bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Poor olfaction prior to cardiac surgery: Association with cognition, plasma neurofilament light, and post‐operative delirium
Authors: Kamath Vidyulata , Yanek Lisa R. , Neufeld Karin J. , Lewis Alexandria , Aziz Hamza , Le Lan M. , Tian Jing , Moghekar Abhay , Hogue Charles W. , Brown Charles H. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectivesPost‐operative delirium (POD) affects up to 50% of cardiac surgery patients, with higher incidence in older adults. There is increasing need for screening tools that identify individuals most vulnerable to POD. Here, we examined the relationship between pre‐operative olfaction and both incident POD and POD severity in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. We also examined cross‐sectional relationships between baseline olfaction, cognition, and plasma neurofilament light (NfL).MethodsIndividuals undergoing cardiac surgery (n = 189; mean age = 70 years; 75% men) were enrolled in a clinical trial of cerebral autoregulation monitoring. At baseline, odor identification performance (Brief Smell Identification Test), cognitive performance, and plasma concentrations of NfL levels (Simoa™ NF‐Light Assay) were measured. Delirium was assessed with the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) or CAM‐ICU, and delirium severity was assessed using the Delirium Rating Scale‐Revised‐98. The association of baseline olfaction, delirium incidence, and delirium severity was examined in regression models adjusting for age, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE), and baseline cognition.ResultsOlfactory dysfunction was present in 30% of patients, and POD incidence was 44%. Pre‐operative olfactory dysfunction was associated with both incident POD (OR = 3.17, p = 0.001) and greater severity of POD after cardiac surgery (OR = 3.94 p < 0.001) in models adjusted for age, duration of bypass, and a surgical risk score. The addition of baseline cognition attenuated the strength of the association, but it remained significant for incident POD (OR = 2.25, p = 0.04) and POD severity (OR 2.10, p = 0.04). Poor baseline olfaction was associated with greater baseline cognitive dysfunction (p < 0.001) and increased baseline plasma NfL concentrations (p = 0.04). Neither age, cognition, nor baseline NFL concentration modified the association of impaired olfaction and delirium outcomes.ConclusionsOlfactory assessment may be a useful pre‐surgical screening tool for the identification of patients undergoing cardiac surgery at increased risk of POD. Identifying those at highest risk for severe delirium and poor cognitive outcomes following surgery would allow for earlier intervention and pre‐operative rehabilitation strategies, which could ultimately impact the functional disability and morbidity associated with POD.
Loco‐regional radiotherapy in de novo metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma with chemotherapy and immunotherapy: A real‐world retrospective study from two cancer centers
Authors: Ma Li , Lan Fengming , Chen Peng , Lei Ling , Zou Teng , Fu Fangmeng , Wu Runye , Jin Jing , Zhang Jianghu 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundImmunochemotherapy has become the first‐line treatment for initial diagnosed metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (mNPC). Loco‐regional radiotherapy combined with systemic chemotherapy significantly improves the survival. However, the safety and efficacy of loco‐regional radiotherapy combined with immunochemotherapy remained unknown.MethodsPatients with de novo mNPC who received immunochemotherapy followed by loco‐regional radiotherapy were included from two cancer centers. Toxicity and treatment response were assessed using CTCAE 5.0 and RECIST 1.1, respectively. Overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method.ResultsFrom 2019 to 2021, a total of 16 patients were retrospectively analyzed. The median follow‐up was 28 months (range 14–47 months). No one died. One‐year, 2‐year, and 3‐year PFS rate was 93.8%, 58.4% and 50.1%, respectively. Radiotherapy‐related acute severe (grade 3 or higher) toxicity was dermatitis (1/16, 6.3%) and mucositis (2/16, 12.5%).ConclusionsLoco‐regional radiotherapy provided a promising efficacy with modest toxicity for patients with mNPC who received immunochemotherapy.
Investigating the association between socioeconomic status and language skills in children with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delays
Authors: Pecukonis Meredith , Levinson Julia , Chu Andrea , Broder‐Fingert Sarabeth , Feinberg Emily , Cabral Howard , Tager‐Flusberg Helen 
Published: February 2024

