bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cytokine profiles in cord blood in relation to prenatal traffic‐related air pollution: The NELA cohort
Authors: García‐Serna Azahara M. , Martín‐Orozco Elena , Jiménez‐Guerrero Pedro , Hernández‐Caselles Trinidad , Pérez‐Fernández Virginia , Cantero‐Cano Esther , Muñoz‐García María , Molina‐Ruano María Dolores , Rojo‐Atenza Encarna , García‐Marcos Luis , Morales Eva ,   the NELA Study Group
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundOutdoor air pollution may disturb immune system development. We investigated whether gestational exposure to traffic‐related air pollutants (TRAP) is associated with unstimulated cytokine profiles in newborns.MethodsData come from 235 newborns of the NELA cohort. Innate response–related cytokines (IL‐6, IFN‐α, IL1‐β, and TNF‐α), Th1‐related (IFN‐γ and IL‐2), Th2‐related (IL‐4, IL‐5, and IL‐13), Th17‐related (IL‐17 and IL‐23), and immunomodulatory cytokine IL‐10 were quantified in the supernatant of unstimulated whole umbilical cord blood cells after 7 days of culture using the Luminex technology. Dispersion/chemical transport modeling was used to estimate long‐term (whole pregnancy and trimesters) and short‐term (15 days before delivery) residential exposures to traffic‐related nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and ozone (O3). We fitted multivariable logistic regression, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models.ResultsNO2 during the whole pregnancy increased the odds of detection of IL‐1β (OR per 10 µg/m3 increase = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.02, 1.85) and IL‐6 (OR per 10 µg/m3 increase = 1.32; 95% CI 1.00, 1.75). Increased odds of detected concentrations of IL‐10 was found in newborns exposed during whole pregnancy to higher levels of NO2 (OR per 10 µg/m3 increase = 1.30; 95% CI 0.99, 1.69), PM10 (OR per 10 µg/m3 increase = 1.49; 95% CI 0.95, 2.33), and PM2.5 (OR per 5 µg/m3 increase = 1.56; 95% CI 0.97, 2.51). Exposure to O3 during the whole pregnancy increased the odds of detected IL‐13 (OR per 10 µg/m3 increase = 1.22; 95% CI 1.01, 1.49). WQS model revealed first and third trimesters of gestation as windows of higher susceptibility.ConclusionsGestational exposure to TRAP may increase detection of pro‐inflammatory, Th2‐related, and T regulatory cytokines in newborns. These changes might influence immune system responses later in life.
Considerations in permanent implantation of peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) for chronic neuropathic pain: An international cross‐sectional survey of implanters
Authors: Li Alice H. , Gulati Amitabh , Leong Michael S. , Aggarwal Anuj K. , Salmasi Vafi , Spinner David , Ottestad Einar 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAimNovel minimally invasive short‐term and long‐term peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) systems have revolutionized targeted treatment of chronic neuropathic pain. We present an international survey of PNS‐implanting pain physicians to assess what factors they consider when offering permanent PNS.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study consisted of a survey (Qualtrics) that was distributed to PNS‐implanting physicians in a device supplier's entire email database on November 13, 2020, with 3 weeks of response time. Physicians’ contact information in the form of their email addresses had been previously collected by the supplier upon device distribution with permission to use survey responses for research.ResultsOf 2032 database physicians, 40 physicians representing 37 institutions responded to the survey. The most common application of PNS was mononeuropathic pain (57%). The most frequently targeted nerve was the suprascapular nerve (29%). 14% of physicians reported 81–100% of their implants were dual‐lead. The representative physicians ranged broadly in their most frequently targeted nerves. Although mononeuropathic pain was the most common indication for PNS, there was still varied response regarding other indications such as CRPS and post‐surgical chronic pain.ConclusionIn context of a low response rate, identifying such factors can help update the prevailing treatment algorithm for interventional therapies, assist pain physicians in better identifying which patients are the best candidates for PNS, and inform future clinical trial design on PNS efficacy.
