bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Limited Clinical Utility of Follow-up Blood Cultures in Patients With Streptococcal Bacteremia: An Opportunity for Blood Culture Stewardship
Authors: Siegrist Emily A , Wungwattana Minkey , Azis Leyla , Stogsdill Patricia , Craig Wendy Y , Rokas Kristina E 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
The value of positive follow-up blood cultures (FUBCs) in streptococcal bacteremia has not been well defined. Therefore, we explored the frequency of and risk factors for positive FUBC in a retrospective cohort of patients with streptococcal bacteremia.

Methods
Adults ≥18 years of age, admitted with at least 1 positive blood culture for Streptococcus spp between 2013 and 2018 followed by at least 1 FUBC, were potentially eligible. Positive FUBCs were defined as cultures positive for the same streptococcal species drawn &gt;24 hours after the index culture. We excluded patients with polymicrobial bacteremia. We compared the characteristics of patients with and without a positive FUBC.

Results
In our single-center cohort, we identified 590 patients with streptococcal bacteremia, and 314 patients met inclusion criteria. Ten patients had FUBC with Streptococcus spp (3.2%), 4 (1.3%) had a contaminant identified, and 3 (1.0%) had a new pathogen isolated. Endocarditis (5 of 10 [50.0%] vs 35 of 304 [11.5%]), epidural abscess (2 of 10 [20%] vs 4 of 304 [1.3%]), and discitis or vertebral osteomyelitis (3 of 10 [30.0%] vs 14 of 304 [4.6%]) were associated with positive FUBC. Patients with positive FUBC had a longer median length of stay (12.9 vs 7.1 days, P = .004) and longer duration of antibiotic treatment (14.9 vs 43.2 days, P = .03).

Conclusions
Follow-up blood cultures among patients with streptococcal BSI are rarely positive. Clinicians could consider limiting follow-up blood cultures in patients at low risk for deep-seated streptococcal infections, persistent bacteremia, or endovascular infection.
Clinical Outcomes of Ceftriaxone vs Penicillin G for Complicated Viridans Group Streptococci Bacteremia
Authors: Wo Stephanie , Dubrovskaya Yanina , Siegfried Justin , Papadopoulos John , Jen Shin-Pung 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Ceftriaxone (CTX) and penicillin G (PCN G) are considered reasonable treatment options for viridans group streptococci (VGS) bloodstream infections, but comparisons between these agents are limited. We evaluated clinical outcomes among patients treated with these agents for complicated VGS bacteremia.

Methods
This was a single-center retrospective study of adult patients with ≥1 positive VGS blood culture who were treated with either CTX or PCN G/ampicillin (both included in the PCN arm) between January 2013 and June 2019. The primary outcome was a composite of safety end points, including hospital readmission due to VGS bacteremia or adverse events (AEs) from therapy, Clostridioides difficile infections, treatment modification or discontinuation due to AEs from therapy, and development of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase resistance. Secondary outcomes included individual safety end points, VGS bacteremia recurrence, hospital readmission, and all-cause mortality.

Results
Of 328 patients screened, 94 met eligibility criteria (CTX n = 64, PCN n = 30). Streptococcus mitis was the most common isolate, and infective endocarditis was the predominant source of infection. CTX was not significantly associated with increased risk of the primary composite safety outcome (CTX 14% vs PCN 27%; P = .139). The driver of the composite outcome was hospital readmission due to VGS bacteremia or therapy complications. No secondary end points differed significantly between groups. On multivariate analysis, source removal was a protective factor of the primary composite safety outcome.

