bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrocardiographic findings at presentation and clinical outcome in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Lanza Gaetano Antonio , De Vita Antonio , Ravenna Salvatore Emanuele , D’Aiello Alessia , Covino Marcello , Franceschi Francesco , Crea Filippo 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Aims
The main severe complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection are pneumonia and respiratory distress syndrome. Recent studies, however, reported that cardiac injury, as assessed by troponin levels, is associated with a worse outcome in these patients. No study hitherto assessed whether the simple standard electrocardiogram (ECG) may be helpful for risk stratification in these patients.

Methods and results
We studied 324 consecutive patients admitted to our Emergency Department with a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Standard 12-lead ECG recorded on admission was assessed for cardiac rhythm and rate, atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction, abnormal Q/QS wave, ST segment and T wave changes, corrected QT interval, and tachyarrhythmias. At a mean follow-up of 31 ± 11 days, 44 deaths occurred (13.6%). Most ECG variables were significantly associated with mortality, including atrial fibrillation (P = 0.002), increasing heart rate (P = 0.002), presence of left bundle branch block (LBBB; P &lt; 0.001), QRS duration (P &lt;0 .001), a QRS duration of ≥110 ms (P &lt; 0.001), ST segment depression (P &lt; 0.001), abnormal Q/QS wave (P = 0.034), premature ventricular complexes (PVCs; P = 0.051), and presence of any ECG abnormality [hazard ratio (HR) 4.58; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.40–8.76; P &lt; 0.001]. At multivariable analysis, QRS duration (P = 0.002), QRS duration ≥110 ms (P = 0.03), LBBB (P = 0.014) and presence of any ECG abnormality (P = 0.04) maintained a significant independent association with mortality.

