bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Catechol‐O‐methyltransferase inhibition with entacapone: Evidence from controlled clinical trials in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Poewe Werner 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAdjunct therapy with the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase inhibitor entacapone is a first‐line approach to treat wearing‐off type motor fluctuations in levodopa‐treated Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Five randomized placebo‐controlled trials including a total of >1000 patients have established its efficacy, showing increases in ON time between 0.7 and 1.6 h, with corresponding OFF‐time reductions. These and other trials also found improvements in ON motor function and quality of life. Additional trials have tested the efficacy of adjunct entacapone in patients either without or with early and mild motor fluctuations and also found enhanced motor control and improved activities of daily living function and quality of life, whereas the STRIDE‐PD trial failed to show efficacy of early entacapone use in delaying the onset of dyskinesias. Adjunct entacapone enhances dopaminergic activity and may increase levodopa‐induced adverse events like dyskinesias, which can usually be controlled by modest levodopa dose reductions. There is no formal requirement to monitor liver function during entacapone treatment. Entacapone can be a rare cause of lymphocytic colitis with severe diarrhoea and need for treatment discontinuation. In 2003, a triple‐combination pill of levodopa, carbidopa, and entacapone (LCE) was first introduced onto the market, and since then proprietary LCE (Stalevo®) is indicated on the basis of those trials for patients with idiopathic PD to (i) substitute for immediate‐release carbidopa/levodopa and entacapone previously administered as individual products or (ii) replace immediate‐release carbidopa/levodopa therapy (without entacapone) when patients taking a total daily dose of levodopa of ≤600 mg and not experiencing dyskinesias experience signs and symptoms of end‐of‐dose wearing off.
Landscape of fear in freshwater ecotones: How predation risk and light conditions affect mesopredator activity and foraging in springs
Authors: Manenti Raoul , Forlani Martina , Lapadula Stefano , Galbiati Matteo , Barzaghi Benedetta , Ficetola Gentile Francesco , Melotto Andrea 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Springs are environments that can provide general insights into factors favouring diversity in ecotones, but they are often neglected in freshwater studies. One of the challenging processes acting in ecotones is the landscape of fear (LOF), the space–time variation of perceived predation risk. Spring exploitation often involves species that are mesopredators in surface fresh water and that can become apex predators in ground water, as in the case of the fire salamander larvae (Salamandra salamandra). Here, we aim to determine whether the activity and foraging patterns of the fire salamander in springs are affected by LOF.

We surveyed the night‐ and daytime abundance of fire salamander larvae in 15 springs to assess predator occurrence. We also reared 48 salamander larvae with and without non‐lethal exposure to predators within tanks simulating groundwater or surface freshwater light features. Before and after a month of rearing, we tested larva efficiency in catching prey when exposed to predator chemical cues, both in light and dark conditions.

In the field, the number of active fire salamander larvae was significantly higher during the night. At night, the number of active larvae across the transition area between ground water and surface water was higher in plots closer to the surface.

Testing and rearing conditions significantly affected larva behaviour, and prey capture was significantly more effective in light conditions. It was less successful in larvae reared with predator chemical cues and in the presence of predators. Moreover, larvae reared with predators under light conditions were slower than those raised with predators in dark conditions.

Our results show that LOF can interact with extant environmental features and constitute a significant behavioural pressure for mesopredator species living in freshwater ecotones.
