bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ensiling water hyacinth for enhanced biomethane production: effect of co‐ensiling with maize straw and eggshell powder as additive
Authors: Undiandeye Jerome , Kiman Silas , Kefas Haruna Mavakumba , Nelles Michael , Stinner Walter 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe invasion of water hyacinth (WH) on water bodies comes with adverse consequences for humans and the environment. Using WH as a substrate for affordable and clean energy production is one way of controlling the invasiveness of the aquatic plant. In this study, ensiling was carried out with and without the addition of maize straw (MS) and eggshell powder (ES) to determine the effect of higher total solids (TS) and butyric acid contents on the biomethane potential (BMP) of WH. The silages were stored at ambient temperature for 210 days. The kinetics of biomethane production was determined using three different kinetic models.RESULTSEnsiled WH without MS and ES had a reduced BMP after 210 days. However, a combination of higher TS (40%) and butyric acid contents, resulting from the addition of MS and ES, significantly increased the BMP of WH by 64% after 210 days of ensiling. The kinetic study showed that the dual‐pool kinetic model described the BMP of ensiled and co‐ensiled WH better than the first‐order and modified Gompertz models.CONCLUSIONSIncreasing TS and butyric acid contents by co‐ensiling with MS and ES is a low‐cost and sustainable method of enhancing biomethane production from WH. In this way, the invasive nature of WH can be effectively controlled (since a large quantity can be harvested and stored) and circular economy can be enhanced through the effective utilization of waste. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Age‐Related Changes in the Spatial Variation of Magnetic Susceptibility of Human Articular Cartilage
Authors: Zhang Ming , Liu Chenglei , Lin Huimin , Wang Hanqi , Qin Le , Zhang Zhiyong , Liu Chunlei , Lu Yong , Yan Fuhua , Zhang Yuyao , Wei Hongjiang 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundQuantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) has shown great potential for revealing the layer structure of articular cartilage based on the laminar susceptibility difference at different depths. However, more information is needed on the effects of age on the spatial distribution of magnetic susceptibility in human cartilage.PurposeTo assess the ability of QSM to quantify the age‐related differences in depth‐wise cartilage susceptibility values in healthy populations.Study TypeProspective.PopulationA total of 94 healthy asymptomatic subjects in three age cohorts: 19–30 (n = 36, 20 males), 31–50 (n = 45, 27 males), and 51–66 years (n = 13, 7 males).Field Strength/Sequence3D gradient echo sequences at 3.0 T.AssessmentFour cartilage compartments were analyzed, including the central lateral/medial femur (cLF/cMF) and the lateral/medial tibia (LT/MT). The spatial susceptibility profile and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) of each age cohort were obtained as functions of the normalized distance from the bone–cartilage interface to the cartilage surface (cartilage depth from 0.0 to 1.0).Statistical TestsThe relationship between age and cartilage thickness of each cartilage subregion was tested by Pearson correlation with P < 0.05 considered significant. Cartilage depths with separations of 95% CIs were considered to have significant susceptibility differences between two age cohorts with a Bonferroni‐corrected P < 0.05.ResultsThe cartilage thickness did not change significantly with age (P value range: 0.06–0.85). Susceptibilities were significantly higher in the 51–66‐year‐olds compared with the 31–50‐year‐olds in the deep layer of cMF (cartilage depth: 0.0–0.22) and LT (0.05–0.28). Susceptibilities were significantly higher in the 51–66‐year‐olds compared with the 19–30‐year‐olds near the cartilage–bone interface of cMF (0.0–0.34), cLF (0.0–0.28), and LT (0.0–0.58). There were also significantly higher susceptibilities in the 31–50‐year‐olds compared with the 19–30‐year‐olds in the deeper regions of cMF (0.26–0.57), cLF (0.0–0.40), and LT (0.07–0.80).Data ConclusionAge‐related susceptibility changes in the deeper regions of knee cartilage were observed using QSM.Evidence Level2Technical EfficacyStage 2