AbstractNumerous studies have reported that socioeconomic status (SES) predicts language skills in typically developing children. However, this association has been less systematically studied in children with developmental disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other developmental delays (DD). In the present study, we examined the association between SES, operationalized as maternal education attainment and health insurance status, and receptive and expressive language skills in a sample of children from lower SES, racial/ethnic minority families at increased ‘clinical risk’ for ASD based on early screening. Neither maternal education attainment nor health insurance status were significantly associated with children's language skills. Expressive and receptive language skills were significantly higher in children with DD compared to children with ASD. Findings differ from previously published work, highlighting the importance of study replication. Further research is needed to understand why the association between SES and children's language skills might vary across samples.Highlights
Examined association between socioeconomic status (SES) and language skills in children at ‘clinical risk’ for autism based on early screening.
Found no associations between measures of SES and children's language skills.
Results differ from previously published work, highlighting the importance of replicating studies with lower SES, racial/ethnic minority families.
How to improve initial diagnostic accuracy of kidney tumours in childhood?—A non‐invasive approach
Authors: Welter Nils , Metternich Gregor , Furtwängler Rhoikos , Bayoumi Ahmed , Mergen Marvin , Kager Leo , Vokuhl Christian , Warmann Steven W. , Fuchs Jörg , Meier Clemens‐Magnus , Melchior Patrick , Gessler Manfred , Wagenpfeil Stefan , Schenk Jens‐Peter , Graf Norbert 
Published: February 2024

AbstractNon‐invasive differentiation of paediatric kidney tumours is particularly important in the SIOP‐RTSG protocols, which recommend pre‐operative chemotherapy without histological confirmation. The identification of clinical and tumour‐related parameters may enhance diagnostic accuracy. Age, metastases, and tumour volume (TV) were retrospectively analysed in 3306 patients enrolled in SIOP/GPOH 9, 93‐01, and 2001 including Wilms tumour (WT), congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN), clear cell sarcoma (CCSK), malignant rhabdoid tumour of the kidney (MRTK), and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). WT was diagnosed in 2927 (88.5%) patients followed by CMN 138 (4.2%), CCSK 126 (3.8%), MRTK 58 (1.8%) and RCC 57 (1.7%). CMN, the most common localized tumour (71.6%) in patients younger than 3 months of age, was diagnosed earliest and RCC the latest (median age [months]: 0 and 154, respectively) both associated with significantly smaller TV (median TV [mL]: 67.2 and 45.0, respectively). RCC occurred in >14% of patients older than 120 months or older than 84 months with TV <100 mL. Receiver operating characteristic analyses discriminated WT from CMN, RCC and MRTK regarding age (AUC = 0.976, 0.929 and 0.791) and TV (AUC = 0.768, 0.813 and 0.622). MRTK had the highest risk of metastasis (37.9%) despite young age, whereas the risk of metastasis increased significantly with age in WT. Age and TV at diagnosis can differentiate WT from CMN and RCC. MRTK must be considered for metastatic tumours at young age. Identification of CCSK without histology remains challenging. Combined with MRI‐characteristics, including diffusion‐weighted imaging, and radiomics and liquid biopsies in the future, our approach allows optimization of biopsy recommendations and prevention of misdiagnosis‐based neoadjuvant treatment.
Assessing zero‐till direct seeding at variable water stress levels compared to traditional puddled transplanting of rice under groundwater‐fed irrigation systems in north‐west India
Authors: Kumar Satyendra , Narjary Bhaskar , Paudyal Kalpana , Yadav Rajender Kumar , Kamra Sushil Kumar 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIrrigation of rice using groundwater is considered one of the main contributors to north‐west India's declining water level. The present study hypothesizes that zero‐till direct seeding of rice (ZTDSR) with the optimum irrigation schedule may reduce irrigation compared to puddled transplanted rice (PTR). Crop growth stage‐dependent predefined soil matric potential (SMP), that is, −15, −30 and −45 kPa based irrigation schedules either during the entire growing period or their combinations during the vegetative phase in ZTDSR, were compared with PTR for two consecutive seasons. The results showed that irrigation in ZTDSR at lower SMP at any growth stage caused adverse effects on yield. Irrigation at −15 kPa during the entire crop season with straw mulch was found to be the best schedule for ZTDSR. ZTDSR with −15 kPa irrigation, however, saved 36.2 cm of water and recorded higher water productivity but produced 20% less grain yield over the prevailing PTR. A higher groundwater system loss (GWSL) was found in the PTR (29.2 cm) than in the best ZTDSR (23.6 cm) schedule, which indicates better groundwater management in the ZTDSR than in the PTR. Hence, the ZTDSR has the potential to save irrigation, achieve higher water productivity and manage the depletion of groundwater resources in rice–wheat dominant north‐west India.
Potential Complications in the Use of Wheat Bran for Constipation in Infancy
Authors: Zoppi G. , Gobio‐Casali L. , Deganello A. , Astolfi R. , Saccomani F. , Cecchettin M. 
Published: February 2024

