bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Tai Chi on the neuromuscular function of the patients with functional ankle instability: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tang Huiru , Mao Min , Fong Daniel T. P. , Song Qipeng , Chen Yan , Zhou Zhipeng , Zhang Cui , Wang Jiangna , Tian Xuewen , Sun Wei 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background
Ankle instability limits physical activities and undermines a person’s quality of life. Tai Chi’s health benefits have been reported in different population groups. However, the effects of Tai Chi on neuromuscular function among young adults with functional ankle instability (FAI) remain unclear. Therefore, we aim to investigate the effect of Tai Chi on young adults with FAI.

Methods
This study will be conducted as a randomized controlled trial with blinded assessors. A total of 104 young adults with FAI will be recruited and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The participants in the simplified Tai Chi exercise program (STCEP) group will receive a 12-week Tai Chi training. The participants in the control group will receive a low-intensity exercise program and health education for 12 weeks. The primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks. Primary outcome measures will include the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) score, kinematics/kinetics data, electromyography during single-leg landing tasks, and the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT). Secondary outcome measures will include the total time of Dynamic Leap and Balance Test (DLBT), ankle muscle strength, and ankle proprioception.

Discussion
This study will investigate the effects of Tai Chi exercise on the neuromuscular function of patients with FAI, as indicated by ankle joint biomechanics, ankle proprioception, balance, ankle muscle strength, and ankle muscle activation. Results will demonstrate that Tai Chi can be an effective exercise for young adults with FAI.

Trial registration
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100044089. Registered on 10 March 2021
Associations between cardiorespiratory fitness, fatness, hemodynamic characteristics, and sedentary behaviour in primary school-aged children
Authors: Pepera Garyfallia , Hadjiandrea Savvas , Iliadis Ilias , Sandercock Gavin R. H. , Batalik Ladislav 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background
Low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases during childhood, adolescence and older ages. The purpose of the study was to investigate associations between fatness, hemodynamic characteristics and secondary time with CRF in primary school-aged children.

Methods
Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), CRF (20 m shuttle-run) and sedentary time were measured for 105 children (categorized as normal, overweight, obese). The independent sample t-test checked for differences and one-way ANOVA—Post Hoc Test and stepwise linear regression analysis assessed the 20 m shuttle-run performance predictors.

Results
There was a statistically significant difference in CRF between boys and girls. There was a statistically significant difference between (p < 0.05) CRF for Normal weight (M = 47.58 ± 3.26 kg m−2) and Obese (M = 44.78 ± 3.23 kg m−2). CRF correlated with age, BMI and sedentary time (r > 0.3; p < 0.05). BMI is the best independent predictor of CRF.

Conclusions
Children with normal BMI tend to present better CRF performance than obese and overweight children. Sedentary behaviour is associated with lower CRF in primary school-aged children.
Ablation of typical atrial flutter as therapeutic component in carcinoid heart disease: a case report
Authors: Groschke Susann , Weinert Rolf , Becker Björn , Richardt Gert , Tölg Ralph , Iden Leon , Borlich Martin 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background
Carcinoid heart disease is the cardiac manifestation of carcinoid syndrome. There is limited research on rhythm management in patients with carcinoid heart disease. The association of typical atrial flutter and carcinoid heart disease in particular is poorly described.

Case presentation
Here we present a case of a 77-year-old German woman with carcinoid heart disease and recurrent typical atrial flutter complicating the postoperative course after tricuspid valve replacement and its successful long-term rhythm control by ablation therapy.

