bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of first‐aid dressing design on healing of porcine partial thickness wounds
Authors: Wlaschin Katie F. , Ninkovic Jana , Griesgraber George W. , Colak Atan Semra , Young Alexi J. , Pereira Junia M. , Solberg Michael J. , Smith Graham , Parks Patrick J. , McNulty Amy K. , Langer‐Anderson Delony L. 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACTLiterature describes that a well‐maintained moist wound healing environment leads to faster healing by preventing scabbing and drying of the wound. A moist wound speeds healing by allowing for unimpeded movement of newly dividing epidermal cells in the wound. Contrary to what is described in literature and practiced by clinicians, first‐aid dressings used at home by consumers advertise breathability and absorptivity as benefits. This manuscript examines the effects of dressing breathability and highly absorptive pads on healing and wound appearance in a porcine dermatome wound model, designed to mimic an abrasion injury. Partial thickness wounds were covered with an experimental silicone‐polymer film dressing and various over‐the‐counter bandages for time frames ranging from 4 to 11 days. The progression of healing was quantified by histology and wound‐size reduction measurements. The thickness and persistence of a scab or serocellular crust (SCC) over the injury was measured using both pixel density and optical coherence tomography to supplement visual observations, demonstrating new tools for quantification of SCC over wounds. The results of the experiments illustrate the impact of dressing features on the rate of wound reepithelialization and the formation of SCC. Both a low moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) and the absence of an absorptive layer were important in speeding wound healing. Surprisingly, use of a dressing with a low MVTR and a highly absorptive pad healed significantly more slowly than a comparative dressing with a low MVTR and no absorptive pad, even though both dressings had very little scab formation over the wound. This study shows that breathability and absorbency of dressings play independent roles in providing an optimal healing environment, and that these properties can vary widely among commercially available dressings.
Hemoglobin screening using cloud based mobile photography applications [Online First]
Authors: Wightman Rojas Pedro Mario , Mass Noriega Luis Alberto , Salazar Silva Augusto 
Published: July 2019

Objective: This paper aims to present Selfienemia, a novel non-invasive hemoglobin estimation mobile application working under controlled illumination conditions. Materials and methods: Mobile application was supported by a parameter optimization and curve fitting backend in the cloud to provide dynamic and device independent results based on a-priori observations and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) color scale. Thirty-four and sixty-four individuals were involved during both the mobile app training and posterior blind test respectively. Results: Selfienemia (Mobile App) was found to be suitable as a non-invasive hemoglobin estimation tool. Estimation levels showed high correlation against the gold standard invasive test. Skin pigmentation and color components were found to have specific relationships labeling individuals within one Hb concentration group. Conclusion: Selfienemia may provide an effective way to screen hemoglobin in medical shortage situations. However, it still can’t replace traditional invasive testing. Future work must include testing additional fitting techniques for illumination aware scenarios as well as quantification of skin pigmentation effects on estimation results.
Carbon and sulfur isotopes in tree rings as a proxy for volcanic degassing
Authors: D’Arcy Fiona , Boucher Étienne , De Moor J. Maarten , Hélie Jean-François , Piggott Robert , Stix John 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Trees are useful archives of past atmospheric conditions. They have most commonly been used to infer large-scale changes in climate, industrial pollution, and the magnitude and frequency of geological hazards. While geochemical changes in tree rings have been linked to localized anthropogenic smelter pollution, their potential to track geochemical changes in volcanic degassing has not yet been fully realized. Here, we applied a new proxy using sulfur and carbon isotopes in tree rings to examine fluctuations in gas emission at Turrialba volcano, Costa Rica. Since 2009, Turrialba has emitted a persistent gas plume and increasingly frequent explosions and ash eruptions as activity has accelerated. We collected cores from a species of alder tree, Alnus acuminata, at several locations surrounding the volcano. Biannual isotopic analysis of rings demonstrated a notable δ34S shift of –5.2‰ and a similarly sharp δ13C shift of +1.3‰ in trees downwind of the plume following the onset of strong degassing in 2009. We propose that these shifts in the isotopic values of the tree correspond to those of the volcanic SO2 and CO2, and in the case of the δ13C, an additional fractionation caused by leaf impairment from exposure to volcanic SO2. This new proxy can be applied to other volcanoes as a novel method of obtaining a temporal record of degassing, a crucial tool for volcano monitoring.
