bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of methylated ctDNA detection in plasma samples of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients
Authors: de Jesus Lais Machado , dos Reis Mariana Bisarro , Carvalho Raiany Santos , Scapulatempo Neto Cristovam , de Almeida Gisele Caravina , Laus Ana Carolina , Marczynski Gabriella Taques , Leal Leticia Ferro , Melendez Matias Eliseo , de Marchi Pedro , Manuel Reis Rui , Carvalho André Lopes , de Carvalho Ana Carolina 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundOropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OpSCCs) are commonly associated with high rates of treatment failure.ObjectivesTo evaluate methylation‐based markers in plasma from OpSCC patients as emerging tools for accurate/noninvasive follow‐up.MethodsPretreatment formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) biopsies (n = 52) and paired plasma (n = 15) were tested for the methylation of CCNA1, DAPK, CDH8, and TIMP3 by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR).ResultsSeventy‐one percent (37/52) of the biopsies showed methylation of at least one of the evaluated genes and tumor CCNA1 methylation was associated with recurrence‐free survival. Methylated circulating tumor DNA (meth‐ctDNA) was detected in 11/15 (73.3%) plasma samples; conversely, plasma samples from healthy controls were all negative for DNA methylation (area under the curve = 0.867; 95% confidence interval = 0.720‐1.000). Additionally, preliminary results on the detection of meth‐ctDNA in plasma collected during follow‐up closely matched patient outcome.ConclusionsThe results suggest the feasibility of detecting meth‐ctDNA in plasma using ddPCR and a possible application on routine setting after further validation.
A pandemic center’s experience of managing pregnant women with COVID‐19 infection in Turkey: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Sahin Dilek , Tanacan Atakan , Erol Seyit A. , Anuk Ali T. , Eyi Elif G.Y. , Ozgu‐ Erdinc A. Seval , Yucel Aykan , Keskin Huseyin L. , Tayman Cüneyt , Unlu Serpil , Kirca Fisun , Dinc Bedia , San Ishak , Parpucu Ü. Murat , Surel Aziz A. , Moraloglu Ozlem T. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the course and effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) on pregnant women followed up in a Turkish institution.MethodsA prospective, single tertiary pandemic center cohort study was conducted on pregnant women with confirmed or suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. Positive diagnosis was made on a real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assay of a nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal specimen. Demographic features, clinical characteristics, and maternal and perinatal outcomes were evaluated.ResultsSARS‐CoV‐2 was suspected in 100 pregnant women. Of them, 29 had the diagnosis confirmed by RT‐PCR. Eight of the remaining 71 cases had clinical findings highly suspicious for COVID‐19. Ten (34.5%) of the confirmed cases had co‐morbidities. Cough (58.6%) and myalgia (51.7%) were the leading symptoms. COVID‐19 therapy was given to 10 (34.5%) patients. There were no admissions to the intensive care unit. Pregnancy complications were present in 7 (24.1%) patients. Half of the births (5/10) were cesarean deliveries. None of the neonates were positive for SARS‐CoV‐2. Samples of breastmilk were also negative for the virus. Three neonates were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.ConclusionThe clinical course of COVID 19 during pregnancy appears to be mild in the present study.
Magnetic resonance imaging reconstruction via non‐convex total variation regularization
Authors: Shen Marui , Li Jincheng , Zhang Tao , Zou Jian 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reconstruction model based on total variation (TV) regularization can deal with problems such as incomplete reconstruction, blurred boundary, and residual noise. In this article, a non‐convex isotropic TV regularization reconstruction model is proposed to overcome the drawback. Moreau envelope and minmax‐concave penalty are firstly used to construct the non‐convex regularization of L2 norm, then it is applied into the TV regularization to construct the sparse reconstruction model. The proposed model can extract the edge contour of the target effectively since it can avoid the underestimation of larger nonzero elements in convex regularization. In addition, the global convexity of the cost function can be guaranteed under certain conditions. Then, an efficient algorithm such as alternating direction method of multipliers is proposed to solve the new cost function. Experimental results show that, compared with several typical image reconstruction methods, the proposed model performs better. Both the relative error and the peak signal‐to‐noise ratio are significantly improved, and the reconstructed images also show better visual effects. The competitive experimental results indicate that the proposed approach is not limited to MRI reconstruction, but it is general enough to be used in other fields with natural images.
