bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of robotic coil positioning during transcranial magnetic stimulation
Authors: Goetz Stefan M. , Kozyrkov I. Cassie , Luber Bruce , Lisanby Sarah H. , Murphy David L. K. , Grill Warren M. , Peterchev Angel V.
Published: May 2019

Objective

Robotic positioning systems for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) promise improved accuracy and stability of coil placement, but there is limited data on their performance. This text investigates the usability, accuracy, and limitations of robotic coil placement with a commercial system, ANT Neuro, in a TMS study.

Approach

21 subjects underwent a total of 79 TMS sessions corresponding to 160 hours under robotic coil control. Coil position and orientation were monitored concurrently through an additional neuronavigation system.

Main Results

Robot setup took on average 14.5 min. The robot achieved low position and orientation error with median 1.34 mm and 3.48°. The error increased over time at a rate of 0.4%/minute for both position and orientation.

Significance

After the elimination of several limitations, robotic TMS systems promise to substantially improve the accuracy and stability of manual coil position and orientation. Lack of pressure feedback and of manual adjustment of all coil degrees of freedom were limitations of this robotic system.
Spring Model – chromatin modeling tool based on OpenMM
Authors: Kadlof Michal , Rozycka Julia , Plewczynski Dariusz
Published: May 2019

Chromatin structures modelling is a rapidly developing field. Parallel to the enormous growth of available experimental data, there is a growing need of building and visualizing 3D structures of nuclei, chromosomes, chromatin domains, and single loops associated with particular genes locus. Here we present a tool for chromatin domain modeling. It is available as a webserver and standalone python script. Our tool is based on molecular mechanics. It uses OpenMM engine for building models. In this method, the user has to provide contacts and will obtain 3D structure that satisfies these contacts. Additional extra parameters allow controlling fibre stiffness, type of initial structure, resolution. There are also options for structure refinement, and modelling in a spherical container. A user may provide contacts using beads indices, or paste interactions in genome coordinates from BEDPE file. After modelling user is able to download the structure in Protein Data Bank (PDB) file format for further analysis.

We dedicate this tool for all who are interested in chromatin structures. It is suitable for quick visualization of datasets, studying the impact of structural variants (SVs), inspecting the effects of adding and removing particular contacts, measuring features like maximum distances between certain sites (e.g. promotor-enhancer) or local density of chromatin.
SAFEPPP: a Simple And Fast method to Find and analyze Extreme Points of a metabolic Phenotypic Phase Plane
Authors: Moteallehi-Ardakani Mohammad Hossein , Marashi Sayed-Amir
Published: May 2019

There are many algorithms that help us understand how genome-scale metabolic networks work and what are their capabilities. But unfortunately, the majority of these methods are based on integer linear programming suffer from long run times and high instrumental demand. Optimal solutions in any constraint-based modeling as genome-scale metabolic networks models are on the extreme points of the solution space. We introduce a fast and simple toolbox that reveals extreme characters of metabolic networks in desired situations which can unmask the hidden potentials of metabolic networks. Determining the possibility of coupling between two desired reaction and the capability of synergic substrate consuming are examples of the applications of this method. Fast enumeration of elementary flux modes that exist in extreme points of phase plane of any two reactions is another achievement of this study.
Selective integration during sequential sampling in posterior neural signals
Authors: Luyckx Fabrice , Spitzer Bernhard , Blangero Annabelle , Tsetsos Konstantinos , Summerfield Christopher
Published: May 2019

Decisions are typically made after integrating information about multiple attributes of alternatives in a choice set. The computational mechanisms by which this integration occurs have been a focus of extensive research in humans and other animals. Where observers are obliged to consider attributes in turn, a framework known as “selective integration” can capture salient biases in human choices. The model proposes that successive attributes compete for processing resources and integration is biased towards the alternative with the locally preferred attribute. Quantitative analysis shows that this model, although it discards choice-relevant information, is optimal when the observers’ decisions are corrupted by noise that occurs beyond the sensory stage. Here, we used scalp electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings to test a neural prediction of the model: that locally preferred attributes should be encoded with higher gain in neural signals over posterior cortex. Over two sessions, human observers (of either sex) judged which of two simultaneous streams of bars had the higher (or lower) average height. The selective integration model fit the data better than a rival model without bias. Single-trial analysis showed that neural signals contralateral to the preferred attribute covaried more steeply with the decision information conferred by locally preferred attributes. These findings provide neural evidence in support of selective integration, complementing existing behavioural work.