Conclusion
There is limited evidence on rhythm management in patients with the rare diagnosis of carcinoid heart disease. Typical atrial flutter repeatedly complicated the postoperative course of our patient with carcinoid heart disease and could finally be treated curatively by ablation. Radiofrequency ablation should be considered as a valuable therapeutic component in the challenging therapy of this disease.
Efficient models for enhancing the link adaptation performance of LTE/LTE-A networks
Authors: Bin-Salem Ali Abdulqader , Wan Tat-Chee , Naeem Hamad , Anbar Mohammed , Hanshi Sabri M. , Redjaimia Abdellah 
Published: February 2022

AbstractLink adaptation (LA) is the ability to adapt the modulation scheme (MS) and the coding rate of the error correction in accordance with the quality of the radio link. The MS plays an important role in enhancing the performance of LTE/LTE-A, which is typically dependent on the received signal to noise ratio (SNR). However, using the SNR to select the proper MSs is not enough given that adaptive MSs are sensitive to error. Meanwhile, non-optimal MS selection may seriously impair the system performance and hence degrades LA. In LTE/ LTE-A, the LA system must be designed and optimized in accordance with the characteristics of the physical (e.g., MSs) and MAC layers (e.g., Packet loss) to enhance the channel efficiency and throughput. Accordingly, this study proposes using two LA models to overcome the problem. The first model, named the cross-layer link adaptation (CLLA) model, is based on the downward cross-layer approach. This model is designed to overcome the accuracy issue of adaptive modulation in existing systems and improve the channel efficiency and throughput. The second model, named the Markov decision process over the CLLA (MDP-CLLA) model, is designed to improve on the selection of modulation levels. Besides that, our previous contribution, namely the modified alpha-Shannon capacity formula, is adopted as part of the MDP-CLLA model to enhance the link adaptation of LTE/LTE-A. The effectiveness of the proposed models is evaluated in terms of throughput and packet loss for different packet sizes using the MATLAB and Simulink environments for the single input single output (SISO) mode for transmissions over Rayleigh fading channels. In addition, phase productivity, which is defined as the multiplication of the total throughput for a specific modulation with the difference between adjacent modulation SNR threshold values, is used to determine the best model for specific packet sizes in addition to determine the optimal packet size for specific packet sizes among models. Results generally showed that the throughput improved from 87.5 to 89.6% for (QPSK $$\rightarrow$$
→
16-QAM) and from 0 to 43.3% for (16-QAM $$\rightarrow$$
→
64-QAM) modulation transitions, respectively, using the CLLA model when compared with the existing system. Moreover, the throughput using the MDP-CLLA model was improved by 87.5–88.6% and by 0–43.2% for the (QPSK $$\rightarrow$$
→
16-QAM)and (16-QAM $$\rightarrow$$
→
64-QAM) modulation transitions, respectively, when compared with the CLLA model and the existing system. Results were also validated for each model via the summation of the phase productivity for every modulation at specific packet sizes, followed by the application one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical analysis with a post hoc test, to prove that the MDP-CLLA model improves with best high efficiency than the CLLA model and the existing system.
Russian meat price transmission and policy interventions in 2014
Authors: Loginova Daria , Irek Judith 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThis article investigates price relationships in the Russian meat markets in 2011–2017. We use vector autoregression specifications to predict the transmission between consumer, producer, and import prices in the Russian pork, beef, and poultry markets. We consider the possible effects of substitution (between domestic product and import as well as between products in domestic markets), market protection in meat markets, short-term exchange rate policy, and trade price incentives. Our results suggest that meat producer prices responded to import prices, but not vice versa. Poultry and pork producers responded to all market protection measures—the ban of pork imports from the EU and the food embargo. Beef producer prices responded to the embargo. We also find that the single meat market segments may help predict price effects for substitutes. For instance, we find that the poultry consumer prices responded to consumer price changes in the beef and pork markets owing to assumed demand redistribution, but—in contrast to beef and pork—poultry consumer prices were not correlated with the lagged import and producer prices.
Evaluation of immunosuppression protocols for MHC-matched allogeneic iPS cell-based transplantation using a mouse skin transplantation model
Authors: Kamatani Tomoki , Otsuka Ryo , Murata Tomoki , Wada Haruka , Takahashi Takeshi , Mori Akihiro , Murata Soichiro , Taniguchi Hideki , Seino Ken-ichiro 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background
Off-the-shelf major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-matched iPS cells (iPSC) can potentially initiate host immune responses because of the existence of numerous minor antigens. To suppress allo-immune responses, combination of immunosuppressants is usually used, but its efficacy to the allogeneic iPSC-based transplantation has not been precisely evaluated.

