bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of inadequate energy intake on admission with activities of daily living at discharge in patients undergoing unplanned hemodialysis initiation: a retrospective case-series study
Authors: Yoshida Tomoko , Aoyama Togo , Morioka Yuko , Takeuchi Yasuo 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
In a previous study, patients who underwent unplanned hemodialysis initiation did not have improved nutritional status and activities of daily living (ADL) at discharge compared with patients whose initiation of hemodialysis was planned. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the factors that delayed or made it difficult to improve nutritional status and ADL in patients undergoing unplanned hemodialysis initiation.

Methods
Participants were patients with end-stage kidney disease who experienced unplanned initiation of new maintenance hemodialysis between April 2017 and March 2020. Patients were divided into two groups: a group who required assistance with ADL at discharge (assistance group) and a group who did not require assistance (independence group). Patient characteristics, nutritional management, and blood tests data obtained from medical records were retrospectively analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results
In total, 95 patients who experienced unplanned dialysis initiation were included in the analysis. Of these, 55 (58%) patients were in the assistance group and 40 (42%) were in the independence group. The assistance group was significantly older than the independence group and contained significantly fewer male patients. In the assistance group, energy intake on admission and serum albumin at discharge were significantly lower, and C-reactive protein was significantly higher, than in the independence group. The multivariate analysis showed that age, sex, and energy intake on admission were associated with requirement for assistance with ADL at discharge.

Conclusions
Inadequate energy intake on admission was associated with requirement for assistance with ADL at discharge for patients who experienced unplanned hemodialysis initiation. This suggests that active nutritional management from the time of admission could reduce the requirement for assistance with ADL and could increase independence.
The in vitro effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on whole blood viscosity, elasticity and membrane integrity
Authors: James Tameika R. , Richards Andrea A. , Lowe Dwight A. , Reid Walton A. , Watson Charah T. , Pepple Dagogo J. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
The main biological activities of cannabis are due to the presence of several compounds known as cannabinoids. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two of the main cannabinoids. Studies have shown that the effects of THC can be modulated by CBD.

Objective
This study aims to look at the effect of different concentrations of THC and CBD separately and in combination, on blood viscosity, elasticity and membrane integrity.

Methods
Blood samples were collected from twenty-four healthy adult non-smokers. Blood viscosity and elasticity were determined using the Vilastic Scientific Bioprofiler for different concentrations (0, 2.5, 25, 50 and 100 ng/ml) of CBD and THC respectively, as well as in extracts with combinations of CBD and THC in 4:1 and 1:1 ratios respectively. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the difference between the means of the groups.

Results
Blood viscosity increased significantly with increasing concentrations of both THC and CBD from 25 ng/ml up to 100 ng/ml ranging from 6.45 ± 0.36 mPa·s to 11.60 ± 1.12 mPa·s for THC and ranging from 5.46 ± 0.24 mPa·s to 9.91 ± 1.10 mPa·s for CBD respectively, being more pronounced in the extracts at 21.33 ± 2.17 mPa·s for the 4THC:1CBD extract and 21.76 ± 1.88 mPa·s for the 1THC:1CBD extract. There was no significant increase in elasticity for THC and CBD separately. However, a significant increase in elasticity was observed in the extracts. THC and CBD affected red cell morphology resulting in complete disintegration at the highest concentrations.

Conclusions
THC and CBD increased red blood cell viscosity and elasticity separately and in combination. They also adversely affected membrane integrity.
Green waste recycling of peanuts highly contaminated with aflatoxins in clay brick manufacturing
Authors: El-Mekkawi Samar A. , Sebaei Ahmed Salem , Amin Shereen Kamel 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
The safe disposal of green waste is necessary for a clean environment, with the safe disposal of waste contaminated with aflatoxins being of particular importance. This work presents a novel route for utilizing contaminated grains in the production of clay bricks. In this work, the contaminated peanut (P) with aflatoxins (AFs) is divided into two categories: PA is the contaminated peanut kernel (without the outer shell), and PB is contaminated whole peanut grain (with the outer shell). Both of ground PA and PB were used to replace the clay in fired building bricks. The raw materials were characterized using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermo-gravimetric analyses (TGA). The effectiveness of this approach was evaluated by measuring the effect of the replacement percentage and firing temperature on the properties of the produced building bricks.