SummaryA commercially available wheat bran preparation has been given to six infants between the ages of 6 and 16 months suffering from constipation not due to metabolic or anatomic causes. In all infants, normal bowel movements reappeared after a month of a diet containing bran. After a month on this diet, we observed the following: a decrease in blood levels of calcium, phosphate, and trace elements; an increase in fecal excretion of biliary salts and cholesterol; and an appearance of predominantly proteolytic fecal flora over the saccharolitic flora. These findings, especially the first one, indicate that bran preparations should be used in infancy with extreme caution because of possible side effects on the patient's nutritional status and growth. If bran is used, blood levels of minerals should be repeatedly checked in order to prevent the appearance of vitamin D‐dependent rickets and the depletion of trace elements.
Postnatal Development of Peptidase Enzymes in Rat Small Intestine
Authors: Vaeth Gregory F. , Henning Susan J. 
Published: February 2024

SummaryThe development and distribution of peptidase activity in mucosal homogenates of rat small intestine has been investigated. Substrates used were glycyl‐L‐leucine (GL), L‐seryl‐L‐methionine (SM), and L‐leucyl‐glycyl‐glycine (LGG). During the first 2 weeks of life there was high peptidase activity toward GL and SM in the distal regions of the small intestine. In the third postnatal week, activity in the distal small intestine toward GL and SM decreased, while activity in the proximal small intestine increased. In contrast, there was no difference in activity toward LGG along the length of the small intestine, nor was there a developmental change. Activity toward all three substrates was not affected by cortisone acetate treatment. However, the classical effect of glucocorticoids on sucrase activity and body weight was observed. All peptidases studied showed maximal activities at neutral pH, indicating that they were not lysosomal in origin. Activity towards GL and SM was predominantly located in the cytosol. It is suggested that these dipeptidase activities play a role in the terminal steps of protein digestion following pinocytosis and lysosomal hydrolysis.
In Vivo Intestinal Zinc Transport in Rats
Authors: Meneely Raymond , Ghishan Fayez K. 
Published: February 2024

SummaryWe compared the in vivo transport of zinc in segments of jejunum, ileum, and colon of 2‐week‐old (suckling) and 6‐week‐old (adolescent) rats. In normal rats, net absorption and lumen to mucosa flux of zinc, normalized for differences in size of the intestine (μmol/h/g dry weight) were significantly greater in all perfused segments of the suckling compared with corresponding segments of the adolescent rats (p < 0.05). Moreover, zinc transport rates in colonic segments of the suckling rats were significantly greater than corresponding transport rates in the small intestinal segments (p < 0.05). In the adolescent rats, transport rates in the colonic segments were similar to corresponding rates in the small intestinal segments. Growth retardation (pups raised with mothers fed a diet deficient in protein) appeared to have no effect on net absorption or lumen to mucosa flux of zinc in suckling rats, but significantly enhanced net absorption and lumen to mucosa flux of zinc in the adolescent rats.
Metabolic Fate of Free and Peptide‐Linked Phenylalanine During Infusion into Portal or Femoral Vein of Rats
Authors: Niitzenadel W. , Fahr K. , Schwartze E. 
Published: February 2024

Summary[14C]Phenylalanine, either as free amino acid or as glycylphenylalanine, was continuously infused over 3 h into the portal or femoral vein of anaesthetized Wistar rats. Radioactive phenylalanine and metabolites, as well as labelled proteins, were determined in plasma during infusion and at the end of the experiments in kidney, liver, brain, heart, and femoral muscle. No differences in plasma and tissue pools were observed, if the results after portal versus femoral infusion are compared. The infusion of peptide‐linked phenylalanine results in a distribution of radioactivity similar to that occurring after infusion of the free amino acid. Peptidase activity toward glycyl‐phenylalanine was found in plasma as well as tissues. The unhydrolyzed di‐peptide could not be detected in plasma or in the tissues. These data suggest that administration of nutrients into the peripheral vein does not alter their metabolic fate.
Plasma Immunoreactive Anionic Pancreatic Trypsin in Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Durie P. R. , Gaskin K. J. , Geokas M. C. , O'Rourke M. , Largman C. 
Published: February 2024

