bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hospitalized Infections in Lupus: A Nationwide Study of Types of Infections, Time Trends, Health Care Utilization, and In‐Hospital Mortality
Authors: Singh Jasvinder A. , Cleveland John D. 
Published: November 2020

ObjectiveTo examine the time trends in hospitalized infections in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and the factors associated with health care utilization and in‐hospital mortality.MethodsUS National Inpatient Sample data from 1998–2016 were used to examine the epidemiology, time trends, and outcomes of 5 common hospitalized infections in patients with SLE, namely, pneumonia, sepsis/bacteremia, urinary tract infection (UTI), skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), and opportunistic infections (OIs). Time trends were compared using the Cochran‐Armitage test. Multivariable‐adjusted logistic regression models were used to examine the factors associated with health care utilization (hospital stay >3 days, hospital charges above the median, or discharge to a nonhome setting) and in‐hospital mortality.ResultsHospitalization rates per 100,000 claims among SLE patients in 1998–2000 versus in 2015–2016 were as follows: for OIs, 1.13 versus 1.61 (1.2‐fold increase); for SSTIs, 4.78 versus 12.2 (2.5‐fold increase); for UTI, 1.94 versus 6.12 (3.2‐fold increase); for pneumonia, 15.09 versus 17.05 (1.1‐fold increase); and for sepsis, 6.31 versus 39.64 (6.3‐fold increase). In 2011–2012, sepsis surpassed pneumonia as the most common hospitalized infection in patients with SLE. In multivariable‐adjusted models, a diagnosis of sepsis, older age, a Deyo‐Charlson common comorbidities score of ≥2, having Medicare or Medicaid insurance, and urban hospital location were significantly associated with increased odds of in‐hospital mortality and with all health care utilization outcomes. African American race was significantly associated with increased odds of health care utilization.ConclusionThe results of this study indicate that the rates of hospitalized infections increased over time in patients with SLE, and that pneumonia was surpassed by sepsis as the most common hospitalized infection. In addition, associations of risk factors with poorer outcomes were identified. These findings may help inform patients, providers, and policy makers with regard to the burden of infection in SLE, and could lead to interventions/pathways to improve outcomes.
Prolonged Auditory Brainstem Response in Universal Hearing Screening of Newborns with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Miron Oren , Delgado Rafael E. , Delgado Christine F. , Simpson Elizabeth A. , Yu Kun‐Hsing , Gutierrez Anibal , Zeng Guangyu , Gerstenberger Jillian N. , Kohane Isaac S. 
Published: November 2020

Previous studies report prolonged auditory brainstem response (ABR) in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Despite its promise as a biomarker, it is unclear whether healthy newborns who later develop ASD also show ABR abnormalities. In the current study, we extracted ABR data on 139,154 newborns from their Universal Newborn Hearing Screening, including 321 newborns who were later diagnosed with ASD. We found that the ASD newborns had significant prolongations of their ABR phase and V‐negative latency compared with the non‐ASD newborns. Newborns in the ASD group also exhibited greater variance in their latencies compared to previous studies in older ASD samples, likely due in part to the low intensity of the ABR stimulus. These findings suggest that newborns display neurophysiological variation associated with ASD at birth. Future studies with higher‐intensity stimulus ABRs may allow more accurate predictions of ASD risk, which could augment the universal ABR test that currently screens millions of newborns worldwide.Lay SummaryChildren with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have slow brain responses to sounds. We examined these brain responses from newborns' hearing tests and found that newborns who were later diagnosed with autism also had slower brain responses to sounds. Future studies might use these findings to better predict autism risk, with a hearing test that is already used on millions of newborns worldwide.
