bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Significance of recombinant human growth hormone therapy in promoting growth and development of children with idiopathic short stature
Authors: Han Wenbiao , Zhang Jing , Song Tao , Han Yanni 
Published: August 2022

Objective: To explore the significance of recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH) therapy in promoting the growth and development of children with idiopathic short stature (ISS).
Methods: Medical records of 95 children with ISS, treated in our hospital from July 2019 to July 2020, were retrospectively selected and divided into two groups based on the received treatment. Of them, 41 patients received routine treatment (Group-I) and 54 patients received a combination of routine and rhGH treatment (Group-II). The levels of serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), bone age, growth velocity, height standard deviation score (Ht-SDS), and adverse reactions were compared and analyzed between the two groups.
Results: After treatment, IGF-1, bone age, growth velocity, and Ht-SDS in Group-II were higher than those in Group-I (P < 0.05); After treatment, the incidence of adverse reactions in Group-II was 7.41%, which had no significant difference compared with 7.32% in Group-I (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: In the treatment of children with Idiopathic Short Stature(ISS), the choice of rhGH can further improve the curative effect, promote the growth and development of children, without significant adverse reactions.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.7.6535
How to cite this:Han W, Zhang J, Song T, Han Y. Significance of recombinant human growth hormone therapy in promoting growth and development of children with idiopathic short stature. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(7):2016-2020. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.7.6535
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Higher mortality associated with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in the Western Cape, South Africa, using RdRp target delay as a proxy: a cross-sectional study.
Authors: Hussey Hannah , Davies Mary-Ann , Heekes Alexa , Williamson Carolyn , Valley-Omar Ziyaad , Hardie Diana , Korsman Stephen , Doolabh Deelan , Preiser Wofgang , Maponga Tongai , Iranzadeh Arash , Engelbrecht Susan , Wasserman Sean , Schrueder Neshaad , Boloko Linda , Symons Greg , Raubenheimer Peter , Viljoen Abraham , Parker Arifa , Cohen Cheryl , Jasat Waasila , Lessells Richard , Wilkinson Robert J , Boulle Andrew , Hsiao Marvin 
Published: August 2022

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant (B.1.617.2) has been associated with more severe disease, particularly when compared to the Alpha variant. Most of this data, however, is from high income countries and less is understood about the variant’s disease severity in other settings, particularly in an African context, and when compared to the Beta variant. Methods: A novel proxy marker, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) target delay in the Seegene AllplexTM 2019-nCoV (polymerase chain reaction) PCR assay, was used to identify suspected Delta variant infection in routine laboratory data. All cases diagnosed on this assay in the public sector in the Western Cape, South Africa, from 1 April to 31 July 2021, were included in the dataset provided by the Western Cape Provincial Health Data Centre (PHDC). The PHDC collates information on all COVID-19 related laboratory tests, hospital admissions and deaths for the province. Odds ratios for the association between the proxy marker and death were calculated, adjusted for prior diagnosed infection and vaccination status. Results: A total of 11,355 cases with 700 deaths were included in this study. RdRp target delay (suspected Delta variant) was associated with higher mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-1.86), compared to presumptive Beta infection. Prior diagnosed infection during the previous COVID-19 wave, which was driven by the Beta variant, was protective (aOR 0.32; 95%CI: 0.11-0.92) as was vaccination (aOR [95%CI] 0.15 [0.03-0.62] for complete vaccination [≥28 days post a single dose of Ad26.COV2.S or ≥14 days post second BNT162b2 dose]). Conclusion: RdRp target delay, a proxy for infection with the Delta variant, is associated with an increased risk of mortality amongst those who were tested for COVID-19 in our setting.
Sorting Effects of Broad-Based Equity Compensation
Authors: Tsui David , Vance Marshall 
Published: August 2022