Significance Statement

We often make choices about stimuli with multiple attributes, such as when deciding which car to buy on the basis of price, performance and fuel economy. A model of the choice process, known as selective integration, proposes that rather than taking all of the decision-relevant information equally into account when making choices, we discard or overlook a portion of it. Although information is discarded, this strategy can lead to better decisions when memory is limited. Here, we test and confirm predictions of the model about the brain signals that occur when different stimulus attributes of stimulus are being evaluated. Our work provides the first neural support for the selective integration model.
Oligonucleotide Length Determines Intracellular Stability of DNA-Wrapped Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Gravely Mitchell , Safaee Mohammad Moein , Roxbury Daniel
Published: May 2019

Non-covalent hybrids of single-stranded DNA and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have demonstrated applications in biomedical imaging and sensing due to their enhanced biocompatibility and photostable, environmentally-responsive near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence. The fundamental properties of such DNA-SWCNTs have been studied to determine the correlative relationships between oligonucleotide sequence and length, SWCNT species, and the physical attributes of the resultant hybrids. However, intracellular environments introduce harsh conditions that can change the physical identities of the hybrid nanomaterials, thus altering their intrinsic optical properties. Here, through visible and NIR fluorescence imaging in addition to confocal Raman microscopy, we show that the oligonucleotide length determines the relative uptake, intracellular optical stability, and expulsion of DNA-SWCNTs in mammalian cells. While the absolute NIR fluorescence intensity of DNA-SWCNTs in murine macrophages increases with increasing oligonucleotide length (from 12 to 60 nucleotides), we found that shorter oligonucleotide DNA-SWCNTs undergo a greater magnitude of spectral shift and are more rapidly internalized and expelled from the cell after 24 hours. Furthermore, by labeling the DNA with a fluorophore that dequenches upon removal from the SWCNT surface, we found that shorter oligonucleotide strands are displaced from the SWCNT within the cell, altering the physical identity and changing the fate of the internalized nanomaterial. These findings provide fundamental understanding of the interactions between SWCNTs and live cells which can be applied towards development of robustly engineered carbon nanotube sensors while mitigating associated nanotoxicity.
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To Tweet or Not to Tweet, That is the Question: A Randomized Trial of Twitter Effects on Article Engagement in Medical Education
Authors: Maggio Lauren A. , Leroux Todd C. , Artino Anthony R.
Published: May 2019

Many medical education journals use Twitter to garner attention for their articles. The purpose of this study was to test the effects of tweeting on article page views and downloads.

The authors conducted a randomized trial usingAcademic Medicinearticles published in 2015. Beginning in February through May 2018, one article per day was randomly assigned to a Twitter (case) or control group. Daily, an individual tweet was generated for each article in the Twitter group that included the title, #MedEd, and a link to the article. The link delivered users to the article’s landing page, which included immediate access to the HTML full text and a PDF link. The authors extracted HTML page views and PDF downloads from the publisher. To assess differences in page views and downloads between cases and controls, a time-centered approach was used, with outcomes measured at 1, 7, and 30 days.

In total, 189 articles (94 cases, 95 controls) were analyzed. After days 1 and 7, there were no statistically significant differences between cases and controls on any metric. On day 30, HTML page views exhibited a 63% increase for cases (M=14.72, SD=63.68) when compared to controls (M=9.01, SD=14.34; incident rate ratio=1.63, p=0.01). There were no differences between cases and controls for PDF downloads on day 30.

Contrary to the authors’ hypothesis, only one statistically significant difference in page views between the Twitter and control groups was found. These findings provide preliminary evidence that after 30 days a tweet can have a small positive effect on article page views.
Estimating MIC distributions and cutoffs through mixture models: an application to establish M. Tuberculosis resistance
Authors: Grazian Clara
Published: May 2019

Antimicrobial resistance is becoming a major threat to public health throughout the world. Researchers from around the world are attempting to contrast it by developing both new antibiotics and patient-specific treatments. It is, therefore, necessary to study these treatments, via phenotypic tests, and it is essential to have robust methods available to analyze the resistance patterns to medication, which could be applied to both new treatments and to new phenotypic tests. A general method is here proposed to study minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) distributions and fixed breakpoints in order to separate sensible from resistant strains. The method has been applied to a new 96-well microtiter plate.
A theoretical and econometric evaluation of corporate governance and capital structure in JSE-listed companies
Authors: Sewpersadh Navitha Singh
Published: May 2019

Purpose

A vital resource for attracting investments and boosting economic growth is compliance with corporate-governance practices. To achieve firm growth, businesses often rely on leverage as a source of finance, which has tax-saving benefits but could attract financial distress costs. In this context, this study aims to examine the relationship between corporate governance and the use of debt financing in Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)-listed companies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a six-year period to examine 713 annual reports in an unbalanced panel of 130 JSE-listed companies from 2011 to 2016. The empirical econometric methodology used was the two-step difference generalised method of moments estimation model, which is robust in controlling endogeneity and potential bi-directional causality between leverage and corporate governance.

