bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pretransplant endotrophin predicts delayed graft function after kidney transplantation
Authors: Tepel Martin , Alkaff Firas F. , Kremer Daan , Bakker Stephan J. L. , Thaunat Olivier , Nagarajah Subagini , Saleh Qais , Berger Stefan P. , van den Born Jacob , Krogstrup Nicoline V. , Nielsen Marie B. , Nørregaard Rikke , Jespersen Bente , Sparding Nadja , Genovese Federica , Karsdal Morten A. , Rasmussen Daniel G. K. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractDelayed graft function after kidney transplantation is common and increases morbidity and health care costs. There is evidence that endotrophin, a specific fragment of pro-collagen type VI, promotes the inflammatory response in kidney diseases. We tested the hypothesis that pretransplant endotrophin in kidney transplant recipients may be associated with the risk of delayed graft function. Pretransplant plasma endotrophin was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in three independent cohorts with 806 kidney transplant recipients. The primary outcome was delayed graft function, i.e., the necessity of at least one dialysis session within one-week posttransplant. In the discovery cohort median pretransplant plasma endotrophin was higher in 32 recipients (12%) who showed delayed graft function when compared to 225 recipients without delayed graft function (58.4 ng/mL [IQR 33.4–69.0]; N = 32; vs. 39.5 ng/mL [IQR 30.6–54.5]; N = 225; P = 0.009). Multivariable logistic regression, fully adjusted for confounders showed, that pretransplant plasma endotrophin as a continuous variable was independently associated with delayed graft function in both validation cohorts, odds ratio 2.09 [95% CI 1.30–3.36] and 2.06 [95% CI 1.43–2.97]. Pretransplant plasma endotrophin, a potentially modifiable factor, was independently associated with increased risk of delayed graft function and may be a new avenue for therapeutic interventions.
Evaluation of the efficacy of CT-guided 3D template-assisted 125I seed implantation in the treatment of unresectable STS: a multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Zhao Guang Sheng , Liu Song , Liu Hua , Lv Wen Cai , Yang Liang , Li Chuang , Zhou Jun , Wang Ruo Yu , Song Yong Chun 
Published: March 2022

