bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oral and parenteral antibiotic use in Norwegian nursing homes: are primary care institutions becoming our new local hospitals?
Authors: Harbin Nicolay Jonassen , Haug Jon Birger , Romøren Maria , Lindbæk Morten 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Norwegian nursing homes (NHs) have over the last 10 years increasingly applied the use of parenteral treatment, which in turn allows more broad-spectrum use of antibiotics. Previous studies from Norwegian NHs have for the most part not described parenteral formulations.

Objectives
To describe systemic antibiotic use in Norwegian NHs.

Methods
Thirty-seven NHs in the county of Østfold, Norway, were invited to participate in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Associated pharmacies provided sales data for systemic antibiotic use for the participating NHs for 1 year (October 2015 to October 2016). General institutional characteristics were collected through a questionnaire.

Results
Thirty-four NHs participated in the study. Mean use of antibiotics was 9.5 DDD/100 bed days (range 0.6–30.9 DDD/100 bed days). Oral antibiotics accounted for 83% and parenteral antibiotics for 17% of the total antibiotic use. Of parenteral antibiotics, ampicillin was most used (31.1%) followed by cefotaxime (17.7%) and penicillin G (16.6%). The proportion of antibiotics compliant with guideline recommendations was 60%. Being a short-term NH was associated with increased antibiotic use, with an unstandardized coefficient of 13.1 (95% CI 4.2–21.9; P = 0.005).

Conclusions
We found a high level of total and parenteral antibiotic use compared with previous studies from Norwegian NHs. Data showed wide variations in total antibiotic use and that only a moderate proportion of the antibiotic use was considered guideline compliant. This highlights the necessity of further implementation strategies regarding the national guidelines for antibiotic use in NHs.
Clinical Evaluation of Assays for Plasma Renin Activity and Aldosterone Measurement by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Gibbons Stephen M , Field Helen P , Fairhurst April , Fleming Anne , Ford Clive , Williams Emma L , Barnes Sophie C , Barth Julian H 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Aldosterone and renin are pivotal hormones in the regulation of salt and water homeostasis and blood pressure. Measurement of renin and aldosterone in serum/plasma is essential for the investigation of primary hyperaldosteronism (PA) and monitoring of glucocorticoid replacement therapy.

Methods
We report 2 LC-MS/MS methods developed to measure aldosterone and plasma renin activity (PRA). PRA was determined by endogenous enzymatic generation of angiotensin I using 150 µL of sample. Generated angiotensin I was purified by solid phase extraction prior to chromatographic separation and mass spectrometry. Aldosterone measurement required 300 μL of sample extracted with MTBE prior to LC-MS/MS analysis.

Results
The PRA method was linear (1.2–193 nmol/L), sensitive (LLOQ = 1.2 nmol/L), precise (CV = 4.1%), and specific (no cross reactivity for a number of structurally similar steroids). Dilutional linearity and recovery (84%) were acceptable. Accuracy was confirmed by comparison against our current RIA method. The aldosterone method had equally acceptable performance characteristics. Reference ranges in 110 healthy normotensive subjects were: PRA 0.2–3.7 nmol/L/h and aldosterone 50–950 pmol/L. Consecutive patients (n = 62) with adrenal incidentalomas shown to have no functional adrenal disease; their post overnight 1 mg dexamethasone test values were: PRA 0.2–2.6 nmol/L/h and aldosterone 55–480 pmol/L. Serum aldosterone values after 2 liter saline suppression were—normal subjects (n = 17): 78–238 pmol/L and confirmed primary hyperaldosteronism (n = 25): 131–1080 pmol/L.