Conclusion
Our data show that standard ECG can be helpful for an initial risk stratification of patients admitted for SARS-CoV-2 infectious disease.
Rewilding the small stuff: the effect of ecological restoration on prokaryotic communities of peatland soils
Authors: Andras Jason P , Rodriguez-Reillo William G , Truchon Alexander , Blanchard Jeffery L , Pierce Erin A , Ballantine Katherine A 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACT
To investigate the effect that restoration has on the microbiome of wetland soils, we used 16S amplicon sequencing to characterize the soil prokaryotic communities of retired cranberry farms that were restored to approximate the peat wetlands they once were. For comparison, we also surveyed the soil communities of active cranberry farms, retired cranberry farms and natural peat wetlands that were never farmed. Our results show that the prokaryotic communities of active cranberry farms are distinct from those of natural peat wetlands. Moreover, 4 years after restoration, the prokaryotic community structure of restored cranberry farms had shifted, resulting in a community more similar to natural peat wetlands than to active farms. Meanwhile, the prokaryotic communities of retired cranberry farms remained similar to those of active farms. The observed differences in community structure across site types corresponded with significant differences in inferred capacity for denitrification, methanotrophy and methanogenesis, and community composition was also correlated with previously published patterns of denitrification and carbon sequestration measured from the same soil samples. Taken together, these results suggest that ecological restoration efforts have the potential to restore ecosystem functions of soils and that they do so by ‘rewilding’ the communities of resident soil microbes.
Real-time detection of changes in yeast plasma membrane potential using genetically encoded voltage indicator proteins
Authors: Limapichat Walrati , Pornthanakasem Wichai , Satitthammachart Chatchaya , Chitnumsub Penchit , Leartsakulpanich Ubolsree 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACT
In yeast, adaptation to varying conditions often requires proper regulation of the plasma membrane potential. To determine yeast membrane potential change, optical methods involving potentiometric dyes have been supplemental to the direct electrode-based method. However, the hydrophobic nature of the dyes and their slow distribution across the membrane still limits their utilization. Genetically encoded voltage indicator (GEVI) proteins employed in neuroscience offer a tantalizing alternative for monitoring yeast membrane potential change. In this work, several widely used GEVI proteins were assessed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for their expression and function as a voltage reporter. Among them, only ArcLight and Accelerated Sensor of Action Potential (ASAP) proteins could be expressed and transported to the plasma membrane. While the voltage-sensing capability was demonstrated for both ArcLight and ASAP, ArcLight fluorescence was sensitive to the intracellular pH change concurrently with the voltage change. Therefore, we established that ASAP is the more suitable GEVI protein for reporting yeast membrane potential change. This voltage-sensing reporter for yeast based on ASAP offers a new effective strategy for real-time optical detection of yeast membrane potential change, which potentially facilitates many areas of yeast research including optimizing growth conditions for industrial use and investigating yeast ion transport system.
Organizations matter in local governance: evidence from health sector decentralization in Honduras
Authors: Root Elisabeth Dowling , Zarychta Alan , Tapia Bertha Bermudez , Grillos Tara , Andersson Krister , Menken Jane 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Health systems strengthening is at the forefront of the global health agenda. Many health systems in low-resource settings face profound challenges, and robust causal evidence on the effects of health systems reforms is lacking. Decentralization has been one of the most prominent reforms, and after more than 50 years of implementation and hundreds of studies, we still know little about whether these policies improve, harm or are inconsequential for the performance of health systems in less-developed countries. A persistent problem in existing studies is the inability to isolate the effect of decentralization on health outcomes, struggling with heterogeneous meanings of decentralization and missing counterfactuals. We address these shortcomings with a quasi-experimental, longitudinal research design that takes advantage of a unique staggered reform process in Honduras. Using three waves of household survey data over 10 years for a matched sample of 65 municipalities in Honduras, we estimated difference-in-difference models comparing changes in outcomes over time between local health systems that were decentralized using one of three types of organizations [municipal governments, associations of mayors or non-governmental organization (NGOs)] and those that remained centrally administered. We find evidence of overall improvements between 2005 and 2016 in several service delivery-related outcomes, and additional improvements in decentralized municipalities governed by NGOs. NGO-led municipalities saw a 15% decrease in home delivery relative to centralized municipalities in 2016, a 12.5% increase in MCH facility delivery and a 7% increase in the use of a skilled birth attendant. There were no detectable positive treatment effects for vaccination, and a slight decline in the weight-for-length z-scores in NGO municipalities, but we find no systematic evidence of decentralization negatively impacting any maternal and child health outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of considering implementation context, namely organization type, when assessing the effects of decentralization reform.
