bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A longitudinal study of handgrip strength asymmetry
Authors: Abe Takashi , Ozaki Hayao , Loenneke Jeremy P. , Natsume Toshiharu , Deng Pengyu , Naito Hisashi 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectiveThe previous results from cross‐sectional studies indicate that there could be alterations across time in handgrip strength (HGS) asymmetry. One way to investigate this is to test the same children multiple times. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the laterality of HGS in healthy young children at two different time points separated by a year.MethodsA total of 165 preschool children (79 males and 87 females) between the ages of 4.5 and 5.6 years participated and performed maximal voluntary HGS in both hands using a Smedley handgrip dynamometer. We ran a paired sample t‐test on the difference scores (right – left vs. right – left) to determine if HGS (right vs. left) differed across time.ResultsThe difference between hands (t = −4.804, p < .0001) did differ between time points. At the initial test, the mean value of the HGS in the right hand was approximately 15% higher than that of the left hand. This difference between hands was reduced following a year. The mean bias between tests (second test – initial test) and the 95% limits of agreement was −0.84 (−5.27, 3.58) kg.ConclusionContrary to our hypothesis, HGS asymmetry during the initial test (at age 5) was not observed in the second test completed a year later (at age 6). These results suggest that HGS asymmetry is uncertain in children between 5 and 6 years. In this short‐term study, it was impossible to ascertain when HGS asymmetry first appeared. Longer term studies are required to better determine when these changes occur.
HPLC–PDA identification and resolution of rufinamide forced degradation impurities: A congregated chemometric expedite optimization coupled with factorials and desirability
Authors: Ganorkar Saurabh B. , Chaudhari Suraj R. , Bobade Preeti S. , Pawar Sagar H. , Shirkhedkar Atul A. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractRufinamide is used presently to treat Lenaux–Gastaut syndrome. A full factorial design and desirability approach was investigated for the optimization of hydrolytic stress via response surface curves (RSCs). The degradation impurities were identified and resolved using reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC) on the Qualisil® BDS C8 column. Acetonitrile–water (29:71, v/v) was optimized for the mobile phase and used at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min with detection at a wavelength of 230 nm. Rufinamide showed appreciable susceptibility to hydrolysis under acidic and alkaline stress, and substantial degradation in the neutral condition. It degraded much less under oxidative stress. Exposure towards thermal and photolytic stress conditions indicated appreciable stability. The developed method was subjected to validation as per the recommendations of the International Conference on Harmonization. The proposed method showed no influence from the excipients and the degradation products. As well as good precision and accuracy in determination, the method showed a linear response between 2 and 12 μg ml−1. The method was extended for determination in a human plasma sample, which resulted in excellent recovery without interference from matrix effects. The combined use of desirability and design for the optimization of acidic and alkaline hydrolytic stress led to simple and rapid analysis.
In vivo Structure‐Activity Relationship of Dihydromethysticin in Reducing Nicotine‐Derived Nitrosamine Ketone (NNK)‐Induced Lung DNA Damage against Lung Carcinogenesis in A/J Mice
Authors: Hati Santanu , Hu Qi , Huo Zhiguang , Lu Junxuan , Xing Chengguo 
Published: January 2022

AbstractLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‐related deaths and chemoprevention should be developed. We recently identified dihydromethysticin (DHM) as a promising candidate to prevent NNK‐induced lung tumorigenesis. To probe its mechanisms and facilitate its future translation, we investigated the structure‐activity relationship of DHM on NNK‐induced DNA damage in A/J mice. Twenty DHM analogs were designed and synthesized. Their activity in reducing NNK‐induced DNA damage in the target lung tissues was evaluated. The unnatural enantiomer of DHM was identified to be more potent than the natural enantiomer. The methylenedioxy functional moiety did not tolerate modifications while the other functional groups (the lactone ring and the ethyl linker) accommodated various modifications. Importantly, analogs of high structural similarity to DHM with distinct efficacy in reducing NNK‐induced DNA damage have been identified. They will serve as chemical probes to elucidate the mechanisms of DHM in blocking NNK‐induced lung carcinogenesis.