Conclusions
We have developed robust assays for PRA and aldosterone with appropriate clinical evaluation. These assays are now in routine practice in the UK.
Predictive Value of the Prognostic Nutrition Index for the Prognosis of Patients With Severe Burns Treated With the Meek Graft
Authors: Hu Gaozhong , Yuan Lili , Peng Yizhi , Luo Gaoxing , Song Huapei 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The Meek technique is currently a key method for treating wounds in severely burned patients. The survival rate of skin grafts is an important factor affecting the success rate of treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the preoperative prognostic nutritional index (PNI) on the survival rate of skin grafts in patients treated with the Meek technique in the early stage of severe burns. We retrospectively analyzed the data of severely burned patients who were treated at the burn center between January 2013 and December 2019 and met the inclusion criteria. The albumin (ALB) level and lymphocyte count obtained 1 day before the operation was used to calculate the preoperative PNI (PNI = serum ALB level [g/L] + 5 × total number of peripheral blood lymphocytes [×109/L]). According to the survival rates of skin grafts 14 days after the operation, patients with severe burns were divided into a group with good skin graft survival (survival rate ≥75%, abbreviated as group G) and a group with poor skin graft survival (survival rate &lt;75%, abbreviated as group P). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves and univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the predictive value of the preoperative PNI for the prognosis of patients treated with the Meek technique. One hundred and twenty-one patients were enrolled in this study. Groups G (n = 66 cases) and P (n = 55 cases) did not have significant differences in age, sex, and body mass index (P &gt; .05). The total burned surface area, burn index, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, preoperative platelet count, operative time, total protein, albumin level, globulin level, and PNI were the risk factors affecting the survival of Meek grafts. The burn index was an independent risk factor for poor skin graft survival (odds ratio [OR]: 1.049, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.020–1.079; P &lt; .05). The preoperative PNI was a protective factor against poor skin graft survival (OR: 0.646, 95% CI: 0.547–0.761; P &lt; .05). The ROC curve determined that the optimal cut-off value for the preoperative PNI was 34.98. There were 59 cases with PNI &gt; 34.98 (the high PNI group) and 62 cases with PNI &lt; 34.98 (the low PNI group). The survival rate of skin grafts in patients with a high PNI was generally significantly higher than that of patients with a low preoperative PNI (P &lt; .05). Five (8.47%) patients in the high PNI group died, compared with 16 (25.8%) patients in the low PNI group. The difference in the mortality rate between the two groups was significant (P &lt; .05). Preoperative PNI can be used as a predictor of the survival rate of skin grafts in patients treated with the Meek technique in the early stage of severe burns.
Delayed Spinal Cord Injury From Electrical Burns: Two Cases
Authors: AlQasas Tareq , Galet Colette , Wibbenmeyer Lucy 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Spinal cord injury has been described in only 2% to 5% of electrical injuries. When its presentation is delayed for several days to weeks after the initial injury, recovery is not the rule. Herein, we describe two patients who developed spinal cord injury from electrical burns. Case 1: A 60-year-old male presented with a 40% TBSA after contacting a power line. On hospital day 6, he developed lower extremity weakness that progressed to flaccid paralysis. Case 2: A 58-year-old male sustained a 9% TBSA high-voltage injury. On hospital day 2, he started to have progressive weakness of his lower extremities that progressed to flaccid paralysis. Neither case was judged to have experienced additional significant trauma. Neurological complications after electrical injuries are protean. Delayed spinal cord injury is rare and associated with variable degrees of recovery. Neurological follow-up with rehabilitation is essential for a successful recovery.
Music Stimuli for Mindfulness Practice: A Replication Study
Authors: Hernandez-Ruiz Eugenia , Dvorak Abbey L 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Mindfulness is a natural human capacity to be aware of the present moment, without judgment, rejection, or attachment to it. Cultivating a mindful state has been related to improvements in mood and stress management. Mindfulness practices may be enhanced with music. The purpose of this study was to replicate a previous study regarding the effectiveness, preference, and usefulness of different auditory stimuli for mindfulness practice. Undergraduate nonmusicians (N = 53) listened to 4 different auditory stimuli of increasing complexity, guiding them in a mindfulness experience. Participants rated their mindfulness experience, provided data on their absorption in music, and ranked auditory stimuli