The digital future of internal staffing: A vision for transformational electronic human resource management
Authors: Rogiers Philip , Viaene Stijn , Leysen Jan 
Published: July 2020

SummaryThrough an international Delphi study, this article explores the new electronic human resource management regimes that are expected to transform internal staffing. Our focus is on three types of information systems: human resource management systems, job portals, and talent marketplaces. We explore the future potential of these new systems and identify the key challenges for their implementation in governments, such as inadequate regulations and funding priorities, a lack of leadership and strategic vision, together with rigid work policies and practices and a change‐resistant culture. Tied to this vision, we identify several areas of future inquiry that bridge the divide between theory and practice.
Sex, Finance, and Literacy Assessment
Authors: Slomp David 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDiscussions about literacy assessment can often be polarizing for teachers, school administrators, and other stakeholders. Given the diverse and often charged perspectives on assessment within both the profession and the broader public discourse, it can be difficult to engage in productive dialogue about the role that literacy assessment plays in promoting or inhibiting effective models of literacy education. This department provides perspectives, questions, and research that enables readers to better advocate for themselves and their students as they develop their own assessment programs and respond to assessment programs that are imposed on them.
Magnetic resonance contrast agents in optical clearing: Prospects for multimodal tissue imaging
Authors: Tuchina Daria K. , Meerovich Irina G. , Sindeeva Olga A. , Zherdeva Victoria V. , Savitsky Alexander P. , Bogdanov Alexei A. , Tuchin Valery V. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSkin optical clearing effect ex vivo and in vivo was achieved by topical application of low molecular weight paramagnetic magnetic resonance contrast agents. This novel feature has not been explored before. By using collimated transmittance the diffusion coefficients of three clinically used magnetic resonance contrast agents, that is Gadovist, Magnevist and Dotarem as well as X‐ray contrast agent Visipaque in mouse skin were determined ex vivo as (4.29 ± 0.39) × 10−7 cm2/s, (5.00 ± 0.72) × 10−7 cm2/s, (3.72 ± 0.67) × 10−7 cm2/s and (1.64 ± 0.18) × 10−7 cm2/s, respectively. The application of gadobutrol (Gadovist) resulted in efficient optical clearing that in general, was superior to other contrast agents tested and allowed to achieve: (a) more than 12‐fold increase of transmittance over 10 minutes after application ex vivo; (b) markedly improved images of skin architecture obtained with optical coherence tomography; (c) an increase of the fluorescence intensity/background ratio in TagRFP‐red fluorescent marker protein expressing tumor by five times after 15 minutes application into the skin in vivo. The obtained results have immediate implications for multimodality imaging because many contrast agents are capable of simultaneously enhancing the contrast of multiple imaging modalities.
The role of therapeutic plasma exchange in clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis with MDA‐5 antibody: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Fine Alexander , Karp Julie K. , Peedin Alexis R. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractClinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) is a rare, aggressive variant of dermatomyositis associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and refractoriness to immunosuppressants. Antibodies against melanoma differentiation‐associated gene 5 (MDA‐5) are often found in patients with CADM. We report a patient with advanced CADM with ILD and MDA‐5 antibodies who failed to improve with immunosuppressants. We performed 2 TPE over 3 days, using 5% albumin as replacement fluid. Although five total TPE were planned, he was transferred for lung transplant evaluation after the second TPE; he died 16 days after transfer without receiving a transplant. A literature review identified four patients with CADM and MDA‐5 antibodies treated with TPE; all experienced symptomatic improvement of their ILD. We attribute our patient's outcome to the advanced nature of his disease rather than a failure of TPE. Additional research may indicate a possible reclassification of CADM with MDA‐5 antibodies in future ASFA guidelines.
