bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal study of prevalence and spatio‐temporal distribution of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks from three defined habitats in Latvia, 1999–2010
Authors: Okeyo Mercy , Hepner Sabrina , Rollins Robert E. , Hartberger Christina , Straubinger Reinhard K. , Marosevic Durdica , Bannister Stephanie A. , Bormane Antra , Donaghy Michael , Sing Andreas , Fingerle Volker , Margos Gabriele 
Published: May 2020

SummaryMembers of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) species complex are known to cause human Lyme borreliosis. Because of longevity of some reservoir hosts and the Ixodes tick vectors' life cycle, long‐term studies are required to better understand species and population dynamics of these bacteria in their natural habitats. Ticks were collected between 1999 and 2010 in three ecologically different habitats in Latvia. We used multilocus sequence typing utilizing eight chromosomally located housekeeping genes to obtain information about species and population fluctuations and/or stability of B. burgdorferi s.l. in these habitats. The average prevalence over all years was 18.9%. From initial high‐infection prevalences of 25.5%, 33.1% and 31.8%, from 2002 onwards the infection rates steadily decreased to 7.3%. Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii were the most commonly found genospecies but striking local differences were obvious. In one habitat, a significant shift from rodent‐associated to bird‐associated Borrelia species was noted whilst in the other habitats, Borrelia species composition was relatively stable over time. Sequence types (STs) showed a random spatial and temporal distribution. These results demonstrated that there are temporal regional changes and extrapolations from one habitat to the next are not possible.
Northern Ireland Dimensions to the First Decade of the United Kingdom Supreme Court
Authors: Dickson Brice , McCormick Conor 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis article focuses on the relationship between the United Kingdom Supreme Court and Northern Ireland over the course of a constitutionally significant period of time, namely the first decade of the Court's existence. It does this by exploring what difference the Court has made to the law of Northern Ireland, what significance the cases from Northern Ireland have had for the law in other parts of the United Kingdom, and what part has been played in the Court's work by the sole Justice from Northern Ireland, Lord Kerr of Tonaghmore, and by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland, John Larkin QC. It concludes that the Court has established itself as an indispensable component of the legal system of Northern Ireland.
Feline chimerism revealed by DNA profiling
Authors: Jaraud Ambre , Bossé Philippe , Dufaure de Citres Caroline , Tiret Laurent , Gache Vincent , Abitbol Marie 
Published: May 2020

SummaryIn dogs and cats, unusual coat colour phenotypes may result from various phenomena, including chimerism. In the domestic cat, the tortoiseshell coat colour that combines red and non‐red hairs is the most obvious way to identify chimeras in males. Several cases of tortoiseshell males have been reported, some of which were diagnosed as chimeras without any molecular confirmation. Here, we report the case of a female feline chimera identified thanks to its coat colour and confirmed through DNA profiling and a coat colour test. We ruled out the hypothesis of mosaicism and aneuploidy. All the data were consistent with a natural case of female chimerism.
I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends: Leveraging Campaign Resources to Maximize Congressional Power
Authors: Box‐Steffensmeier Janet M. , Campbell Benjamin W. , Podob Andrew W. , Walker Seth J. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractCentral to the study of Congress is the study of relationships among members. Electoral collaboration is a function of a member's position in the broader congressional power network. It allows members to leverage their campaign resources to achieve the four classic goals of members of Congress: reelection, making good public policy, obtaining power within the institution, and having one's party in the majority. Using nearly 3.2 million FEC records from 2010 to 2016, we explore the dynamics that influence electoral collaboration. We find members are most likely to collaborate electorally with other members from the same state, party, and committee, and the most electorally vulnerable. Further, party leaders share most frequently with the rank and file. These findings build upon our expanding understanding of congressional collaboration, the networks members of Congress form, and the congressional power structure members operate within.