Propranolol therapy for hemangiomas in infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome may produce intolerable side effects
Authors: Twist Joanna , Chen Anthony , Poffenberger Paige , Zinn Zachary 
Published: February 2022

AbstractWe report three infants with infantile hemangioma who experienced severe agitation and diarrhea following propranolol administration. Propranolol, a non‐selective β‐adrenergic receptor blocker, is the first‐line treatment for infantile hemangiomas. All three infants were exposed to opioids in utero and experienced neonatal abstinence syndrome at birth. We hypothesize that chronic opioid exposure in utero may cause protracted upregulation of β2‐adrenergic receptors in the central nervous system, resulting in increased susceptibility to adverse reactions to propranolol.
Cellular neurothekeoma occurring at the site of radiation therapy in a child with medulloblastoma
Authors: Zhao Zitong , Koh Mark Jean Aan 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCellular neurothekeoma is a rare, benign cutaneous neoplasm. We report a case of cellular neurothekeoma arising on the mid‐back of a 10‐year‐old boy within the previous radiation therapy field for medulloblastoma. Clinical features of cellular neurothekeoma in children are similar to those in adults, except that there have been no reports of local recurrence in children following surgical excision, and the presence of atypical histological features does not predict clinical behavior. Recognition of this entity in children is important to avoid misdiagnosis and overly aggressive treatments.
Value of a café‐au‐lait macules screening clinic: Experience from The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto
Authors: Albaghdadi Mohammed , Berseneva Maria , Pennal Alexandra , Wan Stephanie , Matviychuk Diana , Shugar Andrea , Kannu Peter , Lara‐Corrales Irene 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesCafé‐au‐lait macules (CALMs) are a characteristic feature of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), but also occur in other genetic disorders. Differential diagnosis of CALMs remains challenging and can be stressful for families. We sought to examine the role of an established CALMs screening clinic in diagnosing CALMs‐related disorders.MethodWe retrospectively reviewed patients seen between July 2012 and January 2019 in a CALMs screening clinic at The Hospital for Sick Children, a tertiary pediatric hospital in Toronto, Canada. Pediatric patients were referred because of multiple CALMs or suspected NF1. Selection was based on a chronological referral sample with no exclusions. A pediatric dermatologist examined all patients for CALMs and NF1 manifestations. Genetic testing was offered to confirm a clinical diagnosis or when clinical findings were inconclusive.ResultsThree hundred patients, of which 152 (50.7%) were female and had a mean age of 5.6 ± 4.8 years were seen during the study period. NF1 was diagnosed in 76 (25.3%) patients, mosaic NF1 in 38 (12.7%) patients, and 8 (2.7%) patients received other genetic diagnoses. One hundred and twelve (37.3%) patients were diagnosed with isolated CALMs not associated with an underlying genetic disease. Furthermore, 36 (12%) of our patients did not have CALMs.ConclusionsThe CALMs screening clinic aided in the early diagnosis of genetic disorders such as NF1 and distinguished CALMs from other hyperpigmented lesions. We encourage the adoption of this clinic model in referral centers to streamline and optimize care of patients with presumptive diagnosis of CALMs.
Rejection surveillance in pediatric heart transplant recipients: Critical reflection on the role of frequent and long‐term routine surveillance endomyocardial biopsies and comprehensive review of non‐invasive rejection screening tools
Authors: Power Alyssa , Baez Hernandez Nathanya , Dipchand Anne I. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundDespite significant medical advances in the field of pediatric heart transplantation (HT), acute rejection remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) remains the gold‐standard method for diagnosing rejection but is an invasive, expensive, and stressful process. Given the potential adverse consequences of rejection, routine post‐transplant rejection surveillance protocols incorporating EMB are widely employed to detect asymptomatic rejection. Each center employs their own specific routine rejection surveillance protocol, with no consensus on the optimal approach and with high inter‐center variability. The utility of high‐frequency and long‐term routine surveillance biopsies (RSB) in pediatric HT has been called into question.MethodsSources for this comprehensive review were primarily identified through searches in biomedical databases including MEDLINE and Embase.ResultsThe available literature suggests that the diagnostic yield of RSB is low beyond the first year post‐HT and that a reduction in RSB intensity from high‐frequency to low‐frequency can be done safely with no impact on early and mid‐term survival. Though there are emerging non‐invasive methods of detecting asymptomatic rejection, the evidence is not yet strong enough for any test to replace EMB.ConclusionOverall, pediatric HT centers in North America should likely be doing fewer RSB than are currently performed. Risk factors for rejection should be considered when designing the optimal rejection surveillance strategy. Noninvasive testing including emerging biomarkers may have a complementary role to aid in safely reducing the need for RSB.