Enhanced photoluminescence in RE (Eu3+, Ce3+ and Sm3+)‐activated Ca10(PO4)F2 phosphors by double or triple ionized mineral doping: a comparative study
Authors: Duragkar Arati , Dhoble N.S. , Kadam Abhijeet R. , Dhoble S.J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn this work, RE3+ (Eu, Ce and Sm)‐activated Ca10(PO4)6F2 (fluorapatite) phosphors were synthesized by doping with different apatite minerals (SO4, VO4, WO4) using a solid‐state diffusion method. Optical and structural characterizations were performed using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. XRD characterization showed the crystalline nature of the phosphor. PL properties were investigated under ultraviolet light excitation for all three rare earths. CIE chromaticity revealed the colour emitted in the visible region. Luminescence intensity was enhanced considerably by tuning the host matrices after core–shell formation by substitution with other ions producing promising candidates for white light‐emitting diode materials.
Study on the interaction of hyperoside and human serum albumin in VC and VC‐free environments by spectroscopic and molecular docking techniques
Authors: Xin Xiulan , Chen Liang , Li Ye , Yu Ran , Fan Haitao , Yan Zheng , Li Shuangshi , Feng Hui 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe interaction between hyperoside and human serum albumin was studied in vitamin C (VC) and VC‐free environments using ultraviolet (UV)–vis absorption, fluorescence, circular dichroism spectra, and molecular docking techniques under simulated physiological conditions. The two environments had different influences on the secondary structure of human serum albumin (HSA). The α‐helix content was slightly increased from 50% to 51% in the VC environment and increased from 50% to 55% in the VC‐free environment. The thermodynamic parameters were ΔH° = −30.7 kJ⋅mol−1 and ΔS° = −23.4 mol−1⋅K−1 in the VC environment and ΔH° = −25.4 kJ⋅mol−1 and ΔS° = −11.4 J⋅mol−1⋅K−1 in the VC‐free environment. Through thermodynamics parameters, hydrophobic force played a dominant role in the whole environment. The binding constants were calculated to be 7.25 × 105 mol⋅L−1 and 9.76 × 105 mol⋅L−1 at 298 K and they declined with the rise in temperature. The two binding distances were 2.6 nm and 2.5 nm respectively at 298 K, indicating that fluorescence energy transfer occurred. The UV–vis spectra indicated that fluorescence quenching of the HSA–hyperoside complex was a static quenching process. Hyperoside could spontaneously bind to HSA at site I (subdomain IIA). Molecular docking elucidated the way to binding basically through hydrophobic and van der Waals force interactions. Moreover, molecular docking showed that the VC environment could influence binding of HSA and hyperoside by more H‐binding and less hydrophobic forces.
Severe nonbacterial preseptal cellulitis from adenovirus detected via pooled meta‐genomic testing
Authors: Bansal Saurabh , Nimmatoori Divya P. , Singhania Namrata , Lin Rone Chun , Nukala Chandra Mouli , Singh Anil K. , Singhania Girish 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPreseptal cellulitis is a serious diagnosis that can progress to postseptal cellulitis leading to grave consequences. Clinically, viral and bacterial cellulitis can be indistinguishable from each other. Using rapid DNA/RNA sequencing can be helpful.
Extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma in an 11‐year‐old child
Authors: Ninchoji Takeshi , Fujimura Junya , Uemura Suguru , Yamamoto Nobuyuki , Nozu Kandai , Iijima Kazumoto 
Published: November 2020

AbstractExtranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is difficult to identify and diagnose appropriately. Positron emission tomography imaging is a crucial method that leads to precise diagnosis. A proper regimen including stem cell transplantation would possibly improve prognosis of advanced ENKTL.
Experimental characterization of bond fatigue of carbon reinforced concrete
Authors: Wagner Juliane , Curbach Manfred 
Published: November 2020

AbstractDue to the construction of more and more bridges out of textile respectively carbon reinforced concrete (CRC) or strengthening with it, the fatigue behavior of the material becomes more important and has to be investigated. However, next to the tensile load‐bearing behavior, the bond behavior is crucial as well. As for the carbon textiles used nowadays, concrete splitting gaines in importance as failure mode, a suitable test setup has to be found which allows representing realistic conditions. Therefore, in this paper, two different test setups—the double‐sided textile pull‐out (DPO) and the overlap test—are compared regarding their results in quasi‐static reference and residual strength tests as well as in fatigue tests with different bond lengths. In the end, it will be clear that one of the test setups clearly creates the more realistic results.