Conclusions
Despite potential safety concerns with the prolonged use of CTX in complicated VGS bacteremia, this study did not demonstrate higher rates of treatment failure, adverse events, or resistance.
Searching for periodic variations in radial velocities after the removal of orbital motions of spectroscopic binaries
Authors: Katoh Noriyuki , Itoh Yoichi , Sato Bun’ei 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACT
This study focuses on periodic variations of radial velocities (RVs) after removing the orbital motion of 33 spectroscopic binaries. The RVs were monitored from 2003 to 2012 and published in Katoh et al. (2013, AJ, 145, 41). Their RV precision was determined to be ∼10 m s−1 utilizing an I2 cell. We investigated the periodic variation using a generalzied Lomb–Scargle algorithm and found periodic variations in the residual velocities of seven binary systems. The residual-velocity variations are mostly generated by stellar activity rather than the orbital motion of a possible companion. For eight binaries, we found significant evidence of a second signal, with velocity dispersions greater than three times the RV uncertainty. We find these residual-velocity variations inconsistent with a Doppler signal induced by the orbital motion of an unknown component. For the remaining 18 binaries, we did not detect significant variations of residual-velocity.
A Retrospective Database Study of Gastrointestinal Events and Medical Costs Associated with Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Japanese Patients of Working Age with Osteoarthritis and Chronic Low Back Pain
Authors: Kikuchi Shogo , Togo Kanae , Ebata Nozomi , Fujii Koichi , Yonemoto Naohiro , Abraham Lucy , Katsuno Takayuki 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Context
The real-world burden of gastrointestinal (GI) events associated with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in Japanese patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and/or chronic low back pain (CLBP) remains unreported.

Objective
To assess the incidence and economic burden of NSAID-induced GI events by using data from large-scale real-world databases.

Methods
We used the Japanese Medical Data Center database to retrospectively evaluate anonymized claims data of medical insurance beneficiaries employed by middle- to large-size Japanese companies who were prescribed NSAIDs for OA and/or CLBP between 2009 and 2018.

Results
Overall, 180,371 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 32.9% had OA, 53.8% had CLBP, and 13.4% had both OA and CLBP. NSAIDs were administered as first-line analgesics to 161,152 (89.3%) of the patients in the sample, in oral form to 90.3% and as topical patches to 80.4%. A total of 65.1% used combined oral/topical patches. Of the 21.0% of patients consistently using NSAIDs (percentage of days supplied ≥70%), 54.5% received patches. A total of 51.5% patients used NSAIDs for &gt;1 to ≤6 months. The incidence of GI events was 9.97 per 10,000 person-years (95% confidence interval: 8.92–11.03). The risk of developing GI events was high in elderly patients and patients with comorbidities and remained similar for patients receiving oral vs. topical NSAIDs. Longer treatment duration and consistent NSAID use increased the risk of GI events. The cost (median [interquartile range]) of medications (n = 327) was US$ 80.70 ($14.10, $201.40), that of hospitalization (n = 33) was US$ 2,035.50 ($1,517.80, $2,431.90), and that of endoscopic surgery (n = 52) was US$ 418.20 ($418.20, $418.20).