Results
The optimization of the process parameters was performed using central composite design as a tool in the response surface methodology. The ANOVA analysis of the predicted quadratic model elucidated significant models’ terms and adequate precision that emphasizes the applicability of the model to navigate the design space. The results revealed that the optimum conditions are 6% clay replacement and 725 °C firing temperature, resulting in a compressive strength of 109.85 kg cm−2 for clay bricks with PA and 126.33 kg cm−2 for clay bricks with PB.

Conclusions
The objective of clay replacement by the contaminated peanut is not to improve the clay brick properties but to perform safe disposal of the accumulated contaminated peanut without deviating from the standards. The design of experiment using response surface method enables studying the effect of several factors on the clay brick properties simultaneously. Subsequently, this approach elucidates a sustainable route for accumulated contaminated green peanut waste disposal as the other alternatives have realized risks.
Evaluation of volumetric breast density as a risk factor for breast carcinoma in pre- and postmenopausal women, its association with hormone receptor status and breast carcinoma subtypes defined by histology and tumor markers
Authors: Singh Neha , Joshi Pranjali , Gupta Anurag , Marak James R. , Singh Deepak K. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundMammographic breast density is acknowledged as an independent risk factor for breast cancer. Its association with different pathological types and tumors markers is still under evaluation. This study aims to assess the associations of volumetric density grades (VDG) with breast cancer risk in premenopausal and postmenopausal age groups separately. We also aim to assess the association of VDG with hormone receptor status and breast cancer subtypes defined by histology and tumor markers (ER, PR, Her 2-neu and Ki 67).ResultsThis retrospective study was done with inclusion of two comparable groups of 185 breast cancer cases and 244 healthy controls. These groups were further divided into pre‑ and postmenopausal subgroups. Mammograms of the cases and controls were evaluated by fully automated volumetric breast density software-VOLPARA and classified into four VDG. The hormone receptor status and breast cancer subtypes defined by histological features and tumor markers in the various VDG were also evaluated. The risk of developing carcinoma was significantly higher in women with high-density breasts (VDG-c + VDG-d) as compared with low-density breasts (VDG-a + VDG-b) in both premenopausal and postmenopausal subgroups. No significant difference was seen in the histopathological characteristics of breast cancer among various VDG.ConclusionsOur study suggests positive association between high VDG and risk of cancer in both premenopausal and postmenopausal group of Indian women. The hormone receptor status and breast cancer subtypes defined by histology and tumor markers did not reveal any relation to the grades of breast density.
Tripartite relationship between FDI, trade openness and economic growth amidst global economic crisis in Nigeria: application of combined cointegration and augmented ARDL analysis
Authors: Okere Kingsley Ikechukwu , Muoneke Obumneke Bob , Onuoha Favour Chidinma , Omoke Philip C. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThere is general consensuses among scholars on the importance of international trade and foreign direct investment as a main macroeconomic variables that drive economic growth of developing countries. However, the global economic crisis plays dominant role in determining the movement of these macroeconomic variables that can change the nomenclature of economic activities in relation with trade and FDI inflow. For this purpose, this study investigates the relationship between trade openness, FDI inflow and economic growth of Nigeria by accounting for the effects of global economic crisis of 2007–2008 and commodity crisis of 2016 using Bayer and Hanck (in J Time Ser Anal 34(1):83–95, 2013) approach to cointegration and augmented autoregressive distributed lag (AARDL) method on time series data from 1982 to 2018. The results provide evidence that (1) global economic crisis significantly dampens economic growth. (2) The negative interaction of total trade, FDI and global financial economic crisis is substantive enough to dampen the trade-growth and FDI-growth led relationship. (3) The negative interaction of FDI-inflow with global economic crisis is more pronounced and substantive in the long run than the short run. This study recommends for policy option positioned towards escalating specific fiscal measure that should provide a sound legislative rules and reductions in taxes for international investors; stimulus measures targeting measures to control public spending, which had previously fuelled economic expansion.
Vertebral destruction in an 11-month-old child with spinal tuberculosis: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Leos-Leija Ana Karen , Padilla-Medina José Ramón , Reyes-Fernández Pedro Martín , Peña-Martínez Víctor M. , Montes-Tapia Fernando Félix , Castillo-Bejarano José I. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
The incidence of tuberculosis is increasing especially in endemic countries. Spinal tuberculosis represents nearly the 50% of reported cases of skeletal tuberculosis. This is the youngest case of spinal tubercular disease that has been reported. The objective of this report is to describe a spinal tuberculosis case in an infant in thoracic spine, in order to show the importance of early diagnosis in this population, to limit the progression of this highly destructive disease and reduce the severe sequelae that this disease is associated.

