bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CD62L on blood basophils: a first pre-treatment predictor of remission in severe lupus nephritis
Authors: Halfon Matthieu , Bachelet Delphine , Hanouna Guillaume , Dema Barbara , Pellefigues Christophe , Manchon Pauline , Laouenan Cedric , Charles Nicolas , Daugas Eric 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundBasophils were recently shown to contribute to lupus nephritis (LN). This study assessed blood basophil activation markers (BAMs) for the diagnosis of LN severity and as pre-treatment prognostic markers of the response to treatment in patients with severe LN.MethodThe diagnostic study included all the patients of a monocentric prospective observational cohort built with consecutive patients diagnosed with LN on the basis of a renal biopsy. The prognostic study selected patients of this cohort according to the following inclusion criteria: ≥18 years old, Class III or IV A ± C ± Class V or pure Class V LN at the time of inclusion and treated with an induction treatment for LN. Clinical data and BAMs were obtained at the time of the kidney biopsy. LN remission status was recorded 12 months after induction therapy initiation. Associations between baseline data and histological severity of LN or LN remission were assessed using logistic regression.ResultsNo significant association was found between BAMs and the histological severity of LN in 101 patients. Among the 83 patients included in the prognostic study, 64 reached renal remission. CD62L expression on blood basophils at baseline was independently negatively associated with remission at 12 months [odds ratio = 0.26, 95% confidence interval 0.08–0.82, P = 0.02 for quantitative CD62L expression &gt;105 (geometric fluorescent intensity) gMFI]. CD62L &lt;105 gMFI was associated with a probability of 0.87 of LN remission in the next 12 months after the start of induction therapy.ConclusionPre-treatment CD62L expression on blood basophils could be a first predictive biomarker of renal response to induction therapy at 12 months in patients with severe LN.
Tuskegee as a History Lesson, Tuskegee as Metaphor: Addressing Discrimination as a Social Determinant of Health in the Classroom
Authors: Vijayan Tara , Cortés-Penfield Nicolás , Harris Christina 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
While basic science and social medicine are fundamental to the practice of medicine, the former is often prioritized in preclinical medical education at the expense of the latter. In this perspective, we discuss ways to introduce the concept of interpersonal, institutional, and structural discrimination as social determinants of health (SDOH) into a preclinical microbiology and infectious diseases medical course. We offer 5 specific steps to creating a comprehensive curriculum on discrimination as a social determinant of health: define and use standardized terminology; integrate the concept of SDOH throughout the course; encourage critical appraisal of lay and medical resources; encourage student feedback; and provide faculty development supported by key faculty stakeholders that focuses on increasing comfort and facility with teaching such concepts. This approach offers a template for ongoing discussion in the setting of curricular reform.
The impact of health literacy on self-medication: a cross-sectional outpatient study
Authors: Muflih Suhaib M , Bashir Hadeel N , Khader Yousef S , Karasneh Reema A 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Although health literacy practices have been increasingly recommended in public health literature, there is a lack of studies that examine the relationships between health literacy and self-medication.

Background
This research project aims to measure and evaluate the impact of health literacy on self-medication and to achieve a better understating of patients’ behaviors.

Methods
A cross-sectional approach was conducted and participants were recruited outpatient clinics through convenience sampling. Health literacy was measured by Single Item Literacy Screener.

Results
A total of 194 participants agreed to participate (63.9% were females). The results showed that more than half (57.2%) had adequate health literacy. Almost 30% of the participants were over the age of 50. The prevalence of self-medication was 74.2%. Nearly, two-thirds of the total participants reported self-administration of antibiotics. There was a significant relationship between the overall health literacy level and practice of self-medication.