Methods
Three transplantation models were used in this study; MHC-matched, minor antigen-mismatched mouse skin or iPSC-graft transplantation, and fully allogeneic human iPSC-derived liver organoid transplantation in immune-humanized mice. The recipients were treated with triple drugs combination (TDC; tacrolimus, methylprednisolone, and mycophenolate mofetil) or co-stimulatory molecule blockade (CB) therapy with some modifications. Graft survival as well as anti-donor T and B cell responses was analyzed.

Results
In the mouse skin transplantation model, immunological rejection caused by the minor antigen-mismatch ranged from mild to severe according to the donor-recipient combination. The TDC treatment could apparently control the mild skin graft rejection when combined with a transient T cell depletion, but unexpected anti-donor T or B cell response was observed. On the other hand, CB therapy, particularly when combined with rapamycin treatment, was capable of attenuating both mild and severe skin graft rejection and allowing them to survive long-term without any unfavorable anti-donor immune responses. The efficacy of the CB therapy was confirmed in both mouse and human iPSC-derived graft transplantation.

Conclusions
The findings suggest that the CB-based treatment seems suitable to well manage the MHC-matched allogeneic iPSC-based transplantation. The TDC-based treatment may be also used to suppress the rejection, but screening of its severity prior to the transplantation seems to be needed.
Prophylactic Use of Compression Sleeves Reduces the Incidence of Arm Swelling in Women at High Risk of Breast Cancer–Related Lymphedema: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Paramanandam Vincent S. , Dylke Elizabeth , Clark Gary M. , Daptardar Anuradha A. , Kulkarni Ajeeta M. , Nair Nita S. , Badwe Rajendra A. , Kilbreath Sharon L. 
Published: February 2022

PURPOSE To determine whether prophylactic use of compression sleeves prevents arm swelling in women who had undergone axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer surgery. METHODS Women (n = 307) were randomly assigned to either a compression or control group. In addition to usual postoperative care, the compression group received two compression sleeves to wear postoperatively until 3 months after completing adjuvant treatments. Arm swelling was determined using bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) thresholds and relative arm volume increase (RAVI). Incidence and time free from arm swelling were compared using Kaplan-Meier analyses. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated from Cox regression models for BIS and RAVI thresholds independently. In addition, time to documentation of the first minimally important difference (MID) in four scales of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the breast cancer–specific (BR23) questionnaire was analyzed. RESULTS The HR for developing arm swelling in the compression group relative to the control group was 0.61 (95% CI, 0.43 to 0.85; P = .004) on the basis of BIS and 0.56 (95% CI, 0.33 to 0.96; P = .034) on the basis of RAVI. The estimated cumulative incidence of arm swelling at 1 year was lower in the compression group than the control group on the basis of BIS (42% v 52%) and RAVI (14% v 25%). HRs for time from baseline to the first change of the minimally important difference were not statistically significant for any of the four scales of EORTC QLQ-30 and BR23 questionnaires. CONCLUSION Prophylactic use of compression sleeves compared with the control group reduced and delayed the occurrence of arm swelling in women at high risk for lymphedema in the first year after surgery for breast cancer.
Changing Rates of Goals of Care Designations in Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Cancer During a Multifactorial Advanced Care Planning Initiative: A Real-World Evidence Study
Authors: Anaka Matthew , Lee Minji , Lim Elisa , Ghosh Sunita , Cheung Winson Y. , Spratlin Jennifer 
Published: February 2022