Exceptional preservation of a Late Cretaceous dinosaur nesting site from Mongolia reveals colonial nesting behavior in a non-avian theropod
Authors: Tanaka Kohei , Kobayashi Yoshitsugu , Zelenitsky Darla K. , Therrien François , Lee Yuong-Nam , Barsbold Rinchen , Kubota Katsuhiro , Lee Hang-Jae , Chinzorig Tsogtbaatar , Idersaikhan Damdinsuren 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Colonial nesting behavior has been inferred in a variety of non-avian dinosaurs based on high concentrations of nests preserved in an area, but sedimentologic and taphonomic evidence demonstrating the contemporaneity of the nests is often lacking. A new nesting site discovered in the Upper Cretaceous Javkhlant Formation of the eastern Gobi Desert, Mongolia, preserves at least 15 egg clutches laid by a probable non-avian theropod, and provides strong evidence for colonial nesting in a non-avian dinosaur. The occurrence of the clutches at the top of a common paleosurface, the distribution of eggshell fragments within clutches, the presence of a consistent two-layer sediment infill within eggs, and a thin marker lithologic unit blanketing all the clutches indicate the clutches were laid and hatched in a single nesting season. Despite the absence of sedimentologic evidence indicative of nest structure, statistical analyses of egg characteristics and facies association reveal the clutches were likely incubated in covered or buried nests. Based on the number of hatched clutches, the hatching success rate of the colony was high (60%), similar to that of extant crocodylian populations and bird species that attend and/or protect their nests during the incubation period, which indicates nest attendance behavior in the Javkhlant theropods. Thus, colonial nesting with parental attendance, widespread in extant birds, likely evolved initially among non-brooding, non-avian dinosaurs to increase nesting success.
Physical modelling of the response of reef islands to sea-level rise
Authors: Tuck Megan E. , Kench Paul S. , Ford Murray R. , Masselink Gerd 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Sea-level rise and increased storminess are expected to destabilize low-lying reef islands formed on coral reef platforms, and increased flooding is expected to render them uninhabitable within the coming decades. Such projections are founded on the assumption that islands are geologically static landforms that will simply drown as sea-level rises. Here, we present evidence from physical model experiments of a reef island that demonstrates islands have the capability to morphodynamically respond to rising sea level through island accretion. Challenging outputs from existing models based on the assumption that islands are geomorphologically inert, results demonstrate that islands not only move laterally on reef platforms, but overwash processes provide a mechanism to build and maintain the freeboard of islands above sea level. Implications of island building are profound, as it will offset existing scenarios of dramatic increases in island flooding. Future predictive models must include the morphodynamic behavior of islands to better resolve flood impacts and future island vulnerability.
