bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp: a multicentre study
Authors: Starace M. , Iorizzo M. , Trüeb R.M. , Piccolo V. , Argenziano G. , Camacho F.M. , Gallyamova Y. , Rudnicka L. , Umbert I. , Lyakhovitsky A. , Vañó‐Galván S. , Goren A. , Alessandrini A. , Bruni F. , Piraccini B.M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundErosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp (EPDS) is characterized by crusted erosions or superficial ulcerations that lead to scarring alopecia.Objectives and MethodsWe performed a multicentre retrospective clinical study including 56 patients (29 females and 27 males, mean age 62.7) with a confirmed EPDS in order to describe epidemiology, clinical findings and therapeutic choices of this disease.ResultsMechanical/chemical trauma was reported in 28.6%, a previous infection in 10.7%, a previous cryotherapy in 5.4% androgenetic alopecia in 48.2% and severe actinic damage in 25%. Trichoscopy showed absence of follicular ostia, tufted and broken hair, crusts, serous exudate, dilated vessels, pustules and hyperkeratosis. Histopathology revealed three different features, depending on the disease duration. The most prescribed therapy was topical steroids (62.5%), followed by the combination of topical steroids and topical tacrolimus (8.9%), systemic steroids (7.1%) and topical tacrolimus (5.4%). A reduction of inflammatory signs was observed in 28 patients (50%) treated with topical steroids and in all three patients treated with topical tacrolimus.ConclusionThe relatively high number of patients collected allowed us to identify a better diagnostic approach, using trichoscopy and a more effective therapeutic strategy, with high‐potency steroids or tacrolimus, which should be considered as first‐line treatment.
Functional consequences of phenotypic variation between locally adapted populations: Swimming performance and ventilation in extremophile fish
Authors: Camarillo Henry , Arias Rodriguez Lenin , Tobler Michael 
Published: January 2020

AbstractNatural selection drives the evolution of traits to optimize organismal performance, but optimization of one aspect of performance can influence other aspects of performance. Here, we asked how phenotypic variation between locally adapted fish populations affects locomotion and ventilation, testing for functional trade‐offs and trait–performance correlations. Specifically, we investigated two populations of livebearing fish (Poecilia mexicana) that inhabit distinct habitat types (hydrogen‐sulphide‐rich springs and adjacent nonsulphidic streams). For each individual, we quantified different metrics of burst swimming during simulated predator attacks, steady swimming and gill ventilation. Coinciding with predictions, we documented significant population differences in all aspects of performance, with fish from sulphidic habitats exhibiting higher steady swimming performance and higher ventilation capacity, but slower burst swimming. There was a significant functional trade‐off between steady and burst swimming, but not between different aspects of locomotion and ventilation. Although our findings about population differences in locomotion performance largely parallel the results from previous studies, we provide novel insights about how morphological variation might impact ventilation and ultimately oxygen acquisition. Overall, our analyses provided insights into the functional consequences of previously documented phenotypic variation, which will help to disentangle the effects of different sources of selection that may coincide along complex environmental gradients.
Usefulness of dynamic computed tomography for diagnosing and evaluating uterine artery pseudoaneurysms in women with late post‐partum hemorrhage not complicated by retained products of conception
Authors: Ogoyama Manabu , Nakamura Hiroyasu , Ugajin Atsushi , Nagayama Shiho , Suzuki Hirotada , Takahashi Hironori , Baba Yosuke , Usui Rie , Matsubara Shigeki , Ohkuchi Akihide 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAimWe examined whether critical conditions, which were defined as having hemoglobin (Hb) less than 7.0 g/dL, shock index ≥1.0, or need for transfusion, were associated with the presence of extravasation (EV) on dynamic computed tomography (CT) in women with late post‐partum hemorrhage (PPH).MethodsForty post‐partum women with late PPH without evident retained products of conception performed dynamic CT. Two radiologists retrospectively evaluated dynamic CT, and determined the presence or absence of EV and a sac‐like structure within the uterine cavity with enhancement.ResultsUltrasound images were available in 34/40 patients. Color Doppler flow in uterine cavity was evaluated in 33/34 (97%), and all women showed abnormal flow. Of 40 patients, dynamic CT revealed EV in 8 (20%), and a sac‐like structure in 30 (75%). Thus, we diagnosed these 38 (95%) as having uterine artery pseudoaneurysm (UAP). Uterine artery embolization was performed in 36/38 diagnosed as having UAP, and in 2/2 patients with an unknown cause of hemorrhage. The incidence rates of critical conditions were significantly increased in PPH women with than without EV on dynamic CT: Hb <7.0 g/dL (62.5 vs 0%, [P < 0.001]), shock index ≥1.0 (50 vs 9.4% [P = 0.020]), and need for transfusion (37.5 vs 0% [P = 0.006]). Abnormal color Doppler flows were observed in all patients with either EV and sac on dynamic CT.ConclusionDynamic CT was useful for diagnosing UAP, and for evaluating critical conditions, in women with late PPH not complicated by retained products of conception.