Findings

This study illustrated that corporate governance practices and firm-specific variables such as profitability, firm size and firm age have a significant influence on the capital structure decisions of JSE-listed firms. This study found support for four out of the six hypotheses. CEO duality and director ownership are positively correlated with leverage, whereas audit committee independence and board size are negatively correlated with leverage. This study also found contraventions of board independence, audit committee independence and CEO duality. The technology sector was the least compliant, with only 40 per cent of their boards being independent. The consumer-services sector had the maximum presence of CEO duality (7 per cent). The industrial sector had the highest average director ownership (18 per cent). The heath-care sector had 28 per cent of their audit committees in contravention of the independence rule.

Practical implications

A useful analysis of the theoretical frameworks used by academic writers are provided. This study revealed the governance practices contravened by the relevant sectors, as well as the associations between corporate governance and leverage.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature on capital structure and corporate governance by an emerging economy such as South Africa (SA) which has not been explored. This study’s results have key implications for policy-makers, practitioners, investors and regulatory authorities. This study informs these constituencies about a set of governance attributes that are catalysts and/or inhibitors of leverage.
Locating, Identifying, and Comparing Sub‐visible Paint Particles
Authors: Palenik Christopher S. , Groves Ethan , Insana Joseph , Palenik Skip
Published: May 2019

Forensic paint comparisons are generally conducted on samples which, while small relative to their source, are still visible to the unaided eye and are thus located and analyzed without great difficulty. Here we demonstrate that a more detailed examination of candidate transfer surfaces can capture materials (questioned samples), even when such traces are invisible to the unaided eye. While certain analytical details (such as layer sequence or a pure FTIR spectrum) may not be obtainable from such traces due to their size and condition, a detailed analysis of the sample characteristics that are analytically accessible may still provide sufficient analytical data to arrive at a probative result. Here we present the application of this approach to a suspected paint transfer case, involving particles of paint as small as 40 μm in size. Using a combination of stereomicroscopy, polarized light microscopy, infrared microspectroscopy, Raman microspectroscopy, and SEM/EDS, all performed on a single, subsample of the original minute particle, it was possible to demonstrate evidence of a two‐way transfer between the suspected sources. Furthermore, the transferred paint particle in one direction could be classified as automotive in nature based on a combination of polymer composition, microscopic texture, and pigment package (which included three specifically identified pigments). This work demonstrates (i) the potential for improving detection limits when searching for a questioned sample, (ii) the potential benefits of higher resolution analyses on samples that would be traditionally labeled as “sample‐size limited,” and (iii) the value of case‐specific interpretation over standardized, one‐size fits all report templates.
Medical marijuana laws are associated with increases in substance use treatment admissions by pregnant women
Authors: Meinhofer Angélica , Witman Allison , Murphy Sean M. , Bao Yuhua
Published: May 2019

Background and Aims

Between 2002 and 2014, past‐month marijuana use among pregnant women in the United States increased 62%, nearly twice the growth of the general population. This growth coincides with the proliferation of state medical marijuana laws (MMLs) authorizing physicians to recommend marijuana for approved conditions. We estimated the association between MMLs and substance use treatment utilization among pregnant and non‐pregnant women of reproductive age. We also examined whether the association varied across MML provisions, age groups and treatment referral sources to clarify potential pathways.

Design

Nation‐wide administrative data from the 2002–14 Treatment Episodes Data Set Admissions, and a difference‐in‐differences design that exploited the staggered implementation of MMLs to compare changes in outcomes before and after implementation between MML and non‐MML states.

Setting

Twenty‐one MML and 27 non‐MML US states.

Participants

Pregnant and non‐pregnant women aged 12–49 admitted to publicly funded specialty substance use treatment facilities.

Measurements

The primary outcome variable was the number of treatment admissions per 100 000 women aged 12–49, aggregated at the state‐year level (n = 606). Admissions for marijuana, alcohol, cocaine and opioids were considered. The primary independent variable was an indicator of MML implementation in a state.

Findings

Among pregnant women, the rate of marijuana treatment admissions increased by 4.69 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.32, 8.06] in MML states relative to non‐MML states. This growth was accompanied by increases in treatment admissions involving alcohol (β = 3.19; 95% CI = 0.97, 5.410 and cocaine (β = 2.56; 95% CI = 0.34, 4.79), was specific to adults (β = 5.50; 95% CI = 1.52, 9.47) and was largest in states granting legal protection for marijuana dispensaries (β = 6.37; 95% CI = –0.97, 13.70). There was no statistically significant association between MMLs and treatment admissions by non‐pregnant women.

Conclusions

Medical marijuana law implementation in US states has been associated with greater substance use treatment utilization by pregnant adult women, especially in states with legally protected dispensaries.
Saliva cotinine concentrations in pregnant women who smoke and use nicotine patches
Authors: Claire Ravinder , Coleman Tim , Leonardi‐Bee Jo , Berlin Ivan
Published: May 2019

Background and Aims

Due to concerns about increased exposure to nicotine, pregnant women using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to stop smoking are usually advised to stop using NRT if they relapse to smoking. This study investigated whether this is justified. We compared changes in saliva cotinine from baseline to 2 weeks post‐target quit date pregnant smokers who relapsed to smoking and continued to use their patches having been assigned to use nicotine patches or placebo.