Case presentation
An 11-month-old infant previously healthy born in the northeast Mexico. Physical examination revealed a mass lesion in the dorsal region, fixed to deep planes, indurated. Neurological examination found Frankel C paraparesis showing muscle strength 2/5 on the Lovett scale in both lower extremities, anal reflex present, and preserved sensitivity.
In the magnetic resonance of the spine, hyperintensities in the vertebral bodies of D6-D9 were observed in the T2 with destruction of the D7 and D8 bodies. A thoracotomy was performed with total mass resection with corpectomy of vertebrae D7 and D8, medullary decompression, and placement of fibula allograft between vertebrae D6 and D9. In the histopathological sample, a chronic granulomatous inflammatory process associated with acid-fast bacilli was observed, in addition to presenting a positive result in quantitative real-time PCR GeneXpert MTB/RIF sensitive to rifampicin. Twelve months later, he presented 5/5 muscular strength, without alterations in sensitivity, in addition to presenting ambulation onset at 18 months of age.

Conclusion
The spinal tuberculosis is a disease that occurs in endemic countries. A prompt diagnosis is necessary to limit the progression of a highly destructive disease. In addition, the fact of presenting at an early age produces hard making decisions for the adequate treatment of the disease and reduces the adverse effects of these procedures.
Trends in Type 1 Diabetic Ketoacidosis During COVID-19 Surges at 7 US Centers: Highest Burden on non-Hispanic Black Patients
Authors: Lavik Andrew R , Ebekozien Osagie , Noor Nudrat , Alonso G Todd , Polsky Sarit , Blackman Scott M , Chen Justin , Corathers Sarah D , Demeterco-Berggren Carla , Gallagher Mary Pat , Greenfield Margaret , Garrity Ashley , Rompicherla Saketh , Rapaport Robert , Yayah Jones Nana-Hawa 
Published: April 2022

AbstractContextThe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with type 1 diabetes remains poorly defined.ObjectiveWe examined United States trends in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) among individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) during the COVID-19 pandemic at 7 large US medical centers and factors associated with these trends.MethodsWe compared DKA events among children and adults with T1D during COVID-19 surge 1 (March-May 2020) and COVID-19 surge 2 (August-October 2020) to the same periods in 2019. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.ResultsWe found no difference in the absolute number of T1D patients experiencing DKA in 2019 vs 2020. However, a higher proportion of non-Hispanic Black (NHB) individuals experienced DKA in 2019 than non-Hispanic White (NHW) individuals (44.6% vs 16.0%; P &lt; .001), and this disparity persisted during the COVID-19 pandemic (48.6% vs 18.6%; P &lt; .001). DKA was less common among patients on continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or insulin pump in 2020 compared to 2019 (CGM: 13.2% vs 15.0%, P &lt; .001; insulin pump: 8.0% vs 10.6%, P &lt; .001). In contrast to annual DKA totals, a higher proportion of patients had DKA during COVID-19 surges 1 and 2 compared to the same months in 2019 (surge 1: 7.1% vs 5.4%, P &lt; .001; surge 2: 6.6% vs 5.7%, P = .001).ConclusionDKA frequency increased among T1D patients during COVID-19 surges with highest frequency among NHB patients. DKA was less common among patients using CGM or insulin pumps. These findings highlight the urgent need for improved strategies to prevent DKA among patients with T1D—not only under pandemic conditions, but under all conditions—especially among populations most affected by health inequities.
Safe Electromyography Stimulation Thresholds Within Kambin's Triangle During Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Authors: Li Yingda , Wang Michael Y. 
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND:
Transforaminal endoscopic approaches through Kambin's triangle traditionally require surgery to be performed without general anesthesia to allow live patient feedback. No reliable intraoperative neuromonitoring method specific to the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), the structure most at risk during this approach, currently exists.