according to preference and usefulness for mindfulness practice. A within-subjects design was used to compare the four conditions, counterbalanced, and randomized across participants. Similar to the original study, Friedman analysis of variances (ANOVAs) and post hoc analyses indicated that participants ranked the Melody and Harmony conditions as most preferred and useful. Different from the original results, the repeated-measures ANOVA of the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale scores did not reveal significant differences among auditory stimuli for mindfulness experience. These results provide support for the use of music in mindfulness experiences with a mildly complex stimulus (script, beat, harmony, and melody). However, partially replicated results indicate the need to investigate the discrepancy between participants’ effectiveness ratings and preference/usefulness rankings.
A complicated pulmonary hydatid cyst resembling a tumour in an adult on PET scan: a case report
Authors: Darwish Bassam , Alsabek Mhd Belal , Kakaje Ameer 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Complicated pulmonary cysts have a wide range of possible diagnoses with different approaches as they can be benign or malignant. They can resemble malignancies in symptoms and imaging, mainly on positron emission tomography (PET) scan, which can increase the false positivity. We present an infected hydatid cyst resembling a malignancy as it presented with weight loss in a smoker and had necrosis and malignance features on computed tomography and PET scans. However, serology tests and fine needle aspiration were suggestive of a hydatid cyst, which made this case quite unique. Other diagnoses should always be suspected even if the malignancy was highly likely due to other lesions can resemble malignancies.
High sink strength prevents photosynthetic down-regulation in cassava grown at elevated CO2 concentration
Authors: Ruiz-Vera Ursula M , De Souza Amanda P , Ament Michael R , Gleadow Roslyn M , Ort Donald R 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Cassava has the potential to alleviate food insecurity in many tropical regions, yet few breeding efforts to increase yield have been made. Improved photosynthetic efficiency in cassava has the potential to increase yields, but cassava roots must have sufficient sink strength to prevent carbohydrates from accumulating in leaf tissue and suppressing photosynthesis. Here, we grew eight farmer-preferred African cassava cultivars under free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) to evaluate the sink strength of cassava roots when photosynthesis increases due to elevated CO2 concentrations ([CO2]). Relative to the ambient treatments, elevated [CO2] treatments increased fresh (+27%) and dry (+37%) root biomass, which was driven by an increase in photosynthesis (+31%) and the absence of photosynthetic down-regulation over the growing season. Moreover, intrinsic water use efficiency improved under elevated [CO2] conditions, while leaf protein content and leaf and root cyanide concentrations were not affected. Overall, these results suggest that higher cassava yields can be expected as atmospheric [CO2] increases over the coming decades. However, there were cultivar differences in the partitioning of resources to roots versus above-grown biomass; thus, the particular responses of each cultivar must be considered when selecting candidates for improvement.
High-redshift radio galaxies: a potential new source of 21-cm fluctuations
Authors: Reis Itamar , Fialkov Anastasia , Barkana Rennan 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACT
Radio sources are expected to have formed at high redshifts, producing an excess radiation background above the cosmic microwave background (CMB) at low frequencies. Their effect on the redshifted 21-cm signal of neutral hydrogen is usually neglected, as it is assumed that the associated background is small. Recently, an excess radio background has been proposed as a possible explanation for the unusually strong 21-cm signal reported by EDGES. As a result, the implications of a smooth and extremely strong excess radio background on both the sky-averaged 21-cm signal and its fluctuations have been considered. Here, we take into account the inhomogeneity of the radio background created by a population of high-redshift galaxies and show that it adds a new type of 21-cm fluctuations to the well-known contributions of density, velocity, Ly α coupling, heating, and reionization. We find that a population of high-redshift galaxies even with a moderately enhanced radio efficiency (unrelated to the EDGES result) can have a significant effect on the 21-cm power spectrum and global signal. For models that can explain the EDGES data, we show that the 21-cm power spectrum at z ∼ 17 is enhanced by up to two orders of magnitude compared to the CMB-only standard case, with a significantly modified shape and time evolution due to radio fluctuations. These fluctuations are within reach of upcoming radio interferometers. We also find that these models can be significantly constrained by current and future observations of radio sources.
