bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cancer genetic counselors' experiences with transgender patients: A qualitative study
Authors: Zayhowski Kimberly , Park Jessica , Boehmer Ulrike , Gabriel Camila , Berro Tala , Campion MaryAnn 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIt is becoming increasingly common for people to openly identify as transgender, yet there is little research in the field of genetic counseling regarding this community's unique medical needs. Transgender patients are likely to present with issues that cross genetics and gender‐related care in a cancer genetic counseling session, and empiric data about these differences is needed to provide adequate care. In order to investigate what specific health topics and concerns are addressed in cancer genetic counseling sessions with transgender patients, 21 cancer genetic counselors who have seen transgender patients were interviewed. Through inductive analysis, six themes emerged: (1) documentation systems are not inclusive or clear; (2) genetic counselors feel unprepared for these sessions; (3) gender affirming hormones impact risk assessment; (4) genetic testing affects gender affirming surgical decisions; (5) transgender patients present at younger ages to clinic; and (6) pathogenic variants allow for insurance coverage for gender affirming surgeries. This study's findings point to opportunities for the field of genetic counseling to enhance services for transgender patients by reporting distinctive situations that may arise in clinic with these patients and providing training recommendations for genetic counselors.
Protein biomarkers in serum and urine for determining presence or absence of hip dysplasia in a canine model
Authors: Ahner Carin E. , Stoker Aaron M. , Bozynski Chantelle C. , Cook Cristi R. , Leary Emily V. , Kuroki Keiichi , Cruz Carissa N. , Cook James L. 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTThis study compares serum and urine concentrations of relevant protein biomarkers among adult dogs with or without radiographic canine hip dysplasia (CHD). Adult (≥2 years of age), client‐owned dogs (n = 74) radiographically categorized as having at least “good” hips (n = 49) or having “mild,” “moderate,” or “severe” hip dysplasia (n = 25) by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). Urine and serum samples were obtained from each dog at a single time‐point and processed and analyzed for relevant protein biomarkers. Urinary concentrations of CTX‐II (p < 0.001) and TIMP‐1 (p = 0.002) were significantly lower in dogs with CHD compared to dogs with no CHD. ROC curve analyses were successful in establishing a panel of four biomarkers (urinary CTX‐I and II, serum MMP‐9, and serum PIICP) with high discriminatory capability for the presence or absence of hip dysplasia in adult dogs (AUC = 0.89). Urine and serum biomarkers can distinguish adult dogs with radiographic CHD from those with no CHD with a sensitivity of 0.95 and specificity of 0.77 using ROC analysis with AUC 0.89. Clinical Significance: This finding suggests that this simple, minimally invasive diagnostic technique has potential for discriminating dysplastic dogs from dogs with normal hips, with possible translational application to humans based on similar etiopathogenesis. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 9999:1–5, 2019.
A longitudinal study on the relationship between dental health and metabolic syndrome in Japan
Authors: Sakurai Shin‐ichi , Yamada Shin‐ichi , Karasawa Imahito , Sakurai Akinari , Kurita Hiroshi 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundA close relationship has been reported between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and periodontitis. However, as there are only a few longitudinal studies, the association between MetS and periodontitis has not been fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between periodontal conditions and internal changes in MetS components using a longitudinal analysis.MethodsA total of 985 out of 2716 individuals who underwent systemic medical checkups in 2014 and 754 out of 2454 in 2016 received dental checkups including Community Periodontal Index. Of these, 390 individuals underwent medical and dental checkups in 2014 and 2016 and were included and reviewed.ResultsOf the 390 individuals, the positive number of MetS components decreased in 62 individuals (15.9%) and increased in 104 (26.7%). A multivariate analysis identified sex (risk ratio (RR): 0.55, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37–0.82, P < 0.05), alcohol intake (RR:2.06, 95%CI:1.14–3.73, P < 0.05), and the mediation of glycemia (RR:6.45, 95%CI:1.45–27.9, P < 0.01) as significant influencing factors for MetS. The number of MetS components was higher in individuals with persistent or progressive periodontitis than in those with no/improved periodontitis (RR:1.75, 95%CI:1.14–2.70, P < 0.01)). Improvements in periodontitis had a significant positive impact on MetS components, including hypertension (RR:2.14, 95%CI:1.03–4.43, P < 0.05) and hyperglycemia (RR:2.52, 95%CI:1.27–4.98, P < 0.01), but a negative impact on hypertension.ConclusionsThe results of the present study suggest that since the prevalence of individuals with more positive MetS components was higher in those with persistent/progressive periodontitis than in those with no/improved periodontitis, reducing periodontitis may be important for preventing pre‐MetS and MetS.