AbstractTo observe the safety and efficacy of CT-guided 3D template-assisted radioactive 125I seed implantation in the treatment of unresectable advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Sixty-two patients who underwent continuous 3D template-assisted radioactive 125I seed implantation for the treatment of unresectable advanced STS from August 2017 to August 2018 were selected from four tumor treatment centers for retrospective analysis. The postoperative adverse reactions and tumor response were recorded, and the postoperative complications were observed and treated at the same time. The overall survival (OS) rate was determined. All patients successfully completed 125I seed implantation. In practice, the median number of puncture needles used during the operation was 20, and the median number of 125I particles was 88. There were no statistical differences in the relative dosimetry parameters before and after the operation (P > 0.05). Tumor evaluation was performed 6 months after the operation. The effective rate was 61.3%, and the local control rate was 93.5%. As of March 2020, the 1-year survival rate was 85.2%, and the 2-year survival rate was 49.0%. The OS was 23 months. CT-guided 3D template-assisted 125I seed implantation for the treatment of unresectable STS has a high local control rate, thereby further prolonging the OS of patients with unresectable STS.
Gut microbiota and the prevalence and incidence of renal stones
Authors: Kim Han-Na , Kim Jae Heon , Chang Yoosoo , Yang Dongmin , Joo Kwan Joong , Cho Young-Sam , Park Heung Jae , Kim Hyung-Lae , Ryu Seungho 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe role of the gut microbiome in the development of renal stone diseases has not been well characterized. This study focused on the taxonomic and functional profiles of gut microbiomes according to the prevalence and incidence of nephrolithiasis. Stool samples from 915 Korean adults were collected at baseline. Participants were followed for a median of 4.0 years. We evaluated the biodiversity of the gut microbiota and taxonomic profiles associated with nephrolithiasis status, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Nephrolithiasis status was categorized into three groups: control (no-stone at both baseline and follow-up visits), incidental nephrolithiasis, and prevalent nephrolithiasis. Compared to the control and incidental nephrolithiasis, the prevalent nephrolithiasis showed a reduced evenness in alpha diversity. Nephrolithiasis was associated with a reduced abundance of some key taxa involved in short-chain fatty acid production. Moreover, the abundance of Bifidobacterium, which possess oxalate-degrading ability, was higher in the control. Conversely, there was no significant difference in the bacterial composition between the incidental and prevalent nephrolithiasis. In our study with repeated nephrolithiasis measurements, prevalent renal stones were associated with an altered gut microbiota composition compared to the control. Besides the known oxalate degradation pathway, other functional pathways inferred in this study require further investigation.
High prevalence of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic foodborne bacteria isolated from bovine milk
Authors: Hassani Sima , Moosavy Mir-Hassan , Gharajalar Sahar Nouri , Khatibi Seyed Amin , Hajibemani Abolfazl , Barabadi Zahra 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the prevalence of foodborne pathogenic bacteria in bovine milk, their antibiogram phenotype, and the carriage of antibiotic resistance genes. Raw bovine milk samples (n = 100) were randomly collected from different suppliers in the northwest of Iran. Antibiotic-resistant patterns and the presence of antibiotic resistance genes were evaluated in the isolates. Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella spp. were isolated from 78%, 47%, 25%, and 21% of samples, respectively. All isolates showed high rates of resistance to amoxicillin, penicillin, and cefalexin. The blaTEM and blaSHV genes were detected in 50.0% and 6.4% of E. coli isolates, respectively. Also, 28.5% and 19.0% of Salmonella isolates were positive for blaTEM and blaSHV. The frequency of mecA and blaZ in S. aureus isolates was 20.0% and 12.0%, respectively. The high prevalence of bovine milk contamination with antimicrobial-resistant species in this study necessitates precise control on antibiotic prescription in veterinary medicine.
Compliance with the first UK covid-19 lockdown and the compounding effects of weather
Authors: Ganslmeier Michael , Van Parys Jonathan , Vlandas Tim 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe effectiveness of containment measures has been shown to depend on both epidemiological and sociological mechanisms, most notably compliance with national lockdown rules. Yet, there has been growing discontent with social distancing rules during national lockdowns across several countries, particularly among certain demographic and socio-economic groups. Using a highly granular dataset on compliance of over 105,000 individuals between March and May 2020 in the United Kingdom (UK), we find that compliance with lockdown policies was initially high in the overall population during the earlier phase of the pandemic, but that compliance fell substantially over time, especially among specific segments of society. Warmer temperatures increased the non-compliance of individuals who are male, divorced, part-time employed, and/or parent of more than two children. Thus, while epidemiologically the virus spread was naturally more limited during the warmer period of 2020, sociologically the higher temperature led to lower individual-level compliance with public health measures. As long as new strains emerge, governments may therefore be required to complement vaccination campaigns with targeted and time limited restrictions. Since non-complying individuals at the beginning of the pandemic share certain characteristics with vaccination sceptics, understanding their compliance behaviour will remain essential for future policymaking.
Field trials reveal the complexities of deploying and evaluating the impacts of yeast-baited ovitraps on Aedes mosquito densities in Trinidad, West Indies