Design and Setting

Controlled pre–post design stratified by intervention condition from the ‘Study of Nicotine Patch in Pregnancy’, a randomized, placebo‐controlled trial.

Participants

A sample of 268 pregnant women, assigned placebo (n = 122) or nicotine (n = 146) patches, who returned for further supplies of patches and who reported any smoking in the week prior to a visit at 2 weeks after their target quit date.

Measurements

Saliva cotinine concentrations were measured at baseline and 2 weeks after participants’ target quit dates. Any smoking in the previous week was assessed by self‐report, validated by expired air carbon monoxide (CO).

Findings

There was no change in saliva cotinine concentrations between baseline and 2 weeks post‐target quit date in saliva cotinine concentration in the nicotine patch group [ratio of geometric means = 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.83 to 1.07; P = 0.37, Bayes factor = 0.15]. However, there was a reduction in reported number of cigarettes smoked/day (mean difference −6, 95% CIs −7 to −5, P < 0.001) and in CO concentrations (mean difference −3.0 parts per million, 95% CIs −4.2 to −1.9, P < 0.001). These changes were not significantly different from changes in the placebo group except for cigarette consumption, which reduced more in the nicotine group (P = 0.046).

Conclusions

In women trying to stop smoking with the aid of a nicotine patch but having smoked at 2 weeks post‐target quit, their nicotine concentration did not change from baseline, but they reported smoking fewer cigarettes and had lower carbon monoxide concentrations.
Trapping strategy for Monochamus sutor and Monochamus galloprovincialis: potential vectors of the pine wood nematode in Scandinavia
Authors: Schroeder Martin
Published: May 2019

The pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is a threat to pine forests in Europe. Annual detection, and delimiting surveys if detected, are mandatory in the European Union. The trapping of Monochamus beetles, vectors of pine wood nematode, is included in both types of survey.

The efficient use of traps increases the probability of detecting the pine wood nematode. How stand type, bait composition, wet or dry collecting jars, and trapping period during the summer affect the catches of Monochamus was investigated in central Sweden.

Monochamus sutor and Monochamus galloprovincialis occurred together in half of the trapping locations, suggesting that the two species could interact as vectors for the pine wood nematode.

Baited traps caught 25‐ to 30‐fold more M. sutor than unbaited traps. Monochamus sutor was four‐ to seven‐fold more abundant on clear‐cuts than in pine stands, whereas numbers of M. galloprovincialis were similar in both habitats. There was no difference in catch between fresh and old clear‐cuts for M. sutor. The addition of α‐pinene to the pheromone baits increased catches of M. sutor by 1.6‐fold on old clear‐cuts, whereas there was no difference for M. galloprovincialis. Wet traps caught approximately two‐fold more M. sutor than dry traps. Most M. sutor were caught in June and July, whereas the flight period of M. galloprovincialis started approximately 1 month later and peaked in July.

Based on the results, a trapping strategy is presented for M. sutor and M. galloprovincialis in Scandinavia.
Supervised versus un‐supervised classification: A quantitative comparison of plant communities in savanna vegetation
Authors: Addicott Eda , Laurance Susan G. W.
Published: May 2019

Question

What are the differences between plant communities recognised using supervised versus un‐supervised methods?

Location

Northeastern Australia.

Methods

Two classifications of savanna plant communities were formed independently with two different approaches: supervised and un‐supervised (using agglomerative hierarchical clustering). Each approach used the same vegetation datasets and, importantly, classification criteria. The communities occur on two different landscapes, with differing environmental gradients, covering an area of 53,500 km2. We compared the internal characteristics of plant communities between approaches and landscapes using four evaluation criteria: identifiability, distinctiveness, similarity of internal heterogeneity and predictability of species foliage cover. Additionally, we compared the central floristic concepts and compositional boundaries of communities identified by each approach.

Results

Supervised and un‐supervised approaches recognised similar floristic community concepts. Compositional boundaries between communities were similar on the landscape with steeper environmental gradients but significantly different on the landscape with gradual environmental gradients. However, communities distinguished using supervised methods were significantly less distinct and identifiable, worse at predicting species foliage cover and significantly more variable in species composition than those identified using un‐supervised methods.

Conclusions

Using supervised rather than un‐supervised approaches to distinguish plant communities can result in less recognisable communities, possibly reducing their usefulness for land management planning. Importantly, we found a large disparity between the two approaches in delineating compositional boundaries between communities on landscapes with gradual environmental gradients. This is particularly relevant to communities in biomes such as the savanna which comprises 20% of the Earth's landmass. Ecologists can be more confident using a supervised approach on landscapes with steep environmental gradients but should target landscapes with gradual environmental gradients for un‐supervised classification.
Elymus athericus encroachment in Wadden Sea salt marshes is driven by surface elevation change
Authors: Nolte Stefanie , Wanner Antonia , Stock Martin , Jensen Kai
Published: May 2019

Questions

What are the main drivers of vegetation succession and the encroachment of Elymus athericus (Link) Kerguélen in ungrazed Wadden Sea salt marshes? Is (a) elevation, a proxy for tidal inundation and thus abiotic conditions, limiting the expanse of Elymus. Does sedimentation increase the spread of Elymus by (b) leading to surface elevation change or does it (c) add nitrogen and thereby allows Elymus to grow in lower elevation?