The unique COVID‐19 experience in Western Australia: lessons learnt
Authors: House Caris L. , Rawlins Matthew , Dyer John , Boan Peter , Musk Michael 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundWestern Australia (WA) was in a unique position to experience coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in a highly vaccinated and geographically isolated population.AimTo describe the COVID‐19 Omicron experience at the only quaternary hospital in WA following border opening from 3 March to 11 May 2022.ParticipantsA total of 158 adults with microbiologically confirmed COVID‐19 were admitted to the respiratory or intensive care unit (ICU).OutcomesAdmission numbers, disease severity, prevalence of COVID‐19 deterioration risk factors, immunisation status, severity of infection, immunosuppression and treatment regimen.ResultsOne hundred fifty‐eight COVID‐19–positive patients were admitted to the respiratory ward (n = 123) and the ICU (n = 35) during the study period. COVID‐19 infection was the primary admission reason in 32.9% of patients, 51.3% were male and the median age was 62 years. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders (ATSI) were overrepresented (13.3%).Care was predominantly ward based (77.2%). Nearly half of the patients had mild COVID‐19 (49.4%). Dexamethasone was the most common treatment provided to patients (58.2%). The median length of stay was 5.8 days (interquartile range, 5–15). Eight patients died during the study period (5.1%), with three of those deaths attributable to COVID‐19.ConclusionsCOVID‐19 case numbers following WA state border opening were of lower care acuity and disease severity than predicted. Two‐thirds of admissions were for other primary diagnoses, with incidental COVID detection. Hospital admissions were overrepresented by partially or unvaccinated patients and by ATSI Australians. An increase in social support along with general and geriatric medicine speciality input were required to treat hospitalised COVID‐19 cases in the WA Omicron wave.
Rapid home therapy infusion of velaglucerase alfa in naïve patients with Gaucher disease
Authors: Becker‐Cohen Michal , Revel‐Vilk Shoshana , Frydman Dafna , Dinur Tama , Tiomkin Maayan , Istaiti Majdolen , Arbel Naama , Bauer Peter , Cozma Claudia , Rolfs Arndt , Szer Jeff , Zimran Ari 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundEnzyme replacement therapy (ERT) has revolutionised the management of patients with Gaucher disease (GD). In 2018, we published the safety and efficacy of rapid 10‐min infusion of velaglucerase alfa in previously treated patients, mostly on low‐dose therapy.AimTo improve quality of life (QoL) for patients needing lifelong bi‐weekly infusions by introducing a 10‐min infusion instead of 1 h per label in patients naive to ERT and on high‐dose therapy.MethodsFifteen naive patients were enrolled; all received bi‐weekly infusions of 60 units/kgBW velaglucerase alfa; the infusion rate was gradually reduced in the hospital, followed by home infusions. Each infusion was followed for safety. Efficacy parameters were assessed every 3 months. Patient‐reported outcome questionnaires were collected at baseline and follow‐up.ResultsTen‐minute rapid infusions were well tolerated without related severe adverse events (SAEs). Two patients experienced a non‐related SAE and another a possibly related AE. In three patients, the infusion rate was increased to 30 or 60 min (two because of suboptimal response and one because of AE). Two patients dropped out because of an unwillingness to attend follow‐up visits during the COVID‐19 pandemic. All 13 remaining patients reached the 24‐month end‐point. The platelet counts increased by a median (range) of 68.38% (12.5–300%) and the lyso‐Gb1 levels decreased by 62.6% (32.9–89.9%).ConclusionHome therapy with rapid infusion of high‐dose velaglucerase alfa was a safe, effective and preferable alternative for patients with GD naïve to treatment. We believe that shortening the infusion time improves the QoL of patients with GD who have a lifelong commitment to intravenous therapy.
Teachers Curating Virtual Exhibitions for Learning Visual Arts: A Study of Impact and Effectiveness
Authors: Tam Cheung‐On , Hui Claire Ka‐Yan 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAlthough visual arts teachers have free access to high quality online artwork images offering them immense teaching resources, making meaningful use of them remains a pedagogical challenge. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, the transition from face‐to‐face to online teaching caused an immediate need for teachers to enhance their digital competencies and technological capability for planning and delivering a blended art curriculum. Herein, I propose a ‘teacher‐curator pedagogy’ via a study in six primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong to assess its effectiveness. The study took place in the academic year of 2021‐22 with 331 student participants. The proposed pedagogy puts visual arts teachers in the role of ‘digital curators’ who create virtual exhibitions for teaching art appreciation and artmaking. This paper addresses the theoretical framework, implementation strategies, and the results of the study highlighting its effectiveness, impact and limitations on teaching when using teacher‐curated virtual exhibitions in both physical and virtual learning contexts. It was found that the technological capacity and confidence of the teacher participants was enhanced through the use of online resources and virtual exhibition tools. Making use of the 3D presentation of exhibits in themes and context through digital content curation, the teachers engaged students with deep interaction through the blending of online and face‐to‐face teaching. However, the proposed pedagogy was limited by the high demand of training and preparation work, hardware and software support, and difficulties in assessing and monitoring learning beyond class.