Evaluation of the oral administration of α‐l‐guluronic acid on COX‐1 and COX‐2 gene expression profile in ankylosing spondylitis patients
Authors: Sadoughi Arezoo , Mansouri Reza , Nazeri Sepideh , Mirshafiey Abbas 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAnkylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic autoimmune arthritis disease with a genetic background, affecting the skeletal axis, sacroiliac, and peripheral joints. Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the first‐line treatment for AS to alleviate the inflammation and pain. Despite the beneficial effect, their use is accompanied by a wide variety of possible side effects in the gastrointestinal and kidneys. The α‐l‐guluronic acid (G2013) is a new nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory patented (PCT/EP2017/067920) drug, which has shown its anti‐inflammatory properties in the previous investigations. The present study revealed the oral administration effect of G2013 on COX‐1 and COX‐2 gene expression in AS patients. The blood samples of twelve 18–45 years old patients suffering AS and BASDAI >4, and BASFI >4, before and after 12 weeks of treatment with G2013 and 12 blood samples of healthy volunteers were collected and the effect of G2013 on the gene expression of COX‐1 and COX‐2 enzymes were assessed by Real‐Time PCR. The results indicate that G2013 is able to reduce the gene expression level of COX‐1 and COX‐2 enzymes in treated AS patients compared to healthy control. Statistically significant differences were not observed between the treatment and the healthy control groups. According to the findings, G2013 might be categorized and introduced as a novel NSAID for the treatment of AS.
New qualitative analysis strategy for illicit drugs using Raman spectroscopy and characteristic peaks method
Authors: Liu Cui‐Mei , He Hong‐Yuan , Xu Lin , Hua Zhen‐Dong 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPerforming fast qualitative identification of seized illegal drugs by Raman spectroscopy is challenging due to fluorescence interference as well as chemical complexity. Spectrometers with 785‐nm excitation, 1,064‐nm excitation, and sequentially shifted excitation (SSE) were compared for their effect on fluorescence reduction. The characteristic peaks method, which is independent of cutting agents, was tested as a new strategy to broaden the application of the Raman technique. The suitability of the characteristic peaks method was fully examined by analyzing a large amount of seized illegal drugs, including 72 methamphetamine hydrochloride (concentration range of 13.9%–99.4%), 68 ketamine hydrochloride (17.7%–99.8%), 176 heroin hydrochloride (5.2%–79.5%), 51 cocaine hydrochloride (21.1%–94.5%), and 33 cocaine base (30.9%–92.5%) samples. The results showed that seized methamphetamine, ketamine, and cocaine samples had no or little fluorescence. Hence, in regard to detection of these samples, the advantage of using 1,064‐nm excitation and SSE compared with 785‐nm excitation was quite limited. Regarding the heroin samples, a significant improvement of the “high” confident positive detected rate was evident for 1,064 nm excitation (60.8%) and SSE (61.4%), compared with 785‐nm excitation (13.1%). However, it was also seen that even if 1,064‐nm excitation and SSE were applied, the fluorescence of heroin samples was still unable to be fully overcome. By using the characteristic peaks method, low LOD results of 5%–20% were acquired for 40 types of drug mixtures, and lower LODs were obtained for the 60% of the drug mixtures compared with library searching method. Raman spectroscopy in conjunction with the characteristic peaks method was shown to be fast, simple, accurate, and sensitive in the qualitative analysis of seized drug samples.