Conclusion
NSAID-associated GI toxicity imposes a significant health and economic burden on patients with OA and/or CLBP, irrespective of whether oral or topical NSAIDs are used.
The Style of the Old English Metrical Charms
Authors: Batten Caroline R. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
The metre of the Old English metrical charms is highly unusual according to all postulated systems of Old English metrical scansion. Their numerous irregularities have led previous studies to dismiss the charms as corrupt or poor verse. The present study subjects the metrical charms to stylometric analysis for the first time and demonstrates that their irregularities are in fact both predictable and explicable. It argues that the charms are aesthetically sophisticated and vivid narrative poems, with stylistic features that complement their content. It demonstrates that their irregularities are a consequence of the accommodation of traditional formulae and plurilinear rhetorical structures evidently essential to these texts’ practical purposes and magical functions. The charms’ shared, unusual stylistic features suggest that they may represent a mode of Old English poetic composition distinct from the ‘classical’ verse found in texts like Beowulf, and the resulting re-evaluation of the charms’ aesthetic merit in turn suggests the importance of re-evaluating the criteria by which scholars judge Old English verse more broadly.
“Sorry, We're Closed” Bank Branch Closures, Loan Pricing, and Information Asymmetries
Authors: Bonfim Diana , Nogueira Gil , Ongena Steven 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWe study local loan conditions when banks close branches. In places where branch closures do not take place, firms that purposely switch banks receive a sixty-three basis points (bps) discount. However, after the closure of nearby branches of their credit-granting banks, firms that locally and hurriedly transfer to other banks receive no such discount. Yet, the loan default rate for the latter (more expensive) transfer loans is on average a full percentage point lower than that for the former (cheaper) switching loans. This suggests that transfer firms are of “better” quality than switching firms. In sum, even if local markets remain competitive, when banks close branches, firms lose.
Changes in EEG permutation entropy in the evening and in the transition from wake to sleep
Authors: Hou Fengzhen , Zhang Lulu , Qin Baokun , Gaggioni Giulia , Liu Xinyu , Vandewalle Gilles 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Quantifying the complexity of the EEG signal during prolonged wakefulness and during sleep is gaining interest as an additional mean to characterize the mechanisms associated with sleep and wakefulness regulation. Here, we characterized how EEG complexity, as indexed by Multiscale Permutation Entropy (MSPE), changed progressively in the evening prior to light off and during the transition from wakefulness to sleep. We further explored whether MSPE was able to discriminate between wakefulness and sleep around sleep onset and whether MSPE changes were correlated with spectral measures of the EEG related to sleep need during concomitant wakefulness (theta power—Ptheta: 4–8 Hz). To address these questions, we took advantage of large datasets of several hundred of ambulatory EEG recordings of individual of both sexes aged 25–101 years. Results show that MSPE significantly decreases before light off (i.e. before sleep time) and in the transition from wakefulness to sleep onset. Furthermore, MSPE allows for an excellent discrimination between pre-sleep wakefulness and early sleep. Finally, we show that MSPE is correlated with concomitant Ptheta. Yet, the direction of the latter correlation changed from before light-off to the transition to sleep. Given the association between EEG complexity and consciousness, MSPE may track efficiently putative changes in consciousness preceding sleep onset. An MSPE stands as a comprehensive measure that is not limited to a given frequency band and reflects a progressive change brain state associated with sleep and wakefulness regulation. It may be an effective mean to detect when the brain is in a state close to sleep onset.
Phase-locked auditory stimulation of theta oscillations during rapid eye movement sleep
Authors: Harrington Marcus O , Ashton Jennifer E , Ngo Hong-Viet V , Cairney Scott A 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Auditory closed-loop stimulation is a non-invasive technique that has been widely used to augment slow oscillations during non-rapid eye movement sleep. Based on the principles of closed-loop stimulation, we developed a novel protocol for manipulating theta activity (3–7 Hz) in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Sixteen healthy young adults were studied in two overnight conditions: Stimulation and Sham. In the Stimulation condition, 1 s of 5 Hz amplitude-modulated white noise was delivered upon detection of two supra-threshold theta cycles throughout REM sleep. In the Sham condition, corresponding time points were marked but no stimulation was delivered. Auditory stimulation entrained EEG activity to 5 Hz and evoked a brief (~0.5 s) increase in theta power. Interestingly, this initial theta surge was immediately followed by a prolonged (~3 s) period of theta suppression. Stimulation also induced a prolonged (~2 s) increase in beta power. Our results provide the first demonstration that the REM sleep theta rhythm can be manipulated in a targeted manner via auditory stimulation. Accordingly, auditory stimulation might offer a fruitful avenue for investigating REM sleep electrophysiology and its relationship to behavior.