Biofilm formation, its removal, and consequent effect on the osteoblast response to titanium surfaces: A model for re‐osseointegration
Authors: Chackartchi Tali , Zaydel Liana , Shapira Lior , Shany‐Kdoshim Sharon , Polak David 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the study was to characterize pathogenic biofilm formation on titanium surfaces, the ability to remove the biofilm and the osteoblast response to infected and cleaned titanium surfaces as a model for re‐osseointegration.MethodsMultispecies biofilm composed of Pseudomonas. gingivalis, F. nucleatum, S. sanguis, and A. naeslundii were grown on smooth, acid‐etched, and acid‐etched‐aluminum‐sprayed titanium surfaces. Bacterial viability was determined with live/dead staining. The biofilm was removed mechanically or together with adjunctive antibiotics. The osteoblast (Saos2) response to previously infected, treated and non‐infected titanium surfaces were measured according to 4′‐6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole staining. Alkaline phosphatase levels and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐Β ligand/osteoprotegerin expression were measured with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence staining, respectively The inflammatory environment was established by using differentiated HL‐60 cells (neutrophils) pre‐inoculated onto the biofilm clusters that were more prominent and less scattered on infected titanium surfaces before osteoblast attachment.ResultsBiofilm formed on all the tested surfaces, with an increased thickness on rough surfaces and no differences in bacterial viability. All the treatments reduced the amount of biofilm, but none led to bacteria‐free surfaces. The treated surfaces showed reduced osteoblast attachment and reduced alkaline phosphatase activity compared with non‐infected surfaces. Additionally, treated surfaces showed an osteoblast shift to a pro‐osteoclastic‐induction phenotype, compared with non‐infected surfaces. The presence of experimental inflammation before osteoblast attachment reduced the levels of osteoblast attachment compared with that of the non‐inflamed control.ConclusionsBiofilm removal from titanium surfaces is incomplete when hand instruments are used alone or in combination with antibiotics. The treated surfaces showed impaired osteoblast attachment and function, particularly in the presence of inflammation, which may prevent or decrease the ability for re‐osseointegration.
Validating biologic age in selecting elderly patients with pancreatic cancer for surgical resection
Authors: Scholer Anthony J. , Marcus Rebecca , Garland‐Kledzik Mary , Chang Shu‐Chin , Khader Adam , Santamaria‐Barria Juan , Jutric Zeljka , Wolf Ronald , Goldfarb Melanie 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesSelecting frail elderly patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) for pancreas resection using biologic age has not been elucidated. This study determined the feasibility of the deficit accumulation frailty index (DAFI) in identifying such patients and its association with surgical outcomes.MethodsThe DAFI, which assesses frailty based on biologic age, was used to identify frail patients using clinical and health‐related quality‐of‐life data. The characteristics of frail and nonfrail patients were compared.ResultsOf 242 patients (median age, 75.5 years), 61.2% were frail and 32.6% had undergone pancreas resection (surgery group). Median overall survival (mOS) decreased in frail patients (7.13 months, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.65–10.1) compared with nonfrail patients (16.1 months, 95% CI: 11.47–34.40, p = 0.001). In the surgery group, mOS improved in the nonfrail patients (49.4%; 49.2 months, 95% CI: 29.3–79.9) compared with frail patients (50.6%, 22.1 months, 95% CI: 18.3–52.4, p = 0.10). In the no‐surgery group, mOS was better in nonfrail patients (54%; 10.81 months, CI 7.85–16.03) compared with frail patients (66%; 5.45 months, 95% CI: 4.34–7.03, p = 0.02).ConclusionsThe DAFI identified elderly patients with PC at risk of poor outcomes and can identify patients who can tolerate more aggressive treatments.