Evaluation of time to positivity for blood culture combined with immature granulocytes, neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, and CRP in identifying bloodstream coagulase‐negative Staphylococci infection in pediatric patients
Authors: Zeng Lanlan , Wang Shuhui , Lin Minchun , Chen Yaxing , Deng Qiulian , Zhong Huamin , Guan Xiaoshan , Yao Shuwen , Liu Haiying 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the application value of time to positivity (TTP) for blood culture combined with inflammatory parameters that included immature granulocyte percentage (IG%), immature granulocyte count (IG#), C‐reactive protein (CRP), white blood cells (WBC) neutrophil percentage (NE%), and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and to identify bloodstream infections from contamination with coagulase‐negative staphylococci (CoNS) in pediatric patients.MethodsData of 12 897 inpatients with blood culture CoNS were retrospectively collected and analyzed from January‐December 2019 at our hospital. According to pre‐defined criteria, they were divided into a CoNS infection group (132 cases) and a CoNS contamination group (124 cases). Infection with Staphylococcus aureus (SA, 27 cases) at the same period was considered a positive control group. ROC curve analysis assisted in determining the value of applying TTP combined with the above‐mentioned inflammatory parameters to distinguish CoNS infection from contamination.ResultsAmong the 256 strains of CoNS, Staphylococcus hominis (55.1%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (32.0%), and Staphylococcus capitis (7.0%) were common. There was no significant difference in the subspecies distribution between the infection and contamination groups. The TTP of the CoNS infection group was significantly lower than the contamination group (P < .05). IG%, IG#, CRP, NE%, and NLR were all higher in the infected group as compared to the contaminated group (P < .05), while WBC was similar among groups. There was also no statistical difference in those parameters when comparing the CoNS infection and SA groups. ROC analysis showed that TTP value in identifying CoNS infection from contamination was the highest with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.913, and the sensitivity and specificity were 0.827 and 0.852, respectively, at the optimal cutoff value of 23.9 hours. This was followed by IG% (AUC = 0.712), with an optimal critical value of 0.55%, and a sensitivity of 0.519 and specificity of 0.797. All the AUC values of IG#, CRP, NE%, and NLR were <0.7. A combination of TTP with IG%, CRP, and NLR improved the AUC, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV values to 0.977, 0.922, 0.957, 91.8%, 92.2%, and 91.3%, respectively.ConclusionsTTP within 24 hours indicates likelihood of CoNS as the pathogenic agent in pediatric patient blood culture. The combination of TTP with IG% CRP and NLR might improve the diagnostic accuracy.
Postnatal alcohol exposure and adolescent exercise have opposite effects on cerebellar microglia in rat
Authors: Gursky Zachary H. , Johansson Julia R. , Klintsova Anna Y. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDevelopmental alcohol exposure results in altered neuroimmune function in both humans and rodents. Given the critical role for the principle neuroimmune cell, microglia, in maintaining synaptic form and function, microglial dysfunction in the cerebellum may be an important mechanism underlying the aberrant cerebellar connectivity observed in rodent models of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Using an established rodent model of alcohol exposure during human third‐trimester fetal development, we examine the cerebellum of male and female Long Evans rats to determine the impact of early postnatal alcohol exposure on cerebellar microglia, and the potential therapeutic effects of an adolescent intervention consisting of voluntary exercise (running). All cerebelli were examined at postnatal day 42 (i.e., late adolescence), and microglia were labeled with Iba1, a microglia‐specific protein. Early postnatal alcohol exposure caused an increase in microglial density throughout cerebellum and a reduction in cerebellar volume, and a reduction in the proportion of fully ramified (often called “resting state”) microglia selective to lobules 1–4. In contrast, adolescent exercise decreased microglial density throughout cerebellum and increased cerebellar volume, while activating microglia (as indicated by increases in amoeboid microglia, and reductions in fully and partially ramified microglia) selectively in lobules 1–4. These results suggest that adolescent exercise may be a suitable intervention to ameliorate alcohol‐induced neuroimmune dysfunction as it alters microglia density and cerebellar volume in opposite to the effects of developmental alcohol exposure. Importantly, exercise intervention can be flexibly implemented well after the time window of vulnerability to alcohol.