Paired Double Consciousness: A Du Boisian Approach to Gender and Transnational Double Consciousness in Thai Kathoey Self-Formation
Authors: Lynne Alyssa 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Sociologists have not adequately explored how Du Bois’ concept of double consciousness could be used to study the role of cisnormative oppression in self-formation or how it could enrich studies of self-formation beyond the Atlantic world. This article addresses these gaps by merging postcolonial feminist theory and the concept of double consciousness to analyze kathoey self-formation. Kathoey are gender nonconforming (GNC) individuals in Thailand who are assigned male at birth and live as women. Drawing upon participant observation, in-depth interviews, and content analysis, I propose an extension to double consciousness called “paired double consciousness.” This framework explains how cisnormative and neocolonial oppression lead kathoey to experience two veils. The first veil divides self-formation between kathoey and dominant cisgender worlds within Thai society, which produces “gender double consciousness.” The second veil divides self-formation between kathoey and dominant transgender worlds within a global community, which creates “transnational double consciousness.”
Animal sciences undergraduate education since the ASAS centennial: a national survey and scoping review
Authors: Erickson M G , Ranathunga S D , Wattiaux M A 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe rapid pace of advancement in animal sciences is drastically changing conditions for undergraduate teaching and learning in the discipline. Shortly after the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) centennial, we conducted a national survey of 90 faculty instructors from 49 academic institutions to assess their perceptions of emerging teaching topics. Participants rated 18 learning outcomes (LO) and 16 types of courses and experiences (CE) with respect to their importance and the adequacy of available offerings. This study presents the results of the survey along with a scoping review of animal sciences teaching and learning publications since 2008 (n = 71). Results indicated that discipline-specific competencies and core experiential learning remain central to animal sciences teaching and identified several distinct needs for research. Namely, we suggest that future research in animal sciences teaching and learning 1) develop animal-science-specific expertise on a greater variety of pedagogies, 2) validate improved methods for assessing transferable skills, 3) expand pedagogical knowledge of emerging topics (e.g., sustainability, data science, welfare science, social science), and 4) deepen and broaden animal sciences’ teaching and learning identity through theory-building work and collaborations across instructors, disciplines, and institutions.
An empirical example of analysis using a two-stage modeling approach: within-subject association of outdoor context and physical activity predicts future daily physical activity levels
Authors: Yang Chih-Hsiang , Maher Jaclyn P , Ponnada Aditya , Dzubur Eldin , Nordgren Rachel , Intille Stephen , Hedeker Donald , Dunton Genevieve F 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
People differ from each other to the extent to which momentary factors, such as context, mood, and cognitions, influence momentary health behaviors. However, statistical models to date are limited in their ability to test whether the association between two momentary variables (i.e., subject-level slopes) predicts a subject-level outcome. This study demonstrates a novel two-stage statistical modeling strategy that is capable of testing whether subject-level slopes between two momentary variables predict subject-level outcomes. An empirical case study application is presented to examine whether there are differences in momentary moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels between the outdoor and indoor context in adults and whether these momentary differences predict mean daily MVPA levels 6 months later. One hundred and eight adults from a multiwave longitudinal study provided 4 days of ecological momentary assessment (during baseline) and accelerometry data (both at baseline and 6 month follow-up). Multilevel data were analyzed using an open-source program (MixWILD) to test whether momentary strength between outdoor context and MVPA during baseline was associated with average daily MVPA levels measured 6 months later. During baseline, momentary MVPA levels were higher in outdoor contexts as compared to indoor contexts (b = 0.07, p &lt; .001). Participants who had more momentary MVPA when outdoors (vs. indoors) during baseline (i.e., a greater subject-level slope) had higher daily MVPA at the 6 month follow-up (b = 0.09, p &lt; .05). This empirical example shows that the subject-level momentary association between specific context (i.e., outdoors) and health behavior (i.e., physical activity) may contribute to overall engagement in that behavior in the future. The demonstrated two-stage modeling approach has extensive applications in behavioral medicine to analyze intensive longitudinal data collected from wearable sensors and mobile devices.