First report of coriander leaf blight diseases caused by Cladosporium tenuissimum in China and analysis of metabolic alterations related to pathogenic processes
Authors: Zhou You , Guo Lijia , Liang Changcong , Liu Lei , Wang Jun , Yang Laying , Huang Junsheng 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCoriander (Coriandrum sativum) is a medicinal and aromatic plant. From November 2017 to March 2020, leaf blight disease on coriander plants was frequently observed in commercial coriander cultivated fields of Haikou, Sanya and Wanning City, Hainan Province, China. Leaves with symptoms showed irregular chlorotic to dark brown necrotic lesions at the edges of leaves, and the leaves were curled and covered with a layer of grey mould. Based on morphological characteristics, pathogenicity testing and concatenated sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), actin (ACT) and translation elongation factor‐1α (TEF) genes, the pathogen was identified as Cladosporium tenuissimum. Untargeted metabolomes of the coriander leaves were analysed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Score plots of principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) showed clear discrimination between infected and control treatments. The levels of l‐threonic acid, hexadecanoic acid and myo‐inositol in the control treatment were 3.45‐, 1.81‐ and 2.44‐fold, respectively, those in the infected treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. tenuissimum causing coriander leaf blight disease in China. Furthermore, this study indicates that C. tenuissimum infection of coriander causes a significant decrease in l‐threonic acid, hexadecanoic acid and myo‐inositol levels, indicating that these metabolites may be involved in the plant's response to coriander leaf blight disease.
Alveolar crystal burden in stone workers with artificial stone silicosis
Authors: Apte Simon H. , Tan Maxine E. , Lutzky Viviana P. , De Silva Tharushi A. , Fiene Andreas , Hundloe Justin , Deller David , Sullivan Clair , Bell Peter T. , Chambers Daniel C. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackground and objectiveAn epidemic of silicosis has emerged due to a failure to control risks associated with exposure to high‐silica content respirable dust generated while working with artificial stone products. Methods for quantification of alveolar crystal burden are needed to advance our understanding of the pathobiology of silica‐related lung injury as well as assisting in the diagnosis, clinical management and prognostication of affected workers. The objective of this study was to develop and validate novel methods to quantify alveolar crystal burden in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from patients with artificial stone silicosis.MethodsNew methods to quantify and analyse alveolar crystal in BAL from patients with artificial stone silicosis were developed. Crystals were isolated and counted by microscopy and alveolar crystal burden was calculated using a standard curve generated by titration of respirable α‐Quartz. The utility of the assay was then assessed in 23 patients with artificial stone silicosis.ResultsAlveolar crystal burden was greater in patients with silicosis (0.44 picograms [pg]/cell [0.08–3.49]) compared to patients with other respiratory diagnoses (0.057 pg/cell [0.01–0.34]; p < 0.001). Alveolar crystal burden was positively correlated with years of silica exposure (ρ = 0.49, p = 0.02) and with decline in diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (ρ = −0.50, p = 0.02).ConclusionAlveolar crystal burden quantification differentiates patients with silicosis from patients with other respiratory disorders. Furthermore, crystal burden is correlated with the rate of decline in lung function in patients with artificial stone silicosis.