Caution in the management of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in males
Authors: De Toni Luca , Garolla Andrea , Di Nisio Andrea , Rocca Maria Santa , Foresta Carlo 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) pandemic carries clinical, economic, and social burdens that are currently being disclosed. The key steps of virus life cycle have been recently clarified, highlighting the role of host type 2 angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE2) and TMPRSS2 serine protease in virus‐cell binding and entry, respectively. Importantly, major concerns derive from the androgen‐dependent tissue‐expression of both TMPRSS2 and ACE2, suggesting a differential clinical course of the infection between genders. In agreement with this model, available epidemiological data show that the disease in males has an higher risk to display an heavier pattern and associates with both an increased access to critical care unit and higher mortality rate. In this opinion article, available evidence linking the androgen activity with the gender differences observed in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection are discussed, hypothesizing possible therapeutic approaches in male based on the disruption of androgen signaling. On these bases, gender‐specific recommendations for the management of male patients affected by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection are warmly suggested, in order to improve the clinical course of the disease.
Impact of hospital geographic remoteness on short‐term outcomes after colorectal cancer resection using state‐wide administrative data
Authors: Udayasiri Dilshan K. , MacCallum Caroline , Silva Nigel Da , Skandarajah Anita , Hayes Ian P. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to use validated coding algorithms, applied to a central repository of administrative data (AD), to report on short‐term outcomes following resection for colorectal cancer (CRC) comparing regional to metropolitan Victorian hospitals.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study using prospectively gathered AD. The primary outcome was prolonged length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes were: inpatient mortality, return to theatre, discharge destination and need for mechanical ventilation/intensive care unit support. Outcomes were adjusted for potential confounders via multivariable logistic regression analysis.ResultsThis study of 18 470 patients found strong evidence for lower odds of prolonged LOS (odds ratio (OR) 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48–0.58, P ≤ 0.001) and inpatient mortality (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49–0.91, P = 0.01) in inner regional hospital compared with metropolitan hospitals. For outer regional hospitals, there was strong evidence of decreased odds of prolonged LOS (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.52–0.77, P = <0.001) and return to theatre (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.47–0.95, P = 0.03).ConclusionThis is the largest and most detailed study concerning short‐term outcomes following CRC resection in Victorian public hospitals. Inner and outer regional centres had similar or better short‐term outcomes than metropolitan hospitals after CRC resection. AD with validated algorithms serves as a large accurate database to report on CRC outcomes.
Extremely low risk of hepatocellular carcinoma development in patients with chronic hepatitis B in immune‐tolerant phase
Authors: Lee Han Ah , Lee Hyun Woong , Kim In Hee , Park Soo Young , Sinn Dong Hyun , Yu Jung Hwan , Seo Yeon Seok , Um Soon Ho , Lee Jung Il , Lee Kwan Sik , Lee Chang Hun , Tak Won Young , Kweon Young Oh , Kang Wonseok , Paik Yong‐Han , Lee Jin‐Woo , Suh Sang Jun , Jung Young Kul , Kim Beom Kyung , Park Jun Yong , Kim Do Young , Ahn Sang Hoon , Han Kwang‐Hyub , Yim Hyung Joon , Kim Seung Up 
Published: May 2020

SummaryBackgroundAnti‐viral therapy is not indicated for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in the immune‐tolerant phase.AimsTo investigate the cumulative incidence of phase change and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and independent predictors for phase change in patients with CHB in immune‐tolerant phase.MethodsIn total, 946 patients in immune‐tolerant phase, defined as hepatitis B e antigen positivity, HBV‐DNA >20 000 IU/mL and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤40 IU/L, between 1989 and 2017 were enrolled from eight institutes.ResultsThe mean age of study population (429 men and 517 women) was 36.7 years. The mean ALT and HBV‐DNA levels were 24.6 IU/L and 8.50 log10 IU/mL, respectively. Of the study population, 476 (50.3%) patients remained in immune‐tolerant phase throughout the study period (median: 63.6 months). The cumulative incidence rates of phase change and HCC at 10 years were 70.7% and 1.7%, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that HBV‐DNA level >107 IU/mL was associated independently with a reduced risk of phase change (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.734, P = 0.008), whereas a high ALT level, above the cut‐off recommended in the Korean Association for the Study of the Liver guidelines (34 IU/L for men and 30 IU/L for women), was associated independently with a greater risk of phase change (HR = 1.885, P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe criterion of HBV‐DNA level > 107 IU/mL may be useful to define immune‐tolerant phase. In addition, an extremely low risk of HCC development was observed in patients with CHB in immune‐tolerant phase.