Location

Salt marsh at Sönke‐Nissen‐Koog, Wadden Sea National Park Schleswig‐Holstein, Germany.

Methods

The experiment was established in 2007 in the high marsh and consisted of four blocks of 12 m × 8 m. The blocks differed in surface elevation change during the experiment. Each block was subdivided into 24 plots of 1 m × 1 m. The original elevation of all plots in relation to the German ordnance datum (NHN) was assessed at the start of the experiment. Plots within the blocks were randomly assigned to one of the three N fertilization treatments. Within each plot we planted five randomly chosen individuals of Elymus. After four years of treatment, the vegetation composition and cover were recorded in all plots and aboveground biomass was collected.

Results

Original elevation was found to be a main driver of succession favouring Elymus and other late‐successional plants. There was no effect of N fertilization, but a positive effect of surface elevation change on Elymus cover was detected.

Conclusions

We can conclude that the positive effect of surface elevation change on Elymus is based on the resulting higher elevation and more favourable abiotic conditions caused by sedimentation, but not by the addition of nitrogen with the freshly deposited sediment. This case, therefore, is an example for an ecosystem in which encroachment is driven by a natural factor, rather than anthropogenic eutrophication.
New positive patch test reactions on day 7—The additional value of the day 7 patch test reading
Authors: van Amerongen Cynthia C. A. , Ofenloch Robert , Dittmar Daan , Schuttelaar Marie L. A.
Published: May 2019

Background

Not performing a day (D) 7 patch test reading might result in positive patch test reactions being missed.

Objectives

To investigate the added value of the D7 patch test reading for individual allergens, and to identify patient characteristics and allergen groups associated with new positive D7 reactions.

Methods

Data from patients patch tested between 2008 and 2018 with the extended European baseline series were analysed. Patch test readings were performed on D3 and D7. Positive reactions were categorized into positive on D3 or new positive on D7.

Results

A total of 3292 patients were consecutively patch tested with at least 43 allergens of the TRUE Test panels 1 and 2 supplemented with investigator‐loaded allergens. In total, 447 (13.6%) patients showed new positive D7 reactions. In univariable regression analysis, age between 18 and 30 years showed a negative association with new positive D7 reactions. Significantly more D7 positive reactions were seen for topicals (odds ratio [OR] 2.60, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.92‐3.51) and corticosteroids (OR 1.87, 95%CI: 1.09‐3.21). No associations were found between sex, atopic dermatitis and occupational dermatitis and a new positive D7 reaction.

Conclusion

A D7 reading to identify new positive patch test reactions is of added value, especially for topicals and corticosteroids.
Topical scabies therapy with permethrin is effective and well tolerated in infants younger than two months
Authors: Hoffmann Johanna Charlotte , Mößner Rotraut , Schön Michael Peter , Lippert Undine
Published: May 2019

Background and objectives

Proper management of infantile scabies is indispensable in order to prevent prolonged duration and spread of the disease. Data are still lacking that support topical treatment with permethrin 5 % cream in infants under two months of age, and application remains off‐label for this age group.

Patients and methods

We identified infants younger than two months who suffered from scabies in order to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical treatment with permethrin cream in this age group. Diagnosis of scabies was based on the typical symptoms and pathognomonic features as determined with dermoscopy. We analyzed the efficacy and safety of the therapies that were applied.

Results

Seven scabies patients under two months of age were treated with permethrin 5 % cream. Topical therapy was repeated up to three times in four patients due to incomplete resolution or recurrence of skin lesions.

Conclusions

Permethrin therapy was well tolerated in all seven infants, even when conducted several times. Our results confirm that the use of permethrin 5 % cream in children younger than two months of age is safe.
Efficacy and safety of anagrelide as a first‐line drug in cytoreductive treatment‐naïve essential thrombocythemia patients in a real‐world setting
Authors: Ito Tomoki , Hashimoto Yoshinori , Tanaka Yasuhiro , Nakaya Aya , Fujita Shinya , Satake Atsushi , Nakanishi Takahisa , Konishi Akiko , Hotta Masaaki , Yoshimura Hideaki , Ishii Kazuyoshi , Hashimoto Akiko , Kondo Toshinori , Omura Hiromi , Shinzato Isaku , Tanaka Takayuki , Nomura Shosaku
Published: May 2019

Objective

This study aimed to retrospectively assess the efficacy and safety of anagrelide in cytoreduction therapy‐naïve essential thrombocythemia (ET) patients in a real‐world setting.