The effect of resveratrol supplementation on the expression levels of factors associated with cellular senescence and sCD163/sTWEAK ratio in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: study protocol for a double-blind controlled randomised clinical trial
Authors: Abdollahi Shima , Salehi-Abargouei Amin , Tabatabaie Mahtab , Sheikhha Mohammad Hasan , Fallahzadeh Hossein , Rahmanian Masoud , Toupchian Omid , Karimi-Nazari Elham , Mozaffari-Khosravi Hassan 
Published: July 2019

IntroductionOver the past decades, the number of people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) has increased globally. One of the major complications in these patients is cardiovascular disease; it seems that the cell proliferation inhibition can improve vascular function in these patients. It is proposed that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) can induce cell cycle arrest via cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (p16) activation. Also, it has been shown that phosphorylated tumour suppressor protein p53 is involved in cell senescence by cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 (p21) upregulation. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol and appears to improve the vascular function through the mentioned pathways. We will aim to evaluate the effects of resveratrol supplementation on mRNA expression of PPARα, p53, p21 and p16 in patients with T2D. We will also measure serum levels of cluster of differentiation 163 (CD163) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) as the indicators of cardiovascular status.Methods and analysisSeventy-two subjects suffering from T2D will participate in this double-blind randomised parallel placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive 1000 mg/day trans-resveratrol or placebo (methyl cellulose) for 8 weeks. The mRNA expression levels of PPARα, p53, p21 and p16 genes will be assessed using real-time PCR and serum CD163 and TWEAK levels will be measured using commercially available ELISA kits at baseline and the end of the study. Clinical outcome parameters (glycaemic and lipid profiles and body composition) will also be measured before and after study duration.Ethics and disseminationThe study is performed in agreement with the Declaration of Helsinki and is approved by the Ethics Committee of the Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences (no: ir.ssu.sph.rec.1396.120). The results will be published in scientific journals.Trial registration numberIRCT20171118037528N1; Pre-results.
Do emissions from landfill fires affect pregnancy outcomes? A retrospective study after arson at a solid waste facility in Sicily
Authors: Mazzucco Walter , Tavormina Elisa , Macaluso Maurizio , Marotta Claudia , Cusimano Rosanna , Alba Davide , Costantino Claudio , Grammauta Rosario , Cernigliaro Achille , Scondotto Salvatore , Vitale Francesco 
Published: July 2019

ObjectivesIn response to public health concern about effects of arson at solid waste management plants in July 2012, we analysed vital statistics data to evaluate any potential effect on pregnancies at different gestational ages of pollutants emitted from the landfill on fire.SettingA community living near the largest landfill plant in Sicily.ParticipantsThe study group comprised 551 births, live births and stillbirths from pregnancies of mothers residing in the extra-urban exposed area, conceived during a 40 week period during which the highest fire’s peak might have influenced pregnancy.Primary and secondary outcome measuresBirth outcomes (gestational age <37 and <32 weeks, low birth weight, very low birth weight and small for gestational age) in the study group were compared with the ones of a reference group of women residing in areas of Sicily with similarly low population density and industrial development.ResultsAmong singleton live births we observed a three-fold increase in risk of very preterm birth between the extra-urban area and the remaining low inhabitants density and unindustrialised areas for births whose pregnancies were in the third trimester (OR adjusted for maternal age and infant gender=3.41; 95% CI 1.04 to 11.16). There was an excess of very low birth weight singleton infants in the study group as compared with the reference group, which was limited to births to mothers exposed during periconception period (OR adjusted for maternal age and infant gender=4.64; 95% CI 1.04 to 20.6) and first trimester (OR adjusted for maternal age and infant gender=3.66; 95% CI 1.11 to 12.1). The association estimates were imprecise due to the small number of outcomes recorded.ConclusionsThe study documented an excess of very preterm and very low birth weight among infants born to mothers exposed to the landfill fire emissions during conception or early pregnancy.
Clinical trial protocol of doublet therapy and olanzapine for carboplatin-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with thoracic cancer: a multicentre phase II trial
Authors: Iihara Hirotoshi , Shimokawa Mototsugu , Gomyo Takenobu , Fujita Yukiyoshi , Yoshida Tsutomu , Funaguchi Norihiko , Minato Koichi , Kaito Daizo , Osawa Tomohiro , Yamada Momoko , Hirose Chiemi , Suzuki Akio , Ohno Yasushi 
Published: July 2019

IntroductionAdding neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist (NK1RA) to 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor antagonist and dexamethasone (DEX) improved carboplatin (CBDCA)-induced chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients with thoracic cancer. NK1RAs with high-drug cost are raising medical expenses. Olanzapine (OLZ) is less expensive and can be expected to have an excellent effect on CINV. This phase II trial aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of 5 mg OLZ plus granisetron (GRN) and DEX in CBDCA combination therapy with area under curve (AUC) ≥5 mg/mL/min for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients with thoracic cancer.Methods and analysisThis is an open-label, single-arm, multicentre, phase II trial. Patients who receive CBDCA-based therapies (AUC ≥5) and have never been administered moderate to high emetogenic chemotherapy will be enrolled. All patients will receive a combination of GRN, DEX and OLZ. The primary endpoint is complete response (CR) rate, defined as the absence of emetic episodes and no use of rescue medication for 120 hours after the initiation of CBDCA. Forty-eight patients are required based on our hypothesis that this regimen can improve CR rate from 65% (null hypothesis) to 80% (alternative hypothesis) with a one-sided type I error of 0.1 and a power of 0.8. We set the target sample size at 50 considering dropouts.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol was approved by the institutional review board at each of the participating centres. Data will be presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberUMIN000031267.