The impact of misclassification on covariate‐adaptive randomized clinical trials
Authors: Wang Tong , Ma Wei 
Published: May 2020

AbstractCovariate‐adaptive randomization (CAR) is widely used in clinical trials to balance treatment allocation over covariates. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made on the theoretical properties of covariate‐adaptive design and associated inference. However, most results are established under the assumption that the covariates are correctly measured. In practice, measurement error is inevitable, resulting in misclassification for discrete covariates. When covariate misclassification is present in a clinical trial conducted using CAR, the impact is twofold: it impairs the intended covariate balance, and raises concerns over the validity of test procedures. In this paper, we consider the impact of misclassification on covariate‐adaptive randomized trials from the perspectives of both design and inference. We derive the asymptotic normality, and thereby the convergence rate, of the imbalance of the true covariates for a general family of covariate‐adaptive randomization methods, and show that a superior covariate balance can still be attained compared to complete randomization. We also show that the two sample t‐test is conservative, with a reduced Type I error, but that this can be corrected using a bootstrap method. Moreover, if the misclassified covariates are adjusted in the model used for analysis, the test maintains its nominal Type I error, with an increased power. Our results support the use of covariate‐adaptive randomization in clinical trials, even when the covariates are subject to misclassification.
Exploring the phylogeny of the marattialean ferns
Authors: Lehtonen Samuli , Poczai Péter , Sablok Gaurav , Hyvönen Jaakko , Karger Dirk N. , Flores Jorge 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe eusporangiate marattialean ferns represent an ancient radiation with a rich fossil record but limited modern diversity in the tropics. The long evolutionary history without close extant relatives has confounded studies of the phylogenetic origin, rooting and timing of marattialean ferns. Here we present new complete plastid genomes of six marattialean species and compiled a plastid genome dataset representing all of the currently accepted marattialean genera. We further supplemented this dataset by compiling a large dataset of mitochondrial genes and a phenotypic data matrix covering both extant and extinct representatives of the lineage. Our phylogenomic and total‐evidence analyses corroborated the postulated position of marattialean ferns as the sister to leptosporangiate ferns, and the position of Danaea as the sister to the remaining extant marattialean genera. However, our results provide new evidence that Christensenia is sister to Marattia and that M. cicutifolia actually belongs to Eupodium. The apparently highly reduced rate of molecular evolution in marattialean ferns provides a challenge for dating the key phylogenetic events with molecular clock approaches. We instead applied a parsimony‐based total‐evidence dating approach, which suggested a Triassic age for the extant crown group. The modern distribution can best be explained as mainly resulting from vicariance following the breakup of Pangaea and Gondwana. We resolved the fossil genera Marattiopsis, Danaeopsis and Qasimia as members of the monophyletic family Marattiaceae, and the Carboniferous genera Sydneia and Radstockia as the monophyletic sister of all other marattialean ferns.