Method

Data from 53 ET patients who received anagrelide as a first‐line therapy were reviewed for patient characteristics, antiplatelet status, cytoreduction status, therapeutic effects, adverse events, thrombohemorrhagic event development, progression to myelofibrosis or acute leukemia, and cause of death.

Results

The rate of achieving a platelet count of <600 × 109/L during anagrelide monotherapy was 83.0%. Adverse events occurred in 32 of 53 patients, and tended to be slightly more severe in patients with cardiac failure; however, they were mostly tolerable. The therapeutic effect of anagrelide was consistent, regardless of genetic mutation profiles. The incidence of anemia as an adverse event was significantly higher in the CALR mutation‐positive group. Favorable platelet counts were also achieved in patients for whom hydroxyurea was introduced as a replacement for anagrelide or in addition to anagrelide because of unresponsiveness or intolerance to treatment.

Conclusion

In Japanese cytoreduction therapy‐naïve ET patients, anagrelide administration as a first‐line therapy demonstrated favorable effects in reducing platelet counts, and its safety profile that was generally consistent with those in previous reports.
The creation of an endovascular exit through the vessel wall using a minimally invasive working channel in order to reach all human organs
Authors: Lundberg J. , Grankvist R. , Holmin S.
Published: May 2019

Since the establishment of the Seldinger technique for secure entry to the vascular system, there has been a rapid evolution in imaging and catheters that has made the arteries and veins internal routes to any place in the body for interventions. It is curious that a general exit from the vasculature in a similar manner has not been proposed earlier. Possibly, the simplest reason is that accidental perforation of the vasculature by guide wire or catheter is a feared adverse event in endovascular intervention. Most places in the body can be reached by ultrasonography or computed tomography‐guided intervention. Some organs such as the central nervous system, the heart and pancreas are harder to access and, in some organs, like the kidney, repeated percutaneous punctions to cover large areas is not suitable. We present a new general purpose micro‐endovascular device creating a working channel to these ‘hard to reach’ organs by an inverted Seldinger technique. This review details this trans‐vessel wall technique, which has been studied in pancreas for transplantation of insulin‐producing cells, for injection of contrast agent to the heart and to the brain, bowels and kidney in rat, rabbit, swine and macaque monkeys with up to one year of follow‐up without adverse events. Furthermore, the payloads that can be given through such a system are briefly discussed. Drugs, cells, gene vectors and other therapeutic substances may be injected directly to the tissue to increase efficacy and decrease risk of off‐site adverse effects.
The language of character strengths: Predicting morally valued traits on social media
Authors: Pang Dandan , Eichstaedt Johannes C. , Buffone Anneke , Slaff Barry , Ruch Willibald , Ungar Lyle H.
Published: May 2019

Objective

Social media is increasingly being used to study psychological constructs. This study is the first to use Twitter language to investigate the 24 Values in Action Inventory of Character Strengths, which have been shown to predict important life domains such as well‐being.

Method

We use both a top‐down closed‐vocabulary (Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count) and a data‐driven open‐vocabulary (Differential Language Analysis) approach to analyze 3,937,768 tweets from 4,423 participants (64.3% female), who answered a 240‐item survey on character strengths.

Results

We present the language profiles of (a) a global positivity factor accounting for 36% of the variances in the strengths, and (b) each of the 24 individual strengths, for which we find largely face‐valid language associations. Machine learning models trained on language data to predict character strengths reach out‐of‐sample prediction accuracies comparable to previous work on personality (rmedian = 0.28, ranging from 0.13 to 0.51).

Conclusions

The findings suggest that Twitter can be used to characterize and predict character strengths. This technique could be used to measure the character strengths of large populations unobtrusively and cost‐effectively.
Using a Modified Theory of Planned Behavior to Examine Teachers' Intention to Implement a Work Safety and Health Curriculum
Authors: Guerin Rebecca J. , Toland Michael D. , Okun Andrea H. , Rojas‐Guyler Liliana , Baker Devin S. , Bernard Amy L.
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Workplace safety and health is a major public health concern, but largely absent from the school health curriculum. Little is known about teachers' perceptions of teaching workplace safety and health topics.

METHODS

We administered a 41‐item questionnaire reflecting the theory of planned behavior, modified to measure knowledge, to 242 middle and high school teachers in career and technical education and academic subjects. We conducted confirmatory factor analysis to assess the measures' psychometric properties and factorial ANOVAs to compare differences among participants' knowledge, attitude toward, self‐efficacy, and intention (to teach) workplace safety and health by sex, prior work injury, and main subject taught.

RESULTS

Confirmatory factor analyses indicated the measures reflected the theory. Factorial ANOVAs suggested female teachers had statistically significantly lower mean self‐efficacy scores than did male teachers to teach workplace safety and health. Male occupational career and technical education teachers demonstrated higher mean knowledge scores than male teachers in other subjects. Participants not injured at work had higher knowledge scores than those who had been injured.

