bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autonomic function in gastroparesis and chronic unexplained nausea and vomiting: Relationship with etiology, gastric emptying, and symptom severity
Authors: Nguyen Linda , Wilson Laura A. , Miriel Laura , Pasricha Pankaj J. , Kuo Braden , Hasler William L. , McCallum Richard W. , Sarosiek Irene , Koch Kenneth L. , Snape William J. , Farrugia Gianrico , Grover Madhusudan , Clarke John , Parkman Henry P. , Tonascia James , Hamilton Frank , Abell Thomas L. ,   For the NIDDK Gastroparesis Clinical Research Consortium (GpCRC)
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundAutonomic dysfunction can be present in patients with idiopathic and diabetic gastroparesis. The role of autonomic dysfunction relating to gastric emptying and upper gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with gastroparesis and chronic unexplained nausea and vomiting (CUNV) remains unclear. The aim of our study is to evaluate autonomic function in patients with gastroparesis and CUNV with respect to etiology, gastric emptying and symptom severity.MethodsWe studied 242 patients with chronic gastroparetic symptoms recruited at eight centers. All patients had a gastric emptying scintigraphy within 6 months of the study. Symptom severity was assessed using the gastroparesis cardinal symptom index. Autonomic function testing was performed at baseline enrollment using the ANX 3.0 autonomic monitoring system which measures heart rate variability and respiratory activity measurements.Key ResultsLow sympathetic response to challenge (Valsalva or standing) was the most common abnormality seen impacting 89% diabetic and 74% idiopathic patients. Diabetics compared to idiopathics, exhibited greater global hypofunction with sympathetic (OR = 4.7, 95% CI 2.2‐10.3; P < .001) and parasympathetic (OR = 7.2, 95% CI 3.4‐15.0; P < .001) dysfunction. Patients with delayed gastric emptying were more likely to have paradoxic parasympathetic excessive during sympathetic challenge [(Valsalva or standing) 40% vs. 26%, P = .05]. Patients with more severe symptoms exhibited greater parasympathetic dysfunction compared to those with mild‐moderate symptoms: resting sympathovagal balance [LFa/RFa 1.8 (1.0‐3.1) vs. 1.2 (0.6‐2.3), P = .006)] and standing parasympathetic activity [0.4 (0.1‐0.8) vs. 0.6 (0.2‐1.7); P = .03].ConclusionsAutonomic dysfunction was common in patients with gastroparesis and CUNV. Parasympathetic dysfunction was associated with delayed gastric emptying and more severe upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Conversely, sympathetic hypofunction was associated with milder symptoms.InferencesGastroparesis and CUNV may be a manifestation of GI autonomic dysfunction or imbalance, such that sympathetic dysfunction occurs early on in the manifestation of chronic upper GI symptoms, while parasympathetic dysfunction results in more severe symptoms and delayed gastric emptying.
Discovery and characterization of tannase genes in plants: roles in hydrolysis of tannins
Authors: Dai Xinlong , Liu Yajun , Zhuang Juhua , Yao Shengbo , Liu Li , Jiang Xiaolan , Zhou Kang , Wang Yunsheng , Xie Deyu , Bennetzen Jeffrey L. , Gao Liping , Xia Tao 
Published: February 2020

Summary

Plant tannins, including condensed tannins (CTs) and hydrolyzable tannins (HTs), are widely distributed in the plant kingdom. To date, tannase (TA) – is a type of tannin acyl‐hydrolase hydrolyzing HTs, CT monomer gallates and depsides – has been reported in microbes only. Whether plants express TA remains unknown.

Herein, we report plant TA genes. A native Camellia sinensis TA (CsTA) is identified from leaves. Six TAs are cloned from tea, strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa, Fa) and four other crops. Biochemical analysis shows that the native CsTA and six recombinant TAs hydrolyze tannin compounds, depsides and phenolic glycosides.

Transcriptional and metabolic analyses reveal that the expression of CsTA is oppositely associated with the accumulation of galloylated catechins. Moreover, the transient overexpression and RNA interference of FaTA are positively associated with the accumulation of ellagitannins in strawberry fruit. Phylogenetic analysis across different kingdoms shows that 29 plant TA homologs are clustered as a plant‐specific TA clade in class I carboxylesterases. Further analysis across the angiosperms reveals that these TA genes are dispersed in tannin‐rich plants, which share a single phylogenetic origin c. 120 million yr ago.