We examine the sorting role of broad-based equity pay using detailed employee-level data. We propose trust in management as an important characteristic over which equity pay sorts employees, as such pay typically leaves employees with concentrated positions in employer stock and therefore more exposed to the outcomes of management’s actions. Consistent with this conjecture, we find that the relation between employees’ perceptions of management’s credibility and voluntary turnover intentions is significantly stronger in the presence of a broad-based equity plan. Our findings provide insight into how broad-based equity pay can improve firm performance despite theoretical challenges regarding its incentive effects. This paper was accepted by Suraj Srinivasan, accounting. Funding: M. Vance acknowledges financial support from fellowships received through the Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing at Rutgers University. Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4524 .
Disclosure and Competition for Capital
Authors: Cheng Stephanie F. , Cuny Christine , Xue Hao 
Published: August 2022

Ownership segmentation in the municipal bond market gives rise to competition among local issuers for a limited supply of capital. We consider the disclosure implications of this competition for capital, using Moody’s 2010 recalibration of the municipal rating scale. The recalibration placed lowly upgraded issuers at a disadvantage relative to their highly upgraded peers within the same market segment. We develop a model in which two municipal bond issuers compete for investors’ capital by choosing bond yields. The model predicts the issuer that is disadvantaged by the recalibration is more likely to improve its disclosure to better compete with its advantaged peer if (i) the rating upgrade that its peer receives is higher and (ii) competition for capital is fiercer. Empirically, we find that the disadvantaged issuers provide more and timelier financial disclosures after the recalibration. This improvement in disclosure quality increases in the extent of the issuer’s disadvantage, arises only if we consider peers with whom the issuer directly competes for capital, and is pronounced when the local capital supply is constrained. Our analytical and empirical analyses support the idea that a competitive disadvantage in raising capital in segmented markets can motivate issuers to improve disclosure quality. This paper was accepted by Brian Bushee, accounting. Supplemental Material: The data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4525 .
Approximation and Convergence of Large Atomic Congestion Games
Authors: Cominetti Roberto , Scarsini Marco , Schröder Marc , Stier-Moses Nicolás 
Published: August 2022

We consider the question of whether and in what sense, Wardrop equilibria provide a good approximation for Nash equilibria in atomic unsplittable congestion games with a large number of small players. We examine two different definitions of small players. In the first setting, we consider games in which each player’s weight is small. We prove that when the number of players goes to infinity and their weights to zero, the random flows in all (mixed) Nash equilibria for the finite games converge in distribution to the set of Wardrop equilibria of the corresponding nonatomic limit game. In the second setting, we consider an increasing number of players with a unit weight that participate in the game with a decreasingly small probability. In this case, the Nash equilibrium flows converge in total variation toward Poisson random variables whose expected values are Wardrop equilibria of a different nonatomic game with suitably defined costs. The latter can be viewed as symmetric equilibria in a Poisson game in the sense of Myerson, establishing a plausible connection between the Wardrop model for routing games and the stochastic fluctuations observed in real traffic. In both settings, we provide explicit approximation bounds, and we study the convergence of the price of anarchy. Beyond the case of congestion games, we prove a general result on the convergence of large games with random players toward Poisson games.Funding: R. Cominetti gratefully acknowledges the support of Proyecto Anillo [Grant ANID/PIA/ACT192094]. M. Scarsini’s work was partially supported by the Gruppo Nazionale per l’Analisi Matematica, la Probabilità e le loro Applicazioni, Istituto Nazionale di Alta Matematica [Grant 2020 “Random walks on random games”] and the Progetti di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale 2017 [Grant “Algorithms, Games, and Digital Markets”]. This research also received partial support from the European Cooperation in Science and Technology [Action European Network for Game Theory].
Free Add-Ons in Services
Authors: Gao Pin , Fu Xingyu , Liu Haoyu , Chen Ying-Ju 
Published: August 2022