PURPOSE: Goals of care (GoC) designations are an important part of advanced care planning (ACP) for patients with incurable cancers. Studies of outpatient oncology records show that most patients do not have GoC documented. We performed a retrospective analysis of changes in GoC designations in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in Northern Alberta, Canada, during a system-wide ACP quality improvement initiative. METHODS: Four hundred seventy-one patients with newly diagnosis of advanced, non-neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer between 2010 and 2015 in Northern Alberta, Canada, were included. The ACP initiation launched April 2014, and included educational materials for patients and families, and a coded system of GoC designations describing care philosophies and preferences for resuscitation and medical interventions. Data sources included the Alberta Cancer Registry and oncology-specific electronic medical records. RESULTS: 25.5% of patients had a documented GoC, which increased over the study period (Mantel-Haenszel test-of-trend P < .001; increased from 7.8% in 2010 to 50.0% in 2015). GoC designations occurred later in patients who received palliative chemotherapy versus those who did not (median 130 days from diagnosis [95% CI, 76.019 to 183.981] v 36 days [95% CI, 28.107 to 43.893]; P < .001), and coincided with the end of treatment (median 4.5 days from last treatment). 64.8% of GoC designations were documented by palliative care physicians, but the proportion documented by medical oncologists increased with time (Mantel-Haenszel test-of-trend P = .020; increased from 0% in 2010 to 52.1% in 2015). CONCLUSION: GoC documentation increased in the outpatient records of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer during the system-wide, multifactorial ACP initiative. GoC documentation by medical oncologists also increased. These data provide real-world evidence supporting the impact of a specific ACP initiative to improve rates of GoC designation in patients with advanced cancer.
Topological phase transitions on the square-hexagon lattice
Authors: Wang G. X. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
We study the tight-binding model of the square-hexagon lattice, which supports two kinds of nearest-neighbor hoppings and spin-orbit couplings. Based on the parity criterion and Fukui-Hatsugai method, the topological properties are investigated. In the presence of spin-orbit coupling, topological phase transition between topological semimetal and normal band insulator can be realized. The phase diagrams as a function of the spin-orbit couplings,

and

, are presented. Also, the effects of the Rashba spin-orbit coupling and staggered potential are discussed. We find that the Rashba spin-orbit coupling can drive the square-hexagon lattice into topological nontrivial phase at 1/5 and 2/5 filling fraction. The helical edge states are given numerically to confirm the topological property of square-hexagon lattice. Our results enlarge the number of two-dimensional lattices which have only a simple cubic symmetry and can support topological nontrivial phase.
The frequency spectrum of rotobreathers with many degrees of freedom
Authors: Savin Alexander V. , Dmitriev Sergey V. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
A rotobreather in a lattice of coupled particles with rotational degrees of freedom is a dynamical regime when one particle rotates and the other particles vibrate with amplitudes exponentially decaying with distance from the rotating particle. In addition to rotational, particles can have internal degrees of freedom. Here, the influence of internal degrees of freedom on the possible rotational frequencies of rotobreathers is discussed for two models: a chain of coupled elastic rotators and a molecular crystal of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). It is shown that additional degrees of freedom create forbidden frequency bands for rotobreathers. In the case of a CNT crystal, due to resonances with many internal degrees of freedom, the frequency spectrum of a rotobreather has a complex structure resembling a Cantor set.
Higher Free Triiodothyronine Is Associated With Higher HDL Particle Concentration and Smaller HDL Particle Size
Authors: Post Adrian , Garcia Erwin , Gruppen Eke G , Kremer Daan , Connelly Margery A , Bakker Stephan J L , Dullaart Robin P F 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Context
Thyroid function status has effects on the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease by affecting lipid metabolism, but associations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particle concentrations and subfractions with thyroid hormone levels within the reference range remain elusive.

Objective
The aim of the present study was to determine the associations of free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels with HDL particle characteristics in euthyroid individuals.

Methods
This cross-sectional study on the associations of thyroid hormones with HDL particle concentrations, HDL subfractions, and HDL particle size included 5844 euthyroid individuals (FT3, FT4, and TSH levels within the reference range and no medication use affecting thyroid function), participating in the Prevention of REnal and Vascular ENd-stage Disease (PREVEND) study. HDL particles and subfractions were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance using an optimized version of the NMR LipoProfile Test (LP4).