Plant TA is discovered for the first time in the plant kingdom and is shown to be valuable to improve tannin compositions in plants.
Plant responses to rising vapor pressure deficit
Authors: Grossiord Charlotte , Buckley Thomas N. , Cernusak Lucas A. , Novick Kimberly A. , Poulter Benjamin , Siegwolf Rolf T. W. , Sperry John S. , McDowell Nate G. 
Published: February 2020

SummaryRecent decades have been characterized by increasing temperatures worldwide, resulting in an exponential climb in vapor pressure deficit (VPD). VPD has been identified as an increasingly important driver of plant functioning in terrestrial biomes and has been established as a major contributor in recent drought‐induced plant mortality independent of other drivers associated with climate change. Despite this, few studies have isolated the physiological response of plant functioning to high VPD, thus limiting our understanding and ability to predict future impacts on terrestrial ecosystems. An abundance of evidence suggests that stomatal conductance declines under high VPD and transpiration increases in most species up until a given VPD threshold, leading to a cascade of subsequent impacts including reduced photosynthesis and growth, and higher risks of carbon starvation and hydraulic failure. Incorporation of photosynthetic and hydraulic traits in ‘next‐generation’ land‐surface models has the greatest potential for improved prediction of VPD responses at the plant‐ and global‐scale, and will yield more mechanistic simulations of plant responses to a changing climate. By providing a fully integrated framework and evaluation of the impacts of high VPD on plant function, improvements in forecasting and long‐term projections of climate impacts can be made.
Efficacy of chlorhexidine patches on central line‐associated bloodstream infections in children
Authors: Jitrungruengnij Nattapong , Anugulruengkitt Suvaporn , Rattananupong Thanapoom , Prinyawat Mayuree , Jantarabenjakul Watsamon , Wacharachaisurapol Noppadol , Chatsuwan Tanittha , Janewongwirot Pakpoom , Suchartlikitwong Pintip , Tawan Monta , Kanchanabutr Phavinee , Pancharoen Chitsanu , Puthanakit Thanyawee 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundCentral line‐associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are important hospital‐acquired infections. Chlorhexidine‐impregnated dressings (also known as chlorhexidine patches, CHG patches) are reported to decrease CLABSIs in adults. This study aims to determine the efficacy of CHG patches in reducing CLABSIs in children.MethodsAn open‐label randomized controlled trial was conducted in children aged 2 months to 18 years, requiring a short‐term catheter. Patients were randomized into two groups, allocated to receive CHG patches or standard transparent dressings. Care of the catheter was in accordance with Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control (APSIC) recommendations. Central‐line‐associated bloodstream infections were defined using National Healthcare Safety Network surveillance criteria.ResultsFrom April 2017 to April 2018, 192 children were enrolled. There were 108 CHG patch catheters and 101 standard dressing catheters, contributing to 3,113 catheter days. The median duration of catheter dwelling was 13 days, with an interquartile range (IQR) of 8–20 days. Half were placed at the jugular vein and 22% at the femoral vein. There were 23 CLABSI events. Incidence rates for CHG patches and standard dressings were 7.98 (95% confidence interval (CI), 4.25–13.65) and 6.74 (95% CI, 3.23–12.39) per 1,000 catheter days, respectively (incidence rate ratio 1.18; 95% CI, 0.52–2.70). The CLABSI pathogens were 15 Gram‐negative bacteria, six Gram‐positive bacteria, and two Candida organisms. Catheter colonization of CHG patches and standard dressings were 2.02 (95% CI, 0.42–5.91) and 3.07 (95% CI, 1.00–7.16) per 1,000 catheter days, respectively. Only local adverse effects occurred in 6.8% of the participants.ConclusionsIn our setting, there was no difference in CLABSI rates when the chlorhexidine patch dressings were compared with the standard transparent dressings. Strengthening of CLABSI prevention bundles is mandatory.
Are children from different countries exposed to diverse emotions in storybooks? Comparative study between Chile and the United States
Authors: Farkas Chamarrita , Gerber Denise , Mata Cecil , Santelices María Pía 
Published: February 2020