SummaryPrevious data from this laboratory have shown good correlation between plasma cationic trypsin(ogen) and levels of pancreatic function in older cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with and without malabsorption. In the present study a radioimmunoassay for human anionic trypsin(ogen) has been employed in the assessment of pancreatic function in older patients with CF. Immunoreactive anionic trypsin(ogen) levels correlated poorly with pancreatic function due to an apparent elevation of this enzyme in many older CF patients with malabsorption (CF + M). When plasma from three older CF + M patients is examined for the molecular size of the apparent immunoreactive material detected, no free anionic trypsinogen is observed. Instead, a broad peak of apparent immunoreactive material appears in the gammaglobulin region. However, only free anionic trypsinogen could be detected in plasma from two CF patients without malabsorption (CF ‐ M), who had not received pancreatic enzyme supplements. It appears possible that a human plasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) to porcine pancreatic enzyme in the CF + M patients might interfere in the assay by binding TLCK‐anionic trypsin tracer. It is unclear why such an effect does not appear to occur in the cationic trypsin(ogen) assay. The results of the current study suggest that, for assessment of pancreatic insufficiency in CF, the radioimmunoassay for cationic trypsin(ogen) is more useful than the presently available radioimmunoassay for the anionic form.
Effect of Neuraminidase Treatment of IgG and α1‐Acid Glycoprotein on Their Intestinal Transport in Suckling Rats In Vivo
Authors: Friedrich Manfred , Berger Eric G. 
Published: February 2024

SummaryBinding and transport of rat immunoglobulin G (IgG), human α1‐acid glycoprotein, and their neuraminidase‐treated derivatives were studied in vivo in the intestine of suckling rats. IgG and asialo‐IgG binding was saturable, preceding active transport; the amounts of gut‐associated α1‐acid glycoprotein and asialo‐α1‐acid glycoprotein (“binding”) were not saturable; and transport was passive. Binding of asialo‐IgG to the intestine was significantly higher than that of native IgG, whereas transport rates were similar. No difference was found for both binding and transport of native and asialo‐α1‐acid glycoprotein. These results suggest an interaction between the heteroglycan moiety of IgG and its intestinal receptor and exclude a role of sialic acid in the intestinal transport of a heterologous, passively absorbed glycoprotein.
Delayed Complete Functional Lactase Sufficiency in Breast‐Fed Infants
Authors: Lifschitz Carlos H. , Smith O'Brian E. , Garza Cutberto 
Published: February 2024

Summary:Colonic fermentation of unabsorbed lactose was evaluated by measuring breath hydrogen (BH2) after a regular feeding in 17 white, normal, exclusively breastfed infants 4‐5 weeks of age. Interval breath samples were collected with a specially modified face mask and analyzed by gas chromatography for H2 and CO2 concentrations. Five infants (29%) produced 20 ppm or more of H2, four of whom underwent repeated testing. Three infants stopped producing over 20 ppm of H2 as they grew older. On a repeat evaluation, one of these three infants had levels over 20 ppm when other foods were introduced into his diet. The other continued to have elevated BH2 when weaned. Stools of infants with elevated BH2 levels had no detectable glucose, and pH was over 5.5. Weight‐for‐age of infants with elevated BH2 was at or above the 75th percentile. BH2 levels, normalized for the amount of breast milk ingested, fell significantly with age. These results show that complete small bowel absorption of lactose from breast milk does not occur in all white, normal, term, appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age infants in the first months of life. The absence of glucose in the stool and the normal stool pH suggest that the unabsorbed lactose that produced H2 can be degraded in the colon.
Fecal α1‐Antitrypsin Excretion in Young People with Crohn's Disease
Authors: Thomas Daniel W. , Sinatra Frank R. , Merritt Russell J. 
Published: February 2024