The implications of sample preparation on the particle size distribution of soil
Authors: Vdović Neda , Pikelj Kristina , Jurina Irena , Ivanić Maja , Dunato Nadia , Štefan Antonija 
Published: February 2019

AbstractParticle size distribution (PSD) is among basic parameters in soil and sediment characterization and provides essential information in sedimentological and environmental studies. The problem with the PSD determination is that for any given sample the result depends not only on the method used but also on the sample pre‐treatment, making them seldom comparable. In this study, the PSD of seven non‐treated and pre‐treated soil samples were determined by four granulometric methods (pipette, sedigraph, particle counter and laser diffraction analysis). Samples were subjected to pre‐treatments commonly used in sample preparation for the PSD determination, i.e., addition of dispersant (sodium metaphosphate) and removal of the organic matter (with hydrogen peroxide). The total organic carbon (TOC) analysis was used to estimate the content of organic matter before and after its removal. The effect of different pre‐treatments was evaluated based on the PSD variations and the changes in the specific surface area (SSA) of the samples.The results highlighted differences in the PSD curves of samples depending on the granulometric method and pre‐treatment applied. The most pronounced difference was the higher amount of clay fraction determined by settling techniques. The role of hydrogen peroxide in disruption of aggregates was evident in the increase in the SSA as well as the share of fine fraction determined by all four techniques, while sodium metaphosphate made no modifications of the SSA but acted in favour of prolonging settling of clay particles and increasing its content obtained by settling techniques.
Intolerance of Uncertainty Moderates the Association Between Potentially Morally Injurious Events and Suicide Ideation and Behavior Among Combat Veterans
Authors: Zerach Gadi , Levi‐Belz Yossi 
Published: February 2019

AbstractExposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) among combat veterans has been acknowledged as significant stressful combat events that may lead to mental health problems, including self‐injurious thoughts and behavior (SITB). However, few studies have examined the risk and protective factors that can explain the conditions in which PMIEs may contribute to the development and maintenance of SITB. In the current study, we aimed to examine the association between PMIEs and SITB among combat veterans and explore the moderating roles of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) in this association. A volunteer sample of 191 Israeli combat veterans was recruited during 2017. Participants completed validated self‐report questionnaires in a cross‐sectional study. Results indicated that two separate measures of PMIEs, the Perceived Perpetration by Oneself and Others subscale of the Moral Injury Events Scale (MIES) and the Causes subscale of the Moral Injury Questionnaire (MIQ–Causes), were positively associated with higher levels of SITB. Moreover, beyond the contributions of reserve duty, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and depressive symptoms, MIQ–Causes scores significantly predicted current SITB. Importantly, under low and average levels of inhibitory IU, significant positive effects were revealed for the MIQ–Causes on current SITB, R² = .34. Although veterans exposed to PMIEs are more prone to SITB, even years after their release from military service, their IU may temper the link between experiences of PMIEs and SITB.