CONCLUSION

Self‐efficacy (influenced by sex) and knowledge (influenced by subject taught and previous workplace injury) revealed factors that may affect teachers' provision of workplace safety and health education, a critical yet overlooked component of school health.
Enrichment in selected genotypes, basal core and precore mutations of hepatitis B virus in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in Cameroon
Authors: Atsama Amougou Marie , Marchio Agnes , Bivigou‐Mboumba Berthold , Noah Noah Dominique , Banai Robert , Atangana Paul Jean Adrien , Fewou Moundipa Paul , Pineau Pascal , Njouom Richard
Published: May 2019

Worldwide, the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is known to be influenced by several hepatitis B viral factors. However, the effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes and a landscape of nucleotide changes affecting the precore (PC) and basal core promoter (BCP) during infection leading to HCC remain largely unknown in the Central Africa region. Thus, we performed a case‐control study on patients with HBV‐related HCC and matched controls without HCC but with chronic HBV infection. Genotypes and mutation spectrums were evaluated using a hemi‐nested amplification and sequencing analysis focused on the BCP and PC regions. We identified the co‐circulation of HBV quasi‐subgenotype A3 (QS‐A3) and genotype E in both groups. Interestingly, HBV‐QS‐A3 was significantly more prevalent in patients with HCC (80.0%) than in controls (31.9%, P = 4.5 E‐7, OR = 11.5, 95% CI: 3.8‐38.5). HBV mutation spectra and nucleotide changes were significantly more polymorphic in patients with HCC. Remarkably, HCC patients infected with HBV‐QS‐A3 were significantly more mutated compared to patients infected with genotype E (P < 0.0001). In addition, G:C>T:A transversions, generally associated with aflatoxin B1 exposure in tropical regions, were significantly more prevalent in HCC patients infected either with HBV‐QS‐A3 or HBV genotype E (P = 2.2 E‐05) when compared to controls. In conclusion, our results indicate that patients infected with HBV‐QS‐A3 are at increased risk to develop HCC. In addition, viral genomes isolated for patients with tumour are more heavily altered than those found in controls. Preferential targeting of these patients for antiviral treatment is of paramount importance to reduce future HCC incidence in Cameroon.
U.S. seafood consumption
Authors: Shamshak Gina L. , Anderson James L. , Asche Frank , Garlock Taryn , Love David C.
Published: May 2019

U.S. seafood consumption has changed dramatically in recent decades and has become increasingly dominated by the consumption of a limited number of species that are primarily imported and predominantly sourced from aquaculture. In getting to this point, the United States has been, and still is, at the forefront of some of the most important trends in global seafood markets. Hence, discussing the factors influencing U.S. seafood consumption patterns is an interesting and informative endeavor and will most likely also have strong predictive power for the continued development of seafood markets in the United States. In this article, we will discuss the transitions in the U.S. seafood market, primarily focusing on the period from 1990 to the present, highlighting the main factors that facilitated this development. This article provides an overview of U.S. landings, aquaculture production, exports, and imports and also explores contributing trends in global export and import markets. This will be followed by a discussion of U.S. per capita consumption patterns and an examination of the consolidation of species consumed over time. Finally, implications for future trends in seafood consumption and production are discussed.
The Value of a Statistical Life for Risk‐Averse and Risk‐Seeking Individuals
Authors: Parada‐Contzen Marcela V.
Published: May 2019

This article estimates the value of a statistical life (VSL) for Chile under the hedonic wage method while accounting for individual risk preferences. Two alternative measures of risk aversion are used. First, risk aversion is directly measured using survey measures of preferences over hypothetical gambles, and second, over observed individual behaviors that may proxy for risk preferences, such as smoking status, are used. I reconcile the results with a theoretical model of economic behavior that predicts how the wage‐risk tradeoff changes as risk aversion differs across individuals. The VSL estimates range between 0.61 and 8.68 million dollars. The results using smoking behavior as a proxy for risk attitudes are consistent with previous findings. However, directly measuring risk aversion corrects the wage‐risk tradeoff estimation bias in the opposite direction. The results are robust to other observed measures of risk aversion such as drinking behavior and stock investments. Results suggest that, consistent with the literature that connects smoking behavior with labor market outcomes, smoking status could be capturing poor health productivity effect in addition to purely risk preferences.
Cultural journalism—Journalism about culture
Authors: Kristensen Nete Nørgaard
Published: May 2019