Genome-wide association study of corneal biomechanical properties identifies over 200 loci providing insight into the genetic etiology of ocular diseases
Authors: Simcoe Mark J , Khawaja Anthony P , Hysi Pirro G , Hammond Christopher J ,   UK Biobank Eye and Vision Consortium
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Corneal hysteresis and corneal resistance factor are parameters that reflect the dynamic biomechanical properties of the cornea and have been shown to be biomarkers of corneal disease. In this genome-wide association study of over 100 000 participants, we identified over 200 genetic loci, all but eight novel, significantly associated with either one or both of these traits. In addition to providing key insights into the genetic architecture underlying normal corneal function, these results identify many candidate loci in the study of corneal diseases that lead to severe visual impairment. Additionally, using Mendelian randomization, we were able to identify causal relationships between corneal biomechanics and intraocular pressure measurements, which help elucidate the relationship between corneal properties and glaucoma.
Reflection on modern methods: a common error in the segmented regression parameterization of interrupted time-series analyses
Authors: Xiao Hong , Augusto Orvalho , Wagenaar Bradley H 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Interrupted time-series (ITS) designs are a robust and increasingly popular non-randomized study design for strong causal inference in the evaluation of public health interventions. One of the most common techniques for model parameterization in the analysis of ITS designs is segmented regression, which uses a series of indicators and linear terms to represent the level and trend of the time-series before and after an intervention. In this article, we highlight an important error often presented in tutorials and published peer-reviewed papers using segmented regression parameterization for the analyses of ITS designs. We show that researchers cannot simply use the product between their calendar time variable and the indicator variable indicating pre- versus post-intervention time periods to represent the post-intervention linear segment. If researchers use this often-presented parameterization, they will get an erroneous result for the level change in their time-series. We show that researchers must take care to use the product between their intervention variable and the time elapsed since the start of the intervention, rather than the time since the beginning of their study. Thus, the second linear segment of the time-series indexing the post-intervention level and trend should be zero before intervention implementation and begin by counting from zero, rather than counting from the time elapsed since the beginning of the study. We hope that this article can clarify segmented regression parameterization for the analysis of ITS designs and help researchers avoid confusing and erroneous results in the level changes of their time-series.
The Hodge Laplacian on axisymmetric domains and its discretization
Authors: Oh Minah 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
We study the mixed formulation of the abstract Hodge Laplacian on axisymmetric domains with general data through Fourier finite element methods (Fourier-FEMs) in weighted function spaces. Closed Hilbert complexes and commuting projectors are used as in the work of Arnold, Falk & Winther, (2010, Finite element exterior calculus: from Hodge theory to numerical stability. Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. (N.S.), 47, 281–354), by using the new family of finite element spaces for general axisymmetric problems introduced in Oh, (2015, de Rham complexes arising from Fourier-FEMs in axisymmetric domains. Comput. Math. Appl., 70, 2063–2073). In order to get stability results and error estimates for the discrete mixed formulation, we construct commuting projectors that can be applied to functions with low regularity.
An Exaggerated Monocyte-Derived Cytokine Response to Candida Hyphae in Patients With Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
Authors: Rosati Diletta , Bruno Mariolina , Jaeger Martin , Kullberg Bart-Jan , van de Veerdonk Frank , Netea Mihai G , ten Oever Jaap 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Background
Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) affects up to 8% of women. The immunopathogenesis is poorly understood but it has been suggested that RVVC might be due to dysregulated innate immune response. The aim of this study was to compare cytokine profiles in stimulated primary mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from RVVC and healthy individuals.

