bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human Reproductive Cell Cryopreservation, Storage, Handling, and Transport: Risks and Risk Management
Authors: Alikani Mina , Parmegiani Lodovico 
Published: April 2019

AbstractMillions of human oocytes and embryos are stored in thousands of locations across the globe. This inventory continues to grow as cryopreservation becomes more successful and more widely applied. The results of studies assessing pregnancy and neonatal outcomes following frozen embryo transfer (FET) have been encouraging, showing lower incidences of small for gestational age neonates and preterm birth compared with fresh transfers. However, many of these studies have also shown that the odds of large for gestational age births and macrosomia are higher after FET. The origin of these conditions remains unclear. Cryostorage presents many potential risks to the cryopreserved cells/tissues, including loss of viability and contamination, but risks are faced also by care providers—for example, injury and financial liability—and by patients—for example, accidental loss of their reproductive tissues, the burden of embryos they no longer wish to use and failing to meet their contractual obligations. Studies are urgently needed to explore and understand all dimensions of cryostorage to help ART clinics develop effective strategies to manage associated risks. The future of cryostorage, as for many other areas of ART and medicine, is automation.
Life Interrupted: The Nature and Consequences of Cryostasis
Authors: Malter Henry 
Published: April 2019

AbstractCryopreservation and associated cryostorage has become a well-established technique in both basic and clinical science. When the potentially lethal consequences of freezing itself are ameliorated, existence at cryogenic temperatures seems to be a form of true viable stasis that can persist for long periods of time. Natural cryopreservation and revival after long-term periods in cryostasis is reality in many species. While some evidence exists for imperfections in artificial cryopreservation protocols and storage, these protocols are for the most part successful and compatible with efficient restoration of vitality in a variety of biomaterial after freezing. Clinical protocols in use for cryopreserving and storing gametes and embryos in human-assisted reproduction are similarly well proven and supported by a large body of basic science and clinical outcome data.
Safe Storage of Gametes and Embryos: No Time for Complacency
Authors: Tomlinson Mathew 
Published: April 2019

AbstractRecent serious untoward incidents in the field of assisted reproduction have once again highlighted the need for vigilance and in particular improved risk management in relation to the cryopreservation of gametes and embryos. Despite increasing levels of regulation and the requirement to adhere to total quality management practices, catastrophic incidents such as the death of an employee or the loss of a freezer full of patient embryos or sperm continue to occur sufficiently frequently for the industry to be concerned and highlight the need to make practices considerably safer. Potential losses through litigation could be considerable if the gamete or embryo bank is found to be negligent and fails to provide the necessary resources and implement recognizable control measures, which may include suitable facilities with adequate ventilation and oxygen monitoring, competent staff, and an appropriate level of well-maintained equipment; round-the-clock emergency procedures, early warning systems to deal with a failing vessel; and contingency to mitigate losses within a failing vessel and validated procedures which are embedded into the organization which lead to a high-quality end product, for example, frozen embryo while permitting a safe system of work. Since cross-contamination incidents have occurred in other disciplines such as blood cryostorage, which have led to the transmission of viral disease, the biological safety of the end product also requires careful consideration despite the fact that no similar incident appears to have come to light in the field of reproductive medicine. Implementation of risk reduction measures may include screening for blood borne viruses and possibly bacterial infection, careful selection of appropriate packaging plastics, and consideration as to whether packaging is suitable for immersion in liquid nitrogen. If not, vapor phase storage may be considered as additional mitigation. In the light of recent events, centers should place risk management of their cryofacilities and service high on the agenda and ensure that it becomes integral to future objective setting and business planning.
Evaluation of Marginal Adaptation of MTA, Biodentine, and MTA Plus as Root-End Filling Materials—An SEM Study
Authors: Bansal Rajinder , Bansal Manu , Matta Mandeep , Walia Shilpa , Kaur Baljeet , Sharma Nishant 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Objective This study aimed to evaluate adaptation of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Biodentine, and MTA Plus when used as root-end restorative materials using scanning electron microscope.
Materials and Methods Forty-five extracted teeth with one root canal were cleaned and sectioned at cementoenamel junction, maintaining a standardized length of 15 mm. Chemomechanical preparation and obturation was done in all the samples, and access was restored with glass ionomer cement (GIC). Root-end cavities were prepared in all the samples after 3-mm apical root end was resected. Forty-five samples were divided into three groups with 15 samples each. Root apices were filled with ProRoot MTA in group I, Biodentine in group II, and MTA Plus in group III. The sample teeth were sectioned for examination of gaps at the margins using scanning electron microscope. The data collected were put to statistical analysis by one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) and post hoc tests.
Results The minimum margin gap score of 2.44 μm was observed in group II (Biodentine), whereas maximum gap score of 5.63 μm was observed in group I (ProRoot MTA); 4.92 μm mean margin gap score was observed in group III (MTA Plus).
Conclusion Biodentine showed least margin gap at the interface, so it can be considered as the best root-end filling material, whereas, MTA Plus can be considered as a substitute to ProRoot MTA as a root-end filling material.
Prostaglandin signaling regulates renal multiciliated cell specification and maturation
Authors: Marra Amanda N. , Adeeb Basma D. , Chambers Brooke E. , Drummond Bridgette E. , Ulrich Marisa , Addiego Amanda , Springer Meghan , Poureetezadi Shahram J. , Chambers Joseph M. , Ronshaugen Matthew , Wingert Rebecca A. 
Published: April 2019