The paper examines a seller’s offering of free add-ons in services. We build a stylized model where the seller decides the level of add-on provision to enhance its core service, and consumers make discrete choices between the seller and an outside option. When the seller supplies its service through a single channel, we show that the optimal add-on provision is unimodal in the difference between the seller’s service quality and the outside option, comparable with the existing literature. When the service is supplied through multiple channels, we show that the seller may make nonidentical add-on provisions among channels. If the cost of add-on provision is low, the seller should adopt a differentiation strategy. If the cost is high, the seller should adopt a homogenization strategy. Various extensions are considered to establish the robustness of our results. Funding: P. Gao received financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 72192805] and the Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society [Grant AC01202101102]. Y-J Chen received financial support fromthe Hong Kong Research Grants Council [Grant 16212821].
S-type fiber surface plasmon resonance strain sensor
Authors: Wei Yong , Shi Chen , Zhao Xiaoling , Liu Chunlan , Li Lingling , Wang Rui , Liu Chunbiao , Zhu Dong , Zhang Yu , Liu Zhihai 
Published: August 2022

The fiber surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor is widely used in high-sensitivity refractive index detection, and there are few reports on SPR sensors used for strain measurement. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate an S-type fiber strain sensor based on SPR. The simulation and testing results indicate that the smaller the vertical axis offset of S-type fiber is, the larger the incidence angle of SPR is, and the closer the working band of SPR is to the shorter wavelength direction. By electrofusion, we fabricated an S-type structure on the single-mode fiber, and by the S-type structure, the high-order cladding mode was excited. A 50 nm gold film was coated on the surface of the fiber cladding behind the S-type structure. The evanescent field of the cladding mode contacted the gold film to produce SPR, and the strain can change the vertical axis offset of the S-type fiber and further change the incidence angle of SPR; hence an S-type fiber strain sensor based on SPR was realized. When the refractive index of the ambient medium is 1.345 RIU, the vertical axis offset and length of the S-shaped structure are 87 and 501 µm, respectively, the resonance wavelength of the fiber SPR strain sensor changes from 648.06 to 631.77 nm with a strain detection range of

0
−
1200

µ
ε

, and its sensitivity is

−

14.38

p
m

/

µ
ε

. The proposed sensor provides a new solution for the strain measurement of the fiber SPR sensor, which is expected to be used in the fields of engineering, health monitoring, and early warning.
An optimized method of extracting and quantifying active Neutrophil serine proteases from human whole blood cells
Authors: Basso Jessica , Zhang Jimin , Lasala Daniel , Rose Sasha J. , Chen Kuan-Ju , Cipolla David 
Published: August 2022

PurposeNeutrophil serine proteases (NSPs) are implicated in numerous inflammatory diseases. Thus, a robust methodology to monitor and quantify NSPs is important to study disease progression and evaluate the effect of pharmacological interventions. A comparison of the various methods used to extract NSPs from neutrophil granulocytes has not been published, providing the impetus to conduct this method optimization and comparison study.MethodsTwo NSP recovery methodologies were evaluated on samples from five human donors: zymosan stimulation and cell pellet extraction. For the zymosan stimulation method, 1 mL donor blood was added to zymosan and samples were incubated at 37°C for 30 min while shaking. Samples were then centrifuged, and the plasma was collected for quantitation of NSP activity. For the cell pellet extraction procedure, 2 mL whole blood samples were centrifuged into white blood cell pellets following red blood cell lysis. To each pellet, three sequential lysis steps were performed using either 0.05% Nonidet P-40 Substitute (NP40) or 0.02% Triton X-100 lysis buffers under agitation followed by centrifugation. NSP activities were quantified using an exogenous peptide substrate specific to each of the three NSPs being analyzed: neutrophil elastase, cathepsin G, and proteinase 3.Results and discussionThe zymosan stimulation method resulted in lower recovery of active NSPs and was unable to stimulate significant release of active cathepsin G. In contrast, the NP40 pellet extraction method showed consistent inter-donor NSP release with greater recoveries of active NSPs than the Triton method or the zymosan stimulation method. Overall, the pellet extraction procedure provided 13.3-fold greater recovery of active neutrophil elastase, 283-fold greater recovery of active cathepsin G, and 2.9-fold greater recovery of active proteinase 3 than the zymosan method.ConclusionThe NP40 cell pellet extraction method resulted in greater extraction of active NSPs compared to the other methods investigated here, which may allow for a more accurate and complete biomarker profile when evaluating human clinical samples.
The barriers and facilitators of HIV-exposed infant testing as perceived by HIV-positive mothers in Botswana: A qualitative study
Authors: Karugaba Grace , Simpson Jennifer , Mathuba Bathusi , Phoi Onkemetse , Regonamanye Thato , Mathuba Keofentse , Dintwa Eldah , Nkomo Bornapate , Ramaabya Dinah , Pule Mathabo Relebohile , Matshaba Mogomotsi 
Published: August 2022

