bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Height and body mass index in molecularly confirmed Silver–Russell syndrome and the long‐term effects of growth hormone treatment
Authors: Lokulo‐Sodipe Oluwakemi , Giabicani Eloïse , Canton Ana P. M. , Ferrand Nawfel , Child Jenny , Wakeling Emma L. , Binder Gerhard , Netchine Irène , Mackay Deborah J. G. , Inskip Hazel M. , Byrne Christopher D. , Temple I. Karen , Davies Justin H. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjectiveSilver–Russell syndrome (SRS) causes short stature. Growth hormone (GH) treatment aims to increase adult height. However, data are limited on the long‐term outcomes of GH in patients with molecularly confirmed SRS. This study evaluated height, body mass index (BMI) and GH treatment in molecularly confirmed SRS.DesignAn observational study with retrospective data collection.PatientsIndividuals with molecularly confirmed SRS aged ≥13 years.MeasurementsData were collected on height, height gain (change in height standard deviation score [SDS] from childhood to final or near‐final height), BMI and gain in BMI (from childhood to adulthood) and previous GH treatment.ResultsSeventy‐one individuals (40 female) were included. The median age was 22.0 years (range 13.2–69.7). The molecular diagnoses: H19/IGF2:IG‐DMR LOM in 80.3% (57/71); upd(7)mat in 16.9% (12/71) and IGF2 mutation in 2.8% (2/71). GH treatment occurred in 77.5% (55/71).Total height gain was greater in GH‐treated individuals (median 1.53 SDS vs. 0.53 SDS, p = .007), who were shorter at treatment initiation (−3.46 SDS vs. −2.91 SDS, p = .04) but reached comparable heights to GH‐untreated individuals (−2.22 SDS vs. −2.74 SDS, p = .7). In GH‐treated individuals, BMI SDS was lower at the most recent assessment (median −1.10 vs. 1.66, p = .002) with lower BMI gain (2.01 vs. 3.58, p = .006) despite similar early BMI SDS to GH‐untreated individuals (median −2.65 vs. −2.78, p = .3).ConclusionsThese results support the use of GH in SRS for increasing height SDS. GH treatment was associated with lower adult BMI which may reflect improved metabolic health even following discontinuation of therapy.
Diabetes mellitus and its association with dental caries, missing teeth and dental services utilization in the US adult population: Results from the 2015–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Aldosari Maram , Aldosari Muath , Aldosari Mohammad A. , Agrawal Priyanka 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAimsThis study aimed to evaluate the associations of self‐reported diabetic status with clinically assessed dental end points, including teeth with untreated coronal and root caries, missing teeth, complete tooth retention, edentulism and routine dental services utilization among adults aged ≥20 years in the United States.MethodsWe pooled data from the 2015–2016 and 2017–2018 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative, cross‐sectional, continuous survey of noninstitutionalized US population. The analysed data included all adult participants aged ≥20 years who completed the dental examination and reported their diabetic status. We estimated the prevalence and average outcomes of dental end points by diabetic status. Regression analyses were employed to evaluate the associations between diabetic status and dental outcomes.ResultsOf 10,249 participants, 1,562 reported having diabetes mellitus, which translates to 11.3% of US adults aged ≥20 years (25.7 million). Compared to non‐diabetic individuals, adults with diabetes had 1.49 (95%CI = 1.1–2.0) and 1.46 (95%CI = 1.2–1.8) times higher odds of developing coronal and root caries respectively. Adults with diabetes were 32% less likely to be fully dentate (OR = 0.68; 95%CI = 0.55–0.83) and had a higher average number of missing teeth (mean ratio = 1.35; 95%CI = 1.18–1.55). There was no association between diabetic status and routine dental services utilization.ConclusionsAdults with diabetes exhibited worse dental health; nonetheless, there was no difference in dental services utilization. Multidisciplinary efforts from both medical and dental service providers are required to proactively address the well‐being of adults with diabetes in terms of oral health.