Slow twitch paraspinal muscle dysregulation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis exhibiting HIF‐2α misexpression
Authors: Tam Wai Kit , Cheung Jason P. Y. , Koljonen Paul A. , Kwan Kenny Y. H. , Cheung Kenneth M.C. , Leung Victor Y. L. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundAdolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) refers to a three‐dimensional spinal deformity which has a typical onset during adolescence. In most cases, the cause of the deformity cannot be clearly identified. Unbalanced paraspinal muscle activity in AIS patients was reported and hypoxia was implicated to regulate myogenesis. This study aims to investigate the association between myogenesis/muscle toning and HIF‐αs activity in the pathogenesis of AIS.MethodsHIF‐αs expression was examined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and western blot in paraspinal myoblasts isolated from 18 subjects who underwent deformity correction surgery. QPCR was conducted to measure the gene expression levels of perinatal muscle fiber markers MYH3, MYH8; slow twitch muscle fiber markers MHY7; fast twitch muscle fiber markers MYH4; and myogenic regulatory factors MYF5 and MYOG. Slow and fast twitch muscle fiber composition in concave/convex paraspinal musculature of AIS subjects was evaluated by immunostaining of myosin heavy chain type I (MyHC I) and myosin heavy chain type II (MyHC II).ResultsReduced HIF‐2α induction under hypoxia was found in paraspinal myoblast culture of 33% AIS subjects. We detected a suppression of perinatal and slow twitch muscle fiber associated genes, but not fast twitch muscle fiber‐associated genes and myogenic regulatory factors in HIF‐2α misexpressed AIS myoblasts. Distinct reduction of slow twitch muscle fiber was evidenced in convex paraspinal musculature, suggesting an asymmetric expression of slow twitch muscle fiber in HIF‐2α misexpressed AIS patients.ConclusionsThis study indicates an association of abnormal HIF‐2α expression in paraspinal myoblasts and a disproportionate slow twitch muscle fiber content in the convexity of the curvature in a subset of AIS subjects, suggesting HIF‐2α dysregulation as a possible risk factor for AIS. The role of HIF‐2α in paraspinal muscle function during spinal growth and its relevance in AIS prognosis warrants further investigation.
Posttraumatic growth related to the COVID‐19 pandemic among individuals with lived experience of psychiatric disorder
Authors: Lewis Catrin , Lewis Katie , Edwards Bethan , Evison Claudia , John Ann , Pearce Holly , Raisanen Lawrence , Richards Natalie , Roberts Alice , Jones Ian , Bisson Jonathan I. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractAlthough the COVID‐19 pandemic has been shown to be detrimental to mental health, it may hold a parallel potential for positive change. Little is known about posttraumatic growth (PTG) as a potential outcome for individuals with lived experience of psychiatric disorders following trauma exposure, especially in the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Participants were 1,424 adults with lived experience of a psychiatric disorder who took part in a longitudinal study of mental health during the COVID‐19 pandemic conducted by the National Centre for Mental Health. PTG was measured using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory–Short Form (PTGI‐SF). Factors hypothesized to be associated with PTG were investigated using linear regression. The mean participant PTGI score was 12.64 (SD = 11.01). On average, participants reported the highest scores on items related to appreciation of life and lowest on those related to spiritual change subscale. We found the strongest evidence of associations between higher levels of PTG and higher scores on assessment items related to perceived social support, B = 2.86; perceptions of the pandemic as traumatic, B = 4.89; and higher psychological well‐being, B = 0.40. Taken together, we did not observe evidence of widespread PTG related to the COVID‐19 pandemic among individuals with lived experiences of psychiatric disorders.
Hurdles of innovation—insights from a new healthcare delivery innovation program
Authors: Bardach Shoshana , Perry Amanda , Powell Lillian , Kapadia Nirav , Barnato Amber 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIntroductionHealthcare systems are actively working to innovate their care delivery models, seeking to improve service quality, improve patient and provider satisfaction, and reduce cost.MethodsBy critically evaluating our experiences to date, this article highlights challenges systems may face in the process of trying to redesign healthcare and offers insights on how to navigate hurdles. We identify barriers to—and ultimately approaches to promote—rapid, scalable, sustainable, and transformative care redesign.ResultsDedicated electronic health record IT and analytic support, and ongoing leadership engagement and communication, play a valuable role in enabling redesign efforts. Flexible, but guided, innovation support helps teams stay accountable and motivated, while accommodating new project needs and directions. Understanding the change ecosystem and evaluating and sharing outcomes on an ongoing basis, enables teams to adapt as needed. Facilitation and support help realize the value of diverse, engaged teams; novel approaches and techniques draw out innovative perspectives and promote creative thinking.ConclusionsAlthough not an exhaustive list of challenges or strategies to overcome them, we hope these insights will contribute to a culture of innovation and support other institutions in their healthcare redesign initiatives.