Laser lead extraction in octo‐ and nonagenarians. A subgroup analysis from the GALLERY registry
Authors: Pecha Simon , Chung Da‐Un , Burger Heiko , Osswald Brigitte , Ghaffari Naser , Knaut Michael , Reichenspurner Hermann , Willems Stephan , Butter Christian , Hakmi Samer ,   GALLERY investigators
Published: July 2023

AbstractIntroductionIn an aging population with cardiac implantable electronic devices, an increasing number of octo‐ and even nonagenarians present for lead extraction procedures. Those patients are considered at increased risk for surgical procedures including lead extraction. Here, we investigated safety and efficacy of transvenous lead extraction in a large patient cohort of octo‐ and nonagenarians.Methods and ResultsA subgroup analysis of all patients aged ≥80 years (n = 499) in the German Laser Lead Extraction Registry (GALLERY) was performed. Outcomes were compared to the nonoctogenarians from the registry. Primary extraction method was Laser lead extraction, with additional use of mechanical rotational sheaths or femoral snares, if necessary. An analysis of patient‐ and device characteristics, as well as an assessment of predictors for adverse events via multivariate analyses was conducted. Mean patients age was 84.3 ± 3.7 years in the octogenarians group and 64.1 ± 12.4 years in the nonoctogenarians group. The median lead dwell time was 118.0 months (78; 167) and 92.0 months [60; 133], p < .001 in the octogenarians and nonoctogenarians group, respectively. Clinical procedural success rate was achieved in 97.6% of the cases in octogenarians and 97.9% in nonoctogenarians (p = .70). Overall complication rate was 4.4% in octogenarians and 4.3% in nonoctogenarians (0.91). In octogenarians procedure‐related mortality was 0.8% and all‐cause in‐hospital mortality was 5.4%, while in nonoctogenarians, procedure related and all‐cause in‐hospital mortality were 0.5% and 3.1%, respectively. A body mass index (BMI) <20 kg/m2, was the only statistically significant predictor for procedure‐related complications in octogenarians, while systemic infection, BMI ≤20 kg/m2, procedural complications and chronic kidney disease were predictors for in‐hospital mortality.ConclusionsLaser lead extraction in octo‐ and nonagenarians is safe and effective. BMI ≤20 kg/m2 was the only statistically significant predictor for procedural complications. According to our data, advanced age should not be considered as contraindication for laser lead extraction.
Coverage stability of peri‐implant soft tissue dehiscence: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Amid Reza , Moscowchi Anahita , Azizi Soroush , Hosseini Matineh , Hartoonian Serlie 
Published: July 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe occurrence of peri‐implant soft tissue dehiscence, especially in the esthetic zone, can be challenging. This study sought to investigate how the passage of time affects the outcomes of treatment for peri‐implant soft tissue dehiscence coverage.Materials and MethodsA literature search was performed up to April 2023 via PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to retrieve studies reporting the data on peri‐implant soft tissue dehiscence of at least 2‐time points (baseline and follow‐up). Clinical trials with a minimum of 5 participants, reporting at least 1 primary outcome, and with a minimum follow‐up of 3 months were included. The primary outcomes were the changes in dehiscence depth, complete coverage, and mean coverage at different time points.ResultsSeven studies with 112 participants and 119 implants were included. Dehiscence depth increased insignificantly between 3 to 6 months. Although the dehiscence depth increased from 6 to 12 months in the tunnel group, it decreased in the coronally advanced group, and a slight decrease was observed from 12 to 72 months. Soft tissue thickness was the predictor for soft tissue margin stability. However, no significant relationship was found between the baseline dehiscence depth and complete coverage.ConclusionsWithin the limitations of this study, it seems prudent to wait at least 6 months to achieve a stable soft tissue margin.Clinical SignificanceThe occurrence of peri‐implant soft tissue dehiscence, especially in the esthetic zone, can be a challenging complication. It is important not only to achieve coverage but also to ensure that the treatment results remain stable in the long term, in order to satisfy both patients and clinicians. A reasonable approach would be to wait for at least 6 months to achieve a stable soft tissue margin.