Trauma Exposure, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Trajectory, and Disability Level Among Hospitalized Injury Survivors in Kenya
Authors: Hung Yuen W. , Tol Wietse , Musci Rashelle , Aketch Stephanie , Bachani Abdulgafoor M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPotentially traumatic events (PTEs) have been consistently associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the extent of association and attribution to subsequent disability has varied, with limited studies conducted in urban low‐income contexts. This longitudinal study estimated the trajectory of PTSD symptoms up to 7 months after hospitalization and the associated disability level among adult patients who had been hospitalized due to injury. Adult injury patients (N = 476) admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, were interviewed in person in the hospital, and via phone at 1, 2–3, and 4–7 months after hospital discharge. Using latent growth curve modeling, two trajectories of PTSD symptoms emerged: (a) persistently elevated PTSD symptoms (9.2%), and (b) low PTSD symptoms (90.8%). Number of PTEs experienced remained moderately associated with the elevated trajectory after controlling for in‐hospital depressive symptoms. Having previously witnessed killings or serious injuries, AOR = 2.32, 95% CI [1.07, 5.05]; being female, AOR = 4.74, 95% CI [4.53, 4.96]; elevated depressive symptoms during hospitalization, AOR = 2.96, 95% CI [1.28, 6.83]; and having no household savings/assets, AOR = 1.28, 95% CI [1.13, 1.44], were associated with the elevated PTSD symptoms trajectory class after controlling for other risk factors. Latent membership in the elevated PTSD trajectory was associated with a significantly higher level of disability several months after hospital discharge, p < .001, after controlling for injury and demographic characteristics. These results underline the associations among in‐hospital depressive symptoms, witnessing atrocities, and poverty, and an elevated PTSD symptoms trajectory.
Factors Influencing Elastographically Determined Remodeling of Venous Thrombi
Authors: Paluch Łukasz , Nitek Żaneta , Sklinda Katarzyna , Zakrzewski Jakub , Walecki Jerzy , Noszczyk Bartłomiej 
Published: February 2019

ObjectivesTo verify whether elastographically determined remodeling of venous obliterating material formed during sclerotherapy is influenced by patient‐specific factors.MethodsThe study included 60 patients who underwent sclerotherapy for venous insufficiency. Elastographic parameters of obliterating material, including relative vascular cross sections (percent) with the highest (red), intermediate (green), and lowest elasticity (blue), determined 7 ± 1, 14 ± 2, and 21 ± 2 days after sclerotherapy, were analyzed against the patients’ ages, sexes, physical activity levels, and pain severities.ResultsThe patients included 45 women and 15 men with a mean age ± SD of 51.2 ± 14.7 years. A significant correlation was observed between the age of the patients and the relative area of the vessel highlighted in red during the third control visit (R = 0.289; P = .025). The proportion of men in whom the elastographic structure of venous obliterating material during the second visit was classified as mixed was higher than that of women (66.7% versus 28.9%; P = .032). During the third visit, the proportion of patients with low physical activity in whom the elastographic structure of venous obliterating material was classified as fibrous turned out to be lower than the respective percentages of patients with moderate and high activity levels (12.0% versus 35.0% versus 46.7%; P = .045). However, none of these effects was observed systematically throughout the whole follow‐up period.ConclusionsThe time to complete organization of venous obliterating material may be longer in older patients, women, and patients with lower levels of physical activity, but these factors seem to influence the thrombus structure solely at specific time points in its evolution. Nevertheless, they should be considered during elastographic assessments of thrombus age.
The seasonal succession of optimal diatom traits
Authors: Hansen Agnethe Nøhr , Visser André W. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractDiatoms are a successful taxon of primary producers in the world's oceans with significant impact both on biogeochemical cycles and the structure of marine food webs. We present a trait‐based model that captures key physical characteristics of diatoms: a silica exoskeleton and a large centric vacuole. We examine how these unique features contribute to the success of diatoms compared to similar‐sized, nonvacuolated, shell‐less phytoplankton with identical photosynthetic and nutrient uptake machinery. Our predicted seasonal succession of optimal diatom traits and growth rates are consistent with observed annual time series. The respective environmental conditions where the diatom attributes of shell and vacuole confer an advantage over nonvacuolated, shell‐less phytoplankton are typical during the transition phases of seasonal cycles—during the early phase when vacuolation provides an advantage in terms of light affinity and protection against protist grazers and late phase when specific nutrient affinity and protection from metazoan grazers are of benefit. Although the model reproduces high light and nutrient affinities as well as observed seasonal patterns of diatom dominance, it fails to predict the high growth rates generally observed in diatoms compared to other phytoplankton taxa. This exposes a conundrum in our mechanistic understanding of phytoplankton trade‐offs; namely, if the high growth rate of diatoms is independent of their physical attributes (shell and/or vacuole), why has it not been exploited by nondiatom taxa?