OBJECTIVE:
To correlate evoked electromyography (EMG) thresholds within Kambin's triangle with new postoperative pain or sensorimotor symptoms potentially resulting from DRG irritation.

METHODS:
Data were prospectively collected for all patients undergoing endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) under general anesthesia at a single institution. A stimulation probe was inserted into Kambin's triangle under fluoroscopic and robotic guidance, before passage of endoscopic instruments. EMG thresholds required to elicit corresponding myotomal responses were measured. Postoperatively, any potential manifestations of DRG irritation were recorded.

RESULTS:
Twenty-four patients underwent a total of 34 transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion levels during the study period, with symptoms of potential DRG irritation occurring in 5. The incidence of new onset symptoms increased with lower stimulation thresholds. Sensitivities for EMG thresholds of ≤4, ≤8, and ≤11 mA were 0.6, 0.8, and 1, respectively. Corresponding specificities were 0.90, 0.69, and 0.55, respectively.

CONCLUSION:
We demonstrated for the first time the feasibility of direct intraoperative neuromonitoring within Kambin's triangle in transforaminal endoscopic surgery. Eight milliampere seems to be a reasonable compromise between sensitivity and specificity for this monitoring technique. In the future, larger-scale studies are required to refine safe stimulation thresholds.
Inhibition of activin A receptor signalling attenuates age-related pathological cardiac remodelling
Authors: Clavere Nicolas G. , Alqallaf Ali , Rostron Kerry A. , Parnell Andrew , Mitchell Robert , Patel Ketan , Boateng Samuel Y. 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACT
In the heart, ageing is associated with DNA damage, oxidative stress, fibrosis and activation of the activin signalling pathway, leading to cardiac dysfunction. The cardiac effects of activin signalling blockade in progeria are unknown. This study investigated the cardiac effects of progeria induced by attenuated levels of Ercc1, which is required for DNA excision and repair, and the impact of activin signalling blockade using a soluble activin receptor type IIB (sActRIIB). DNA damage and oxidative stress were significantly increased in Ercc1Δ/− hearts, but were reduced by sActRIIB treatment. sActRIIB treatment improved cardiac systolic function and induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in Ercc1Δ/− hearts. RNA-sequencing analysis showed that in Ercc1Δ/− hearts, there was an increase in pro-oxidant and a decrease in antioxidant gene expression, whereas sActRIIB treatment reversed this effect. Ercc1Δ/− hearts also expressed higher levels of anti-hypertrophic genes and decreased levels of pro-hypertrophic ones, which were also reversed by sActRIIB treatment. These results show for the first time that inhibition of activin A receptor signalling attenuates cardiac dysfunction, pathological tissue remodelling and gene expression in Ercc1-deficient mice and presents a potentially novel therapeutic target for heart diseases.
Metastasectomy or Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy With or Without Systemic Therapy for Oligometastatic Esophagogastric Cancer
Authors: Kroese Tiuri E. , Buijs George S. , Burger Matthijs D. L. , Ruurda Jelle P. , Mook Stella , Brosens Lodewijk A. A. , van Rossum Peter S. N. , van Hillegersberg Richard 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
The primary goal of this study was to determine overall survival (OS) in patients who underwent local treatment (metastasectomy or stereotactic body radiotherapy [SBRT]) or systemic therapy (chemotherapy or targeted therapy) for oligometastatic esophagogastric cancer. The secondary goal was to determine prognostic factors for OS.

Methods
Patients with synchronous or metachronous oligometastatic esophagogastric cancer who underwent local treatment or systemic therapy were included in this single-center, retrospective cohort study. Oligometastatic disease (OMD) included 1 organ or 1 extraregional lymph node station with ≤ 3 lesions. OS was determined after OMD detection. Treatment for OMD was categorized as (1) local treatment, (2) local plus systemic, (3) systemic therapy. The primary tumor was controlled after resection or definitive chemoradiotherapy.