The AARTFAAC Cosmic Explorer: observations of the 21-cm power spectrum in the EDGES absorption trough
Authors: Gehlot B K , Mertens F G , Koopmans L V E , Offringa A R , Shulevski A , Mevius M , Brentjens M A , Kuiack M , Pandey V N , Rowlinson A , Sardarabadi A M , Vedantham H K , Wijers R A M J , Yatawatta S , Zaroubi S 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACT
The 21-cm absorption feature reported by the EDGES collaboration is several times stronger than that predicted by traditional astrophysical models. If genuine, a deeper absorption may lead to stronger fluctuations on the 21-cm signal on degree scales (up to 1 K in rms), allowing these fluctuations to be detectable in nearly 50 times shorter integration times compared to previous predictions. We commenced the ‘AARTFAAC Cosmic Explorer’ (ACE) program, which employs the AARTFAAC wide-field image, to measure or set limits on the power spectrum of the 21-cm fluctuations in the redshift range z = 17.9–18.6 (Δν = 72.36–75.09 MHz) corresponding to the deep part of the EDGES absorption feature. Here, we present first results from two LST bins: 23.5–23.75 and 23.75–24.00 h, each with 2 h of data, recorded in ‘semi drift-scan’ mode. We demonstrate the application of the new ACE data-processing pipeline (adapted from the LOFAR-EoR pipeline) on the AARTFAAC data. We observe that noise estimates from the channel and time-differenced Stokes V visibilities agree with each other. After 2 h of integration and subtraction of bright foregrounds, we obtain 2σ upper limits on the 21-cm power spectrum of $\Delta _{21}^2 \lt (8139~\textrm {mK})^2$ and $\Delta _{21}^2 \lt (8549~\textrm {mK})^2$ at $k = 0.144~h\, \textrm {cMpc}^{-1}$ for the two LST bins. Incoherently averaging the noise bias-corrected power spectra for the two LST bins yields an upper limit of $\Delta _{21}^2 \lt (7388~\textrm {mK})^2$ at $k = 0.144~h\, \textrm {cMpc}^{-1}$. These are the deepest upper limits thus far at these redshifts.
The stellar metallicity distribution function of galaxies in the CALIFA survey
Authors: Mejía-Narváez A , Sánchez S F , Lacerda E A D , Carigi L , Galbany L , Husemann B , García-Benito R 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACT
We present a novel method to retrieve the chemical structure of galaxies using integral field spectroscopy data through the stellar Metallicity Distribution Function (MDF). This is the probability distribution of observing stellar populations having a metallicity Z. We apply this method to a set of 550 galaxies from the CALIFA survey. We present the behaviour of the MDF as a function of the morphology, the stellar mass, and the radial distance. We use the stellar metallicity radial profiles retrieved as the first moment of the MDF, as an internal test for our method. The gradients in these radial profiles are consistent with the known trends: they are negative in massive early-type galaxies and tend to positive values in less massive late-type ones. We find that these radial profiles may not convey the complex chemical structure of some galaxy types. Overall, low mass galaxies (log M⋆/M⊙ ≤ 10) have broad MDFs ($\sigma _Z\sim 1.0\,$ dex), with unclear dependence on their morphology. However this result is likely affected by under-represented bins in our sample. On the other hand, massive galaxies (log M⋆/M⊙ ≥ 11) have systematically narrower MDFs ($\sigma _Z\le 0.2\,$ dex). We find a clear trend whereby the MDFs at rk/Re &gt; 1.5 have large variance. This result is consistent with sparse SFHs in medium/low stellar density regions. We further find there are multimodal MDFs in the outskirts ($\sim 18\,$ per cent) and the central regions ($\sim 40\,$ per cent) of galaxies. This behaviour is linked to a fast chemical enrichment during early stages of the SFH, along with the posterior formation of a metal-poor stellar population.
NASA GeneLab: interfaces for the exploration of space omics data
Authors: Berrios Daniel C , Galazka Jonathan , Grigorev Kirill , Gebre Samrawit , Costes Sylvain V 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe mission of NASA’s GeneLab database (https://genelab.nasa.gov/) is to collect, curate, and provide access to the genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic (so-called ‘omics’) data from biospecimens flown in space or exposed to simulated space stressors, maximizing their utilization. This large collection of data enables the exploration of molecular network responses to space environments using a systems biology approach. We review here the various components of the GeneLab platform, including the new data repository web interface, and the GeneLab Online Data Entry (GEODE) web portal, which will support the expansion of the database in the future to include companion non-omics assay data. We discuss our design for GEODE, particularly how it promotes investigators providing more accurate metadata, reducing the curation effort required of GeneLab staff. We also introduce here a new GeneLab Application Programming Interface (API) specifically designed to support tools for the visualization of processed omics data. We review the outreach efforts by GeneLab to utilize the spaceflight data in the repository to generate novel discoveries and develop new hypotheses, including spearheading data analysis working groups, and a high school student training program. All these efforts are aimed ultimately at supporting precision risk management for human space exploration.