Peer assessment: Development and delivery of the OSCE
Authors: McKay Amy , McCall John , Cairns Alison M. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIntroductionThere is an expectation that healthcare professionals display competence in teaching, assessment and providing feedback. Development begins with formative peer‐assisted learning and teaching in the undergraduate environment. Using peers or near‐peers (in this case having 1 year more experience than the examination cohort) to provide assessment in summative exams remains unexplored. This study investigates how the use of near‐peers compares to marking by academic staff in a summative OSCE.Materials and MethodsBDS4 Peer assessors (PAs) developed an OSCE question and marking schedule. Each PA (n = 3) was paired with an academic staff assessor (ASA) (n = 3). Peer and academic marked the candidates independently. Two years later, the process was repeated on the same cohort of candidates with the PA now 1‐year post qualification. Statistical analysis compared the scores awarded by PA during each timeframe and against the marks awarded by the ASA.ResultsDuring round 1, 28 students (62.2%) were awarded the same score by PA and ASA. On 17 occasions, there was a discrepancy (37.8%). Bias was skewed in favour of PA scoring higher (mean difference of differences −0.0667). During round 2, 27 students (55.1%) were awarded the same score by PA and ASA. On 22 occasions (44.9%), there was a discrepancy. Bias was skewed in favour of ASA scoring higher (mean difference of differences 0.0612).DiscussionLevels of agreement between PA and ASA are strong. Our results show PA mark more leniently as undergraduates and less leniently at 1‐year post graduation.ConclusionsPeer assessors are able to write OSCE stations, produce marking schemes and effectively assess their near‐peers.
Hearing loss is associated with delayed neural responses to continuous speech
Authors: Gillis Marlies , Decruy Lien , Vanthornhout Jonas , Francart Tom 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWe investigated the impact of hearing loss on the neural processing of speech. Using a forward modelling approach, we compared the neural responses to continuous speech of 14 adults with sensorineural hearing loss with those of age‐matched normal‐hearing peers. Compared with their normal‐hearing peers, hearing‐impaired listeners had increased neural tracking and delayed neural responses to continuous speech in quiet. The latency also increased with the degree of hearing loss. As speech understanding decreased, neural tracking decreased in both populations; however, a significantly different trend was observed for the latency of the neural responses. For normal‐hearing listeners, the latency increased with increasing background noise level. However, for hearing‐impaired listeners, this increase was not observed. Our results support the idea that the neural response latency indicates the efficiency of neural speech processing: More or different brain regions are involved in processing speech, which causes longer communication pathways in the brain. These longer communication pathways hamper the information integration among these brain regions, reflected in longer processing times. Altogether, this suggests decreased neural speech processing efficiency in HI listeners as more time and more or different brain regions are required to process speech. Our results suggest that this reduction in neural speech processing efficiency occurs gradually as hearing deteriorates. From our results, it is apparent that sound amplification does not solve hearing loss. Even when listening to speech in silence at a comfortable loudness, hearing‐impaired listeners process speech less efficiently.
Hidradenitis suppurativa: Morphologic and vascular study of nodular inflammatory lesions by means of optical coherence tomography
Authors: Manfredini Marco , Chello Camilla , Ciardo Silvana , Guida Stefania , Chester Johanna , Lasagni Claudia , Bigi Laura , Farnetani Francesca , Bettoli Vincenzo , Pellacani Giovanni 
Published: March 2022

AbstractHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory disease characterized by a recurrent‐remission trend and clinical lesions that range from asymptomatic to inflamed, deep‐seated nodules with scarring and suppuration. The aim of our study was to identify morphologic and vascular features of HS nodules by means of dynamic optical coherence tomography (D‐OCT) and to define if they are correlated to patient endotype and risk of disease progression. A set of standardized clinical pictures and D‐OCT images were acquired from 57 inflammatory nodules of 40 patients affected by HS. A set of 20 clinical and D‐OCT images were acquired from 20 healthy volunteers as a control group. The comparison of D‐OCT features among HS and control group was analysed. The correlation between HS patient endotype and D‐OCT features of the lesions was calculated. D‐OCT enabled to identify vascular and morphological aspects characterizing HS nodular inflammatory lesions. In addition, several D‐OCT features were significantly different among distinct disease endotypes. The characterization of HS nodular inflammatory lesions through D‐OCT, corresponding to blood vessel dilation and inflammatory associated hyper‐vascularization, may have important clinical consequences in the assessment of HS risk of progression, therapeutic decisions and treatment efficacy monitoring.