SignificanceMulticiliated cells (MCCs) have core roles in organ formation and function, where they control fluid flow and particle displacement. MCCs direct fluid movement in the brain and spinal cord, clearance of respiratory mucus, and ovum transport from the ovary to the uterus. Deficiencies in MCC functionality lead to hydrocephalus, chronic respiratory infections, and infertility. Prostaglandins are lipids that are used to coordinate cellular functions. Here, we discovered that prostaglandin signaling is required for MCC development in the embryonic zebrafish kidney. Understanding renal MCC genesis can lend insights into the puzzling origins of MCCs in several chronic kidney diseases, where it is unclear whether MCCs are a cause or phenotypic outcome of the condition.
Photocycle-dependent conformational changes in the proteorhodopsin cross-protomer Asp–His–Trp triad revealed by DNP-enhanced MAS-NMR
Authors: Maciejko Jakob , Kaur Jagdeep , Becker-Baldus Johanna , Glaubitz Clemens 
Published: April 2019

Significance
Proteorhodopsin (PR) is found in marine bacteria in various ecosystems and is one of the most abundant photoreceptors. It converts light into a transmembrane, electrochemical gradient as a source of energy for the cell. PR, like many microbial rhodopsins, forms functionally unresolved higher oligomers. Here, experimental evidence for functionally relevant cross-protomer interactions within the PR pentamer is presented. An Asp–His–Trp triad is formed across the oligomerization interface, participates in the photocycle, and potentially acts as a pH sensor. These findings provide a potentially paradigm shifting aspect for the mechanism of microbial rhodopsins. Such an insight could only be obtained by combining solid-state NMR spectroscopy with dynamic nuclear polarization and light-induced cryotrapping of photointermediates.
EDGE2D-EIRENE simulations of the influence of isotope effects and anomalous transport coefficients on near scrape-off layer radial electric field
Authors: Chankin A V , Corrigan G , Maggi C F 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
EDGE2D-EIRENE (the ‘code’) simulations show that radial electric field, E
r, in the near scrape-off layer (SOL) of tokamaks can have large variations leading to a strong local E × B shear greatly exceeding that in the core region. This was pointed out in simulations of JET plasmas with varying divertor geometry, where the magnetic configuration with larger predicted near SOL E
r was found to have lower H-mode power threshold, suggesting that turbulence suppression in the SOL by local E × B shear can be a player in the L–H transition physics (Delabie et al 2015 42nd EPS Conf. on Plasma Physics (Lisbon, Portugal, 22–26 June 2015) paper O3.113 (http://ocs.ciemat.es/EPS2015PAP/pdf/O3.113.pdf), Chankin et al 2017 Nucl. Mater. Energy
12 273). Further code modeling of JET plasmas by changing hydrogen isotopes (H–D–T) showed that the magnitude of the near SOL E
r is lower in H cases in which the H-mode threshold power is higher (Chankin et al 2017 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion
59 045012). From the experiment it is also known that hydrogen plasmas have poorer particle and energy confinement than deuterium plasmas, consistent with the code simulation results showing larger particle diffusion coefficients at the plasma edge, including SOL, in hydrogen plasmas (Maggi et al 2018 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion
60 014045). All these experimental observations and code results support the hypothesis that the near SOL E × B shear can have an impact on the plasma confinement. The present work analyzes neutral ionization patterns of JET plasmas with different hydrogen isotopes in L-mode cases with fixed input power and gas puffing rate, and its impact on target electron temperature, T
e, and SOL E
r. The possibility of a self-feeding mechanism for the increase in the SOL E
r via the interplay between poloidal E × B drift and target T
e is discussed. It is also shown that reducing anomalous turbulent transport coefficients, particle diffusion and electron and ion heat conductivities, leads to higher peak target T
e and larger E
r, suggesting the possibility of a positive feedback loop, under an implicitly made assumption that the E × B shear in the SOL is capable of suppressing turbulence.
A spatio-temporal delineation of trans-boundary ecosystem service flows from Inner Mongolia