Haemodynamic effects of sacubitril/valsartan in advanced heart failure
Authors: Gentile Piero , Cantone Rosaria , Perna Enrico , Ammirati Enrico , Varrenti Marisa , D'Angelo Luciana , Verde Alessandro , Foti Grazia , Masciocco Gabriella , Garascia Andrea , Frigerio Maria , Cipriani Manlio 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAimsThe angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), sacubitril/valsartan, has been shown to be effective in treatment of patients with heart failure (HF), but limited data are available in patients with advanced disease. This retrospective observational study assessed the effects of ARNI treatment in patients with advanced HF.Methods and resultsWe reviewed medical records of all advanced HF patients evaluated at our centre for unconventional therapies from September 2016 to January 2019. We studied 44 patients who started ARNI therapy and who had a haemodynamic assessment before beginning ARNI and after 6 ± 2 months. The primary endpoint was variation in pulmonary pressures and filling pressures at 6 months after starting ARNI therapy. Mean patient age was 51.6 ± 7.4 years; 84% were male. At 6 ± 2 months after starting ARNI, there was significant reduction of systolic pulmonary artery pressure [32 mmHg, interquartile range (IQR) 27–45 vs. 25 mmHg, IQR 22.3–36.5; P < 0.0001] and mean pulmonary artery pressure (20 mmHg, IQR 15.3–29.8 vs. 17 mmHg, IQR 13–24.8; P = 0.046). Five of 22 patients (23%) were deferred from the heart transplant list because of improvement, whereas four were listed de novo. After 23 ± 9 months, three patients were treated with a left ventricular assist device implantation, whereas six patients underwent heart transplantation (one in emergency conditions for refractory ventricular tachycardia).ConclusionsSacubitril/valsartan is effective in reducing filling pressures and pulmonary pressures in patients with advanced HF. The absence of adverse events during follow‐up suggests that sacubitril/valsartan is safe and well‐tolerated in this cohort of patients.
Dapagliflozin reduces uric acid concentration, an independent predictor of adverse outcomes in DAPA‐HF
Authors: McDowell Kirsty , Welsh Paul , Docherty Kieran F. , Morrow David A. , Jhund Pardeep S. , de Boer Rudolf A. , O'Meara Eileen , Inzucchi Silvio E. , Køber Lars , Kosiborod Mikhail N. , Martinez Felipe A. , Ponikowski Piotr , Hammarstedt Ann , Langkilde Anna Maria , Sjöstrand Mikaela , Lindholm Daniel , Solomon Scott D. , Sattar Naveed , Sabatine Marc S. , McMurray John J.V. 
Published: January 2022

AimsBlood uric acid (UA) levels are frequently elevated in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), may lead to gout and are associated with worse outcomes. Reduction in UA is desirable in HFrEF and sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors may have this effect. We aimed to examine the association between UA and outcomes, the effect of dapagliflozin according to baseline UA level, and the effect of dapagliflozin on UA in patients with HFrEF in the DAPA‐HF trial.Methods and resultsThe association between UA and the primary composite outcome of cardiovascular death or worsening heart failure, its components, and all‐cause mortality was examined using Cox regression analyses among 3119 patients using tertiles of UA, after adjustment for other prognostic variables. Change in UA from baseline over 12 months was also evaluated. Patients in tertile 3 (UA ≥6.8 mg/dl) versus tertile 1 (<5.4 mg/dl) were younger (66.3 ± 10.8 vs. 68 ± 10.2 years), more often male (83.1% vs. 71.5%), had lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (58.2 ± 17.4 vs. 70.6 ± 18.7 ml/min/1.73 m2), and more often treated with diuretics. Higher UA was associated with a greater risk of the primary outcome (adjusted hazard ratio tertile 3 vs. tertile 1: 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–1.66; p = 0.01). The risk of heart failure hospitalization and cardiovascular death increased by 7% and 6%, respectively per 1 mg/dl unit increase of UA (p = 0.04 and p = 0.07). Spline analysis revealed a linear increase in risk above a cut‐off UA value of 7.09 mg/dl. Compared with placebo, dapagliflozin reduced UA by 0.84 mg/dl (95% CI −0.93 to −0.74) over 12 months (p < 0.001). Dapagliflozin improved outcomes, irrespective of baseline UA concentration.ConclusionUric acid remains an independent predictor of worse outcomes in a well‐treated contemporary HFrEF population. Compared with placebo, dapagliflozin reduced UA and improved outcomes irrespective of UA concentration.