Predicting malignant pleural effusion during diagnostic pleuroscopy with biopsy: A prospective multicentre study
Authors: Grosu Horiana B. , Kern Ryan , Maldonado Fabien , Casal Roberto , Andersen Clark R. , Li Liang , Eapen Georgie , Ost David , Jimenez Carlos , Frangopoulos Frangiskos , Sabath Bruce , Vakil Erik , Schwalk Audra , Marcoux Mathieu , Sagar Ala Eddin , Nasim Faria , Lin Julie , Salahudin Moiz , Arain Hasan Muhammad , Noor Laila , Montanez Diana , Stewart John , Mullon John , Michael Michalis , Porfyridis Ilias 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackground and objectivePleuroscopy with pleural biopsy has a high sensitivity for malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Because MPEs tend to recur, concurrent diagnosis and treatment of MPE during pleuroscopy is desired. However, proceeding directly to treatment at the time of pleuroscopy requires confidence in the on‐site diagnosis. The study's primary objective was to create a predictive model to estimate the probability of MPE during pleuroscopy.MethodsA prospective observational multicentre cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing pleuroscopy was conducted. We used a logistic regression model to evaluate the probability of MPE with relation to visual assessment, rapid on‐site evaluation (ROSE) of touch preparation and presence of pleural nodules/masses on computed tomography (CT). To assess the model's prediction accuracy, a bootstrapped training/testing approach was utilized to estimate the cross‐validated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.ResultsOf the 201 patients included in the study, 103 had MPE. Logistic regression showed that higher level of malignancy on visual assessment is associated with higher odds of MPE (OR = 34.68, 95% CI = 9.17–131.14,p < 0.001). The logistic regression also showed that higher level of malignancy on ROSE of touch preparation is associated with higher odds of MPE (OR = 11.63, 95% CI = 3.85–35.16,p < 0.001). Presence of pleural nodules/masses on CT is associated with higher odds of MPE (OR = 6.61, 95% CI = 1.97–22.1,p = 0.002). A multivariable logistic regression model of final pathologic status with relation to visual assessment, ROSE of touch preparation and presence of pleural nodules/masses on CT had a cross‐validated AUC of 0.94 (95% CI = 0.91–0.97).ConclusionA prediction model using visual assessment, ROSE of touch preparation and CT scan findings demonstrated excellent predictive accuracy for MPE. Further validation studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Asymmetric information, quality, and regulations
Authors: Macedoni Luca 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe author presents a model of international trade that features heterogeneous firms and asymmetric information on the quality of products, which is known to producers but unknown to consumers. The presence of asymmetric information leads to adverse selection whereby high‐quality firms exit and only low‐quality firms survive. The model shows that adverse selection also affects export participation as only firms with the lowest quality are able to export. For this reason, trade can lead to a reduction in welfare if it causes an average product quality reduction that is too substantial. The author studies the effects of two instruments: minimum quality standards, which force out firms with the lowest quality, and quality certifications, which allow firms to signal to consumers that their quality is higher than a certain threshold, upon payment of a fixed cost. Both instruments can improve welfare if the increase in prices associated with the higher‐quality goods is small enough. Furthermore, the author studied how the two instruments interact with countries' openness.