Background
Despite high rates of HIV testing and enrolment of HIV-positive pregnant women on antiretroviral therapy in Botswana, coverage for HIV-exposed infant (HEI) testing remains suboptimal. Many factors can contribute to suboptimal HEI testing rates, but they have seldom been thoroughly investigated in Botswana. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the experiences and perspectives of HIV-positive mothers on the barriers and facilitators of HEI testing to inform interventions to promote HEI testing in Botswana.

Methods
We conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with HIV-positive mothers who gave birth in 2016 at the three largest public hospitals in Botswana. FGDs were held in Maun, Francistown, and Gaborone from September 2019 to March 2020. The maximum variation sampling method was used to select the participants using information that was abstracted from birth registers and other medical records at the study sites. Mothers were asked to describe their HEI testing experiences, what made it easy or difficult for them to return the HEI for testing, and what needs to be done to improve HEI testing in Botswana. A thematic approach was used to analyse the data.

Results
Fifteen FGDs with 142 mothers (aged 21–52 years) were held. Participants identified several facilitators to HEI testing, including a mother with adequate knowledge of PMTCT, intensive tracking of HEI by healthcare workers (HCWs), positive attitudes of HCWs toward clients, and social support from significant others. Staff shortages at health care facilities, frequent stock-outs of HIV test kits, fear of stigma, fear of positive test results for the child, and transportation challenges were identified as key barriers to HEI testing. Increasing staffing at healthcare facilities, having adequate supplies of HIV test kits, enhanced HEI tracking, easing access to HEI testing services in rural areas, and providing quality PMTCT education were among the proposed interventions to promote HEI testing.

Conclusion
Optimizing HEI testing in Botswana will require multi-level interventions at the policy, health system, community, interpersonal, and individual levels.
Siberian stone pine, Siberian dwarf pine, their hybrids, and backcrosses: comparative analysis of crone formation in the first 10 years of life
Authors: Goroshkevich S. S. , Goroshkevich S. N. 
Published: August 2022

For the first time, a comparative analysis of crown morphogenesis in Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica), Siberian dwarf pine (P. pumila), their hybrids and backcrosses was carried out using the example of 10-year-old seed offspring from the Northern Baikal natural population. The goal is to “decompose” the life form phenomenon into elementary traits, to trace their formation at the beginning of ontogenesis on two contrasting examples (an upright tree vs. prostrate tree) and inheritance after interspecific hybridization. The parent species differed fundamentally in (1) stem inclination and (2) apical dominance at two levels (1-year-old shoots and perennial branches). The phototropic slope of the Siberian dwarf pine stem “triggered” the mechanism of prostrate tree formation. Apical dominance in the system of perennial branches was the main factor in the crown formation. It, in turn, consisted of two key characteristics: strength and selectivity. In Siberian stone pine, apical dominance was strong and nonselective. In Siberian dwarf pine, apical dominance was weak and selective: some of the largest branches did not obey him. All key traits were inherited by hybrids and backcrosses strictly intermediate in accordance with the proportion of species in the offspring genome.
Influence of abiotic environmental factors on the growth of shoots of Juniperus excelsa M.-Bieb. in the Crimean Mountains
Authors: Keronkova O. O. 
Published: August 2022