Enhancement of primary production during drought in a temperate watershed is greater in larger rivers than headwater streams
Authors: Hosen J. D. , Aho K. S. , Appling A. P. , Creech E. C. , Fair J. H. , Hall R. O. , Kyzivat E. D. , Lowenthal R. S. , Matt S. , Morrison J. , Saiers J. E. , Shanley J. B. , Weber L. C. , Yoon B. , Raymond P. A. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractDrought is common in rivers, yet how this disturbance regulates metabolic activity across network scales is largely unknown. Drought often lowers gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) in small headwaters but by contrast can enhance GPP and cause algal blooms in downstream estuaries. We estimated ecosystem metabolism across a nested network of 13 reaches from headwaters to the main stem of the Connecticut River from 2015 through 2017, which encompassed a pronounced drought. During drought, GPP and ER increased, but with greater enhancement in larger rivers. Responses of GPP and ER were partially due to warmer temperatures associated with drought, particularly in the larger rivers where temperatures during summer drought were > 10°C higher than typical summer baseflow. The larger rivers also had low canopy cover, which allowed primary producers to take advantage of lower turbidity and fewer cloudy days during drought. We conclude that GPP is enhanced by higher temperature, lower turbidity, and longer water residence times that are all a function of low discharge, but ecosystem response in temperate watersheds to these drivers depends on light availability regulated by riparian canopy cover. In larger rivers, GPP increased more than ER during drought, even leading to temporary autotrophy, an otherwise rare event in the typically light‐limited heterotrophic Connecticut River main stem. With climate change, rivers and streams may become warmer and drought frequency and severity may increase. Such changes may increase autotrophy in rivers with broad implications for carbon cycling and water quality in aquatic ecosystems.
A new mesocosm system to study the effects of environmental variability on marine species and communities
Authors: Pansch Christian , Hiebenthal Claas 
Published: February 2019

AbstractClimate change will shift mean environmental conditions and also increase the frequency and intensity of extreme events, exerting additional stress on ecosystems. While field observations on extremes are emerging, experimental evidence of their biological consequences is rare. Here, we introduce a mesocosm system that was developed to study the effects of environmental variability of multiple drivers (temperature, salinity, pH, light) on single species and communities at various temporal scales (diurnal ‐ seasonal): the Kiel Indoor Benthocosms (KIBs). Both, real‐time offsets from field measurements or various dynamic regimes of environmental scenarios, can be implemented, including sinusoidal curve functions at any chosen amplitude or frequency, stochastic regimes matching in situ dynamics of previous years and modeled extreme events. With temperature as the driver in focus, we highlight the strengths and discuss limitations of the system. In addition, we examined the effects of different sinusoidal temperature fluctuation frequencies on mytilid mussel performance. High‐frequency fluctuations around a warming mean (+2°C warming, ± 2°C fluctuations, wavelength = 1.5 d) increased mussel growth as did a constant warming of 2°C. Fluctuations at a lower frequency (+2 and ± 2°C, wavelength = 4.5 d), however, reduced the mussels’ growth. This shows that environmental fluctuations, and importantly their associated characteristics (such as frequency), can mediate the strength of global change impacts on a key marine species. The here presented mesocosm system can help to overcome a major short‐coming of marine experimental ecology and will provide more robust data for the prediction of shifts in ecosystem structure and services in a changing and fluctuating world.