Authors: Xie Gaodi , Liu Jingya , Xu Jie , Xiao Yu , Zhen Lin , Zhang Changshun , Wang Yangyang , Qin Keyu , Gan Shuang , Jiang Yuan 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Ecosystem service (ES) flows across geophysical and administrative boundaries are ubiquitous and are receiving more attention in an increasingly metacoupled world. Omitting trans-boundary ES flows from ES assessments will lead to unilateral conclusions and underestimation of ES contributions over distances. Inner Mongolia is an important ecological security barrier of China and Eurasia, but the trans-boundary effect of this barrier is difficult to be quantitatively evaluated and is rarely assessed. This study assessed the ecological security barrier function of Inner Mongolia from the perspective of trans-boundary ES flows, including wind prevention and sand fixation (WPSF), water provision (WP), carbon sequestration (CS) and livestock product provision (LPP) service flows. The trans-boundary value flows for the WPSF, WP, CS and LPP services in 2010 were 6.20 × 1010 CNY (Chinese currency, yuan), 0.21 × 1010 CNY, 1.29 × 1010 CNY and 1.27 × 1010 CNY, respectively, and 5.89 × 1010 CNY, 0.16 × 1010 CNY, 0.37 × 1010 CNY and 1.33 × 1010 CNY, respectively, in 2015; correspondingly, the percentages of these trans-boundary value flows in terms of the total value flow were 69.12%, 2.34%, 14.38% and 14.16%, respectively, in 2010 and 76.00%, 2.06%, 4.77% and 17.16%, respectively, in 2015. Therefore, WPSF service plays a more important role in the trans-boundary ecological security barrier function of Inner Mongolia. This study can enhance the understanding of trans-boundary telecoupling in an integral socio-ecological system and identify the critical ESs to form a foundation for ecological conservation measures considering sustainable development.
Environmental inequality in Austria: do inhabitants’ socioeconomic characteristics differ depending on their proximity to industrial polluters?
Authors: Glatter-Götz Helene , Mohai Paul , Haas Willi , Plutzar Christoph 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
This is the first study to examine the existence of environmental inequality related to industrial facilities in Austria. Using distance-based methods, socioeconomic characteristics of inhabitants living in 1.0 km buffer zones around the 247 polluters registered in the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Registry are compared with those of inhabitants living elsewhere in Austria. While in Vienna no clear signs of environmental inequality can be found, in the rest of Austria people living in close vicinity to industrial sites are more often unemployed, have lower education levels and most notably, are twice as likely to be immigrants. Moreover, a logistic regression shows that the disparities concerning immigrants cannot solely be explained by other socioeconomic characteristics. The results of this study add to the evidentiary base concerning environmental justice disparities in Europe and suggests how application of distance-based methods can facilitate cross-national comparisons.
Decreased Tenofovir Diphosphate Concentrations in a Transgender Female Cohort: Implications for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Preexposure Prophylaxis
Authors: Cottrell Mackenzie L , Prince Heather M A , Schauer Amanda P , Sykes Craig , Maffuid Kaitlyn , Poliseno Amanda , Chun Tae-Wook , Huiting Erin , Stanczyk Frank Z , Peery Anne F , Dellon Evan S , Adams Jessica L , Gay Cindy , Kashuba Angela D M 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Feminizing hormone therapy (FHT) may interact with human immunodeficiency virus preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). We found that transgender women who took FHT exhibited a 7-fold lower rectal tissue ratio of PrEP’s active metabolites vs competing deoxynucleotides compared to cisgender women and men (P = .03) that inversely correlated with estradiol (ρ = –0.79; P &lt; .05). Thus, FHT may negatively impact PrEP efficacy.
Clinical Trials Registration . NCT02983110.
Detection of Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses in Air Sampled From a University Campus: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Xie Chenyi , Lau Eric H Y , Yoshida Tomoyo , Yu Han , Wang Xin , Wu Huitao , Wei Jianjian , Cowling Ben , Peiris Malik , Li Yuguo , Yen Hui-Ling 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Background
Respiratory virus–laden particles are commonly detected in the exhaled breath of symptomatic patients or in air sampled from healthcare settings. However, the temporal relationship of detecting virus-laden particles at nonhealthcare locations vs surveillance data obtained by conventional means has not been fully assessed.