Prevalence and risk of pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension in twin pregnancies: a population-based register study
Authors: Laine Katariina , Murzakanova Gulim , Sole Kristina Baker , Pay Aase Devold , Heradstveit Siri , Räisänen Sari 
Published: July 2019

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk of pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension in twin pregnancies compared with singleton pregnancies.DesignPopulation-based cohort study.SettingMedical Birth Registry of Norway and Statistics Norway.Participants929 963 deliveries with 16 174 twin pregnancies in 1999–2014.MethodsPre-eclampsia prevalences in twin and singleton pregnancies were described in percentages. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to assess the risks of pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension in twin pregnancies compared with those in singleton pregnancies, adjusted for previously known risk factors.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrevalence and risk of pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension.ResultsThe prevalence of pre-eclampsia in the study population was 3.7% (3.4% in singleton pregnancies, 11.8% in twin pregnancies (p=0.001)). The OR for pre-eclampsia in twin pregnancies was three to fourfold compared with singleton pregnancies (OR 3.78; 95% CI 3.59 to 3.96). After adjustment for known risk factors, twin pregnancy remained an independent risk factor for pre-eclampsia (adjusted OR 4.07; 95% CI 3.65 to 4.54). The prevalence of gestational hypertension was 1.7% in women with singleton pregnancies and 2.2% in those with twin pregnancies (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.14 to 1.41). After adjustment for known risk factors, gestational hypertension was not significantly associated with twin pregnancy.ConclusionsThe risk of pre-eclampsia in twin pregnancies was three to fourfold compared with singleton pregnancies, regardless of maternal age, parity, educational level, smoking, maternal comorbidity or in vitro fertilisation. The risk of gestational hypertension was not increased in women with twin pregnancies after adjustment for the main risk factors.
Risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other motor neuron disease among men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Sørensen Trine Toft , Horváth-Puhó Erzsébet , Nørgaard Mette , Ehrenstein Vera , Henderson Victor W 
Published: July 2019

ObjectivesAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Sleep disturbance may interfere with clearance of abnormal proteins that aggregate in neurodegenerative diseases. The objective of this study was to examine the association between benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common disorder causing nocturia and sleep disturbance, and risk of ALS and other motor neuron disease (MND). We hypothesised that men with BPH, in comparison to men in the general population, would be at increased risk.DesignThis is a nationwide, population-based cohort study.SettingThis study was conducted among the population of Denmark.ParticipantsWe used linked Danish medical databases to identify all men with a first-time diagnosis of BPH between 1 January 1980 and 30 November 2013 and no prior diagnosis of MND (BPH cohort, n=223 131) and an age-matched general population comparison cohort of men without BPH or MND (n=1 115 642).Primary outcome measureThe primary outcome is diagnosis of MND after the BPH diagnosis (index) date, with follow-up until MND diagnosis, emigration, death or 30 November 2013.ResultsWe used Cox regression to compute adjusted HR, comparing men with and without BPH. After 34 years of follow-up, there were 227 cases of MND in the BPH cohort (incidence rate 0.13/1000 person-years) and 1094 MND cases in the comparison cohort (0.12/1000 person-years; HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.22). Risk did not vary by follow-up time.ConclusionsBPH is not associated with an increased risk of ALS and other MND. Future studies should examine the relation between other disorders that disrupt sleep and MND risk in men and women.