AbstractChildren's storybooks are relevant resources for references to different emotions, both positive and negative, and provide an excellent opportunity for adults and children to discuss them, thereby promoting children's comprehension of their own and others' inner worlds. However, we know little about the emotions present in children's stories and their frequency. This study investigated references to emotions in children's storybooks for preschoolers in Chile and the United States to analyze their characteristics and the similarities and differences between the two countries. References to specific emotions in the texts of 80 children's storybooks (40 for each country) were coded according to the categories of positive, negative powerless, and negative powerful emotions, and the specific emotions considered. The results revealed more references to positive and negative powerless emotions than to negative powerful emotions in storybooks from both countries, and happiness, fear, sadness, and anger were the predominant specific emotions referenced. For both countries, similar frequencies of references to specific emotions were observed, except for surprise, disappointment, and anger, which appeared more frequently in the Chilean storybooks than in the U.S. storybooks. These results are discussed considering the emotions to which young children are exposed and the implications of such exposure for children's socioemotional development.
Who Voted in 2016? Using Fuzzy Forests to Understand Voter Turnout
Authors: Kim Seo‐young Silvia , Alvarez R. Michael , Ramirez Christina M. 
Published: February 2020

ObjectiveWhat can machine learning tell us about who voted in 2016? There are numerous competing voter turnout theories, and a large number of covariates are required to assess which theory best explains turnout. This article is a proof of concept that machine learning can help overcome this curse of dimensionality and reveal important insights in studies of political phenomena.MethodsWe use fuzzy forests, an extension of random forests, to screen variables for a parsimonious but accurate prediction. Fuzzy forests achieve accurate variable importance measures in the face of high‐dimensional and highly correlated data. The data that we use are from the 2016 Cooperative Congressional Election Study.ResultsFuzzy forests chose only a small number of covariates as major correlates of 2016 turnout and still boasted high predictive performance.ConclusionOur analysis provides three important conclusions about turnout in 2016: registration and voting procedures were important, political issues were important (especially Obamacare, climate change, and fiscal policy), but few demographic variables other than age were strongly associated with turnout. We conclude that fuzzy forests is an important methodology for studying overdetermined questions in social sciences.
Does Government Partisanship Influence Multinational Corporations’ Tax Payments in the United States?
Authors: Shin Mi Jeong 
Published: February 2020