Authors: James Lester D. , Winter Nikhella , Stewart Akilah T. M. , Feng Rachel Shui , Nandram Naresh , Mohammed Azad , Duman-Scheel Molly , Romero-Severson Ethan , Severson David W. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe use of lure-and-kill, large-volume ovitraps to control Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus populations has shown promise across multiple designs that target gravid females (adulticidal) or larvae post-oviposition (larvicidal). Here we report on a pilot trial to deploy 10 L yeast-baited ovitraps at select sites in Curepe, Trinidad, West Indies during July to December, 2019. Oviposition rates among ovitraps placed in three Treatment sites were compared to a limited number of traps placed in three Control areas (no Aedes management performed), and three Vector areas (subjected to standard Ministry of Health, Insect Vector Control efforts). Our goal was to gain baseline information on efforts to saturate the Treatment sites with ovitraps within 20–25 m of each other and compare oviposition rates at these sites with background oviposition rates in Control and Vector Areas. Although yeast-baited ovitraps were highly attractive to gravid Aedes females, a primary limitation encountered within the Treatment sites was the inability to gain access to residential compounds for trap placement, primarily due to residents being absent during the day. This severely limited our intent to saturate these areas with ovitraps, indicating that future studies must include plans to account for these inaccessible zones during trap placement.
Anxiolytic effects of chewing gum during preoperative fasting and patient-centered outcome in female patients undergoing elective gynecologic surgery: randomized controlled study
Authors: Bang Yu Jeong , Lee Jong-Hwan , Kim Chung Su , Lee Yoo-Young , Min Jeong-Jin 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAlthough previous studies reported that chewing gum during the preoperative fasting has the benefits of alleviating anxiety and dry mouth, preoperative chewing gum has yet to be accepted as a standard practice due to conventional anesthetic custom. Our study aimed to prospectively evaluate the effects of gum chewing on preoperative anxiety and patient’s discomfort in female patients undergoing gynecologic surgery. Ninety-four patients were enrolled and randomized either into conventional fasting group (control group) or chewing gum with fasting group (gum group). The control group was instructed to fast from 3 p.m. on the day before surgery. The gum group performed preoperative fasting in the same manner, but was encouraged to chew gum freely during the fasting period. The primary endpoint was the degree of preoperative anxiety. For the evaluation of preoperative anxiety, Amsterdam preoperative anxiety and information scale (APAIS) was used. Preoperative gastric fluid volume and acidity were also measured as the secondary outcomes. Preoperative anxiety using APAIS was significantly lower in the gum group compared to the control group (control group vs. gum group: 20.9 vs. 17.8, p = 0.009). However, there was no significant difference in the gastric fluid analysis between the groups. In the female patients for elective gynecologic surgery, chewing gum during the preoperative fasting period helped to alleviate preoperative anxiety without additional increase of pulmonary aspiration risks.Trial registration: KCT0004422 (05/11/2019, https://cris.nih.go.kr; registration number).
Accurate optimization technique for phase-gradient metasurfaces used in compact near-field meta-steering systems
Authors: Singh Khushboo , Afzal Muhammad U. , Esselle Karu P. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractNear-Field Meta-Steering (NFMS) is a constantly evolving and progressively emerging novel antenna beam-steering technology that involves an elegant assembly of a base antenna and a pair of Phase-Gradient Metasurfaces (PGMs) placed in the near-field region of the antenna aperture. The upper PGM in an NFMS system receives an oblique incidence from the lower PGM at all times, a fact that is ignored in the traditional design process of upper metasurfaces. This work proposes an accurate optimization method for metasurfaces in NFMS systems to reduce signal leakage by suppressing the grating lobes and side lobes that are innate artifacts of beam-steering. We detail the design and optimization approach for both upper and lower metasurface. Compared to the conventionally optimized compact 2D steering system, the proposed system exhibits higher directivity and lower side-lobe and grating lobe levels within the entire scanning range. The broadside directivity is 1.4 dB higher, and the side-lobe level is 4 dB lower in comparison. The beam-steering patterns for the proposed 2D compact design are experimentally validated, and the measured and predicted results are in excellent concurrence. The versatile compatibility of truncated PGMs with a low gain antenna makes it a compelling technology for wireless backhaul mesh networks and future antenna hardware.
A NanoBiT assay to monitor membrane proteins trafficking for drug discovery and drug development
Authors: Reyes-Alcaraz Arfaxad , Lucero Garcia-Rojas Emilio Y. , Merlinsky Elizabeth A. , Seong Jae Young , Bond Richard A. , McConnell Bradley K. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractInternalization of membrane proteins plays a key role in many physiological functions; however, highly sensitive and versatile technologies are lacking to study such processes in real-time living systems. Here we describe an assay based on bioluminescence able to quantify membrane receptor trafficking for a wide variety of internalization mechanisms such as GPCR internalization/recycling, antibody-mediated internalization, and SARS-CoV2 viral infection. This study represents an alternative drug discovery tool to accelerate the drug development for a wide range of physiological processes, such as cancer, neurological, cardiopulmonary, metabolic, and infectious diseases including COVID-19.
Clinical Cutoff Scores for Acoustic Indices of Vocal Hyperfunction That Combine Relative Fundamental Frequency and Cepstral Peak Prominence
Authors: Kapsner-Smith Mara R. , Díaz-Cádiz Manuel E. , Vojtech Jennifer M. , Buckley Daniel P. , Mehta Daryush D. , Hillman Robert E. , Tracy Lauren F. , Noordzij J. Pieter , Eadie Tanya L. , Stepp Cara E. 
Published: March 2022