Summary:Fecal α1‐antitrypsin excretion, a noninvasive indicator of protein‐losing enteropathy, was correlated with clinical disease activity in pediatric patients with Crohn's disease. Disease activity was defined as the sum of 11 abnormal clinical parameters which were adapted from previously published disease activity scoring methods. Each patient was also given a subjective clinical rating when evaluated. In addition, four different devised disease activity scoring methods were correlated retrospectively with subjective clinical ratings for hospitalized patients. A total of 125 random fecal α1‐antitrypsin determinations were performed on 22 patients. Ninety‐six percent of clinically active episodes of Crohn's disease were associated with elevated fetal α1‐antitrypsin (p < 0.001). The degree of elevation was found not to correlate directly with the severity of assessed disease activity or site of intestinal involvement. A direct linear relationship was demonstrated between 23 paired random fecal α1‐antitrypsin and intestinal α1‐antitrypsin clearance assys (r = 0.93). There was a high, and remarkably similar, degree of correlation with each of the four different derived activity scoring methods and simple subjective ratings (r = 0.89‐0.93). We conclude that: (a) fecal α1‐antitrypsin excretion may be helpful in assessing the presence or absence of Crohn's disease activity by providing an objective and specific indicator of intestinal damage; and (b) it appears that a simple subjective rating score is as clinically useful as other previously devised activity indices.
Nonpancreatic Hydrolysis of N‐Benzoyl‐L‐tyrosyl‐p‐aminobenzoic Acid (PABA Peptide) in the Rat Small Intestine
Authors: Sterchi E. E. , Green J. R. , Lentze M. J. 
Published: February 2024

Summary:Factors affecting the intestinal hydrolysis of orally administered N‐benzoyl‐L‐tyrosyl‐p‐aminobenzoic acid (PABA peptide) and urinary recovery of p‐amino‐benzoic acid have been studied in rats, after diversion of the pancreatic and biliary secretions. The exclusion of pancreatic secretions from the small intestine lowered, but did not completely abolish, the urinary recovery of PABA, whereas diversion of the bile had no significant effect. A particulate‐bound enzyme capable of splitting PABA peptide was found to be present throughout the rat small intestine, and its activity remained unchanged in the absence of biliopancreatic secretions. The intestinal PABA peptide hydrolase could be solubilized with papain and Triton from a partially purified brush‐border membrane fraction, and it eluted in gel filtration as a highmolecular‐weight peak, well separated from the other known peptidases of the intestinal brush‐border membrane.
Chronic Diarrhea and Neutropenia Not Associated with Pancreatic Insufficiency
Authors: Marino Lucyndia R. , Dahms Beverly B. , Halpin Thomas C. 
Published: February 2024

Summary:Six children with chronic diarrhea and neutropenia, initially referred for evaluation of Shwachman‐Diamond syndrome, were found to have no evidence of pancreatic insufficiency. All presented in the spring with a prodromal respiratory illness. Hematologic evaluation was normal except for iron deficiency anemia and neutropenia. Small intestinal biopsies of all children showed inflammation, consistent with chronic enteritis. The children were followed until growth returned to previous percentiles. Diarrhea and neutropenia resolved by 6‐month follow‐up, and there was no recurrence of the neutropenia at 1 year.
Hypothesis Revisited
Authors: Anderson Charlotte M. 
Published: February 2024

SummaryAn earlier hypothesis based on the results of pancreatic studies in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients without steatorrhoea suggesting that the basic defect was related to an abnormality in control of electrolyte movement, particularly the bicarbonate ion, and water in exocrine secretory tissue is reviewed in light of recent advances in knowledge of secretory mechanisms. Evidence for defective bicarbonate–chloride exchange in a variety of CF exocrine tissues other than the pancreas is cited. Recent recognition of the close relationship between bicarbonate and mucus secretion and their stimulation by prostaglandin E2 is discussed. Consideration is given to the possibility of altered metabolism of PGE2 because of abnormal handling of essential fatty acids in CF, and an attempt is made to relate such a defect to the recent confirmation of oligosaccharide side chain differences such as an increased fucose–sialic acid ratio in CF gastrointestinal mucus and other glycoproteins. It is suggested that membrane permeability to chloride, bicarbonate–chloride exchange, and movement of water through extra‐and intracellular exocrine tissues depends on modifications of the carbohydrate structure of glycoproteins during secretion and that these changes are stimulated by co‐ordination of cell messengers PGE2, calcium, and cyclic AMP. Disturbed PGE2 metabolism in CF could inhibit these changes rendering resulting secretions dry, concentrated, and readily able to block ducts or tubes.