Methods
PBMCs isolated from RVVC patients (n = 24) and healthy volunteers (n = 30) were stimulated with unspecific and pathogen-specific antigens. Cytokine production was assessed after 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days using ELISA.

Results
No significant differences in cytokine production were found in T helper 1 (Th1), Th2, and Th17 immunity in response to both unspecific and pathogen-specific stimulations. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production in response to C. albicans hyphae was significantly higher in patients than controls and within the patient group, a significant positive correlation was found between interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and both TNF-α and IL-6. Both IL-1β/IL-1Ra and TNF-α/IL-10 ratios in Candida hyphae-stimulated PBMCs were significantly higher in patients than controls.

Conclusions
Women affected by RVVC showed increased monocytes-derived cytokine production, which might contribute to an exaggerated vaginal immune response to Candida hyphae. RVVC patients show no defective Th-dependent adaptive immune response upon Candida stimulation.
Using cloud-based, open-source technology to evaluate, improve, and rapidly disseminate community-based intervention data
Authors: Mayfield Carlene A , Gigler Margaret E , Snapper Leslie , Jose Jainmary , Tynan Jackie , Scott Victoria C , Dulin Michael 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Building Uplifted Families (BUF) is a cross-sector community initiative to improve health and economic disparities in Charlotte, North Carolina. A formative evaluation strategy was used to support iterative process improvement and collaborative engagement of cross-sector partners. To address challenges with electronic data collection through REDCap Cloud, we developed the BUF Rapid Dissemination (BUF-RD) model, a multistage data governance system supplemented by open-source technologies, such as: Stage 1) data collection; Stage 2) data integration and analysis; and Stage 3) dissemination. In Stage 3, results were disseminated through an interactive dashboard developed in RStudio using RShiny and Shiny Server solutions. The BUF-RD model was successfully deployed in a 6-month beta test to reduce the time lapse between data collection and dissemination from 3 months to 2 weeks. Having up-to-date preliminary results led to improved BUF implementation, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and greater responsiveness and alignment of program resources to specific participant needs.
Utilization of Standard Method Performance Requirements for the Detection of Coxiella burnetii in Environmental Samples
Authors: Perry Michael J. , Conlon Maureen A. , Egan Christina T. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Background
Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, is a long-standing public health problem. Infected animals shed the organism, resulting in aerosol transmission to humans. This organism can potentially be used as a bioterrorism weapon and is on the Department of Health and Human Service Select Agent List. Assay development for detecting C. burnetii in environmental samples has been limited.