A novel cell line from human eccrine sweat gland duct cells for investigating sweating physiology
Authors: Welzel Jessica , Grüdl Sabine , Banowski Bernhard , Stark Holger , Sättler Andrea , Welss Thomas 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjectiveHuman eccrine sweat glands (eSG) represent vital components of the skin involved in regulating body temperature. Especially the eccrine duct, which opens directly into the skin surface and releases the aqueous sweat, constitutes the first contact point with topically applied substances. For scientific investigations and to understand the underlying sweating mechanism on a cellular level defined cellular material is beneficial. We, therefore, strived to generate a cell line derived from human eSG duct cells for identifying new mechanisms in sweating control, as such a standardized cell line is currently lacking.Material and methodsIsolated primary human eSG duct cells were transduced with simian virus 40 large T antigen (SV40T) by lentiviral transduction. Successfully SV40T‐transduced clones were selected by single‐cell cloning with one clone, named 1D10, being particularly described in this work.ResultsIn performed cellular investigations, SV40T‐transduced duct‐derived cells exhibited an extended lifespan with stable population doubling times suggesting its immortality. Besides, 1D10 clonal cell culture demonstrated similarities with parental, primary duct cells regarding gene expression of selected sweat gland‐related markers. When combined with primary coil cells in a hanging drop co‐culture, those transduced duct‐derived cells showed some duct cell‐like features. Further, a certain degree of cellular communication and a specific reaction towards substance application was observed.ConclusionGenerated and herein described cell line derived from isolated human eSG duct cells is, based on the presented scientific findings, considered as immortal. Besides, this cell line shows some similarity with primary duct cells, although alterations from native glands were detected, among which is loss of expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. Provided some further investigations, presented SV40T‐transduced duct‐cell derived cell line seems a suited surrogate of primary eccrine duct cells.
Transition between two solid‐solutions: Effective and easy way for fine Ce1−xGdxO2−x/2 powders preparation
Authors: Alemayehu Adam , Zákutná Dominika , Kohúteková Soňa , Tyrpekl Václav 
Published: March 2022

AbstractCeria, pure or doped, is an important electrolyte material in solid oxide fuel cells, catalysts, and plutonium surrogates. Even though ceria is a widely studied material, its coprecipitation with the most common doping element, gadolinium, remains mostly overlooked. Here, we present a comprehensive study of gadolinium–cerium oxalates prepared by coprecipitation of gadolinium (III) and cerium (III) salts by oxalic acid under different reaction conditions and element ratios. For this purpose, we assessed the effects of basic precipitation conditions on the final oxalate size, shape, and conversion into the corresponding oxides. The results showed that coprecipitation with oxalic acid yields and ideal solid solution, which translates into the oxides. This low‐cost and straightforward synthetic route provides then high‐quality solid solutions of Ge–Gd in the oxide lattice. Thus, this approach has a high industrialization potential, with significant advantages over hydrolysis or hydrothermal techniques.
Anatomy of the proximal septal vein in patients with focal intramural ventricular arrhythmias
Authors: Tam Tsz‐kin , Liang Jackson J. , Ghannam Michael , Latchamsetty Rakesh , Cochet Hubert , Patel Smita , Jongnarangsin Krit , Morady Fred , Bogun Frank 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundFocal ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) originating from the intramural myocardium of the basal septum are difficult to localize and ablate. Proximal septal veins emptying into the great cardiac vein can reach close to the origin of intramural arrhythmias.ObjectiveTo assess characteristics of proximal septal coronary veins in patients with intramural VAs.Methods and ResultsAmong 84 consecutive patients with intramural VAs, 29 patients (age 60 ± 11years, 16 males, ejection fraction 47 ± 13%) underwent preprocedural cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CTA). In 14 of these patients, the intramural site of origin (SOO) was identified with multipolar catheters. The intramural SOO could not be accessed with mapping catheters in the other 15 patients while mapping the coronary venous system. The CTA identified sizable proximal septal veins in all patients in whom the SOO could be accessed with mapping catheters. In the patients in whom the intramural SOO was not identified, the proximal septal veins were often either small (<2 mm at the branching site) or non‐existent (n = 9, p = .001). The proximal septal veins in patients in whom the SOO was identified were larger than in the patients in whom the SOO could not be identified (3.0 ± 0.6 mm vs. 2.1 ± 0.9 mm, p = .01).ConclusionsPreprocedural imaging with CTAs can be beneficial in identifying the anatomy of proximal septal coronary veins that allow adequate mapping of patients with suspected intramural VAs.