Results
In multivariable linear regression analyses, FT3 was positively associated with total HDL particle concentration (std.β = 0.14; P &lt; 0.001) and with small (std.β = 0.13; P &lt; 0.001) and medium-sized HDL particles (std.β = 0.05; P = 0.001). Conversely, FT3 was inversely associated with large HDL particles (std.β = −0.07; P &lt; 0.001) and with HDL particle size (std.β = −0.08; P &lt; 0.001). Such associations with FT4 or reciprocally with TSH were less pronounced or nonsignificant.

Conclusion
In euthyroid individuals, higher FT3 is cross-sectionally associated with higher total HDL particle concentration and with lower HDL particle size. These associations may be relevant to better understand the role of HDL in thyroid function–associated atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Genetic Characteristics of Incidental Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma
Authors: Zhang Jing , Li Minghao , Pang Yingxian , Wang Cikui , Wu Jingjing , Cheng Ziyun , Li Xiaomu , Lu Zhiqiang , Liu Yujun , Guo Jianming , Chen Xiang , He Yao , Guan Xiao , Xu Xiaowen , Wang Yong , Liu Jiahao , Guo Wei , Hou Yingyong , Liu Longfei , Jiang Jingjing , Gao Xin 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Context
Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are being increasingly discovered by imaging performed for unrelated conditions. The genetic landscape of incidental PPGLs remains to be elucidated.

Objective
We aimed to describe the genetic characteristics of PPGLs discovered incidentally in a large PPGL cohort.

Methods
This retrospective cross-sectional study included 697 patients with pathology confirmed PPGLs, including 283 incidentalomas and 414 nonincidentalomas, at 2 tertiary care centers in China in 2009-2019. Tumor DNA samples were sequenced by next-generation sequencing. Identified genetic mutations were confirmed by Sanger sequencing and tested in 277 available matched blood DNA samples.

Results
There was a lower proportion of patients with mutations identified (53% vs 63.3%; P = 0.0067) in incidental than nonincidental PPGLs. In incidental PPGLs, HRAS (11.7%), FGFR1 (11%), and RET (9.2%) were the top 3 mutated genes, whereas HRAS (17.9%), VHL (9.2%), and NF-1 (8.7%) exhibited the highest rate of mutations in nonincidental PPGLs. In incidental pheochromocytomas, the most frequently mutated genes were RET (10.9%), HRAS (10.4%), and VHL (8.6%), while in incidental paragangliomas, FGFR1 (32.8%), HRAS (16.4%), and EPAS1 (9.8%) topped the list. The frequency of NF-1 mutations was significantly lower in incidental than nonincidental pheochromocytomas (4.1% vs 11%; P = 0.0042), while FGFR1 mutations were far more common in incidental than nonincidental paragangliomas (32.8% vs 15.3%; P = 0.0076).

Conclusion
More than half of patients with incidental PPGLs had mutations in common susceptibility genes. The search for susceptibility genes should take both the mode of discovery (incidental vs nonincidental) and tumor location (pheochromocytoma vs paraganglioma) into consideration.
Amino acids suppress macropinocytosis and promote release of CSF1 receptor in macrophages
Authors: Mendel Zachary I. , Reynolds Mack B. , Abuaita Basel H. , O'Riordan Mary X. , Swanson Joel A. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTThe internalization of solutes by macropinocytosis provides an essential route for nutrient uptake in many cells. Macrophages increase macropinocytosis in response to growth factors and other stimuli. To test the hypothesis that nutrient environments modulate solute uptake by macropinocytosis, this study analyzed the effects of extracellular amino acids on the accumulation of fluorescent fluid-phase probes in murine macrophages. Nine amino acids, added individually or together, were capable of suppressing macropinocytosis in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages stimulated with the growth factors colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) or interleukin 34, both ligands of the CSF1 receptor (CSF1R). The suppressive amino acids did not inhibit macropinocytosis in response to lipopolysaccharide, the chemokine CXCL12, or the tumor promoter phorbol myristate acetate. Suppressive amino acids promoted release of CSF1R from cells and resulted in the formation of smaller macropinosomes in response to CSF1. This suppression of growth factor-stimulated macropinocytosis indicates that different nutrient environments modulate CSF1R levels and bulk ingestion by macropinocytosis, with likely consequences for macrophage growth and function.