On the (p,q)$(p,q)$‐type strong law of large numbers for sequences of independent random variables
Authors: Thành Lê Vǎn 
Published: November 2022

AbstractLi, Qi, and Rosalsky (Trans. Amer. Math. Soc., 368 (2016), no. 1, 539–561) introduced a refinement of the Marcinkiewicz–Zygmund strong law of large numbers (SLLN), the so‐called ‐type SLLN, where and . They obtained sets of necessary and sufficient conditions for this new type SLLN for two cases: , , and . Results for the case where and remain open problems. This paper gives a complete solution to these problems. We consider random variables taking values in a real separable Banach space , but the results are new even when is the real line. Furthermore, the conditions for a sequence of random variables satisfying the ‐type SLLN are shown to provide an exact characterization of stable type p Banach spaces.
Management of methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) with N‐carbamylglutamate: A case report from Italy
Authors: Tubili Flavia , Pochiero Francesca , Curcio Maria Rosaria , Procopio Elena 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundMethylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is an inborn error of metabolism whose optimal management, especially in the long‐term remains to be established.MethodsWe describe the case of a child with MMA mut0 who was in a cycle of episodes of decompensation and hospitalization when we started to use carglumic acid (CA), a well‐known adjunctive therapy to standard care for the treatment of acute hyperammonemia due to MMA.ResultsUsing the lowest effective therapeutic dose of CA and adjusting the patient's diet with caloric and protein intake adequate for her age and pathology, we managed to keep ammonium levels within the normal range, and to ensure a normal growth pattern.ConclusionThe present case adds further confirmation of the long‐term management of MMA using CA, focusing on the long duration of follow up and on the use of a lower dose of CA in real life settings.
Long‐term efficacy of complete trigonal electrofulguration for women with recurrent urinary tract infections
Authors: Ribeiro‐Filho Leopoldo , Suartz Caio V. , Braz Natalia D. S. F. , Siqueira Matheus , Hirasaki Felipe , Mitre Anuar I. , Gomes Cristiano M. , Nahas William C. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIntroduction and ObjectiveRecurrent urinary tract infections (R‐UTIs) have a negative impact on quality of life and contribute to antimicrobial resistance. Long‐term antibiotic therapy is the main treatment alternative but, in some cases, this approach may not be accepted by the patient, is ineffective or poorly tolerated. In selected women, electrofulguration (EF) of trigonal lesions has been shown to reduce urinary tract infection (UTI) episodes.MethodsBetween August 2006 and December 2017, 73 women with R‐UTI had their data collected prospectively and analyzed. We evaluated the rate of UTIs during the initial 2 years of follow‐up after fulguration based on symptoms and a positive urine culture. All patients failed with multiple antibiotic courses and were offered endoscopic electrofulguration of the entire trigonal and bladder neck mucosa with a rollerball probe. We present our long‐term results using a strategy of complete fulguration of the trigone in women with R‐UTIs.ResultsThe median age was 64 years (range: 17–76 years) and the median follow‐up time after EF was 4.2 years (range: 2.5–14 years). Overall, 70 patients (96%) remained free of UTI episodes during the first year of follow‐up, at 2 years of follow‐up, 57, 53% remained infection‐free. Currently, UTIs are typically sparse, mild, and caused by multisensitive bacteria.ConclusionsComplete trigonal and bladder neck mucosal fulguration promoted a significant reduction of UTI episodes during the first 2 years of follow‐up. Prospective controlled studies are needed to determine the role of EF in women with R‐UTI.