Optimization of beef heat treatment using CFD simulation: Modeling of protein denaturation degree
Authors: Szpicer Arkadiusz , Wierzbicka Agnieszka , Półtorak Andrzej 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBeef meat is most often eaten after heat treatment, but the quality of the final product is not always satisfactory. In this study, based on CFD modeling and simulation, optimization of the heat treatment process of beef was performed using RSM. The aim of the research was to select the parameters of thermal treatment in order to achieve the highest degree of denaturation of myosin and collagen proteins, and the lowest degree of actin denaturation and weight loss of the final product. The obtained results were verified by experimental studies, which showed statistically significant similarities with those predicted. Depending on the composition of the basic beef meat, heat treatment parameters should be selected individually in order to obtain a product characterized by the highest quality and, consequently, the highest acceptance among consumers. CFD modeling and RSM forecasting was a useful approach to study the unstable heat transfer in the combi steamer and also mapped the temperature distribution over the whole beef load, thus, optimizing the roasting process.Practical ApplicationThe use of CFD simulations and the RSM model in the meat industry will optimize the process of heat treatment of beef. This innovative method of predicting protein denaturation and thermal leakage will reduce mass losses caused by heat treatment. The consequence of using this model will be the delivery of an optimal dose of heat to the raw material, which will ensure the denaturation of myoglobin and collagen, and the actin will be left undenatured. As a result, the product will be characterized by the highest quality and acceptance of sensory features among consumers. As a result, energy consumption in the production of roast beef will be reduced and the demand for these products among demanding customers will increase.
Seroprevalence and burden of hepatitis C virus infection in WHO South‐East Asia Region: A systematic review
Authors: Goel Amit , Rewari Bharat Bhushan , Sharma Mukta , Konath Nabeel Mangadan , Aggarwal Rakesh 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundThis systematic review was aimed to estimate hepatitis C virus (HCV) seroprevalence and burden in disease in WHO South East Asia Region (SEAR).MethodsElectronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar) and websites of non‐indexed national medical journals, government and international health agencies were searched to identify English language literature published between 1991 and June 2020. We selected the studies reporting HCV seroprevalence in asymptomatic general (low‐risk) and high‐risk adult populations, that is, persons living with HIV (PLHIV), persons who inject drugs (PWID), sex workers, persons on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), people in prison, and men sex with men (MSM). Seroprevalence data were combined to estimate weighted pooled prevalence (95% confidence interval) in each group and in each country, using the random‐effects model. Estimated pooled seroprevalences were multiplied with estimated populations at risk to estimate the overall HCV burden.ResultsThe analysis included 538 studies (35 Bangladesh, 6 Bhutan, 2 DPR Korea, 323 India, 43 Indonesia, 2 Maldives, 18 Myanmar, 29 Nepal, 11 Sri Lanka, 67 Thailand, and 2 Timor‐Leste). In SEAR, the weighted pooled anti‐HCV seroprevalence was estimated as 0.84% (0.56–1.12) in low‐risk population and 13.67% (10.95–16.40) in PLHIV, 51.44% (43.67–59.20) in PWID, 25.80% (20.34–32.09) in MHD, 8.39% (5.84–11.51) in prison inmates, 2.69% (1.43–4.13) in people with high‐risk sex behavior, and 11.43% (8.61–14.74) in MSM. The total HCV burden in low‐risk and high‐risk populations in SEAR countries was estimated as 12.45 million and 1.65 million, respectively.ConclusionOur estimates of HCV seroprevalence and burden should help the respective countries in planning their HCV elimination strategies.