Routinization: risk factor or marker of adjustment to negative health issues?
Authors: Bergua Valérie , Meillon Céline , Pérès Karine , Dartigues Jean‐François , Bouisson Jean , Amieva Hélène 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectivesRoutinization reflects how older people cope with the health problems. It remains to be seen whether it should be considered as a risk factor of negative health outcomes, or rather, a mechanism of adjustment to health issues: mortality, institutionalization, dementia, disability, cognitive decline, depression and subjective health.MethodsFrom longitudinal data of two large‐scale French epidemiological studies, the study sample consists of 961 participants aged 77 years on average, living at home and with no neurocognitive disorder. The relationship between the level of routines measured by the Preferences for Routines Scale‐Short form and the adverse health outcomes are studied considering the level of routines at baseline and in time‐dependent using Cox proportional hazards models and Latent process mixed models.ResultsAfter adjustment for sociodemographic variables, the routinization score at baseline is not associated with any health outcomes while the routinization score as a time‐dependent variable is significantly associated with an increased risk of dementia (hazard ratios (HR) = 1.08, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.02–1.15,p = 0.016) and institutionalization (HR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.03–1.36,p = 0.019), greater global cognitive decline (β = −0.02,p = 0.001) and depressive symptoms (β = 0.02,p = 0.023) and a decrease in subjective health (β = 0.02,p = 0.008).ConclusionsThe level of routines measured at a given time is not associated with long‐term prediction of negative health outcomes, while in time‐dependent, it reveals to be a significant predictor. It should be seen as a marker of adjustment process.
Past intimate partner violence (IPV) predicts incident IPV during pregnancy and postpartum in pregnant women in Kisumu, Kenya
Authors: Oseso Linda N. , Krakowiak Daisy , Nduati Ruth , Farquhar Carey , Kinuthia John , Osoti Alfred O. , Guthrie Brandon L. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate how identifying factors associated with peripartum and postpartum intimate partner violence (IPV) may facilitate prioritizing women for psychosocial support.MethodsPregnant women in Kenya were asked about IPV by their current partner at baseline (screening), during pregnancy and at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. IPV was defined as being physically hurt or forced to participate in sexual activities or being threatened or frightened by a partner.ResultsA total of 502 women (11.8% HIV‐positive) enrolled during pregnancy and were successfully followed for 6 months postpartum, 430 (85.7%) reported never experiencing IPV, 32 (6.4%) reported IPV at least once in their lifetime but not in the past 6 months, and 31 (6.2%) reported IPV in the past 6 months but not in the past month. During pregnancy and postpartum, 61 (12.2%) reported incident IPV. Women who at baseline reported IPV in the past 6 months were at 2.7‐fold higher odds of experiencing IPV peripartum and postpartum (odds ratio 2.77; 95% confidence interval 1.17–6.53; P = 0.020) compared with women who had never experienced IPV. This association remained significant in multivariable analysis.ConclusionScreening for recent IPV during antenatal care visits may be an effective means to identify women at highest risk of IPV and offer targeted prevention interventions.