RISE FOR HEALTH: Rationale and protocol for a prospective cohort study of bladder health in women
Authors: Smith Ariana L. , Rudser Kyle , Harlow Bernard L. , McGwin Gerald , Barthold Julia , Brady Sonya S. , Brubaker Linda , Cunningham Shayna D. , Griffith James W. , Kenton Kim , Klusaritz Heather , Lewis Cora E. , Lukacz Emily S. , Maki Julia , Markland Alayne D. , Mueller Elizabeth R. , Newman Diane K. , Nodora Jesse , Rickey Leslie M. , Rockwood Todd , Simon Melissa , Wyman Jean F. , Sutcliffe Siobhan ,   for the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium
Published: November 2022

AbstractIntroductionThe spectrum of bladder health and the factors that promote bladder health and prevent lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among women are not well understood. This manuscript describes the rationale, aims, study design, sampling strategy, and data collection for the RISE FOR HEALTH (RISE) study, a novel study of bladder health in women conducted by the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptom (PLUS) Research Consortium.Methods and ResultsRISE is a population‐based, multicenter, prospective longitudinal cohort study of community‐dwelling, English‐ and Spanish‐speaking adult women based in the United States. Its goal is to inform the distribution of bladder health and the individual factors (biologic, behavioral, and psychosocial) and multilevel factors (interpersonal, institutional, community, and societal) that promote bladder health and/or prevent LUTS in women across the life course. Key study development activities included the: (1) development of a conceptual framework and philosophy to guide subsequent activities, (2) creation of a study design and sampling strategy, prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and (3) selection and development of data collection components. Community members and cross‐cultural experts shaped and ensured the appropriateness of all study procedures and materials. RISE participants will be selected by simple random sampling of individuals identified by a marketing database who reside in the 50 counties surrounding nine PLUS clinical research centers. Participants will complete self‐administered surveys at baseline (mailed paper or electronic) to capture bladder health and LUTS, knowledge about bladder health, and factors hypothesized to promote bladder health and prevent LUTS. A subset of participants will complete an in‐person assessment to augment data with objective measures including urogenital microbiome specimens. Initial longitudinal follow‐up is planned at 1 year.DiscussionFindings from RISE will begin to build the necessary evidence base to support much‐needed, new bladder health promotion and LUTS prevention interventions in women.
Disruption of specific white matter tracts is associated with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction in women with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Choksi Darshil , Schott Bradley , Tran Khue , Jang Ryan , Hasan Khader M. , Lincoln John A. , Jalali Ali , Karmonik Christof , Salazar Betsy , Khavari Rose 
Published: November 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo identify specific white matter tracts (WMTs) whose disruption is associated with the severity of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) in two independent cohorts of women with multiple sclerosis (MS) and NLUTD.MethodsCohort 1 consisted of twenty‐eight women with MS and NLUTD. The validation cohort consisted of 10 women with MS and NLUTD. Eleven healthy women served as controls. Participants of both MS cohorts had the same inclusion and exclusion criteria. Both MS cohorts and the healthy controls underwent the same clinical assessment and functional MRI (fMRI) protocol, except that the validation MS cohort underwent 7‐Tesla fMRI scan. Fifteen WMTs (six coursing to relevant brainstem areas) involved in bladder control were a priori regions of interest (ROI). Spearman's correlation test was performed between each the Fractional Anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) of each WMT and the clinical parameters.ResultsOverall, we found a very high degree of overlap (100% of a priori ROI) in the tracts identified by our correlation analysis as having the greatest contribution to NLUTD symptoms in MS women. The right inferior cerebellar peduncle, left posterior limb of internal capsule, and left superior cerebellar peduncle displayed significant associations to the greatest number of clinical parameters.ConclusionsOur correlation analysis supports the role of specific WMT disruptions in the contribution of symptoms in women with MS and NLUTD, as confirmed in two independent MS cohorts.
Are β3‐adrenoceptor gene polymorphisms relevant for urology?
Authors: Michel Martin C. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractAimsβ3‐adrenoceptors (ARs) are an important drug target for the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) and are under investigation for other indications. The human β3‐AR gene is polymorphic; an exchange of amino acid tryptophan (Trp) for arginine (Arg) in position 64 of the receptor protein is the most frequent and best‐studied polymorphism. A narrative review on the impact of β3‐AR polymorphisms on urological disease and its treatment is presented.ResultsTwo out of four studies have reported that the 64Arg allele was found more frequently in subjects with OAB than in healthy controls. A large study in a highly selective population (men undergoing prostatectomy for cancer treatment) did not confirm this. On the other hand, studies examining symptom severity typically found little difference between 64Arg and 64Trp carriers. In vitro studies with endogenously expressed β3‐AR reported a decreased lipolytic response in human adipose tissue. Studies with heterologously expressed receptors sometimes found a decreased responsiveness to agonists including β3‐AR agonists, but others did not confirm that.ConclusionsThe overall evidence points to carriers of the 64Arg genotype expressing fewer and/or hypofunctional β3‐ARs and being associated with the presence of OAB but such findings were only detected inconsistently. If this hypofunctionality exists, the consequences may be of insufficient magnitude to allow a robust detection. Only adequately powered studies comparing responses with a β3‐AR agonist in 64Arg carriers versus wild‐type patients can address this.