Developmental changes in neural letter‐selectivity: A 1‐year follow‐up of beginning readers
Authors: van de Walle de Ghelcke Alice , Rossion Bruno , Schiltz Christine , Lochy Aliette 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe developmental course of neural tuning to visual letter strings is unclear. Here we tested 39 children longitudinally, at the beginning of grade 1 (6.45 ± 0.33 years old) and 1 year after, with fast periodic visual stimulation in electroencephalography to assess the evolution of selective neural responses to letter strings and their relationship with emerging reading abilities. At both grades, frequency‐tagged letter strings were discriminated from pseudofont strings (i.e. letter‐selectivity) over the left occipito‐temporal cortex, with effects observed at the individual level in 62% of children. However, visual words were not discriminated from pseudowords (lexical access) at either grade. Following 1 year of schooling, letter‐selective responses showed a specific increase in amplitude, a more complex pattern of harmonics, and were located more anteriorly over the left occipito‐temporal cortex. Remarkably, at both grades, neural responses were highly significant at the individual level and correlated with individual reading scores. The amplitude increase in letter‐selective responses between grades was not found for discrimination responses of familiar keyboard symbols from pseudosymbols, and was not related to a general increase in visual stimulation responses. These findings demonstrate a rapid onset of left hemispheric letter selectivity, with 1 year of reading instruction resulting in increased emerging reading abilities and a clear quantitative and qualitative evolution within left hemispheric neural circuits for reading.
Role of 3‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in guiding transcatheter mitral valve replacement
Authors: Faza Nadeen N. , Little Stephen H. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundTranscatheter mitral valve replacement technologies have been developed to treat a wide range of mitral valve pathologies including primary and secondary mitral regurgitation, mitral stenosis, in addition to degenerative bioprosthetic valves and failed annuloplasty rings.ObjectiveTransesophageal echocardiography, particularly with use of 3‐dimensional imaging is key in successfully guiding these interventions. In this review, we highlight the key role of 3D transesophageal echocardiography in guiding TMVR, including valve‐in‐native valve, valve‐in‐prosthetic valve, valve‐in‐prosthetic ring, and valve‐in‐mitral annular calcification interventions.
Manipulation of insect gut microbiota towards the improvement of Bactrocera oleae artificial rearing
Authors: Koskinioti Panagiota , Ras Erica , Augustinos Antonios A. , Beukeboom Leo W. , Mathiopoulos Kostas D. , Caceres Carlos , Bourtzis Kostas 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is the main pest of olive trees (Olea europaea L.), causing major damages in olive crops. Improvement of mass rearing is a prerequisite for the successful development of large‐scale sterile insect technique (SIT) applications. This can be achieved through the enrichment of artificial diets with gut bacteria isolates. We assessed the efficiency of three gut bacteria previously isolated from Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), and four isolated from B. oleae, as larval diet additives in both live and inactivated/dead forms. Our results showed that dead Enterobacter sp. AA26 increased pupal weight, whereas both live and dead cells increased pupal and adult production and reduced immature developmental time, indicating that its bacterial cells serve as a direct nutrient source. Live Providencia sp. AA31 improved pupal and adult production, enhanced male survival under stress conditions, and delayed immature development. Dead Providencia sp. AA31, however, did not affect production rates, indicating that live bacteria can colonize the insect gut and biosynthesize nutrients essential for larval development. Live and dead Bacillus sp. 139 increased pupal weight, accelerated immature development, and increased adult survival under stress. Moreover, live Bacillus sp. 139 improved adult production, indicating that Bacillus cells are a direct source of nutrients. Dead Serratia sp. 49 increased pupal and adult production and decreased male survival under stress conditions whereas live cells decreased insect production, indicating that the live strain is entomopathogenic, but its dead cells can be utilized as nutrient source. Klebsiella oxytoca, Enterobacter sp. 23, and Providencia sp. 22 decreased pupal and subsequent adult production and were harmful for B. oleae. Our findings indicate that dead Enterobacter sp. AA26 is the most promising bacterial isolate for the improvement of B. oleae mass rearing in support of future SIT or related population suppression programs.