Purpose:
This study examined the discriminative ability of acoustic indices of vocal hyperfunction combining smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS) and relative fundamental frequency (RFF).

Method:

Demographic, CPPS, and RFF parameters were entered into logistic regression models trained on two 1:1 case–control groups: individuals with and without nonphonotraumatic vocal hyperfunction (NPVH;
n
= 360) and phonotraumatic vocal hyperfunction (PVH;
n
= 240). Equations from the final models were used to predict group membership in two independent test sets (
n
= 100 each).

Results:
Both CPPS and RFF parameters significantly improved model fits for NPVH and PVH after accounting for demographics. CPPS explained unique variance beyond RFF in both models. RFF explained unique variance beyond CPPS in the PVH model. Final models included CPPS and RFF offset parameters for both NPVH and PVH; RFF onset parameters were significant only in the PVH model. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for the independent test sets revealed acceptable classification for NPVH (72%) and good classification for PVH (86%).

Conclusions:
A combination of CPPS and RFF parameters showed better discriminative ability than either measure alone for PVH. Clinical cutoff scores for acoustic indices of vocal hyperfunction are proposed for assessment and screening purposes.
Power distribution of oscillations in the atmosphere of a plage region
Authors: Narang Nancy , Chandrashekhar Kalugodu , Jafarzadeh Shahin , Fleck Bernhard , Szydlarski Mikołaj , Wedemeyer Sven 
Published: March 2022

Context. Joint observations of the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) with other solar observatories can provide a wealth of opportunities for understanding the coupling between different layers of the solar atmosphere.
Aims. We present a statistical analysis of the power distribution of oscillations in a plage region in active region NOAA AR12651, which was observed jointly with ALMA, the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS), and the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO).
Methods. We employ coordinated ALMA Band 6 (1.25 mm) brightness temperature maps, IRIS slit-jaw images in the 2796 Å passband, and observations in six passbands (1600 Å, 304 Å, 131 Å, 171 Å, 193 Å, and 211 Å) from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on board SDO. We perform Lomb-Scargle transforms to study the distribution of oscillation power by means of dominant period maps and power maps. We study the spatial association of oscillations through the atmosphere, with a focus on the correlation of the power distribution of ALMA oscillations with others.
Results. We do not observe any significant association of ALMA oscillations with IRIS and AIA oscillations. While the global behavior of the dominant ALMA oscillations shows a similarity with that of the transition region and coronal passbands of AIA, the ALMA dominant period maps and power maps do not show any correlation with those from the other passbands. The spatial distribution of dominant periods and power in different period intervals of ALMA oscillations is uncorrelated with those of any other passbands.
Conclusions. We speculate that the non-association of ALMA oscillations with those of IRIS and AIA is due to significant variations in the height of formation of the millimeter continuum observed by ALMA. Additionally, the fact that ALMA directly maps the brightness temperature, in contrast to the intensity observations by IRIS and AIA, can result in the very different intrinsic nature of the ALMA oscillations compared to the IRIS and AIA oscillations.
Physics of ULIRGs with MUSE and ALMA: The PUMA project
Authors: Perna M. , Arribas S. , Colina L. , Pereira Santaella M. , Lamperti I. , Di Teodoro E. , Übler H. , Costantin L. , Maiolino R. , Cresci G. , Bellocchi E. , Catalán-Torrecilla C. , Cazzoli S. , Piqueras López J. 
Published: March 2022