Understanding amphidromy in Hawaiʻi: ʻOʻopu nākea (Awaous stamineus)
Authors: Ching Cody , Miller Jessica A. , Tsang Yinphan , Fraiola Kauaoa , Clilverd Hannah , Honarvar Shaya 
Published: July 2023

AbstractHawaiʻi is home to ʻoʻopu nākea (Awaous stamineus), a culturally significant, endemic, goby that exhibits an amphidromous life cycle characterized by a marine larval stage followed by post‐larval recruitment to streams, where they live to become reproductive adults. However, it was recently suggested that their migration to the ocean might not be obligatory, as originally thought. Despite their importance in Hawaiian traditions and the ecology of Hawaiian freshwater ecosystems, we still lack a full understanding of their migratory patterns and life history due to the difficulties in determining the environmental migratory cues that set the timing and location of their migratory paths. This study examined environmental factors, such as mean annual rainfall, streamflow, and water chemistry, to determine if they play a role in whether A. stamineus spend their larval period in the ocean or their entire life cycle in freshwater streams. We sampled A. stamineus (n = 90) from three streams (Kahana, Kahaluʻu, and Waimānalo) on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi that represented the range of hydroclimatic gradient in wet‐habitat conditions on the windward side of the island and characterized their migratory pattern using elemental analysis of sagittae, the largest pair of otoliths (calcareous ear structures). Based on otolith strontium:calcium and barium:calcium ratios, we determined if individuals spent their larval period in the ocean or the stream. We found that 100% of individuals displayed clear evidence of marine residence during their larval phase, regardless of the environmental factors the fish experienced. This study highlights the necessity of stream–ocean connectivity for the survival of A. stamineus and emphasizes the importance of stream‐mouth conservation and management as it is a critical transition zone in stream–ocean–stream migratory pathways.
Expanding non‐invasive approaches for fish‐health monitoring: A survey of the epidermal mucous metabolomes of phylogenetically diverse freshwater fish species
Authors: Ekman Drew R. , Evich Marina G. , Mosley Jonathan D. , Doering Jon A. , Fay Kellie A. , Ankley Gerald T. , Collette Timothy W. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThere is a pressing need for more‐holistic approaches to fisheries assessments along with growing demand to reduce the health impacts of sample collections. Metabolomic tools enable the use of sample matrices that can be collected with minimal impact on the organism (e.g., blood, urine, and mucus) and provide high‐throughput, untargeted biochemical information without the requirement of a sequenced genome. These qualities make metabolomics ideal for monitoring a wide range of fish species, particularly those under protected status. In the current study, we surveyed the relative abundances of 120 endogenous metabolites in epidermal mucus across eight freshwater fish species belonging to seven phylogenetic orders. Principal component analysis was used to provide an overview of the data set, revealing strong interspecies relationships in the epidermal mucous metabolome. Normalized relative abundances of individual endogenous metabolites were then used to identify commonalities across multiple species, as well as those metabolites that showed notable species specificity. For example, taurine was measured in high relative abundance in the epidermal mucus of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), northern pike (Esox lucius), golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), whereas γ‐amino butyric acid (GABA) exhibited a uniquely high relative abundance in flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris). Finally, hierarchical cluster analysis was used to evaluate species relatedness as characterized by both the epidermal mucous metabolome (phenotype) and genetic phylogeny (genotype). This comparison revealed species for which relatedness in the epidermal mucous metabolome composition closely aligns with phylogenetic relatedness (e.g., N. crysoleucas and C. carpio), as well as species for which these two measures are not well aligned (e.g., P. olivaris and Polyodon spathula). These, and other findings reported here, highlight novel areas for future research with fish, including development of epidermal mucous‐based markers for non‐invasive health monitoring, sex determination, and hypoxia tolerance.