This article is an introduction to “cultural journalism,” a specialised type of professional journalism that covers and debates the broad field of arts and culture. The article points to some of the research traditions that have engaged with the news media's coverage of arts and culture and inspired contemporary cultural journalism research, among them cultural sociology and the sociology of journalism. Furthermore, the article outlines the institutional roles and epistemology of cultural journalism, which in several respects differ from dominating normative conceptions of Western journalism. At the same time, the article shows that contemporary journalism shares many similarities with the approaches found in culural journalism, such as interpretation, emotionality, and subjectivity. Finally, the article points to important future paths for cultural journalism research, including comparative perspectives and the political dimensions and potentialities of cultural journalism.
Treatment of Candida infections with fluconazole in adult liver transplant recipients: Is TDM‐guided dosing adaptation helpful?
Authors: Righi Elda , Carnelutti Alessia , Baccarani Umberto , Sartor Assunta , Cojutti Piergiorgio , Bassetti Matteo , Pea Federico
Published: May 2019

Background

Fluconazole represents a common antifungal option for the treatment of Candida infections in liver transplant recipients. Although adequate antifungal exposure is known to correlate with favorable outcomes in patients with invasive candidiasis, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of fluconazole is currently not recommended.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study including adult liver transplant recipients receiving fluconazole for invasive candidiasis and undergoing TDM. We assessed the correlation between clinical variables, fluconazole trough plasma levels (Cmin), and outcome.

Results

Twenty‐seven patients (74% males; median age 57 years) were included. Abdominal candidiasis was the most frequent infection (56%). Median duration of fluconazole therapy was 17 days (IQR 9‐21). Fluconazole median Cmin was 11.0 mg/L (range 2.4‐30.6 mg/L). Five (19%) patients required TDM‐guided fluconazole dose increase. All‐cause in hospital mortality was 33%. Fluconazole Cmin >11 mg/L significantly correlated with clinical success (OR 8.78, 95% CI 1.13‐67.8, P = 0.04).

Conclusions

Our study identified decreased fluconazole Cmin as a factor associated with negative outcomes in liver transplant recipients with Candida infection. TDM of fluconazole may be advisable in this patient population.
Presentación
Authors: Director El
Published: May 2019

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Human Cytomegalovirus Enters the Primary CD34
+
Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells Where It Establishes Latency by Macropinocytosis
Authors: Lee Jeong-Hee , Kalejta Robert F.
Published: May 2019

Virion entry is targeted by antivirals and natural immunity to prevent infection. Natural preexisting immunity is ineffective at clearing an HCMV infection, and an incomplete understanding of the viral glycoproteins and cellular receptors that mediate entry has hampered inhibitor development. Nevertheless, HCMV entry remains a viable drug target. Our characterization here of HCMV entry into primary CD34
+
hematopoietic progenitor cells through macropinocytosis and our comparison to viral entry into fibroblast cells highlight virion uncoating and tegument disassembly as a divergence point between productive and latent infections. Further definition of tegument disassembly may permit the development of interventions to inhibit this process to block productive infection or to trigger it in incompletely differentiated cells to prevent the seeding of the latent reservoirs that make HCMV infections incurable.
Improper Coordination of BamA and BamD Results in Bam Complex Jamming by a Lipoprotein Substrate
Authors: Tata Muralidhar , Konovalova Anna
Published: May 2019

The β-barrel assembly machinery, the Bam complex, consists of five components, BamA to -E, among which BamA and BamD are highly conserved and essential. The nonessential components are believed to play redundant roles simply by improving the rate of β-barrel folding. Here we show that BamE contributes a specific and nonoverlapping function to the Bam complex. BamE coordinates BamA and BamD to form a complex between the lipoprotein RcsF and its partner outer membrane β-barrel protein, allowing RcsF to reach the cell surface. In the absence of BamE, RcsF accumulates on BamA, thus blocking the activity of the Bam complex. As the Bam complex is a major antibiotic target in Gram-negative bacteria, the discovery that a lipoprotein can act as a jamming substrate may open the door for development of novel Bam complex inhibitors.
Complete Genome Sequences of Two Melissococcus plutonius Strains with Different Virulence Profiles, Obtained by PacBio Sequencing
Authors: Okumura Kayo , Takamatsu Daisuke , Okura Masatoshi
Published: May 2019

Melissococcus plutonius
attacks honeybee larvae, causing European foulbrood. Based on their virulence toward larvae,
M. plutonius
isolates were classified into three types, highly virulent, moderately virulent, and avirulent.
Familial hypertriglyceridaemia and type 2 diabetes in pregnancy: prevention of acute pancreatitis with diet control and omega-3 fatty acids
Authors: Ong Melissa , Jerreat Lynne , Hameed Aisha
Published: May 2019

Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy is rare and can be caused by hypertriglyceridaemia. The management of hypertriglyceridaemia in pregnancy is complex and challenging as many lipid-lowering medications have been found to be unsafe in pregnancy. Patients who present with hypertriglyceridaemia commonly have multiple risk factors such as, diabetes, alcohol excess and hypothyroidism which pose a greater challenge to the management of these patients. We present a case of a 31-year-old woman presenting with familial hypertriglyceridaemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus in her third pregnancy. She had an uneventful pregnancy with the use of omega-3 fatty acids nutritional support, low-fat diet and tight glucose control with insulin and metformin.