Preliminary study on anti‐Müllerian hormone, antral follicle count, menstruation and lymphocyte subsets in systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Girbash Ehab F. , Abdelwahab Shaimaa M. , Fahmi Dalia S. , Abdeldayem Hussein M. , Ghonaim Rania , Atta Doaa S. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate whether systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has a negative impact on the fertility of young women of reproductive age through SLE activity and therapy.MethodsThis retrospective case–control study was conducted in 50 patients with SLE and 50 healthy controls who fulfilled the 1997 American College of Rheumatology criteria. Anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were measured, and ovarian volume (OV) and total antral follicle count (AFC) were assessed by transvaginal sonar in patients and in healthy controls. Analysis was carried out on the association of SLE disease activity with AMH, OV, and AFC.ResultsSLE patients had decreased levels of AMH, OV, and AFC, correlating with age, activity, and damage levels of SLE, displaying a negative consequence of SLE. In the SLE group, the CD4+ T cells and natural killer cells were significantly reduced (P < 0.05).ConclusionAMH levels and AFC were decreased in women with SLE with autoimmune activity and CD8+ T‐cell activation; they can be used as useful markers and account for a high proportion of women with low ovarian reserve.
A contribution of molecular modeling to supramolecular structures in soil organic matter#
Authors: Gerzabek Martin Hubert , Aquino Adelia Justina Aguiar , Balboa Yerko Ignacio Escalona , Galicia‐Andrés Edgar , Grančič Peter , Oostenbrink Chris , Petrov Drazen , Tunega Daniel 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundKnowledge of the stabilizing mechanisms of soil organic matter (SOM) is extremely important for numerous soil functions. For this, insight into the nature of organic matter through appropriate model concepts are crucial.AimsFor several years, a heated debate has emerged on the transformation and stabilization of SOM. In the present work, we try to contribute to this debate using molecular modeling and providing a comprehensive overview of the history of application of molecular modeling tools and developing structural concepts of SOM.MethodsMolecular modeling methods based on quantum and/or classical mechanics were used to model SOM and related properties including interactions with reactive surfaces of soil minerals.ResultsModeling of SOM aggregates revealed that hydrogen bonds and cation bridges are the main stabilizing factors in soil solution, whereas pH modifies the stability. The modeled supramolecular SOM aggregates exhibit physicochemical properties, similar to those of humic substances (HS) described in literature. The interactions of the HS models with surfaces in kaolinite nanopores led to a partial disintegration of the aggregates into individual molecules and/or smaller subaggregates.ConclusionsFrom the molecular modeling point of view, supramolecular microaggregate models that exhibit the properties of HS are stable in the soil solution. However, their binding to reactive mineral soil constituents can be also in the form of individual molecules or subaggregates. Thus, HS microaggregate stability is relative, depending on the interacting environment. This reconciles two points of view of HS: either as small molecules and/or supramolecular structures.
Periodontitis detection using Raman spectroscopy, support vector machine, and salivary biomarkers
Authors: Villalba‐Hernández Caroleny , Moyaho‐Bernal María de los Angeles , Narea‐Jiménez Freddy , Chavarría‐Lizárraga Héctor Nahum , Galeazzi‐Minutti María Cecilia , Carrasco‐Gutiérrez Rosendo , Castro‐Ramos Jorge 
Published: January 2022

AbstractMany research areas have developed techniques to diagnose lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, stress, caries, and periodontitis by analyzing saliva. This paper describes a study that predicts periodontitis based on Raman spectra of saliva and biomarkers, such as albumin and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The spectra were smoothed using a Whittaker filter and baseline correction in MATLAB. In addition, a residual analysis of intensities was performed, and the root mean square deviation was calculated and used as a threshold to establish the active bands of interest, based on the Raman bands associated with albumin and ALT. ORCA quantum chemistry software was used to predict the fundamental frequencies and intensities of some saliva constituents. Support vector machines were used to perform spectral distinction and discriminate between healthy and periodontitis patients.