L-carnitine suppresses cisplatin-induced renal injury in rats: impact on cytoskeleton proteins expression
Authors: Ebrahim Osama Fouad Ahmed , Nafea Ola Elsayed , Samy Walaa , Shawky Lamiaa Mohamed 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
We designed this work to examine the curative role of L-carnitine (LCAR) in a rat model of cisplatin (CDDP)-induced kidney injury. We induced kidney injury in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg of CDDP. Fifteen days post injection, rats were orally supplemented with 354 mg/kg of LCAR for another 15 days. Kidney tissues were subjected to histo-biochemical analysis along with mRNA gene expression quantification for cytoskeleton proteins encoding genes (vimentin, nestin, and connexin 43) by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. LCAR reversed CDDP-induced renal structural and functional impairments. LCAR significantly declined serum urea and creatinine concentrations, restored oxidant/antioxidant balance, reversed inflammation, and antagonized caspase 3-mediated apoptotic cell death in renal tissues. Moreover, LCAR effectively down-regulated cytoskeleton proteins mRNA levels, reflecting amelioration of CDDP-provoked podocyte injury. We concluded that LCAR has a favorable therapeutic utility against CDDP-induced kidney injury.
Metabolic profiling and gene expression analysis provides insights into flavonoid and anthocyanin metabolism in poplar
Authors: Tian Yuru , Li Qianqian , Rao Shupei , Wang Aike , Zhang Hechen , Wang Liangsheng , Li Yue , Chen Jinhuan 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Poplar, a woody perennial model, is a common and widespread tree genus. We cultivated two red leaf poplar varieties from bud mutation of Populus sp. Linn. ‘2025’ (also known as Zhonglin 2025, L2025 for shot): Populus deltoides varieties with bright red leaves (LHY) and completely red leaves (QHY). After measuring total contents of flavonoid, anthocyanin, chlorophyll and carotenoid metabolites, a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry system was used for the relative quantification of widely targeted metabolites in leaves of three poplar varieties. A total of 210 flavonoid metabolites (89 flavones, 40 flavonols, 25 flavanones, 18 anthocyanins, 16 isoflavones, 7 dihydroflavonols, 7 chalcones, 5 proanthocyanidins and 3 other flavonoid metabolites) were identified. Compared with L2025, 48 and 8 flavonoids were more and less abundant, respectively, in LHY, whereas 51 and 9 flavonoids were more and less abundant in QHY, respectively. On the basis of a comprehensive analysis of the metabolic network, gene expression levels were analyzed by deep sequencing to screen for potential reference genes for the red leaves. Most phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway-involved genes were differentially expressed among the examined varieties. Gene expression analysis also revealed several potential anthocyanin biosynthesis regulators including three MYB genes. The study results provide new insights into poplar flavonoid metabolites and represent the theoretical basis for future studies on leaf coloration in this model tree species.
Antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria isolated from the infected wounds of patients with lymphoedema in East Wollega, Ethiopia
Authors: Nigussie Dereje , Makonnen Eyasu , Legesse Belete Adefris , Fekadu Abebaw , Davey Gail 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Lymphoedema is caused by dysfunction of the lymphatic system resulting in accumulation of high-protein content fluid in the interstitial space. To date, the bacteria associated with wound infections of patients with lower limb lymphoedema in Ethiopia have not been studied. This study identified pathogenic bacteria involved in wound infection and assessed antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in patients with lymphoedema in Ethiopia.

Methods
Swab samples were collected from the wounds of patients with lymphoedema and cultured using standard microbiological techniques. Micro-organisms were identified by colony morphology followed by identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the automated VITEK 2 COMPACT Microbial Detection System.

Results
Swabs were collected from 103 patients and 84 were culture positive: 44 (52.4%) culture-positive samples showed polymicrobial growth and 40 (47.6%) grew single bacterial isolates. In total, 134 isolates were obtained, of which 26 gram-negative and 12 gram-positive bacterial species were identified. A total of 28/63 (44.4%) gram-negative isolates and 3/57 (5.3%) gram-positive isolates were multiple drug resistant. There was no resistance to ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin or gentamycin among gram-negative or gram-positive bacteria.

Conclusion
In this study, many infections were polymicrobial and showed multiple drug resistance. Fluoroquinolones and gentamycin, however, seemed to be effective against bacterial wound infection in this setting.