Effects of snake fungal disease on short‐term survival, behavior, and movement in free‐ranging snakes
Authors: McKenzie Jennifer M. , Price Steven J. , Connette Grant M. , Bonner Simon J. , Lorch Jeffrey M. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPathogenic fungi are increasingly associated with epidemics in wildlife populations. Snake fungal disease (SFD, also referred to as Ophidiomycosis) is an emerging threat to snakes, taxa that are elusive and difficult to sample. Thus, assessments of the effects of SFD on populations have rarely occurred. We used a field technique to enhance detection, Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) telemetry, and a multi‐state capture–mark–recapture model to assess SFD effects on short‐term (within‐season) survival, movement, and surface activity of two wild snake species,Regina septemvittata(Queensnake) andNerodia sipedon(Common Watersnake). We were unable to detect an effect of disease state on short‐term survival for either species. However, we estimated Bayesian posterior probabilities of >0.99 thatR. septemvittatawith SFD spent more time surface‐active and were less likely to permanently emigrate from the study area. We also estimated probabilities of 0.98 and 0.87 that temporary immigration and temporary emigration rates, respectively, were lower in diseasedR. septemvittata. We found evidence of elevated surface activity and lower temporary immigration rates in diseasedN. sipedon, with estimated probabilities of 0.89, and found considerably less support for differences in permanent or temporary emigration rates. This study is the first to yield estimates for key demographic and behavioral parameters (survival, emigration, surface activity) of snakes in wild populations afflicted with SFD. Given the increase in surface activity of diseased snakes, future surveys of snake populations could benefit from exploring longer‐term demographic consequences of SFD and recognize that disease prevalence in surface‐active animals may exceed that of the population as a whole.
Genomic analysis of Asian honeybee populations in China reveals evolutionary relationships and adaptation to abiotic stress
Authors: Shi Peng , Zhou Jun , Song Huali , Wu Yujuan , Lan Lan , Tang Xiangyou , Ma Zhengang , Vossbrinck Charles R. , Vossbrinck Bettina , Zhou Zeyang , Xu Jinshan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe geographic and biological diversity of China has resulted in the differential adaptation of the eastern honeybee, Apis cerana, to these varied habitats. A. cerana were collected from 14 locations in China. Their genomes were sequenced, and nucleotide polymorphisms were identified at more than 9 million sites. Both STRUCTURE and principal component analysis placed the bees into seven groups. Phylogenomic analysis groups the honeybees into many of the same clusters with high bootstrap values (91%–100%). Populations from Tibet and South Yunnan are sister taxa and together represent the earliest diverging lineage included in this study. We propose that the evolutionary origin of A. cerana in China was in the southern region of Yunnan Province and expanded from there into the southeastern regions and into the northeastern mountain regions. The Cold‐Temperate West Sichuan Plateau and Tropical Diannan populations were compared to identify genes under adaptive selection in these two habitats. Pathway enrichment analysis showing genes under selection, including the Hippo signaling pathway, GABAergic pathway, and trehalose‐phosphate synthase, indicates that most genes under selection pressure are involved in the process of signal transduction and energy metabolism. qRT‐PCR analysis reveals that one gene under selection, the AcVIAAT gene, involved in the GABAergic pathway, is responding to cold temperature stress. Through homologous recombination, we show that the AcVIAAT gene is able to replace the CNAG_01904 gene in the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans and that it makes the fungus less sensitive to conditions of oxidative stress and variations in temperature. Our results contribute to our understanding of the evolutionary origin of A. cerana in China and the molecular basis of environmental adaptation.
Design and development of a low‐cost solar parabolic dish concentrator system with manual dual‐axis tracking
Authors: Sahu Susant Kumar , K Arjun Singh , Natarajan Sendhil Kumar 
Published: November 2020

SummarySolar parabolic dish attracts most of the researchers with its higher concentration ratio and its modular ability. Parabolic dish concentration can be employed in many applications which falls under solar thermal and solar electricity production. This article presents a novel approach of designing and development of a low‐cost solar parabolic dish concentrator of 12.6 m2 aperture area with dual‐axis manual tracking, which can be utilized for process heating and electrical power generation simultaneously. The same set up has been fabricated in National Institute of Technology, Puducherry and ready for investigation and analysis on different prospective. The design concept of solar parabolic dish concentrator and dual‐axis tracking system and its economic analysis are elaborately discussed in this article. The complete procedure followed for the fabrication of the entire system is also highlighted. Based on the economic analysis it was found to be more economical than the other existing dish concentrators in the literature, which costs ₹6877.00 per square meter.