Objective
We describe the use of Standard Method Performance Requirements (SMPR®) 2015.011 to detect Coxiella in air filters and liquids to validate additional environmental samples.

Method
SMPR 2015.011 was used to validate a real-time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR) assay developed to detect C. burnetii DNA in powder samples submitted to the public health laboratory for biothreat analysis.

Results
Our laboratory developed an assay to detect the icd gene of C. burnetii. The LOD for the assay was 33 gene copies per rtPCR reaction in buffer and 260 in each of the three separate powdered samples.

Conclusions
The SMPR 2015.011 allowed validation of an assay to detect Coxiella nucleic acid in an environmental sample. The assay was sensitive, robust, specific, and able to detect this select agent in powders.

Highlights
Development of detection assays for agents that are difficult to culture and have limited validation material available can be problematic for manufacturers. Using the SMPR 2015.011 developed for the detection of Coxiella as well as the SMPR 2016.012 for the detection of Variola, we demonstrated that assays can be appropriately validated using alternative approaches.
Behavioral and cortisol responses to feeding frequency in pregnant sows under isocaloric intake
Authors: Manu Hayford , Lee Suhyup , Keyes Mike C , Cairns Jim , Baidoo Samuel K 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The study focused on behavioral and cortisol responses to feeding frequency in pregnant sows under isocaloric intake. Twenty-four sows [(Landrace × Yorkshire); BW 216.70 ± 3.98 kg; parity 3.04 ± 0.53] were balanced for parity and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 feeding frequency regimes. Sows were fed corn–soybean meal-based diet 1× [0730 (Control), T1], 2× [half ration at 0730 and 1530 hours, T2], or 3× [one-third portion at 0730, 1130, and 1530 hours, T3] from days 30 to 60 of gestation. Sows received 7055 kcal ME/d during gestation from 2.21 kg of diet formulated to contain SID Lys/ME of 1.71 g/Mcal. Saliva samples were collected every 2 hr from 0630 to 1830 hours on day 52 and assayed for cortisol using ELISA procedure. Behavior data were collected for 7 d from day 53 of gestation by affixing a remote insights ear tag to each sow. Each sow had 120,960 data points categorized into: “Active”, “Feed,” or “Dormant”. Because of housing constraint, all sows were housed in individual stalls in the same room presenting a potential limitation of the study. The data were analyzed using PROC MIXED and GLIMMIX procedures of SAS 9.4 for cortisol and behavior count data, respectively. Sow was the experimental unit. The area under the curve (AUC) is quantitative evaluation of response as threshold varies over all possible values. The T2 sows had reduced 12-hr cortisol AUC compared with control sows (P = 0.024) and T3 sows (P = 0.004), respectively. The T2 sows had lower 3 hr (P = 0.039) and 5 hr (P = 0.015) postfeeding cortisol AUC compared with control sows. Feed anticipatory activity (FAA), 24-hr total activity, and feeding activities (eating and/or sham chewing) were reduced for T2 sows relative to the control and T3 sows (P &lt; 0.01). Consequently, T2 sows had lower 24-hr total activity (P &lt; 0.001) and feeding activities (P &lt; 0.001) AUC compared with both the control and T3 sows, respectively. The T3 sows had greater FAA (P &lt; 0.001) and 24-hr total activity AUC (P = 0.010) compared with control sows. Our data although inconclusive due to small sample size, twice daily feeding appears to be the threshold that reduces sows’ total activity AUC, feeding activity AUC, and activation of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, reduced hunger, and exhibit potential to improve sow welfare in relation to once and thrice daily feeding regimes under isocaloric intake per kilogram live metabolic weight.
Volatile Essential Oils Can Be Used to Improve the Efficacy of Heat Treatments Targeting the Western Drywood Termite: Evidence from Simulated Whole House Heat Treatment Trials
Authors: Perry Daniel T , Choe Dong-Hwan 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Colonies of western drywood termites, Incisitermes minor (Hagen) (Blattodea: Kalotermitidae), are difficult to detect and treat due to their cryptic nature. The use of heated air to create lethal temperatures within infested wood serves as a nonchemical treatment option targeting whole structure or large portions of the structure. However, the presence of hard-to-heat areas and potential risk of damage for heat-sensitive items are recognized as important challenges. Here, we tested if a localized injection of volatile essential oil could be utilized to address the heat sink issue, potentially increasing the overall efficiency of heat treatments against drywood termites. Artificially infested wooden blocks were placed in several locations of the test building, and heat treatments were conducted. For the treatment group, a small amount of essential oil (methyl salicylate) was added in the blocks prior to the heat treatment. All blocks placed in uninsulated wall voids had 92–100% termite mortality by day 7. However, the presence of a large concrete wall in the subarea hindered heating of blocks therein, resulting 36–44% mortality by day 7 when there was no essential oil treatment. Incorporation of the essential oil substantially increased the control efficacy for the subarea, resulting in more than 90% mortality. This approach might also be helpful in reducing the risk of potential heat damage during heat treatment without compromising its control efficacy.
Match Bias or Nonignorable Nonresponse? Improved Imputation and Administrative Data In the CPS Asec
Authors: Hokayem Charles , Raghunathan Trivellore , Rothbaum Jonathan 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
We test an improved imputation technique, sequential regression multivariate imputation (SRMI), for the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement to address match bias. Furthermore, we augment the model with administrative tax data to test for nonignorable nonresponse. Using data from 2009, 2011, and 2013, we find that the current hot deck imputation used by the Census Bureau produces different distribution statistics, downward for poverty and inequality and upward for median income, relative to the SRMI model-based estimates. Our results suggest that these differences are a result of match bias, not nonignorable nonresponse. Nearly all poverty, median income, and inequality estimates are not significantly different when comparing imputation models with and without administrative data. However, there are clear efficiency gains from using administrative data.
Sirtuin activation targets IDH-mutant tumors
Authors: Miller Julie J , Fink Alexandria , Banagis Jack A , Nagashima Hiroaki , Subramanian Megha , Lee Christine K , Melamed Lisa , Tummala Shilpa S , Tateishi Kensuke , Wakimoto Hiroaki , Cahill Daniel P 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Background
Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)–mutant tumors exhibit an altered metabolic state and are critically dependent upon nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) for cellular survival. NAD+ steady-state levels can be influenced by both biosynthetic and consumptive processes. Here, we investigated activation of sirtuin (SIRT) enzymes, which consume NAD+ as a coenzyme, as a potential mechanism to reduce cellular NAD+ levels in these tumors.

Methods
The effect of inhibition or activation of sirtuin activity, using (i) small molecules, (ii) clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRISPR associated protein 9 gene editing, and (iii) inducible overexpression, was investigated in IDH-mutant tumor lines, including patient-derived IDH-mutant glioma lines.

Results
We found that Sirt1 activation led to marked augmentation of NAD+ depletion and accentuation of cytotoxicity when combined with inhibition of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), consistent with the enzymatic activity of SIRT1 as a primary cellular NAD+ consumer in IDH-mutant cells. Activation of Sirt1 through either genetic overexpression or pharmacologic Sirt1-activating compounds (STACs), an existing class of well-tolerated drugs, led to inhibition of IDH1-mutant tumor cell growth.

Conclusions
Activation of Sirt1 can selectively target IDH-mutant tumors. These findings indicate that relatively nontoxic STACs, administered either alone or in combination with NAMPT inhibition, could alter the growth trajectory of IDH-mutant gliomas while minimizing toxicity associated with cytotoxic chemotherapeutic regimens.