Germ lines and extended selection during the evolutionary transition to multicellularity
Authors: Rose Caroline J. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe major evolutionary transitions from unicellular organisms to multicellularity resulted in a profusion of complex life forms. During the transition from single cells to multicellular life, groups of cells acquired the capacity for reproduction as discrete units; however, the selective causes and underlying mechanisms remain debated. One perspective views the evolution of multicellularity as a shift in the timescale at which natural selection primarily operates—from that of individual cells to the timescale of reproducing groups of cells. Therefore, a distinguishing feature of multicellular reproduction, as opposed to simple growth of a multicellular collective, is that the capacity for reproduction must develop over a timescale that is greater than the reproductive timescale of a single cell. Here, I suggest that the emergence of specialized reproductive cells (the germ line) was an essential first stage of the evolutionary transition to multicellularity because it imposed the necessary “delay”—allowing natural selection to operate over the longer timescale of a multicellular life cycle, ultimately resulting in the evolution of complex multicellular organisms. This perspective highlights the possibility that the ubiquity of a germ–soma distinction among complex multicellular organisms reflects the fact that such life cycles, on first emergence, had the greatest propensity to participate in Darwinian evolution.
A case of laryngopharyngeal reflux‐associated chronic cough: Misinterpretation of treatment efficacy causes diagnostic delay
Authors: Kikuchi Asuka , Kawamoto Ryuichi , Mizumoto Junki , Akase Taichi , Ninomiya Daisuke , Kumagi Teru 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA 62‐year‐old woman presented with a dry cough lasting 18 months. She had previously been examined by multiple doctors, but no abnormalities were observed. Several medications such as rabeprazole and inhaled corticosteroids were administered as test treatments without any improvement. Therefore, the possibility of biological disease, including acid reflux, had been mistakenly ruled out. We examined the sputum gram stain. The result showed phagocyted normal bacterial flora, suggesting aspiration. Laryngoscopy revealed edema of the arytenoid cartilage. The patient was finally diagnosed with laryngopharyngeal reflux and silent aspiration. This case suggested that the ineffectiveness of proton‐pump inhibitors cannot always exclude the presence of reflux disease and the usefulness of gram stain examination to detect silent aspiration.
Synthesis and antiproliferative evaluation of some novel quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one derivatives
Authors: Salem Marwa Sayed , Al‐Mabrook Selima Ali Mohamed , El‐Hashash Maher Abd El‐Aziz Mahmoud 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA series of novel quinazolinone derivatives was designed and synthesized. The antiproliferative activities were evaluated in vitro using MTT assay against hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG‐2) and mammary gland breast cancer (MCF‐7). The preliminary bioassay results demonstrated that tested compounds exhibited antiproliferation with various degrees. Triazole moiety enhanced the activity against the two cell lines when incorporating with quinazolinone moiety in a single molecular framework. Acetohydrazide‐quinazolinone derivative showed strong activity against the two cancer cells comparable to that of doxorubicin. Biological evaluation indicated that all the tested compounds possessed antiproliferative activity with certain degrees.
