bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differences in the performance of adjuvant chemotherapy between hemodialysis and nonhemodialysis patients
Authors: Ishii Taisuke , Watanabe Tomone , Higashi Takahiro 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe survival of hemodialysis (HD) patients with cancer is poor, which may be caused by undertreatment due to renal dysfunction. Particularly, adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery may be considered optional because of its preventive nature. This study investigated the current frequency of administration of adjuvant chemotherapy to HD patients compared with non‐HD patients in Japan.MethodsWe used data from the Hospital‐Based Cancer Registries national database linked to health services utilization data to analyze cases of newly diagnosed colon cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, and non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at the stages where adjuvant chemotherapy is generally required. We compared the performance rate of adjuvant chemotherapy and the adjuvant chemotherapy regimens between HD and non‐HD patients from October 2011 to December 2017.ResultsOf the 99,761 patients who underwent curative surgery, 1207 (1%) were HD patients. HD patients received adjuvant chemotherapy less frequently than non‐HD patients (24% vs. 63%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, HD remained negatively related to adjuvant chemotherapy administration for all four cancer types. Among all patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy 0(N = 61,873), HD patients were less likely to receive standard regimens and chemotherapy requiring dose adjustment than non‐HD patients (88% vs. 95%, p < 0.001 and 92% vs. 98%, p < 0.001, respectively). This trend was particularly pronounced among patients with gastric cancer.ConclusionsHD patients were less likely to receive adjuvant chemotherapy with standard regimens than non‐HD patients.
Redox Biocatalysis: Quantitative Comparisons of Nicotinamide Cofactor Regeneration Methods
Authors: Sharma Victor K. , Hutchison Justin M. , Allgeier Alan M. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractEnzymatic processes, particularly those capable of performing redox reactions, have recently been of growing research interest. Substrate specificity, optimal activity at mild temperatures, high selectivity, and yield are among the desirable characteristics of these oxidoreductase catalyzed reactions. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) or NAD(P)H‐dependent oxidoreductases have been extensively studied for their potential applications like biosynthesis of chiral organic compounds, construction of biosensors, and pollutant degradation. One of the main challenges associated with making these processes commercially viable is the regeneration of the expensive cofactors required by the enzymes. Numerous efforts have pursued enzymatic regeneration of NAD(P)H by coupling a substrate reduction with a complementary enzyme catalyzed oxidation of a co‐substrate. While offering excellent selectivity and high total turnover numbers, such processes involve complicated downstream product separation of a primary product from the coproducts and impurities. Alternative methods comprising chemical, electrochemical, and photochemical regeneration have been developed with the goal of enhanced efficiency and operational simplicity compared to enzymatic regeneration. Despite the goal, however, the literature rarely offers a meaningful comparison of the total turnover numbers for various regeneration methodologies. This comprehensive Review systematically discusses various methods of NAD(P)H cofactor regeneration and quantitatively compares performance across the numerous methods. Further, fundamental barriers to enhanced cofactor regeneration in the various methods are identified, and future opportunities are highlighted for improving the efficiency and sustainability of commercially viable oxidoreductase processes for practical implementation.
Family of single‐phase high‐frequency isolated AC–AC converters
Authors: Cipriano da Silva Filho Olympio , Tofoli Fernando Lessa , Colado Barreto Luiz Henrique Silva , de Souza Oliveira Demercil 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThis work presents a family of single‐phase ac–ac converters with high‐frequency isolation based on the association of interleaved transformers and the dual active bridge (DAB) converter. From distinct configurations of the dc link in terms of half‐bridge (HB), full‐bridge (FB), and interleaved full‐bridge (IFB) arrangements, one can obtain three symmetrical and six asymmetrical structures, with distinct trade‐offs among the number of active switches, total dc‐link voltage, and effective operating frequency of the filter elements. Prominent advantages of the derived circuits include input power factor correction (PFC), a nearly sinusoidal load voltage, the operation of active switches under soft‐switching condition during part of the line period, reduced current stresses, good current sharing due to the interleaved transformers, as well as multilevel voltage waveforms on both sides of the high‐frequency transformer (HFT). Experimental results obtained from an experimental prototype of an ac–ac FB‐IFB converter are presented to validate the theoretical assumptions.
Using relative brain size as predictor variable: Serious pitfalls and solutions
Authors: Smeele Simeon Q. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThere is a long‐standing interest in the effect of relative brain size on other life history variables in a comparative context. Historically, residuals have been used to calculate these effects, but more recently it has been recognized that regression on residuals is not good practice. Instead, absolute brain size and body size are included in a multiple regression, with the idea that this controls for allometry. I use a simple simulation to illustrate how a case in which brain size is a response variable differs from a case in which relative brain size is a predictor variable. I use the simulated data to test which modeling approach can estimate the underlying causal effects for each case. The results show that a multiple regression model with both body size and another variable as predictor variable and brain size as response variable work well. However, if relative brain size is a predictor variable, a multiple regression fails to correctly estimate the effect of body size. I propose the use of structural equation models to simultaneously estimate relative brain size and its effect on the third variable and discuss other potential methods.