Kinetics of size change in air bubble and fat globule during ice cream freezing process
Authors: Masuda Hayato , Sawano Momoko , Iyota Hiroyuki , Shimoyamada Makoto 
Published: July 2023

AbstractUsing a batch‐type freezer, this study investigated the influence of agitation speed on the time course change in the size of air bubbles and fat globules to establish kinetics of those during freezing. Higher agitation is advantageous not only for mixing enhancement but also for preventing local freezing and undesirable solidification, according to the results of flow visualization and time‐course change in the Reynolds number during freezing. Air bubbles and fat globule size were measured using samples obtained during freezing. For each agitations speed, the time‐course change in air bubble size was clearly different. Because of significant shear force, a smooth reduction in air bubble size was observed at a relatively high agitation speed. However, at the later stage of freezing, the increased collision frequency of the bubbles induced an undesirable increase in size. Aggregation of fat globules occurred immediately after the aqueous phase begin to be frozen. In addition, a greater agitation speed improved fat destabilization and hence increased the degree of aggregation (DA) as measured by the fat globule size distribution. At all agitation speeds, a decrease in DA was observed after a temporary increase in DA. This decrease can be explained by the breakup of the aggregates. At higher agitation speed, more serious decrease in DA was found. It was found that agitation speed significantly affects the kinetics of air bubbles and fat globules during freezing.Practical ApplicationsAfter freezing, air bubbles and fat globules size are important factors in determining ice cream quality. Nevertheless, no time‐course change in size has been constructed from the perspective of kinetics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the effects of agitation speed on the time‐course change in air bubbles and fat globules size. The kinetics of air bubbles and fat globules are important in determining process parameters such as freezing time and agitation speed in the process design of freezers for ice cream manufacturing. Although this study was conducted using a bath‐type freezer, the kinetics of size change can be applied to process design with a continuous‐type freezer.
Future directions in nowcasting economic activity: A systematic literature review
Authors: Stundziene Alina , Pilinkiene Vaida , Bruneckiene Jurgita , Grybauskas Andrius , Lukauskas Mantas , Pekarskiene Irena 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis paper presents a systematic review of research papers on nowcasting economic activity. The study summarizes the state‐of‐the‐art nowcasting approaches and methods, describes the indicators used in this analysis, highlights the existing gaps, and proposes future research directions. Based on an analysis of 193 articles on nowcasting in economics that were published in the journals indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection database, future research directions in nowcasting are described in this paper. This research indicates that the focus of economic activity nowcasting should rely on the use of real‐time data and alternative indicators in order to enhance the predictive ability.
Removal of the endothelial surface layer via hyaluronidase does not modulate monocyte and neutrophil interactions with the glomerular endothelium
Authors: Tan ZheHao , Hall Pam , Costin Adam , Crawford Simon A. , Ramm Georg , Wong Connie H. Y. , Kitching A. Richard , Hickey Michael J. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe endothelial surface layer (ESL), a layer of macromolecules on the surface of endothelial cells, can both impede and facilitate leukocyte recruitment. However, its role in monocyte and neutrophil recruitment in glomerular capillaries is unknown.MethodsWe used multiphoton intravital microscopy to examine monocyte and neutrophil behavior in the glomerulus following ESL disruption with hyaluronidase.ResultsConstitutive retention and migration of monocytes and neutrophils within the glomerular microvasculature was unaltered by hyaluronidase. Consistent with this, inhibition of the hyaluronan‐binding molecule CD44 also failed to modulate glomerular trafficking of these immune cells. To investigate the contribution of the ESL during acute inflammation, we induced glomerulonephritis via in situ immune complex deposition. This resulted in increases in glomerular retention of monocytes and neutrophils but did not induce marked reduction in the glomerular ESL. Furthermore, hyaluronidase treatment did not modify the prolonged retention of monocytes and neutrophils in the acutely inflamed glomerular microvasculature.ConclusionsThese observations indicate that, despite evidence that the ESL has the capacity to inhibit leukocyte‐endothelial cell interactions while also containing adhesive ligands for immune cells, neither of these functions modulate trafficking of monocytes and neutrophils in steady‐state or acutely‐inflamed glomeruli.