Horizontal Inequity in Healthcare Delivery: A Qualitative Analysis of Perceptions of Locality and Costs of Access in the Jirapa Municipality, North‐western Ghana
Authors: Domapielle Maximillian Kolbe , Akurugu Constance Awinpoka , Mdee Anna 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis article provides evidence of horizontal inequity in the distribution of the burden and benefits of healthcare in north‐western Ghana. A qualitative approach was used to collect and analyse the data on variation in perceptions of affordability of health services to rural and urban populations in the Jirapa Municipality of Ghana. The article argues that costs of transportation, food and lodging associated with seeking healthcare at the municipal referral hospital are disproportionately higher for rural residents. This leads to delayed medical treatment, self‐medication or reliance on traditional medicines, all of which can come with harmful consequences. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Harder, better, faster, stronger: Weapon size is more sexually dimorphic than weapon biomechanical components in two freshwater anomuran species
Authors: Palaoro Alexandre V. , Muniz Danilo G. , Santos Sandro 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSexual selection influences the evolution of morphological traits that increase the likelihood of monopolizing scarce resources. When such traits are used during contests, they are termed weapons. Given that resources are typically linked to monopolizing mating partners, theory expects only males to bear weapons. In some species, however, females also bear weapons, although typically smaller than male weapons. Understanding why females bear smaller weapons can thus help us understand the selective pressures behind weapon evolution. However, most of our knowledge comes from studies on weapon size, while the biomechanics of weapons, such as the size of the muscles, efficiency, and shape are seldom studied. Our goal was to test if the theoretical expectations for weapon size sexual dimorphism also occur for weapon biomechanics using two aeglid crab species. Males of both species had larger claws which were also stronger than female claws. Male claws were also more efficient than females' claws (although we used only one species in this analysis). For weapon shape, though, only one species differed in the mean claw shape. Regarding scaling differences, in both species, male claws had higher size scaling than females, while only one species had a higher shape scaling. However, male weapons did not have higher scaling regarding strength and efficiency than females. Thus, males apparently allocate more resources in weapons than females, but once allocated, muscle and efficiency follow a similar developmental pathway in both sexes. Taken together, our results show that sexual dimorphism in weapons involves more than differences in size. Shape differences are especially intriguing because we cannot fully understand its causes. Yet, we highlight that such subtle differences can only be detected by measuring and analysing weapon shape and biomechanical components. Only then we might better understand how weapons are forged.
Simultaneous δ2H and δ18O analyses of water inclusions in halite with off‐axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy
Authors: Fourel François , Lécuyer Christophe , Jame Patrick , Guironnet Alexandre , Boutier Antoine , Barbier Manon , Blamey Nigel , Brand Uwe , Fralick Philip 
Published: July 2020

AbstractStable isotope compositions of ancient halite fluid inclusions have been recognized to be valuable tools for reconstructing past environments. Nevertheless, in order to better understand the genesis of halite deposits, it could be of great interest to combine both δ2H and δ18O measurements of the water trapped as inclusions in the defects of the mineral lattice. We developed a method combining off‐axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy (OA‐ICOS) connected on line with a modified elemental analyzer (EA‐OA‐ICOS) to perform those measurements. The first step was to test the method with synthetic halite crystals precipitated in the laboratory from isotopically calibrated waters. Water isotopic signatures have been measured with conventional techniques, equilibration for δ18O and chromium reduction for δ2H. Then, we modified and optimized a conventional EA to connect it online with an OA‐ICOS instrument for H2O measurements. The technique is first evaluated for calibrated free water samples. The technique is also evaluated for salt matrix effect, accuracy, and linearity for both isotopic signatures. Then, the technique is used to measure simultaneously δ2H and δ18O values of halite water inclusions precipitated from the evaporation experiments. Data generated with this new technique appeared to be comparable with those inferred from prior off‐line technique studies. The advantages offered by the OA‐ICOS technique are the simultaneous acquisition of both isotopic ratios and the substantial reduction of data acquisition time and sample aliquot size. Natural halite samples have been analyzed with this method. Natural halite samples as old as Precambrian have also been analyzed with this method.