Oxygen reactivity regulation via double‐exchange interaction for enhanced water oxidation
Authors: Zhang Ning , Wang Cong , Chen Jiewei , Chai Yang 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe sluggish kinetics of anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) largely impedes the energy conversion efficiency in electrolytic industries. Fundamentally, the OER process is governed by the chemical reactivity of oxygen intermediates. Here, we demonstrate an effective approach to regulate the oxygen reactivity through the double‐exchange interaction (DEI) towards OER activity improvement, using Ti‐substituted pyrochlore ruthenate Y2Ru2−xTixO7 as model catalyst. We unveil that DEI‐induced electron hopping in asymmetric Ru‐O‐Ti backbone enables the charge depletion in Ru active center to tune on the oxygen activation by ligand hole introduction. In addition, the ferromagnetic nature of DEI constructs a spin‐selected channel for charge transport to govern the spin state in oxygen intermediates. Such comprehensive manipulation of oxygen reactivity substantially facilitates the nucleophilic attack process during O–O coupling as rate‐determining step, lowering the energy barrier to improve the intrinsic OER activity.image
Lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional Iranian butter with probiotic and cholesterol‐lowering properties: In vitro and in situ activity
Authors: Ostadzadeh Mahbubeh , Habibi Najafi Mohammad B. , Ehsani Mohammad R. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractProducing butter from yogurt is known as a traditional way practiced in Iran and elsewhere, particularly in rural areas. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with probiotic and cholesterol‐lowering properties were isolated from traditional butter collected in different regions of Iran. Then, isolates were identified and applied as adjunct culture in industrial butter production. Ten samples of traditional Iranian butter were collected from local farms. Fifty‐four isolates were considered LAB due to biochemical examinations. Molecular techniques then identified 10 strains showing high cholesterol reduction ability and tolerated bile and acid. The sequence analysis revealed that four isolates belonged to Enterococcus durans, four isolates to Lactobacillus, one isolate to Pediococcus, and one isolate to Neoscardovia. Lactobacillus brevis IBRC‐M 11044, Pediococcus pentosaceus IBRC‐M 11045, Neoscardovia arbecensis IBRC‐M 4391 4378, and Lactobacillus pentosus IBRC‐M 11043 were selected and applied as adjunct culture in producing four treatments of industrial butter. All examined strain treatments showed significant changes in cholesterol level of butter samples. Furthermore in all samples, the cholesterol content was significantly lower than control (p < .5). The highest level of cholesterol reduction was achieved in the butter sample prepared by Lactobacillus pentosus IBRC‐M 11045. Sensory analysis showed that the butter sample with Neoscardovia arbecensis IBRC‐M 4391 4378 was more acceptable than other butter samples. Due to our finding, it is valuable to incorporate these strains in butter production and introduce novel functional butter to market.
The future of global strategy
Authors: Benito Gabriel R.G. , Cuervo‐Cazurra Alvaro , Mudambi Ram , Pedersen Torben , Tallman Steve 
Published: September 2022

AbstractResearch SummaryGlobal strategy, that is, the analysis of strategy in an international context, has co‐evolved with the dramatic changes in the global economy in the 21st century. Research advances have enabled a more sophisticated understanding of how firms develop strategies in an increasingly turbulent global environment in which societal expectations, technological advances, and political decisions are all in a state of continuous change. In this article, we reflect and provide suggestions for how the field may evolve on five key themes of global strategy: cooperation, coordination, governance, politics, and innovation. We also outline suggestions for future research on global issues that are gaining increasing centrality in business decisions: climate change, artificial intelligence, and geopolitics.Managerial SummaryThe study of how the context affects firms' strategies has changed with the transformation of the world in the 21st century. Research has provided a better understanding of how managers create and implement strategies in response to changes in societal expectations, technological advances, and political decisions. In this article, we reflect and provide suggestions for future studies on five key themes of global strategy: cooperation, coordination, governance, politics, and innovation in multinationals. We also outline suggestions for analyzing the increasingly important grand challenges that affect business decisions: climate change, artificial intelligence, and geopolitics.