Food and Agricultural Approaches to Reducing Malnutrition (FAARM): protocol for a cluster-randomised controlled trial to evaluate the impact of a Homestead Food Production programme on undernutrition in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Wendt Amanda S , Sparling Thalia M , Waid Jillian L , Mueller Anna A , Gabrysch Sabine 
Published: July 2019

IntroductionChronic undernutrition affects over 150 million children worldwide and has serious consequences. The causes are complex and include insufficient dietary diversity and poor hygiene practices. Systematic reviews of nutrition-sensitive agricultural interventions concluded that while these hold promise, there is insufficient evidence for their impact on child growth. The Food and Agricultural Approaches to Reducing Malnutrition (FAARM) project is a 1:1 cluster-randomised trial aiming to evaluate the impact of a Homestead Food Production (HFP) programme implemented by Helen Keller International on women’s and children’s undernutrition.Methods and analysisThe HFP intervention comprises training of women’s groups and asset distribution to support year-round home gardening, poultry rearing and improved nutrition and hygiene practices. Formal trainings are supplemented by behaviour change communication during household visits, and facilitated links between producer groups and market actors. The FAARM trial will examine if and how this complex intervention reduces undernutrition. In 2015, FAARM enrolled married women and their children (0–3 years) in 96 rural settlements of Habiganj district in Sylhet division, Bangladesh. Covariate-constrained randomisation was used to assign 48 settlements to receive a 3-year HFP intervention, with the other 48 acting as controls, targeting over 2700 women. To study impact pathways, a surveillance system collects data on all participants every 2 months. In late 2019, children 0–3 years of age (born during the intervention period) will be surveyed, thus capturing impact during the critical first 1000 days of life. Children’s length/height-for-age z-scores will be compared between intervention and control arms using mixed-effects linear regression. Secondary outcomes include women’s and children’s micronutrient status, dietary intake, dietary diversity and other indicators of child growth, development and morbidity.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was received in Bangladesh and Germany. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations in Bangladesh and internationally.Trial registration numberNCT02505711; Pre-results.
Simultaneous norovirus outbreak in three Portuguese army bases in the Lisbon region, December 2017
Authors: Lopes-João António , Mesquita J R , de Sousa R , Oleastro M , Penha-Gonçalves C , Nascimento M S J 
Published: July 2019

IntroductionNorovirus outbreaks frequently occur in communities and institutional settings acquiring a particular significance in armed forces where prompt reporting is critical. Here we describe the epidemiological, clinical and laboratorial investigation of a multicentre gastroenteritis outbreak that was detected simultaneously in three Portuguese army units with a common food supplier, Lisbon region, between 5 and 6 December 2017.MethodsQuestionnaires were distributed to all soldiers stationed in the three affected army units, and stool specimens were collected from soldiers with acute gastrointestinal illness. Stool specimens were tested for common enteropathogenic bacteria by standard methods and screened for a panel of enteric viruses using a multiplex real-time PCR assay. Food samples were also collected for microbiological analysis. Positive stool specimens for norovirus were further genotyped.ResultsThe three simultaneous acute gastroenteritis outbreaks affected a 31 (3.5%) soldiers from a total of 874 stationed at the three units and lasted for 2 days. No secondary cases were reported. Stool specimens (N=11) were negative for all studied enteropathogenic agents but tested positive for norovirus. The recombinant norovirus GII.P16-GII.4 Sydney was identified in all positive samples with 100% identity.ConclusionsThe results are suggestive of a common source of infection plausibly related to the food supplying chain. Although centralisation of food supplying in the army has economic advantages, it may contribute to the multifocal occurrence of outbreaks. A rapid intervention is key in the mitigation of outbreak consequences and in reducing secondary transmission.