Hybridization fuelled diversification in Spialia butterflies
Authors: Hinojosa Joan C. , Dapporto Leonardo , Pitteloud Camille , Koubínová Darina , Hernández‐Roldán Juan , Vicente Juan Carlos , Alvarez Nadir , Vila Roger 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe importance of hybridization and introgression is well documented in the evolution of plants but, in insects, their role is not fully understood. Given the fact that insects are the most diverse group of organisms, assessing the impact of reticulation events on their evolution may be key to comprehend the emergence of such remarkable diversity. Here, we used an insect model, the Spialia butterflies, to gather genomic evidence of hybridization as a promoter of novel diversity. By using double‐digest RADseq (ddRADseq), we explored the phylogenetic relationships between Spialia orbifer, S. rosae and S. sertorius, and documented two independent events of interspecific gene flow. Our data support that the Iberian endemism S. rosae probably received genetic material from S. orbifer in both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, which could have contributed to a shift in the ecological preferences of S. rosae. We also show that admixture between S. sertorius and S. orbifer probably occurred in Italy. As a result, the admixed Sicilian populations of S. orbifer are differentiated from the rest of populations both genetically and morphologically, and display signatures of reproductive character displacement in the male genitalia. Additionally, our analyses indicated that genetic material from S. orbifer is present in S. sertorius along the Italian Peninsula. Our findings add to the view that hybridization is a pervasive phenomenon in nature and in butterflies in particular, with important consequences for evolution due to the emergence of novel phenotypes.
Fluconazole versus micafungin for initial antifungal prophylaxis against Candida in pancreas transplant recipients: A comparative study of two consecutive periods
Authors: López‐Medrano Francisco , Muñoz de la Espada María , Pérez‐Jacoiste Asín María Asunción , Fernández‐Ruiz Mario , Herrero‐Martínez Juan María , Alonso‐Carrillo Jesús , San Juan Rafael , Rodríguez‐Goncer Isabel , Andrés Amado , González Esther , Manrique Alejandro , Justo Iago , Marcacuzco Alberto , Loinaz Carmelo , Jiménez Carlos , Lumbreras Carlos , Aguado José María 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundInvasive fungal infection, particularly intraabdominal candidiasis, exerts a negative impact on the outcome of pancreas transplant recipients (PTRs). Optimal antifungal prophylaxis in this context remains unclear.MethodsWe performed a single‐centre retrospective study to compare the incidence of invasive candidiasis during the first 6 post‐transplant months in a cohort of 218 PTRs over two periods in which different agents for antifungal prophylaxis were used: fluconazole (Fluco‐Px) from March 1995 to June 2012, and micafungin followed by fluconazole (Mica‐Px) from July 2012 to December 2018.ResultsA total of 152 and 66 PTRs received Fluco‐Px and Mica‐Px. Mean age was 39.7 ± 7.8 years, 56.4% (123/218) were males, and 85.3% (186/218) underwent simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplantation. Invasive candidiasis occurred in 21.7% (33/152) of PTRs under Fluco‐Px compared to 24.2% (16/66) of those under Mica‐Px (p‐value = .681). Median time from transplantation to infection was 8 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 6–16) under Fluco‐Px versus 6.5 (IQR: 3.3–15.8) under Mica‐Px (p‐value = .623). Non‐albicans Candida species comprised 27.5% (11/40) and 25.0% (4/16) of episodes under Fluco‐Px and Mica‐Px respectively (p‐value = .849). Surgical site infection was the most common form in both groups (82.5% [33/40] and 87.5% [14/16]; p‐value = .954). Multivariable analysis identified cold ischaemia time of the pancreas and kidney grafts, surgical reintervention and insulin requirement after transplantation as risks factor for invasive candidiasis.ConclusionThis retrospective study did not reveal a significant benefit from the initial use of micafungin‐based antifungal prophylaxis over fluconazole among PTRs in terms of invasive candidiasis.