Spontaneous brain activity abnormalities in migraine: A meta‐analysis of functional neuroimaging
Authors: Cai Mengjing , Liu Jiawei , Wang Xuexiang , Ma Juanwei , Ma Lin , Liu Mengge , Zhao Yao , Wang He , Fu Dianxun , Wang Wenqin , Xu Qiang , Guo Lining , Liu Feng 
Published: September 2022

AbstractNeuroimaging studies have demonstrated that migraine is accompanied by spontaneous brain activity alterations in specific regions. However, these findings are inconsistent, thus hindering our understanding of the potential neuropathology. Hence, we performed a quantitative whole‐brain meta‐analysis of relevant resting‐state functional imaging studies to identify brain regions consistently involved in migraine. A systematic search of studies that investigated the differences in spontaneous brain activity patterns between migraineurs and healthy controls up to April 2022 was conducted. We then performed a whole‐brain voxel‐wise meta‐analysis using the anisotropic effect size version of seed‐based d mapping software. Complementary analyses including jackknife sensitivity analysis, heterogeneity test, publication bias test, subgroup analysis, and meta‐regression analysis were conducted as well. In total, 24 studies that reported 31 datasets were finally eligible for our meta‐analysis, including 748 patients and 690 controls. In contrast to healthy controls, migraineurs demonstrated consistent and robust decreased spontaneous brain activity in the angular gyrus, visual cortex, and cerebellum, while increased activity in the caudate, thalamus, pons, and prefrontal cortex. Results were robust and highly replicable in the following jackknife sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis. Meta‐regression analyses revealed that a higher visual analog scale score in the patient sample was associated with increased spontaneous brain activity in the left thalamus. These findings provided not only a comprehensive overview of spontaneous brain activity patterns impairments, but also useful insights into the pathophysiology of dysfunction in migraine.
Neuropathic pain prevalence and risk factors in head and neck cancer survivors
Authors: Rojo Raniv D. , Ren Jenny L. , Lipe Demis N. , Badr Hoda , Shete Sanjay , Hanna Ehab Y. , Reyes‐Gibby Cielito C. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackgroundNeuropathic pain (NP) is a debilitating symptom among head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors although few large studies report its prevalence and associated risk factors.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey assessing demographic, behavioral, and clinical risk factors for NP. NP was assessed using the Self‐administered Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs pain scale (S‐LANSS).ResultsForty‐five percent (227/505) reported having pain including 13.7% (69/505) who were positive for S‐LANSS. Reported pain sites were in the regions of the head and oral cavity (46.2%) and neck and throat (41.5%). Despite a higher self‐reported use of analgesic medication (NP+ = 41.2%; NP− = 27.4%; p = 0.020) and alternative pain therapies (NP+ = 19.1%; NP− = 8.4%; p = 0.009), severe pain was more prevalent among those with NP (N+ = 23.2%; NP− = 13.3%; p = 0.004). Adjusted for opioid medications, ethnicity/race, age, surgery, depression, and comorbidities were risk factors for NP.ConclusionNP remains prevalent in HNC survivors highlighting the importance of routine pain surveillance.
Perceived performance of health facility governing committees in overseeing healthcare services delivery in primary health care facilities in Tanzania
Authors: Kesale Anosisye M. , Jiyenze Mwandu Kini , Katalambula Leonard , Kinyaga Ally Y. , Sirili Nathanael , Ngocho James S. , Ruhago George , Kikula Amani , Kapologwe Ntuli A. , Kengia James T. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractHealth Facility Governing Committees (HFGCs) play a vital role in overseeing health services delivery in the primary health care system. However, despite their existence in Tanzania hiccups remain reported on the quality of health services delivered in primary health care facilities. The latter poses a question on the performance of HFGCs in overseeing the services delivery at the primary health facilities. This study sought to assess the perceived performance of the HFGCs and the associated factors in overseeing the healthcare services delivery at the primary health facilities in Tanzania. A cross‐sectional study was conducted in five regions of Tanzania: Mwanza, Dar Es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Pwani, and Arusha. A self‐administered questionnaire containing structured questions was used to gather information from randomly selected 574 HFGC members. Data were analyzed descriptively and the binary logistic regression model was used to determine factors associated with the perceived performance. Half (50.52%) of the HFGCs members perceived themselves to have good performance. Furthermore, only 51.05% of all the participants had received any form of health management and governance training whereby about two‐thirds had received training for only 1 day. The main factors associated with the perceived low performance of the HFGCs members were age, level of education and duration served in the HFGC. A low level of education was associated with the poor perceived performance of the HFGC (AOR 0.36 [CI: 0.23–0.55]). Similarly with increasing age, the odds of good‐perceived performance lowered (AOR 0.26 [CI: 0.13, 0.55]). Serving as a HFGC member for less than 1 year was associated with poor perceived performance (AOR 0.40 [CI: 0.17, 0.95]). From these findings, it is recommended that the criteria for recruitment of HFGC members should be revisited. Furthermore, a qualitative study to explore contextual factors influencing the perforce of HFGCs is recommended.