The article presents the results of studying the seasonal growth of Juniperus excelsa shoots according to abiotic factors, including features of weather and orographic conditions of growth. It has been established that the growth of juniper vegetative organs is most significantly affected by the amount of precipitation in the period from February to June. The maximum growth of shoots (5.29 cm) was noted in 2021, which was characterized by an increased amount of precipitation, the amount of which ranged from 322 mm to 437 mm. In the western part of the plantations of the Crimean Mountains, the annual increase is higher in comparison with the central and eastern ones. The degree of influence of orographic factors was determined. It has been established that influence of elevation is 43 %; in dry years, the intensity of the influence of this factor decreases. The relationship between the annual increase in shoots of J. excelsa and the indicators of soil conditions and slope exposure was revealed. The maximum growth (3.6 cm) was noted on the trial plots with B1 edatope, the minimum (2.3 cm) on B0 and C1. On slopes with eastern and southwestern exposures, the increase is higher compared to other exposures.
Esophageal Stricture Caused by CMV in a Non-HIV-Infected Renal Transplant Patient
Authors: Tennant Tamera C. , Pandey Samiksha , Edhi Ahmed I. , Batke Mihaela 
Published: August 2022

ABSTRACT
Esophageal stricture due to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an uncommon pathology, with most reported cases occurring in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. We report a renal transplant patient who presented with progressive dysphagia and weight loss for 2 years. Endoscopic examination revealed a long esophageal stricture with a necrotic lesion but no typical CMV esophageal ulcers; immunostains were positive for CMV. Dysphagia resolved after treatment with ganciclovir and serial esophageal dilations. We are presenting the first case of esophageal stricture due to CMV esophagitis in a renal transplant patient without human immunodeficiency virus infection and are reviewing current literature.
Liver Failure in Neonates With G6PD Deficiency
Authors: Shah Milaan , Gopalareddy Vani 
Published: August 2022

ABSTRACT
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a commonly inherited enzyme defect that can present with hemolysis, hyperbilirubinemia, and jaundice and may cause kidney and liver dysfunction. G6PD deficiency may serve as a cofactor for chronic liver disease; however, an association with liver failure is not well described. We present the cases of 2 neonates with G6PD deficiency and progressive liver failure resistant to treatment with ursodiol that eventually required liver transplantation. Our cases underscore the importance of monitoring liver function in jaundiced neonates with underlying G6PD deficiency and demonstrate the potential precipitation of liver disease by G6PD deficiency.
A Rare Cause of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Sarcina ventriculi
Authors: Worrall Emily B. , Chhaparia Anuj , Carpenter Danielle , Neuschwander-Tetri Brent A. 
Published: August 2022

ABSTRACT
We describe a patient who presented with hematemesis and was found to have unusually well-demarcated erythematous mucosa with a 2–3 cm irregular nonbleeding necrotic ulcer in the gastric body on esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Biopsy and pathologic examination of the tissue indicated infection with a rare bacterium, Sarcina ventriculi, prompting treatment with an unproven combination of 4 agents: metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, sucralfate, and pantoprazole. Repeat esophagogastroduodenoscopy 8 weeks later revealed complete resolution of the ulceration and surrounding erythema. These results may contribute toward establishing an appropriate therapeutic regimen for future S. ventriculi infections.
P.Oxy. XII 1466: una richiesta di tutor mulieris in formato di diploma
Authors: Colella Lucia C. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
This paper proposes a re-edition of P.Oxy. XII 1466. Whereas previous editors recognised remains of another document on the verso, the whole piece appears to be a copy of a petition for a tutor mulieris addressed to the prefect of Egypt. It is drawn up in the form of a diploma, written transversa charta, with remains of three witnesses’ signatures on the verso at 90° to the text of the recto.
Releasing Everything Bound in the Knot: P.Saqqara inv. F.17.10
Authors: Love Edward O. D. , Zellmann-Rohrer Michael 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Re-interpretation of a Coptic magical text on paper from Saqqara in light of parallels from earlier Egyptian as well as medieval Greek, Latin, and Syriac ritual texts: the central motif, which refers to wind, wave, and snakes, is applied to the cure of impotence, conceived as the releasing of ritual binding.