucleotide polymorphisms for the major biotransformation enzymes involved. To conclude, the interethnic variation in kinetics of CPF may affect both its biomarker-based exposure assessment and its toxicity and risk assessment and physiologically based kinetic modeling facilitates the characterization and quantification of these interethnic variations.
A Multicenter Study of the Causes and Consequences of Optimistic Expectations About Prognosis by Surrogate Decision-Makers in ICUs*
Authors: White Douglas B. , Carson Shannon , Anderson Wendy , Steingrub Jay , Bird Garrett , Curtis J. Randall , Matthay Michael , Peterson Michael , Buddadhumaruk Praewpannarai , Shields Anne-Marie , Ernecoff Natalie , Shotsberger Kaitlin , Weissfeld Lisa , Chang Chung-Chou H. , Pike Francis , Lo Bernard , Hough Catherine L. 
Published: June 2019

Objectives:
Optimistic expectations about prognosis by surrogate decision-makers in ICUs are common, but there are few data about the causes and clinical consequences. Our objective was to determine the causes of optimistic expectations about prognosis among surrogates and whether it is associated with more use of life support at the end of life.

Design:
Prospective, multicenter cohort study from 2009 to 2012.

Setting:
Twelve ICUs from multiple regions of the United States.

Subjects:
The surrogates and physicians of 275 incapacitated ICU patients at high risk of death.

Interventions:
None.

Measurements and Main Results:
Surrogates and physicians completed a validated instrument assessing their prognostic expectations for hospital survival. We determined the proportion of surrogates with optimistic expectations, defined as a prognostic estimate that was at least 20% more optimistic than the physician’s, then determined how frequently this arose from surrogates miscomprehending the physicians’ prognosis versus holding more hopeful beliefs compared with the physician. We used multivariable regression to examine whether optimistic expectations were associated with length of stay, stratified by survival status, and time to withdrawal of life support among nonsurvivors. Overall, 45% of surrogates (95% CI, 38–51%) held optimistic expectations about prognosis, which arose from a combination of misunderstanding the physician’s prognostic expectations and from holding more hopeful beliefs compared with the physician. Optimistic expectations by surrogates were associated with significantly longer duration of ICU treatment among nonsurvivors before death (β coefficient = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.05–0.83; p = 0.027), corresponding to a 56% longer ICU stay. This difference was associated with a significantly longer time to withdrawal of life support among dying patients whose surrogates had optimistic prognostic expectations compared with those who did not (β coefficient = 0.61; 95% CI, 0.16–1.07; p = 0.009).

Conclusions:
The prevalent optimism about prognosis among surrogates in ICUs arises both from surrogates’ miscomprehension of physicians’ prognostications and from surrogates holding more hopeful beliefs. This optimism is associated with longer duration of life support at the end of life.
XueBiJing Injection Versus Placebo for Critically Ill Patients With Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Song Yuanlin , Yao Chen , Yao Yongming , Han Hui , Zhao Xiaodong , Yu Kaijiang , Liu Luyi , Xu Ying , Liu Zhongmin , Zhou Qingshan , Wang Ying , Ma Zhuang , Zheng Youguang , Wu Dawei , Tang Zhongzhi , Zhang Minzhou , Pan Shuming , Chai Yanfen , Song Yan , Zhang Jian , Pan Lei , Liu Yi , Yu He , Yu Xuezhong , Zhang Hong , Wang Xiaoge , Du Zhaohui , Wan Xianyao , Tang Yijun , Tian Yingping , Zhu Yimin , Wang Hongliang , Yan Xiaoyan , Liu Zhi , Zhang Boli , Zhong Nanshan , Shang Hongcai , Bai Chunxue 
Published: June 2019

Objectives:
To investigate whether XueBiJing injection improves clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia.

Design:
Prospective, randomized, controlled study.

Setting:
Thirty-three hospitals in China.

Patients:
A total of 710 adults 18–75 years old with severe community-acquired pneumonia.

Interventions:
Participants in the XueBiJing group received XueBiJing, 100 mL, q12 hours, and the control group received a visually indistinguishable placebo.

Measurements and Main Results:
The primary outcome was 8-day improvement in the pneumonia severity index risk rating. Secondary outcomes were 28-day mortality rate, duration of mechanical ventilation and total duration of ICU stay. Improvement in the pneumonia severity index risk rating, from a previously defined endpoint, occurred in 203 (60.78%) participants receiving XueBiJing and in 158 (46.33%) participants receiving placebo (between-group difference [95% CI], 14.4% [6.9–21.8%]; p < 0.001). Fifty-three (15.87%) XueBiJing recipients and 84 (24.63%) placebo recipients (8.8% [2.4–15.2%]; p = 0.006) died within 28 days. XueBiJing administration also decreased the mechanical ventilation time and the total ICU stay duration. The median mechanical ventilation time was 11.0 versus 16.5 days for the XueBiJing and placebo groups, respectively (p = 0.012). The total duration of ICU stay was 12 days for XueBiJing recipients versus 16 days for placebo recipients (p = 0.004). A total of 256 patients experienced adverse events (119 [35.63%] vs 137 [40.18%] in the XueBiJing and placebo groups, respectively [p = 0.235]).

Conclusions:
In critically ill patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia, XueBiJing injection led to a statistically significant improvement in the primary endpoint of the pneumonia severity index as well a significant improvement in the secondary clinical outcomes of mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation and duration of ICU stay.
Fluid Overload Associates With Major Adverse Kidney Events in Critically Ill Patients With Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
Authors: Woodward Connor W. , Lambert Joshua , Ortiz-Soriano Victor , Li Ye , Ruiz-Conejo Marice , Bissell Brittany D. , Kelly Andrew , Adams Paul , Yessayan Lenar , Morris Peter E. , Neyra Javier A. 
Published: June 2019

Objectives:
We examined the association between fluid overload and major adverse kidney events in critically ill patients requiring continuous renal replacement therapy for acute kidney injury.