Role adjustment as the unit of analysis for researching child development during the transition to school
Authors: Ma Junqian 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWhile child development is well‐recognized as a complex process which could hardly be decomposed into separate lines or domains in contemporary psychological theories, the decomposition approach is widely used in empirical studies. Based on the cultural‐historical theory, this study argues for adopting the unit of analysis as a way to bridge this gap, and finds “role adjustment” as a suitable unit to analyse child development during the transition to school. The case of a 5‐year‐old second‐generation Chinese Australian child's transition to school (with a total of 34 h of observation and 5 h of interview) is presented to verify its feasibility and to illustrate how it could be achieved in a research practice. The case study demonstrates that a child's role adjustment is in essence a process of transforming his/her role system, during which his/her major roles, the relation of the major roles, as well as his/her role‐taking patterns change as a whole, and by tracing a child's role adjustment trajectory, how the child is learning and developing, what difficulties he/she encounter, and why these difficulties appear become clear.
Construction of spider silk protein small‐caliber tissue engineering vascular grafts based on dynamic culture and its performance evaluation
Authors: Sun Lulu , Li Xiafei , Yang Tuo , Lu Tian , Du Pengchong , Jing Changqin , Chen Zhigang , Lin Fei , Zhao Guoan , Zhao Liang 
Published: September 2022

AbstractTissue engineering is an alternative method for preparing small‐caliber (<6 mm) vascular grafts. Dynamic mechanical conditioning is being researched as a method to improve mechanical properties of tissue engineered blood vessels. This method attempts to induce unique reaction in implanted cells that regenerate the matrix around them, thereby improving the overall mechanical stability of the grafts. In this study, we used a bioreactor to seed endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells into the inner and outer layers of the electrospun spider silk protein scaffold respectively to construct vascular grafts. The cell proliferation, mechanical properties, blood compatibility and other indicators of the vascular grafts were characterized in vitro. Furthermore, the vascular grafts were implanted in Sprague Dawley rats, and the vascular grafts' patency, extracellular matrix formation, and inflammatory response were evaluated in vivo. We aimed to construct spider silk protein vascular grafts with the potential for in vivo implantation by using a pulsating flow bioreactor. The results showed that, when compared with the static culture condition, the dynamic culture condition improved cell proliferation on vascular scaffolds and enhanced mechanical function of vascular scaffolds. In vivo experiments also showed that the dynamic culture of vascular grafts was more beneficial for the extracellular matrix deposition and anti‐thrombogenesis, as well as reducing the inflammatory response of vascular grafts. In conclusion, dynamic mechanical conditioning aid in the resolution of challenges impeding the application of electrospun scaffolds and have the potential to construct small‐caliber blood vessels with regenerative function for cardiovascular tissue repair.
Calcitriol-Dependent and -Independent Regulation of Intestinal Calcium Absorption, Osteoblast Function, and Skeletal Mineralization during Lactation and Recovery in Mice
Authors: Ryan Brittany A. , McGregor Narelle E. , Kirby Beth J. , Al-Tilissi Abdelkhayoum , Poulton Ingrid J. , Sims Natalie A. , Kovacs Christopher S. 
Published: September 2022

ABSTRACTRecovery from lactation-induced bone loss appears to be calcitriol-independent, since mice lacking 1-alpha-hydroxylase or vitamin D receptor (VDR) exhibit full skeletal recovery. However, in those studies mice consumed a calcium-, phosphorus-, and lactose-enriched “rescue” diet. Here we assessed whether postweaning skeletal recovery of Vdr null mice required that rescue diet. Wild type (WT) and Vdr null mice were raised on the rescue diet and switched to a normal (1% calcium) diet at Day 21 of lactation until 28 days after weaning. Unmated mice received the same regimen. In WT mice, cortical thickness was significantly reduced by 25% at 21 days of lactation and was completely restored by 28 days after weaning. Three-point bending tests similarly showed a significant reduction during lactation and full recovery of ultimate load and energy absorbed. Although Vdr null mice exhibited a similar lactational reduction in cortical thickness and mechanical strength, neither was even partially restored after weaning. Unmated mice showed no significant changes. In micro-computed tomography scans, diaphyses of Vdr null femora at 28 days after weaning were highly porous and exhibited abundant low-density bone extending into the marrow space from the endocortical surface. To quantify, we segregated bone into low-, mid-, and high-density components. In WT diaphyses, high-density bone was lost during lactation and restored after weaning. Vdr null mice also lost high-density bone during lactation but did not replace it; instead, they demonstrated a threefold increase in low-density bone mass. Histology revealed that intracortical and endocortical surfaces of Vdr null bones after weaning contained very thick (up to 20 micron) osteoid seams, covered with multiple layers of osteoblasts and precursors. We conclude that during the postweaning period, osteoblasts are potently stimulated to produce osteoid despite lacking VDRs, and that either calcitriol or a calcium-enriched diet are needed for this immature bone to become mineralized. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).