Conclusions
Improving the health literacy level of the public can reduce inappropriate self-medication, especially the self-medication with antibiotics, which represented a high prevalence situation in our sample. Appropriate reading skills are important for accessing health information, using health care services, and achieving desirable health outcomes.
Trade and Domestic Production Networks
Authors: Dhyne Emmanuel , Kikkawa Ayumu Ken , Mogstad Magne , Tintelnot Felix 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe examine how many and what kind of firms ultimately rely on foreign inputs, sell to foreign markets, and are affected by trade shocks. To capture that firms can trade indirectly by buying from or selling to domestic firms that import or export, we use Belgian data with information on both domestic firm-to-firm sales and foreign trade transactions. We find that most firms use a lot of foreign inputs, but only a small number of firms show that dependence through direct imports. While direct exporters are rare, a majority of firms are indirectly exporting. In most firms, however, indirect export is quantitatively modest, and sales at home are the key source of revenue. We show that what matters for the transmission of foreign demand shocks to a firm’s revenue is how much the firm ultimately sells to foreign markets, not whether these sales are from direct or indirect export.
Learning to game the system
Authors: Li Jin , Mukherjee Arijit , Vasconcelos Luis 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
An agent may privately learn which aspects of his job are more important by shirking on some of them, and use that information to shirk more effectively in the future. In a model of long-term employment relationship, we characterize the optimal relational contract in the presence of such learning-by-shirking and highlight how the performance measurement system can be managed to sharpen incentives. Two related policies are studied: intermittent replacement of existing measures, and adoption of new ones. In spite of the learning-by-shirking effect, the optimal contract is stationary, and may involve stochastic replacement/adoption policies that dilute the agent’s information rents from learning how to game the system.
Inter-brain synchrony in teams predicts collective performance
Authors: Reinero Diego A , Dikker Suzanne , Van Bavel Jay J 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDespite decades of research in economics and psychology attempting to identify ingredients that make up successful teams, neuroscientists have only just begun to study how multiple brains interact. Recent research has shown that people’s brain activity becomes synchronized with others’ (inter-brain synchrony) during social engagement. However, little is known as to whether inter-brain synchrony relates to collective behavior within teams. Here, we merge the nascent field of group neuroscience with the extant literature of team dynamics and collective performance. We recruited 174 participants in groups of 4 and randomly assigned them to complete a series of problem-solving tasks either independently or as a team, while simultaneously recording each person’s brain activity using an electroencephalography hyperscanning setup. This design allowed us to examine the relationship between group identification and inter-brain synchrony in explaining collective performance. As expected, teammates identified more strongly with one another, cooperated more on an economic game, and outperformed the average individual on most problem-solving tasks. Crucially, inter-brain synchrony, but not self-reported group identification, predicted collective performance among teams. These results suggest that inter-brain synchrony can be informative in understanding collective performance among teams where self-report measures may fail to capture behavior.
Sec-Delivered Effector 1 (SDE1) of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ Promotes Citrus Huanglongbing
Authors: Clark Kelley J. , Pang Zhiqian , Trinh Jessica , Wang Nian , Ma Wenbo 
Published: September 2020

Sec-delivered effector 1 (SDE1) from the huanglongbing (HLB)-associated bacterium ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ was previously characterized as an inhibitor of defense-related, papain-like cysteine proteases in vitro and in planta. Here, we investigated the contributions of SDE1 to HLB progression. We found that SDE1 expression in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana caused severe yellowing in mature leaves, reminiscent of both ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ infection symptoms and accelerated leaf senescence. Induction of senescence signatures was also observed in the SDE1-expressing A. thaliana lines. These signatures were apparent in older leaves but not in seedlings, suggesting an age-associated effect. Furthermore, independent lines of transgenic Citrus paradisi (L.) Macfadyen (Duncan grapefruit) that express SDE1 exhibited hypersusceptibility to ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’. Similar to A. thaliana, transgenic citrus expressing SDE1 showed altered expression of senescence-associated genes, but only after infection with ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’. These findings suggest that SDE1 is a virulence factor that contributes to HLB progression, likely by inducing premature or accelerated senescence in citrus. This work provides new insight into HLB pathogenesis. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
GENESIS OF RETINAL–CHOROIDAL ANASTOMOSIS IN MACULAR TELANGIECTASIA TYPE 2
Authors: Breazzano Mark P. , Yannuzzi Lawrence A. , Spaide Richard F. 
Published: September 2020

Purpose:
To longitudinally characterize structural/angiographic findings of retinal–choroidal anastomosis (RCA) in macular telangiectasia Type 2 (MacTel2).

Methods:
A combined retrospective/prospective review of patients with MacTel2 with >2 visits and >2 months follow-up, including examination, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and projection-resolved optical coherence tomography angiography.

Results:
There were 24 eyes of 12 patients with a mean age of 61.1 (±7.3 [SD]) years and median follow-up of 447 (range 81–1,511) days. There were five eyes diagnosed with new RCA after not having any previously. Retinal–choroidal anastomosis was diagnosed in 8 (33%) eyes initially and eventually 13 (54%). In the eight eyes initially diagnosed with RCA, the number of RCAs and outer retinal hyperrflective lesions increased over the follow-up. The RCAs were found in clusters, generally temporal to the fovea. Retinal–choroidal anastomosis was uniformly associated with complete retinal subsidence, defined as the loss of outer nuclear layer substance such that the middle retinal layers sank down toward the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and was also present in each case. Each RCA colocalized with a region of hyperreflectivity, previously termed an outer retinal hyperreflective lesion. There was a lack of fluorescein leakage, lipid, hemorrhage, or any structural correlates with fluid exudation, and no signs of subretinal/subretinal pigment epithelium neovascularization.