Effects of Taurine Supplementation on Growth, Feed Utilization, Antioxidant Capacity, and Intestinal Microflora of Largemouth Bass Fed a Low Fish Meal Diet
Authors: Ren Xing , Ma Hengjia , Liu Xuanxiao , Wu Yubo 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The present study was conducted to examine the effects of taurine supplementation on feed intake, growth, feed utilization, body composition, waste output, hepatic antioxidant enzymes, and intestinal microflora of Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides that were fed a low fish meal diet. Three isoproteic (49% crude protein) and isolipidic (9.5% crude lipid) diets were formulated: one diet contained 40% fish meal and served as the control (FM diet), and 60% of the fish meal in the FM diet was replaced by soybean meal either without taurine supplementation (SBM diet) or with 0.5% taurine supplementation (SBM+T diet). Lower feed intake, final body weight, weight gain, condition factor, and hepatosomatic index and a higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) were found in fish that received the SBM diet compared to fish that were fed the FM diet, but no significant difference was found in feed intake, final body weight, weight gain, FCR, condition factor, or hepatosomatic index between fish in the FM and SBM+T diet groups. No significant differences were found in nitrogen retention efficiency, body composition, nitrogen waste, or activities of total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase among fish fed the different test diets, and the alpha diversity of intestinal microbiota also did not differ among diet groups. The abundance of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes increased while the abundance of Fusobacteria decreased in the SBM diet group relative to the FM diet group; in contrast, dietary taurine (SBM+T diet) restored the abundance of Proteobacteria to a level similar to that in fish receiving the FM diet. This study suggests that the dietary fish meal level for Largemouth Bass can be reduced from 40% to 16% if soybean meal is used as an alternative protein with 0.5% taurine supplementation.
Bracketing of purchases to manage size uncertainty: Should online retailers be worried?
Authors: Balaram Aditya , Perdikaki Olga , Galbreth Michael R. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractFor online apparel retailers, sizing has proven to be a particularly thorny challenge—no matter how much information is provided online, it is often impossible for an online shopper to determine exactly which size of an apparel item will fit her best. Given the increasing ubiquity of free returns (full refund, no return shipping charge), consumers often manage this size uncertainty by bracketing their online apparel purchases, that is, ordering two additional sizes (one smaller, one larger) with the intention of keeping the one that fits best and returning the others. Since bracketing is a relatively new phenomenon in retailing, its net effect on retailer profits is not well‐understood. From a retailer's perspective, bracketing is detrimental since it leads to an increase in consumer returns and the associated costs, which can be quite substantial. On the other hand, bracketing can also be beneficial to the retailer by alleviating consumers' concerns about size, and driving higher net sales. In this paper, we establish how price can be used as a lever to influence consumer bracketing behavior, and examine the impact of bracketing on the profits of a monopolist retailer who offers free returns. We provide prescriptions for when retailers should encourage or discourage bracketing based on three key parameters: the retailer's reverse logistics cost, consumers' return hassle cost, and the product's match probability. As expected, in many cases it is optimal for the retailer to price such that consumers are discouraged from bracketing, and thus the related returns processing costs are avoided. However, we also find that when the product's match probability is moderate, consumers' hassle cost is low and retailer's reverse logistics cost is low, a price that encourages bracketing is the optimal strategy for the retailer, challenging the conventional wisdom that bracketing by consumers is always bad for retailers.
Investigating the dependence of energy prices and economic growth rates with emphasis on the development of renewable energy for sustainable development in Iran
Authors: Borzuei Daryoosh , Moosavian Seyed Farhan , Ahmadi Abolfazl 
Published: January 2022

AbstractConcerns about greenhouse gas emissions and global warming have raised the need to use renewable sources. The expansion of the use of renewable resources has a deep relationship with energy consumption, its price, and economic growth. Therefore, based on the threshold regression approach, this study evaluates the effect of price and energy consumption on renewable energy development in Iran's different economic growth regimes. In this regard, by collecting economic data in Iran over 30 years, using STATA software, and forming a threshold regression model, the asymmetric effect of energy prices on energy consumption is investigated. The results showed a threshold for regression equal to 7.28% in the annual GDP growth rate data. According to the threshold value, economic analysis is divided into two parts: economic growth below the threshold and economic growth above the threshold. The results show a negative and significant relationship between the energy price index and the share of renewable energy in Iran during high economic growth. The reason for this is related to the unstable and intermittent growth of the economy, unprincipled management of resources due to increased revenues due to rising energy prices, energy subsidies, and the private sector's reluctance to invest in cheap renewable energy fossil fuels.