CNCDatabase: a database of non-coding cancer drivers
Authors: Liu Eric Minwei , Martinez-Fundichely Alexander , Bollapragada Rajesh , Spiewack Maurice , Khurana Ekta 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Most mutations in cancer genomes occur in the non-coding regions with unknown impact on tumor development. Although the increase in the number of cancer whole-genome sequences has revealed numerous putative non-coding cancer drivers, their information is dispersed across multiple studies making it difficult to understand their roles in tumorigenesis of different cancer types. We have developed CNCDatabase, Cornell Non-coding Cancer driver Database (https://cncdatabase.med.cornell.edu/) that contains detailed information about predicted non-coding drivers at gene promoters, 5′ and 3′ UTRs (untranslated regions), enhancers, CTCF insulators and non-coding RNAs. CNCDatabase documents 1111 protein-coding genes and 90 non-coding RNAs with reported drivers in their non-coding regions from 32 cancer types by computational predictions of positive selection using whole-genome sequences; differential gene expression in samples with and without mutations; or another set of experimental validations including luciferase reporter assays and genome editing. The database can be easily modified and scaled as lists of non-coding drivers are revised in the community with larger whole-genome sequencing studies, CRISPR screens and further experimental validations. Overall, CNCDatabase provides a helpful resource for researchers to explore the pathological role of non-coding alterations in human cancers.
Construction of a highly error-prone DNA polymerase for developing organelle mutation systems
Authors: Ji Junwei , Day Anil 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA novel family of DNA polymerases replicates organelle genomes in a wide distribution of taxa encompassing plants and protozoans. Making error-prone mutator versions of gamma DNA polymerases revolutionised our understanding of animal mitochondrial genomes but similar advances have not been made for the organelle DNA polymerases present in plant mitochondria and chloroplasts. We tested the fidelities of error prone tobacco organelle DNA polymerases using a novel positive selection method involving replication of the phage lambda cI repressor gene. Unlike gamma DNA polymerases, ablation of 3′–5′ exonuclease function resulted in a modest 5–8-fold error rate increase. Combining exonuclease deficiency with a polymerisation domain substitution raised the organelle DNA polymerase error rate by 140-fold relative to the wild type enzyme. This high error rate compares favourably with error-rates of mutator versions of animal gamma DNA polymerases. The error prone organelle DNA polymerase introduced mutations at multiple locations ranging from two to seven sites in half of the mutant cI genes studied. Single base substitutions predominated including frequent A:A (template: dNMP) mispairings. High error rate and semi-dominance to the wild type enzyme in vitro make the error prone organelle DNA polymerase suitable for elevating mutation rates in chloroplasts and mitochondria.
Initial symptoms and diagnostic delay in children with brain tumors at a single institution in Japan
Authors: Yamada Yuji , Kobayashi Daiki , Terashima Keita , Kiyotani Chikako , Sasaki Ryuji , Michihata Nobuaki , Kobayashi Toru , Ogiwara Hideki , Matsumoto Kimikazu , Ishiguro Akira 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
A prolonged interval between onset of symptoms and diagnosis of childhood brain tumor is associated with worse neurological outcomes. The objectives of this study are to determine factors contributing to diagnostic delay and to find an interventional focus for further reduction in the interval between symptom onset and diagnosis in Japan.

Methods
We retrospectively analyzed 154 patients younger than 18 years with newly diagnosed brain tumors who visited our institution from January 2002 to March 2013.

Results
The median age at diagnosis was 6.2 years and the median total diagnostic interval (TDI) was 30 days. Patients with low-grade tumors and cerebral midline tumor location had significantly long TDI. Durations between the first medical consultation and diagnosis (diagnostic interval, DI) were exceedingly longer for patients with visual, hearing, or smelling abnormalities as the first symptom (median, 303 days). TDI and DI of patients who visited ophthalmologists or otolaryngologist for the first medical consultation were significantly longer. Among these patients, longer DI was associated with worse visual outcome.

Conclusion
Raising awareness of brain tumor diagnosis among ophthalmologists and otolaryngologists may reduce diagnostic delay and may improve the neurological impairment of children with brain tumors in Japan.