Methods
From October 2016 to June 2018, air was sampled weekly from a university campus in Hong Kong. Viral genomes were detected and quantified by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression models were fitted to examine the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of ecological and environmental factors associated with the detection of virus-laden airborne particles.

Results
Influenza A (16.9% [117/694]) and influenza B (4.5% [31/694]) viruses were detected at higher frequencies in air than rhinovirus (2.2% [6/270]), respiratory syncytial virus (0.4% [1/270]), or human coronaviruses (0% [0/270]). Multivariate analyses showed that increased crowdedness (aOR, 2.3 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.5–3.8]; P &lt; .001) and higher indoor temperature (aOR, 1.2 [95% CI, 1.1–1.3]; P &lt; .001) were associated with detection of influenza airborne particles, but absolute humidity was not (aOR, 0.9 [95% CI, .7–1.1]; P = .213). Higher copies of influenza viral genome were detected from airborne particles &gt;4 μm in spring and &lt;1 μm in autumn. Influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B viruses that caused epidemics during the study period were detected in air prior to observing increased influenza activities in the community.

Conclusions
Air sampling as a surveillance tool for monitoring influenza activity at public locations may provide early detection signals on influenza viruses that circulate in the community.
Very long-term survival and late sudden cardiac death in cardiac resynchronization therapy patients
Authors: Barra Sérgio , Duehmke Rudolf , Providência Rui , Narayanan Kumar , Reitan Christian , Roubicek Tomas , Polasek Rostislav , Chow Antony , Defaye Pascal , Fauchier Laurent , Piot Olivier , Deharo Jean-Claude , Sadoul Nicolas , Klug Didier , Garcia Rodrigue , Dockrill Seth , Virdee Munmohan , Pettit Stephen , Agarwal Sharad , Borgquist Rasmus , Marijon Eloi , Boveda Serge 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Aims
The very long-term outcome of patients who survive the first few years after receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has not been well described thus far. We aimed to provide long-term outcomes, especially with regard to the occurrence of sudden cardiac death (SCD), in CRT patients without (CRT-P) and with defibrillator (CRT-D).