Context. A classical scenario suggests that ultra-luminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) transform colliding spiral galaxies into a spheroid-dominated early-type galaxy. Recent high-resolution simulations have instead shown that, under some circumstances, rotation disks can be preserved during the merging process or rapidly regrown after coalescence. Our goal is to analyse in detail the ionised gas kinematics in a sample of ULIRGs to infer the incidence of gas rotational dynamics in late-stage interacting galaxies and merger remnants.
Aims. We analysed integral field spectrograph MUSE data of a sample of 20 nearby (z < 0.165) ULIRGs (with 29 individual nuclei) as part of the Physics of ULIRGs with MUSE and ALMA (PUMA) project. We used multi-Gaussian fitting techniques to identify gaseous disk motions and the 3D-Barolo tool to model them.
Methods. We found that 27% (8 out of 29) individual nuclei are associated with kiloparsec-scale disk-like gas motions. The rest of the sample displays a plethora of gas kinematics, dominated by winds and merger-induced flows, which makes the detection of rotation signatures difficult. On the other hand, the incidence of stellar disk-like motions is ∼2 times larger than gaseous disks, as the former are probably less affected by winds and streams. The eight galaxies with a gaseous disk present relatively high intrinsic gas velocity dispersion (σ0 ∈ [30 − 85] km s−1), rotationally supported motions (with gas rotation velocity over velocity dispersion vrot/σ0 ∼ 1 − 8), and dynamical masses in the range (2 − 7)×1010 M⊙. By combining our results with those of local and high-z disk galaxies (up to z ∼ 2) from the literature, we found a significant correlation between σ0 and the offset from the main sequence (δMS), after correcting for their evolutionary trends.
Results. Our results confirm the presence of kiloparsec-scale rotating disks in interacting galaxies and merger remnants in the PUMA sample, with an incidence going from 27% (gas) to ≲50% (stars). Their gas σ0 is up to a factor of ∼4 higher than in local normal main sequence galaxies, similar to high-z starbursts as presented in the literature; this suggests that interactions and mergers enhance the star formation rate while simultaneously increasing the velocity dispersion in the interstellar medium.
Solutions for full-outdoor-air operation of air rooftop units with direct expansion circuit and integrated recirculation
Authors: Pedranzini Federico , Cavina Lorenzo , De Piccoli Andrea , Rossi Damiano 
Published: March 2022

Following the advent of the Sars – Cov 2 pandemic, HVAC systems have been affected by different interventions both in the emergency and in the medium term. These interventions were dictated by the need to maximise the risk reduction within air-conditioned environments and among these interventions one of the most applied has been the elimination of recirculation in favor of a full-out-door- air operation, specifically in multi-zone systems.
Some plant, such as those served by roof-top units, however, provide a minimum share of recirculation that is necessary for the proper functioning of the integrated refrigeration unit. For these units, the elimination of recirculation has led to a significant increase in blocking situations. The research provides the basis for the application of integrated solutions designed to prevent blocking situations for new and existing systems through the insertion of a modulated bypass between the supply air and the external air intake so as to allow temporarily the recirculation function without, however, creating a situation of risk propagation. The proposed solutions have been applied to a real system, the regulation has been carried out in integration with the management logic of the unit and has been tested to be effective in cooling mode.
Pflanzliche Begleiterinnen in einen neuen Lebensabschnitt
Authors: Wanitschek Anne 
Published: March 2022

SummaryDie Scheidengesundheit hängt von einigen Faktoren ab, beispielsweise beeinflussen Östrogene die vaginale Schleimhaut. In den Wechseljahren sinkt unter anderem der Östrogenspiegel, dadurch kann es zu Beschwerden wie trockener Vaginalschleimhaut kommen. Die Phytotherapie bietet verschiedene Möglichkeiten, um Beschwerden der Vaginalschleimhaut in den Wechseljahren zu lindern.
Darmsanierung, aber richtig
Authors: Peters Uwe 
Published: March 2022

SummaryZiel jeder Darmsanierung ist es, wieder eine natürliche Besiedelung (Eubiose) und Eigenregulation herzustellen. Eine gezielte Diagnostik umfasst unter anderem wichtige Bakteriengruppen und Zusatzmarker wie Zonulin, Alpha-1-Antitrypsin, Calprotectin, Laktoferrin und sIgA. Eine erfolgversprechende Mikrobiologische Therapie geschieht typischerweise in vier Schritten, von Milchsäurebakterien und Präbiotika in der Vorbereitung über Bakterienlysat und Enterococcus faecalis bis hin zu Colibakterien.