Conclusion:
De novo RCA development seems to be associated with retinal subsidence, and after RCAs form, they increase in number and topographic distribution over time. Initially after formation, there was no sign of exudation. These data suggest the descent of the deep capillary plexus occurs with RCA, devoid of subretinal/subretinal pigment epithelium neovascularization in MacTel2.
Reperfusion of Free Full-Thickness Skin Grafts in Periocular Reconstructive Surgery Monitored Using Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging
Authors: Berggren Johanna , Castelo Nazia , Tenland Kajsa , Dahlstrand Ulf , Engelsberg Karl , Lindstedt Sandra , Sheikh Rafi , Malmsjö Malin 
Published: September 2020

Purpose:
Free skin grafts are frequently used in reconstructive surgery. However, little is known about the course of reperfusion due to the previous lack of reliable perfusion monitoring techniques. The aim of this study was to use state-of-the-art laser speckle contrast imaging to monitor free skin grafts in the periocular area.

Methods:
Seven patients needing surgery due to tumor removal or cicatricial ectropion in the periocular region underwent reconstructive surgery using free skin grafts from either the contralateral upper eyelid or the upper inner arm. The free skin grafts measured 10–30 mm horizontally and 9–30 mm vertically. Blood perfusion was monitored using laser speckle contrast imaging immediately postoperatively (0 weeks) and at follow-up after 1, 3, and 7 weeks.

Results:
All grafts were reperfused gradually during healing, the median value being 46% in the central part of the graft after 1 week and 79% after 3 weeks. The grafts were completely reperfused after 7 weeks. No difference was observed in the rate of reperfusion between the center and periphery of the grafts (p = not significant). The cosmetic and functional outcome was excellent in all but 1 patient, who developed ectropion that had to be surgically corrected.

Conclusions:
Skin grafts in the periorbital area are fully reperfused after 7 weeks. The periocular area is known to be well-vascularized and thus forgiving to reconstructive surgery. Future investigations of the reperfusion of free skin grafts in other parts of the body or in higher-risk populations should be carried out.
Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-2 Protects Aged Mice Against Sepsis by Mitigating the IL-23/IL-17A Response
Authors: Chen QiXing , Yang Yang , Wu XiaoLiang , Yang ShiYue , Zhang Yan , Shu Qiang , Fang XiangMing 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACT

Background:
Advancing age is an independent predictor of mortality in septic patients. Recent animal studies were unable to reflect this clinical pathophysiological process, largely hampering the development of new efficacious therapies. Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM-2) is a novel immune regulator with multiple activities. However, very little is known about the regulatory role of TREM-2 in sepsis upon aging.

Methods:
Blood samples were collected from septic patients within 24 h after intensive care unit admission. The patients were preselected into two groups based on the age (age with ≥60 years old and age with <60 years old). Sepsis in aged mice was induced by cecal ligation and puncture. The expression of TREM-2 was evaluated in septic patients and aged septic mice. Aged macrophages overexpressing TREM-2 and green fluorescent protein (GFP) were administered to aged septic mice after cecal ligation and puncture. Survival rate was monitored, and bacterial load and inflammatory mediators levels were evaluated. In vivo IL-23 function was blocked using appropriate monoclonal antibodies.

Results:
The expression levels of TREM-2 were downregulated in both aged septic patients and aged septic mice. The administration of TREM-2-overexpressing macrophages significantly prolonged survival and alleviated organ injury in the aged septic mice. The protective effect did not affect host bacterial burden, but markedly inhibited the host IL-17A response, as determined by a multiplex cytokine assay. Screening the expression of IL-17A-related activating factors revealed that the IL-23 level in TREM-2-overexpressing macrophages was significantly lower than that in GFP-expressing macrophages. Blocking IL-23 after the administration of GFP-expressing macrophages protected aged mice against sepsis.