Methods and results
A total of 1775 patients, with ischaemic or non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy, who were alive 5 years after CRT implantation, were enrolled in this multicentre European observational cohort study. Overall long-term mortality rates and specific causes of death were assessed, with a focus on late SCD. Over a mean follow-up of 30 months (interquartile range 10–42 months) beyond the first 5 years, we observed 473 deaths. The annual age-standardized mortality rates of CRT-D and CRT-P patients were 40.4 [95% confidence interval (CI) 35.3–45.5] and 97.2 (95% CI 85.5–109.9) per 1000 patient-years, respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality was 0.99 (95% CI 0.79–1.22). Twenty-nine patients in total died of late SCD (14 with CRT-P, 15 with CRT-D), corresponding to 6.1% of all causes of death in both device groups. Specific annual SCD rates were 8.5 and 5.8 per 1000 patient-years in CRT-P and CRT-D patients, respectively, with no significant difference between groups (adjusted HR 1.0, 95% CI 0.45–2.44). Death due to progressive heart failure represented the principal cause of death (42.8% in CRT-P patients and 52.6% among CRT-D recipients), whereas approximately one-third of deaths in both device groups were due to non-cardiovascular death.

Conclusion
In this first description of very long-term outcomes among CRT recipients, progressive heart failure death still represented the most frequent cause of death in patients surviving the first 5 years after CRT implant. In contrast, SCD represents a very low proportion of late mortality irrespective of the presence of a defibrillator.
Specific Leisure Activities and Cognitive Functions Among the Oldest-Old: The Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey
Authors: Mao Chen , Li Zhi-Hao , Lv Yue-Bin , Gao Xiang , Kraus Virginia Byers , Zhou Jin-Hui , Wu Xian-Bo , Shi Wan-Ying , Li Fu-Rong , Liu Si-Min , Yin Zhao-Xue , Zeng Yi , Shi Xiao-Ming 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Background: Little is known about the role of specific leisure activities in affecting cognitive functions. We aim to examine the associations of specific leisure activities with the risk of cognitive impairment among oldest-old people in China. Methods: This community-based prospective cohort study included 10,741 cognitively normal Chinese individuals aged 80 years or older (median age 88 years) from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to estimate the effects of specific leisure activities on cognitive impairment outcome. Results: During a median follow-up time of 3.4 years (41,760 person-years), 2,894 participants developed cognitive impairment. Compared to those who “never” engaged in watching TV or listening to radio, reading books or newspapers, and playing cards or mah-jong, those who engaged in such activities “almost every day” reduced their risk of cognitive impairment, the fully-adjusted hazard ratios were 0.56 (0.51–0.61), 0.64 (0.53–0.78), and 0.70 (0.56–0.86), respectively. The association between the risk of cognitive impairment and watching TV and listening to the radio, playing cards or mah-jong, and reading books or newspapers were stronger among those who had two or more years of education. Moreover, the association between risk of cognitive impairment and watching TV and listening to radio was stronger in men than in women. Conclusions: In conclusion, a greater frequency of TV watching or radio listening, reading books or newspapers, and playing cards or mah-jong may decrease the risk of cognitive impairment among the oldest-old.
Mutation Analysis Using Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification in Consanguineous Families in South India with a Child with Profound Hearing Impairment
Authors: Arunachalam Ravi Kumar , Koshy Teena , Venkatesan Vettriselvi , Dawson Gladys Prathiba , Franklin Durairaj Paul Solomon , George Pratibha 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACT

Background
Consanguineous marriage, a common practice in South India, increase the incidence of autosomal recessive diseases such as nonsyndromic hearing loss (NSHL) in offspring. This trend was noted in the children with hearing impairment (HI) who received cochlear implants (CI) at our University hospital in Porur, Chennai, India. To ascertain the genetic etiology of HI in these patients, we performed multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis.

Methods
A total of 25 families who had a child with NSHL were included in the study. MLPA screening of GJB2, GJB6, and GJB3 was performed for all the recruited individuals.

Results
The pathogenic p.W24X* mutation of GJB2 was detected in 2 patients; both of their parents were heterozygous carriers. Both families had a second-degree consanguineous marriage.

Conclusion
This study has important implications for molecular-diagnosis strategy and genetic counseling for families with HI in South India.