ObjectiveScholars have made conflicting predictions as to whether partisan politics influences taxes paid by multinational corporations (MNCs). The current study tests this question by examining the relationship between the partisan composition of government and tax rates that MNCs paid to their home country, the United States, using firm‐level data on financial information from the U.S. Fortune 1000 for the period 1986–2010.MethodsI employ a multilevel regression model allowing for varying intercepts across firms and years as a way to model unobserved heterogeneity.ResultsI find no relationship between the partisan orientation of governing parties and the level of corporate taxes MNCs pay. Internationally mobile firms have lower effective tax rates than domestically operating firms.ConclusionThis study suggests that the effect of partisan politics on corporate tax policy does not extend to the taxation of MNCs in the United States.
The evanescence and persistence of RBC alloantibodies in blood donors
Authors: Hauser Ronald G. , Esserman Denise , Karafin Matthew S. , Tan Sylvia , Balbuena‐Merle Raisa , Spencer Bryan R. , Roubinian Nareg H. , Wu Yanyun , Triulzi Darrell J. , Kleinman Steve , Gottschall Jerome L. , Hendrickson Jeanne E. , Tormey Christopher A. ,   (for the NHLBI Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐III (REDS‐III))
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUNDBlood donors represent a healthy population, whose red blood cell (RBC) alloantibody persistence or evanescence kinetics may differ from those of immunocompromised patients. A better understanding of the biologic factors impacting antibody persistence is warranted, as the presence of alloantibodies may impact donor health and the fate of the donated blood product.METHODSDonor/donation data collected from four US blood centers from 2012 to 2016 as part of the Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐III (REDS‐III) were analyzed. Clinically significant antibodies from blood donors with more than one donation who underwent at least one follow‐up antibody screen after the initial antibody identification were included. Of 632,378 blood donors, 481 (128 males and 353 females) fit inclusion criteria.RESULTSAntibody screens detected 562 alloantibodies, with 368 of 562 (65%) of antibodies being persistently detected and with 194 of 562 (35%) becoming evanescent. Factors associated with antibody persistence included antibody specificity, detection at the first donation, reported history of transfusion, and detection of multiple antibodies concurrently. Anti‐D, C, and Fya were most likely to persist, while anti‐M, Jka, and S were most frequently evanescent.CONCLUSIONSThese data provide insight into variables impacting the duration of antibody detection, and they may also influence blood donor center policies regarding donor recruitment/acceptance.
Inhibition of copper chaperones sensitizes human and canine osteosarcoma cells to carboplatin chemotherapy
Authors: Inkol Jordon M. , Poon Andrew C. , Mutsaers Anthony J. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractOsteosarcoma (OSA) is the most common primary bone cancer in children, adolescents and dogs. Current combination surgical and chemotherapeutic treatments have increased survival. However, in recurrent or metastatic disease settings, the prognosis significantly decreases, representing an urgent need for better second‐line and novel chemotherapeutics. The current gold standard for combination chemotherapy in OSA often includes a platinum agent, for example, cisplatin or carboplatin. These platinum agents are shuttled within the cell via copper transporters. Recent interest in targeting copper transport has been directed towards antioxidant protein 1 (Atox1) and copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase 1 (CCS), with Atox1 demonstrating the ability to aggregate platinum agents, preventing them from forming DNA adducts. DC_AC50 is a small molecule inhibitor of both Atox1 and CCS. To assess the impact of targeting these pathways on chemotherapy response, two human and two canine OSA cell lines were utilized. After treatment with single agent or combination drugs, cell viability was evaluated and pharmacological synergism calculated using the combination index method. Apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, clonogenic survival and migration were also evaluated. DC_AC50 synergised with carboplatin in combination treatment of human and canine OSA cells to reduce cancer cell viability. DC_AC50‐treated cells were significantly less mitotically active, as demonstrated by decreased expression of phospho‐histone H3 and cell cycle analysis. DC_AC50 also potentiated carboplatin‐induced apoptosis in OSA cells and decreased clonogenic survival. Finally, DC_AC50 reduced the migratory ability of OSA cells. These results justify further investigation into inhibiting intracellular copper chaperones as a means of reducing/preventing acquired chemotherapy resistance.
Newly recognizedAnaplasmasp. in erythrocytes from Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus)
Authors: Raskin Rose E. , Crosby Francy L. , Jacobson Elliott R. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundIn 2015, a previously unrecognized intracytoplasmic erythrocytic inclusion was discovered in anemic wild‐caught adult gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). Subsequently, molecular diagnostics revealed this inclusion to be a novelAnaplasmasp.ObjectivesThe goal of this study was to morphologically characterize these erythrocytic inclusions by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).MethodsBlood samples were taken from two car‐injured wild‐caught gopher tortoises for the preparation of Wright‐Giemsa stained smears and TEM specimens. CBC data were serially performed and morphologically examined during treatment periods.ResultsStudies revealed a moderate to severe anemia with moderate regeneration as indicated by polychromasia and the presence of immature erythroid precursors. In addition, on light microscopy, one to two variably‐sized round basophilic stippled paracentral erythrocytic inclusions were present per cell in both animals and involved 10%‐25% of erythrocytes. TEM identified the intraerythrocytic inclusions as discrete membrane‐bound cytoplasmic vacuoles (morulae) containing membrane‐bound bacterial subunits that were of variable size, shape, and electron density. Serial hematologic data indicated complete remission of the infection in response to a single long‐term course of doxycycline.ConclusionsThe presence of a regenerative anemia in gopher tortoises from Florida revealed a newly recognized bacterial species that has morphologic characteristics similar to members of the genusAnaplasma.
Screening for the human neutrophil antigen‐2 deficiency by a multiplex one‐tube polymerase chain reaction assay
Authors: Gong Jiwu , Rao Meiying , Jia Zhonghua , Ma Na , Sun Lifang , Yu Xiaonan , Chen Feng , Xie Jue , Gong Hongwei , Fu Qiang , Cao Chen , Chen Fangfang , Zhao Tongmao 
Published: February 2020