Improved Graft Survival After Liver Transplantation for Recipients With Hepatitis C Virus in the Direct‐Acting Antiviral Era
Authors: Cotter Thomas G. , Paul Sonali , Sandıkçı Burhaneddin , Couri Thomas , Bodzin Adam S. , Little Ester C. , Sundaram Vinay , Charlton Michael 
Published: February 2019

Highly effective direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) therapy has transformed outcomes of liver transplantation in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. We examined longer‐term outcomes in HCV‐positive recipients in the DAA era and analyzed the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients for primary adult, single‐organ, nonfulminant liver transplant recipients in the United States from January 1, 2008 to June 30, 2018. Graft loss was compared among HCV‐positive liver transplant recipients who received either an HCV‐negative or HCV‐positive donor (donor [D]–/recipient [R]+; D+/R+) and HCV‐negative liver transplant recipients who received a HCV‐negative donor (D–/R–). The groups were further divided between the pre‐DAA and DAA eras. There were 52,526 patients included: 31,193 were D–/R– patients; 18,746 were D–/R+ patients; and 2587 were D+/R+ patients. The number of D–/R+ transplants decreased from 2010 in 2008 to 1334 in 2017, with this decline particularly noticeable since 2015. D–/R+ patients in the DAA era (n = 7107) were older, had higher rates of hepatocellular carcinoma, and lower Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease scores than those in the pre‐DAA era. Graft survival improved for all recipients in the DAA era but improved most dramatically in HCV‐positive recipients: D–/R+ 1‐year survival was 92.4% versus 88.7% and 3‐year survival was 83.7% versus 77.7% (DAA versus pre‐DAA era, respectively) compared with D–/R– 1‐year survival of 92.7% versus 91.0% and 3‐year survival of 85.7% versus 84.0% (DAA versus pre‐DAA era, respectively). The magnitude of improvement in 3‐year graft survival was almost 4‐fold greater for D–/R+ patients. The 3‐year survival for D+/R+ patients was similar to HCV‐negative patients. In conclusion, the number of liver transplants for HCV has decreased by more than one‐third over the past decade. Graft survival among HCV‐positive recipients has increased disproportionately in the DAA era with HCV‐positive recipients now achieving similar outcomes to non‐HCV recipients.
Synthesis of Polypeptoid‐Polycaprolactone‐Polytetrahydrofuran Heterograft Molecular Polymer Brushes via a Combination of Janus Polymerization and ROMP
Authors: Li Yao , Schacher Felix H. , Ling Jun 
Published: February 2019

AbstractJanus polymerization is a novel and efficient way to synthesize diblock and multiblock copolymers in one step by using Lu(OTf)3 and propylene epoxide as a catalytic system. By modifying the epoxide initiator, which is located at the block junction with various functional groups, the possibility for future topological design is provided. Herein, 2‐bicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐5‐en‐2‐yl oxirane (NB‐EO) is used as an alternative for propylene epoxide to synthesize a poly(THF‐co‐CL)‐b‐PCL diblock copolymer featuring a norbornene group at this position. This also results in multiblock [poly(THF‐co‐CL)‐b‐PCL]m copolymers carrying multiple norbornene moieties through Janus polymerization. Subsequent ring‐opening metathesis copolymerization (ROMP) of the resulting poly(THF‐co‐CL)‐b‐PCL macromonomers with norbornenyl‐terminated polysarcosine (PSar‐NB) allows the facile preparation of heterograft molecular polymer brushes (MPBs). The MPBs feature three heterografts of PCL, P(CL‐co‐THF) and PSar, potentially equipping these structures with biocompatibility, biodegradability, semi‐crystallinity, and amphiphilicity. A phase separation is observed after annealing in both TEM and AFM analysis. Due to their amphiphilic nature, the MPBs also undergo self‐assembly into micelles in aqueous solution. Such materials combining polypeptoids, polyesters, and polyethers segments are expected to attract wide attention in drug delivery applications.