Dense sampling of taxa and characters improves phylogenetic resolution among deltocephaline leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae)
Authors: Cao Yanghui , Dietrich Christopher H. , Zahniser James N. , Dmitriev Dmitry A. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractWe analysed a phylogenomic dataset comprising 730 terminal taxa and >160,000 nucleotide positions obtained using anchored hybrid enrichment of genomic DNA for a sample of deltocephaline leafhoppers and outgroups. Maximum likelihood analyses of concatenated nucleotide and amino acid sequences as well as coalescent gene tree analysis, yielded well‐resolved phylogenetic estimates that were highly congruent with most branches receiving maximum support. Some topological incongruence occurs among the trees resulting from different analyses, mainly distributed among very short branches at intermediate levels in the phylogeny, pertaining to relationships among some tribes and multi‐tribe lineages restricted to particular continents. Coalescent gene tree analysis revealed extensive gene tree conflict at these nodes, suggesting that certain relationships may remain difficult to resolve consistently even with genome‐scale datasets and dense taxon sampling. Ancestral character state reconstruction of feeding preference indicates that grass specialization has been acquired three or fewer times in some highly diverse but relatively derived lineages. Molecular divergence time estimation suggests that the earliest divergences in the subfamily occurred during the Cretaceous but that most modern tribes did not appear until after the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary and that grass specialist lineages generally diversified and spread at the same time as grasslands were becoming widespread globally. These analyses also show a high level of global biogeographic structure, with several large lineages of primarily arboreal deltocephalines restricted to particular regions or continents and long‐distance dispersal among continents occurring primarily among grass‐specialist lineages. The results represent a major improvement over previous analyses of this diverse subfamily, which were based on 152 or fewer taxa and data from morphology and partial sequences of two genes.
Changes to blood parameters after postparturient hemoglobinuria in 11Holstein‐Friesiancows
Authors: Abramowicz Beata , Kurek Łukasz , Chałabis‐Mazurek Agnieszka , Lutnicki Krzysztof 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThis study reviewed a case series of 11 Holstein‐Friesian (HF) cows with postpartum hemoglobinuria (PPH) from one dairy herd. The first clinical signs of PPH appeared in the animals during the second or third lactation, between 21 and 30 days after calving. The clinical signs, including depression, diminished appetite, a dark red to brown color in the urine, pale mucous membranes, and a decrease in milk yields were observed in these 11 animals. Three of the cows developed jaundice of the mucous membranes and five had dry, parched feces. PPH was confirmed on laboratory test results of blood and urine samples. Anemia, serum hypophosphatemia (Pi = 0.79 mmoL/L), and increased liver function analytes (total bilirubin, total protein, and urea concentrations) were observed in all animals. Animals were treated with intravenous phosphorus supplementations for the first 2 days after clinical signs were noted, and then oral supplementations were administered. After the clinical signs resolved and the treatments were discontinued, the animals still had mild anemia; however, the phosphorus concentration increased to 1.40 mmoL/L. Gamma‐glutamyltransferase activity increased compared with activities measured before treatments and total bilirubin concentrations decreased slightly; however, the concentrations were still more than twice the upper limit of the normal RI. These animals were diagnosed with liver damage that had developed over the course of PPH, indicating the need for the further monitoring and treatment of cows during the postparturient period, even if clinical signs are no longer present.
Increased temperature at the healed area detected by thermography predicts recurrent pressure ulcers
Authors: Oohashi Fumiya , Ogai Kazuhiro , Takahashi Natsuki , Arisandi Defa , Urai Tamae , Sugama Junko , Oe Makoto 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPreventing recurrent pressure ulcers is an important challenge in healthcare. One of the reasons for the high rate of recurrent pressure ulcers is the lack of assessment methods for their early detection. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the thermographic characteristics of the healed area and to consider the predictive validity of thermographic images for recurrent pressure ulcers within a 2‐week period. This observational study was conducted at a long‐term care facility in Japan between July 2017 and February 2019 among patients whose pressure ulcers had healed. Thermographic images of the healed area were recorded once a week until recurrence or until the end of the study. We enrolled 30 participants, among whom 8 developed recurrent pressure ulcers. The generalised estimation equation revealed that the thermographic finding of increased temperature at the healed area compared to that of the surrounding skin was significantly associated with recurrent pressure ulcers (odds ratio: 101.13, 95% confidence interval: 3.60–2840.77, p = .007); the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio for recurrent pressure ulcers within 2 weeks were 0.80, 0.94, 0.62, 0.97, 12.9 and 0.2, respectively. Our thermographic findings revealed that the temperature of the healed area was higher than that of the surrounding skin; this could be a useful predictor of pressure ulcer recurrence within 2 weeks, even in the absence of macroscopic changes.