Results
In total, 85 patients were included. Treatment for OMD was local treatment (58%), local plus systemic (14%), or systemic therapy (28%). The primary tumor was controlled in 68% of patients. Most patients were diagnosed with distal esophageal cancer (61%), with adenocarcinoma histology (76%), and presented with synchronous OMD (51%). OS after local treatment was 17 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 12–40), after local plus systemic therapy 35 months (95% CI 29–NA), and after systemic therapy 16 months (95% CI 11–NA). Better OS was independently associated with local plus systemic compared with local treatment (hazard ratio [HR] 2.11, 95% CI 1.05–5.07) or systemic therapy (HR 2.28, 95% CI 1.04–6.07).

Conclusions
Local plus systemic therapy for oligometastatic esophagogastric cancer was independently associated with improved OS and better OS compared with either systemic therapy or local treatment.
Toward the Chemical Syntheses of Fucosylated Peptides: A Combination of Protecting Groups for the Hydroxy Groups of Fucose
Authors: Asahina Yuya , Ando Tatsuya , Hojo Hironobu 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
A combination of protecting groups for the hydroxy groups of fucose is presented. Notably, this combination enables the synthesis of glycopeptides containing acid-sensitive fucose. The relationship between the design of the protecting groups for the alcohols of fucose and the acid stability of the fucosidic linkage is elucidated. The hydrolysis of pseudo-glycopeptides incorporating various fucose-alcohol-protecting groups is investigated in a trifluoroacetic acid cocktail. The nature of the protecting group significantly affected the acid stability of the fucosidic bond, with a combination of 4-methylbenzyl and levulinoyl groups offering optimal protection of the fucosidic bond. These protecting groups were employed to realize the practical synthesis of glycopeptides containing fucose. To demonstrate the usefulness of this protecting group combination, a model octapeptide was synthesized by 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl solid-phase peptide synthesis. The decomposition of the fucosidic linkage during the final deprotection of solid-phase peptide synthesis was prevented, yielding the desired fucosylated peptide. Finally, the remaining levulinoyl group was removed by hydrazine under neutral conditions to give the fully deprotected glycopeptide.
Investor Sentiment and Paradigm Shifts in Equity Return Forecasting
Authors: Chu Liya , He Xue-Zhong , Li Kai , Tu Jun 
Published: April 2022

This study investigates the impact of investor sentiment on excess equity return forecasting. A high (low) investor sentiment may weaken the connection between fundamental economic (behavioral-based nonfundamental) predictors and market returns. We find that although fundamental variables can be strong predictors when sentiment is low, they tend to lose their predictive power when investor sentiment is high. Nonfundamental predictors perform well during high-sentiment periods while their predictive ability deteriorates when investor sentiment is low. These paradigm shifts in equity return forecasting provide a key to understanding and resolving the lack of predictive power for both fundamental and nonfundamental variables debated in recent studies. This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, finance.
Impact of the optical parametric amplification phase on laser pulse compression
Authors: Musgrave J. , Bromage J. 
Published: April 2022

Optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) is an effective
way to generate ultrashort pulses that has been used extensively for a
variety of applications requiring high peak intensities. Precise
control and measurement of a system’s spectral and spatial phases are
required for Fourier-transform–limited pulse compression and
diffraction-limited focusing. Phase accumulated during optical
parametric amplification (OPA) can degrade the compressibility and
focusability of the pulse, reducing peak intensity. We used analytic
and numerical analysis of OPA to study the influence of crystal
parameters, the wavefront of the pump and signal, and their relative
optical alignment on the accumulated phase. We show that the
accumulated signal phase is largely independent of amplifier
saturation and, with significant local wavefront gradients in the
signal or pump beam, the quality of the compressed pulses can be
degraded. We use first-order expressions for the pump- and
signal-angle sensitivity to evaluate an OPCPA system consisting of a
highly deuterated potassium dihydrogen phosphate amplifier designed to
support bandwidth for 15 fs pulses centered at 920 nm.