Effects of the mycotoxin metabolite de‐epoxy‐deoxynivalenol (DOM‐1) on embryo development and sperm motility in cattle
Authors: Guerrero‐Netro Hilda M. , Barreta Marcos H. , Costa Eduardo , Goetten Andre , Dupras Raynald , Mills Louis , Koch Julia , Portela Valério M. , Price Christopher A. , Chorfi Younes 
Published: November 2020

AbstractContamination of animal feed with Fusarium spp results in accumulation of mycotoxins including deoxynivalenol. In animals, deoxynivalenol is metabolized to de‐epoxy deoxynivalenol (DOM‐1), which is generally considered to be a non‐toxic metabolite; however, recent studies demonstrated that DOM‐1 can reduce steroid production and induce apoptosis in the bovine ovary. The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of DOM‐1 on applied aspects of reproductive function in cattle, specifically sperm function and embryo development in vitro and follicle growth and superovulatory responses in vivo. The effect of naturally contaminated feed on superovulatory responses was assessed; a dose of 6 ppm deoxynivalenol increased blood DOM‐1 concentrations to 20 ng/ml, but this did not alter the number of viable embryos recovered on day 7. However, intrafollicular injection of DOM‐1 (100 ng/ml) directly into the growing dominant follicle resulted in cessation of follicular growth over the subsequent 3 days. Treatment with DOM‐1 reduced motility of bull spermatozoa over a 10‐h period in vitro. Addition of DOM‐1 to oocytes in vitro during IVM did not alter rates of cumulus expansion and nuclear maturation, but treatment during IVF reduced the rate of blastocyst formation. These data illustrate that DOM‐1 is more biologically active than previously thought and negatively impacted reproductive outcomes in cattle.
Structure‐based discovery and redesign of TGF‐β1 Elbow epitope recognition by its type‐II receptor in hypertrophic scarring biotherapy
Authors: Chen Xiaoting , Wang Huixiong , Yang Songlin , Zheng Jianghong , Liu Xiangdong , Mao Guangyu 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTransforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) signaling pathway has been implicated in the fibroblast activation of hypertrophic scarring (HS). Previously, we proposed a new biotherapeutic strategy to combat HS by disrupting the intermolecular interaction of TGF‐β1 with its cognate type‐II receptor (TβR‐II). Here, we further demonstrate that the binding site of TGF‐β1 to TβR‐II is not overlapped with the conformational wrist epitope and linear knuckle epitope that are traditionally recognized as the functional binding sites of bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) to its type‐II receptor (BMPR‐II), which can thus be regarded as a new functional site we called elbow epitope. Structural, energetic, and dynamic investigations reveal that the elbow epitope consists of two sequentially discontinuous, spatially vicinal segments Loop30‐34 and Turn90‐95; they cannot work effectively to independently interact with TβR‐II. Rational redesign of the epitope is performed using an integrated in silio‐in vitro method based on crystal and modeled structure data. In the procedure, the two epitope segments are split from the interface of TGF‐β1‐TβR‐II complex and then connected with each other in a head‐to‐tail manner by adding a flexible poly‐(Gly)n linker between them, thus resulting in a series of combined peptides. We found that the peptide affinity reaches maximum at n = 2, which shares a consistent binding mode with the elbow epitope at native complex interface. The linker of either too long (n > 2) or too short (n < 2) cannot properly place the gap space between the two segments, thus impairing the binding compatibility of designed peptides with TβR‐II active site.