Lessons learned from 40 novel PIGA patients and a review of the literature
Authors: Bayat Allan , Knaus Alexej , Pendziwiat Manuela , Afenjar Alexandra , Barakat Tahsin Stefan , Bosch Friedrich , Callewaert Bert , Calvas Patrick , Ceulemans Berten , Chassaing Nicolas , Depienne Christel , Endziniene Milda , Ferreira Carlos R. , Moura de Souza Carolina Fischinger , Freihuber Cécile , Ganesan Shiva , Gataullina Svetlana , Guerrini Renzo , Guerrot Anne‐Marie , Hansen Lars , Jezela‐Stanek Aleksandra , Karsenty Caroline , Kievit Anneke , Kooy Frank R. , Korff Christian M. , Kragh Hansen Johanne , Larsen Martin , Layet Valérie , Lesca Gaetan , McBride Kim L. , Meuwissen Marije , Mignot Cyril , Montomoli Martino , Moore Hannah , Naudion Sophie , Nava Caroline , Nougues Marie‐Christine , Parrini Elena , Pastore Matthew , Schelhaas Jurgen H. , Skinner Steven , Szczałuba Krzysztoł , Thomas Ashley , Thomassen Mads , Tranebjærg Lisbeth , van Slegtenhorst Marjon , Wolfe Lynne A. , Lal Dennis , Gardella Elena , Bomme Ousager Lilian , Brünger Tobias , Helbig Ingo , Krawitz Peter , Møller Rikke S. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo define the phenotypic spectrum of phosphatidylinositol glycan class A protein (PIGA)‐related congenital disorder of glycosylation (PIGA‐CDG) and evaluate genotype‐phenotype correlations.MethodsOur cohort encompasses 40 affected males with a pathogenic PIGA variant. We performed a detailed phenotypic assessment, and in addition, we reviewed the available clinical data of 36 previously published cases and assessed the variant pathogenicity using bioinformatical approaches.ResultsMost individuals had hypotonia, moderate to profound global developmental delay, and intractable seizures. We found that PIGA‐CDG spans from a pure neurological phenotype at the mild end to a Fryns syndrome–like phenotype. We found a high frequency of cardiac anomalies including structural anomalies and cardiomyopathy, and a high frequency of spontaneous death, especially in childhood. Comparative bioinformatical analysis of common variants, found in the healthy population, and pathogenic variants, identified in affected individuals, revealed a profound physiochemical dissimilarity of the substituted amino acids in variant constrained regions of the protein.SignificanceOur comprehensive analysis of the largest cohort of published and novel PIGA patients broadens the spectrum of PIGA‐CDG. Our genotype‐phenotype correlation facilitates the estimation on pathogenicity of variants with unknown clinical significance and prognosis for individuals with pathogenic variants in PIGA.
Cannabidiol efficacy and clobazam status: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Lattanzi Simona , Trinka Eugen , Striano Pasquale , Zaccara Gaetano , Del Giovane Cinzia , Nardone Raffaele , Silvestrini Mauro , Brigo Francesco 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the potential impact of concomitant clobazam (CLB) use on the efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD) treatment in patients with Dravet syndrome and Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome using meta‐analytical techniques.MethodsWe searched for randomized, placebo‐controlled, single‐ or double‐blinded trials. The proportion of patients who achieved ≥50% reduction from baseline in seizure frequency during the treatment period was assessed according to CLB status. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated.ResultsFour trials were included and enrolled 714 participants, 429 for the add‐on CBD group and 285 for the add‐on placebo group. Among CBD‐treated patients, 240 (55.9%) were taking concomitant CLB (CLB‐On) and 189 (44.1%) were not taking concomitant CLB (CLB‐Off); in placebo‐treated patients, 158 (55.4%) were CLB‐On and 127 (44.6%) CLB‐Off. The percentages of patients who had at least 50% reduction in seizure frequency during the treatment period were 29.1% in the CBD arm and 15.7% in the placebo group among CLB‐Off patients (RR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.12‐2.90, P = .015). Among CBL‐On patients, the ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency was found in 52.9% and 27.8% in the CBD and placebo groups, respectively (RR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.40‐2.44, P < .001).SignificanceCBD was associated with a higher rate of seizure response in comparison to placebo when added to the existing antiepileptic regimen both in patients taking and in those not taking concomitant CLB. The lack of randomization for CLB status and the limited sample size need to be considered in the interpretation of the findings.