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to develop a rapid method for human neutrophil antigen‐2 (HNA‐2) genotyping and use it for fast screening for the HNA‐2 deficiency phenotype in the Chinese population.BackgroundHNA‐2 is encoded by the CD177 gene, and a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at cDNA position 787 (CD177*787 A > T) creates a stop codon, which is responsible for the HNA‐2 deficiency phenotype. Recently, the SNP c.787A > T has been demonstrated to be the primary genetic mechanism for HNA‐2 deficiency.MethodsThis study focused on determination of CD177 SNP c.787A > T. We designed a set of allele‐ and sequence‐specific primers (SSP), which were used to develop a one‐tube polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for HNA‐2 genotyping. The HNA‐2 genotype of a total of 2185 Chinese blood donors was determined.ResultsThe validation of this HNA‐2 genotyping assay was confirmed by sequencing analysis. The HNA‐2 two alleles, CD177*787A and 787T, can be simultaneously determined in a single tube PCR. Thirteen individuals with the CD177*787AT genotype were detected in this study. The CD177*787TT homozygous genotype was absent, suggesting that HNA‐2 deficiency is rare in the Chinese population.ConclusionsThe validated assay described in this study is a rapid and reliable method for HNA‐2 genotyping, which may be used for fast screening for HNA‐2 deficiency.
Integration of mitochondrial energetics in heart with mathematical modelling
Authors: Takeuchi Ayako , Matsuoka Satoshi 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIt has been an unsolved question how cardiac mitochondrial energetics is regulated during working transition. Mathematical modelling is a powerful tool for exploring the complicated networks of mitochondrial metabolism. We summarize the recent progress and remaining questions about mitochondrial energetics in heart, especially focusing on approaches utilizing mathematical modelling. Feedback activation by ADP and/or inorganic phosphate is an old but still attractive hypothesis for explaining the regulation mechanisms of cardiac mitochondrial energetics. However, this hypothesis has not been fully validated by experiments because rises of ADP and/or inorganic phosphate concentrations during cardiac workload increase have not been detected in many experiments. The hypothesis of intracellular energetic units is an extended version of feedback activation, which has a similar problem. The each‐step activation hypothesis beautifully reproduces metabolite constancy, although such master regulators have not been identified yet. Ca2+ has been the most plausible candidate because some of the mitochondrial dehydrogenases are activated by it. Recent experimental and simulation studies, however, throw doubt on its physiological relevance. Finally, we discuss issues to be solved to obtain a better view of cardiac mitochondrial energetics.
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Impaired Driver Assistance Control With Gain-Scheduling Composite Nonlinear Feedback for Vehicle Trajectory Tracking
Authors: Chen Yimin , Hu Chuan , Wang Junmin 
Published: February 2020

AbstractImpaired drivers have deteriorated driving performances that may greatly endanger the road safety. It is challenging to design assistance controllers for the impaired drivers because the impaired driver behaviors are difficult to be modeled and considered in the controller design. To this end, this paper proposes a gain-scheduling composite nonlinear feedback (GCNF) controller to assist the impaired drivers. A driver-vehicle system containing the impaired driver model is developed. The steering behaviors of the impaired drivers are described by deteriorating the driver model parameters and including the driver uncertainties. Based on the driver-vehicle system, a GCNF controller integrating the gain-scheduling technique, the weighted H∞ performance, and the composite nonlinear feedback algorithm is designed to handle the declined driving performances and improve the transient performances. The designed GCNF controller is validated in the carsim simulations. The simulation results show that the GCNF controller can effectively assist the impaired drivers of different impaired levels to reduce the trajectory tracking errors and improve the driving performances.
Study on Effects of Novel Cross Sections of Microchannel Heat Sink on Thermohydraulic Performance
Authors: Tilak Abhilash K. , Patil Ranjit S. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
In this paper, three-dimensional simulations to study the performance of microchannel heat sinks (MCHS) with rectangular, hexagonal, semicircular and various novel cross section (such as barrel, fan shaped, L shaped, inverted T shaped, inverted T shaped with semicircular ends at base (ITSCEB)) were carried out using de-ionized water. Numerical results were validated with the published experimental data and further simulations were performed on various novel cross section at a constant heat flux of 50 W/cm2 with Reynolds number varying in the range of 300–1500. The comparative analysis of various novel MCHS having the same cross-sectional area was carried out to figure out the suitable cross section capable of better cooling performance. This work shows that the novel ITSCEB cross section was giving the highest pressure drop, however considerable improvement was noted in the heat transfer coefficient around 21% more than conventional rectangular and around 11–55% more than other proposed cross section in this study.