Design:
Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:
ICU in a tertiary medical center.

Patients:
Four-hundred eighty-one critically ill adults requiring continuous renal replacement therapy for acute kidney injury.

Interventions:
None.

Measurements and Main Results:
Fluid overload was assessed as fluid balance from admission to continuous renal replacement therapy initiation, adjusted for body weight. Major adverse kidney events were defined as a composite of mortality, renal replacement therapy-dependence or inability to recover 50% of baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (if not on renal replacement therapy) evaluated up to 90 days after discharge. Patients with fluid overload less than or equal to 10% were less likely to experience major adverse kidney events than those with fluid overload greater than 10% (71.6% vs 79.4%; p = 0.047). Multivariable logistic regression showed that fluid overload greater than 10% was associated with a 58% increased odds of major adverse kidney events (p = 0.046), even after adjusting for timing of continuous renal replacement therapy initiation. There was also a 2.7% increased odds of major adverse kidney events for every 1 day increase from ICU admission to continuous renal replacement therapy initiation (p = 0.024). Fluid overload greater than 10% was also found to be independently associated with an 82% increased odds of hospital mortality (p = 0.004) and 2.5 fewer ventilator-free days (p = 0.044), compared with fluid overload less than or equal to 10%.

Conclusions:
In critically ill patients with acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy, greater than 10% fluid overload was associated with higher risk of 90-day major adverse kidney events, including mortality and decreased renal recovery. Increased time between ICU admission and continuous renal replacement therapy initiation was also associated with decreased renal recovery. Fluid overload represents a potentially modifiable risk factor, independent of timing of continuous renal replacement therapy initiation, that should be further examined in interventional studies.
Ambient Particulate Air Pollution and Blood Pressure in Peri-urban India
Authors: Curto Ariadna , Wellenius Gregory A. , Milà Carles , Sanchez Margaux , Ranzani Otavio , Marshall Julian D. , Kulkarni Bharati , Bhogadi Santhi , Kinra Sanjay , Tonne Cathryn 
Published: June 2019

Background:
Evidence linking long-term exposure to particulate air pollution to blood pressure (BP) in high-income countries may not be transportable to low- and middle-income countries. We examined cross-sectional associations between ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC) with BP (systolic [SBP] and diastolic [DBP]) and prevalent hypertension in adults from 28 peri-urban villages near Hyderabad, India.

Methods:
We studied 5531 participants from the Andhra Pradesh Children and Parents Study (18–84 years, 54% men). We measured BP (2010–2012) in the right arm and defined hypertension as SBP ≥130 mmHg and/or DBP ≥80 mmHg. We used land-use regression models to estimate annual average PM2.5 and BC at participant’s residence. We applied linear and logistic nested mixed-effect models stratified by sex and adjusted by cooking fuel type to estimate associations between within-village PM2.5 or BC and health.

Results:
Mean (SD) PM2.5 was 33 µg/m3 (2.7) and BC was 2.5 µg/m3 (0.23). In women, a 1 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with 1.4 mmHg higher SBP (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.12, 2.7), 0.87 mmHg higher DBP (95% CI: −0.18, 1.9), and 4% higher odds of hypertension (95% CI: 0%, 9%). In men, associations with SBP (0.52 mmHg; 95% CI: −0.82, 1.8), DBP (0.41 mmHg; 95% CI: −0.69, 1.5), and hypertension (2% higher odds; 95% CI: −2%, 6%) were weaker. No associations were observed with BC.

Conclusion:
We observed a positive association between ambient PM2.5 and BP and hypertension in women. Longitudinal studies in this region are needed to corroborate our findings.
Accountability Assessment of Health Improvements in the United States Associated with Reduced Coal Emissions Between 2005 and 2012
Authors: Henneman Lucas R. F. , Choirat Christine , Zigler Corwin M. 
Published: June 2019

Background:
National, state, and local policies contributed to a 65% reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants between 2005 and 2012 in the United States, providing an opportunity to directly quantify public health benefits attributable to these reductions under an air pollution accountability framework.

Methods:
We estimate ZIP code-level changes in two different—but related—exposure metrics: total PM2.5 concentrations and exposure to coal-fired power plant emissions. We associate changes in 10 health outcome rates among approximately 30 million US Medicare beneficiaries with exposure changes between 2005 and 2012 using two difference-in-difference regression approaches designed to mitigate observed and unobserved confounding.

Results:
Rates per 10,000 person–years of six cardiac and respiratory health outcomes—all cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, cardiovascular stroke, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and respiratory tract infections—decreased by between 7.89 and 1.95 per

JOURNAL/epide/04.03/00001648-201907000-00003/inline-graphic1/v/2023-09-08T093821Z/r/image-tiff

decrease in PM2.5, with comparable decreases in coal exposure leading to slightly larger rate decreases. Results for acute myocardial infarction, heart rhythm disorders, and peripheral vascular disease were near zero and/or mixed between the various exposure metrics and analyses. A secondary analysis found that nonlinearities in relationships between changing health outcome rates and coal exposure may explain differences in their associations.

Conclusions:
The direct analyses of emissions reductions estimate substantial health benefits via coal power plant emission and PM2.5 concentration reductions. Differing responses associated with changes in the two exposure metrics underscore the importance of isolating source-specific impacts from those due to total PM2.5 exposure.