Conclusions:
TREM-2 prolonged survival of aged mice from sepsis by finely modulating the IL-23/IL-17A immune pathway. These results provide previously unidentified mechanistic insight into immune regulation by TREM-2 and new therapeutic targets in sepsis upon aging.
Association of cannabis use-related predictor variables and self-reported psychotic disorders: US adults, 2001-2002 and 2012-2013
Authors: Livne Ofir , Shmulewitz Dvora , Sarvet Aaron L. , Hasin Deborah S. 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo determine the association of cannabis use-related variables and self-reported psychotic disorders during two time periods (2001-2002; 2012-2013).MethodsLogistic regression was used to analyze data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC, 2001-2002; N=43,093) and NESARC-III (2012-2013; N=36,309). Among those with and without cannabis predictors (any and frequent [≥3 times a week] non-medical use, DSM-IV cannabis use disorders [CUD], cannabis dependence [CD]), standardized prevalence of past-year self-reported psychotic disorders were estimated. Association was indicated by within-survey differences in psychotic disorders by cannabis-related predictor status. Whether associations changed over time was indicated by difference-in-difference tests (contrasts between the surveys).ResultsIn both surveys, self-reported psychotic disorders were significantly more prevalent in those with than those without any non-medical cannabis use (2001-2002: 1.65% vs 0.27%; 2012-2013: 1.89% vs. 0.68%), with similar associations in both periods. Self-reported psychotic disorders were unrelated to frequent non-medical use in 2001-2002 but were significantly more prevalent in those with than without frequent non-medical use in 2012-2013 (2.68% vs. 0.71%), with no significant difference over time. In both surveys, self-reported psychotic disorders were significantly more prevalent in those with than without CUD (2001-2002: 2.43% vs. 0.30%; 2012-2013: 3.26% vs. 0.72%), with no significant differences in the associations over time. Self-reported psychotic disorders were unrelated to CD in 2001-2002 but were significantly more prevalent in those with than without CD in 2012-2013 (8.54% vs. 0.73%), showing a significantly stronger relationship in 2012-2013; similarly, among past-year non-medical cannabis users, the association was significantly stronger in 2012-2013.ConclusionsCannabis-related variables, especially cannabis dependence, remain related to self-reported psychotic disorders. Therefore, clinicians should closely monitor cannabis-dependent users and assess the need for preventive and therapeutic interventions for these individuals.
The quantitative landscape of the neutralizing antibody response to SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Padmanabhan Pranesh , Desikan Rajat , Dixit Narendra M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractNeutralizing antibodies (NAbs) appear promising interventions against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Over 100 NAbs have been identified so far and several are in clinical trials. Yet, which NAbs would be the most potent remains unclear. Here, we analysed reported in vitro dose-response curves (DRCs) of >70 NAbs and estimated corresponding 50% inhibitory concentrations, slope parameters, and instantaneous inhibitory potentials (IIPs), presenting a comprehensive quantitative landscape of NAb responses to SARS-CoV-2. NAbs with high IIPs are likely to be potent. To assess the applicability of the landscape in vivo, we analysed available DRCs of NAbs from individual patients and found that the responses closely resembled the landscape. Further, we created virtual patient plasma samples by randomly sampling NAbs from the landscape and found that they recapitulated plasma dilution assays from convalescent patients. The landscape thus offers a facile tool for benchmarking NAbs and would aid the development of NAb-based therapies for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Plant Prionome maps reveal specific roles of prion-like proteins in stress and memory
Authors: Garai Sampurna , Citu  , Pandey Jyotsna , Singla-Pareek Sneh L. , Sopory Sudhir K. , Kaur Charanpreet , Yadav Gitanjali 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPrions can be considered as molecular memory devices, generating reproducible memory of a conformational change. Prion-like proteins (PrLPs) have been demonstrated to be present in plants, but their role in plant stress and memory remains largely unexplored. In this work, we report the widespread presence of PrLPs in plants through a comprehensive analysis of 39 genomes representing major taxonomic groups. We find diverse functional roles associated with plant ‘prionomes’. Investigation of the rice transcriptome further delineated the role of PrLPs in stress and developmental responses, leading us to explore whether and to what extent PrLPs may build stress memory. The rice prionome is significantly enriched for Transposons/Retrotransposons (Ts/RTRs), and we derived transcriptional regulatory inferences from diurnal gene expression revealing a complex regulatory network between PrLPs, transcription factors and genes known to be involved in stress priming, as well as transient and trans-generational plant memory. Overall, our data suggest that plant memory mechanisms may rely upon protein-based signals embedded in PrLPs, in addition to chromatin-based epigenetic signals and provides important insights into the anticipated role of prions in stress and memory.
Improving drug safety predictions by reducing poor analytical practices
Authors: Lazic Stanley E. , Williams Dominic P. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPredicting the safety of a drug from preclinical data is a major challenge in drug discovery, and progressing an unsafe compound into the clinic puts patients at risk and wastes resources. In drug safety pharmacology and related fields, methods and analytical decisions known to provide poor predictions are common and include creating arbitrary thresholds, binning continuous values, giving all assays equal weight, and multiple reuse of information. In addition, the metrics used to evaluate models often omit important criteria and models’ performance on new data are often not assessed rigorously. Prediction models with these problems are unlikely to perform well, and published models suffer from many of these issues. We describe these problems in detail, demonstrate their negative consequences, and propose simple solutions that are standard in other disciplines where predictive modelling is used.