High post‐treatment serum soluble receptor‐binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells (sRCAS1) levels is associated with poor survival of patients with cervical cancer
Authors: Szubert Sebastian , Dziobek Konrad , Wicherek Łukasz 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAimReceptor‐binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells (sRCAS1) is responsible for induction of selective immunosuppression. In addition, preclinical studies have shown that sRCAS1 levels may reflect cancer aggressiveness. The main aim of our study was to analyze pre‐ and post‐treatment levels of sRCAS1 in the sera of patients treated for cervical cancer and to evaluate whether the levels change during treatment and their impact on patient prognosis.MethodsThe study included 49 patients suffering from cervical cancer. The early stage cervical cancer patients (14) were treated surgically, while the advanced stage patients (35) underwent radiochemotherapy. Serum sRCAS1 levels were evaluated both before and after intervention with the use of the ELISA method.ResultsWe have found that median serum sRCAS1 levels of patients before intervention were not significantly different from the levels assessed after intervention. There were also no differences when pre‐ and post‐treatment levels were compared within the group of early and of advanced stage patients. Serum sRCAS1 levels were not influenced by either the histopathological type of the tumor or the methods of treatment. High post‐intervention sRCAS1 levels indicated shortened OS when compared to low sRCAS1 levels. Neither pre‐intervention sRCAS1 levels nor the alteration in sRCAS1 levels during treatment were associated with patient prognosis. In multivariate analysis, post‐treatment sRCAS1 levels and clinical stage of cervical cancer remained as independent predictors of survival.ConclusionHigh post‐treatment serum sRCAS1 level in cervical cancer patients seems to be a negative prognostic factor for patient overall survival.
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. infections among pregnant women with and without previous abortions in the west of Iran
Authors: Raissi Vahid , Taghipour Ali , Navi Zahra , Etemadi Soudabeh , Sohrabi Zahra , Sohrabi Nasrin , Getso Muhammad , Shamsaei Sina , Fasihi Karami Maryam , Raiesi Omid 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAimIn spite of the importance of toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis among the high‐risk groups, such as pregnant women, the infections are categorized as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization. Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. infections can cause systemic and ocular diseases in infants during pregnancy. In this study, we investigated seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis, toxocariasis and their co‐infection in pregnant women and non‐pregnant women referred to the healthcare facilities of Ilam province, west of Iran.MethodsA total of 378 sera samples (189 pregnant women and 189 non‐pregnant women) was investigated for the presence of IgG antibodies against T. gondii and Toxocara spp. by Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The samples of all pregnant women with abortion (56 cases) were also evaluated for IgM anti‐toxoplasmosis antibody by ELISA method. Moreover, associated factors were obtained from the participant's questionnaires. Data analysis for this study was performed using the spss software version 20.ResultsSeroprevalence of T. gondii, Toxocara spp., and their co‐infection in pregnant women was 39.7%, 21.2% and 9.5%, respectively. Regarding the risk factors, the contact with a cat (P = 0.04) and dog (P = 0.00) were significantly associated with T. gondii and Toxocara spp., respectively.ConclusionThis study highlighted the importance of serological diagnosis before pregnancy. Moreover, we believe that more epidemiological studies are needed for a better understanding of overlaps between T. gondii and Toxocara spp. in pregnant women.
Insights for clinical diagnostic indicators of virus and host in chronic hepatitis B infection
Authors: Ou Qishui , Guo Jianhui , Zeng Yongbin , Chen Huijuan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractCovalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), which is stably present in the nucleus of hepatocytes, is an important indicator for evaluating antiviral efficacy. Since cccDNA quantification requires an invasive procedure, serum biological markers that can effectively reflect the transcriptional activity of intrahepatic virus and the efficacy of treatment are required. Here, from the aspects of virus and host, we outline the focus of clinical research of HBV in recent years, including HBV RNA, empty virus, hepatitis B core‐related antigen and changes in the immune response. We briefly discuss their significance in predicting disease activity and monitoring treatment response in chronic hepatitis B. On this basis, some issues worthy of attention in laboratory diagnosis are proposed.
Long‐term safety and efficacy results in hepatitis C virus genotype 1‒infected patients receiving ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir + dasabuvir ± ribavirin in the TOPAZ‐I and TOPAZ‐II trials
Authors: Poordad Fred , Castro RuiSarmento E. , Asatryan Armen , Aguilar Humberto , Cacoub Patrice , Dieterich Douglas , Marinho Rui Tato , Carvalho Armando , Siddique Asma , Hu Yiran Bonnie , Charafeddine Mariem , Bondin Mark , Khan Nader , Cohen Daniel E. , Felizarta Franco 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe 3‐DAA regimen consisting of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir plus dasabuvir (OBV/PTV/r + DSV) ± ribavirin (RBV) has shown high sustained virologic response rates (~95%) in phase 3 clinical trials including >2300 HCV genotype 1–infected patients. Real‐world evidence studies have confirmed the effectiveness of OBV/PTV/r ± DSV ± RBV in patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 infection and are consistent with clinical trial results. TOPAZ‐I and TOPAZ‐II are ongoing phase 3b trials, assessing safety, efficacy and long‐term progression of liver disease and clinical outcomes for up to 5 years post‐treatment in patients treated with OBV/PTV/r + DSV ± RBV. High rates of sustained virologic response (SVR) were achieved regardless of presence or absence of cirrhosis.In this report, we assessed the long‐term progression of liver disease and incidence of clinical outcomes up to 3 years of post‐treatment follow‐up in patients with chronic HCV GT1 infection who were treated with (OBV/PTV/r + DSV) ± RBV in the TOPAZ‐I and TOPAZ‐II studies. Improvements were observed in liver disease markers including FIB‐4, METAVIR and Child‐Pugh scores as well as platelet counts. Clinical outcomes related to long‐term progression of liver disease such as liver decompensation were infrequent (<1%). Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurred in 1.4% of cirrhotic patients.
Comparison of cerebellomedullary and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid analysis in dogs with neurological disease
Authors: Lampe Rachel , Foss Kari D. , Vitale Samantha , Hague Devon W. , Barger Anne M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis aids in categorizing underlying disease processes in patients with neurologic disease. Convention suggests that CSF should be collected caudal to the lesion. However, little evidence exists to justify this assertion.Hypothesis/ObjectivesEvaluate the clinicopathologic differences between CSF collected from the cerebellomedullary (CM) and lumbar cisterns in dogs presented for evaluation of neurologic disease.AnimalsFifty‐one client‐owned dogs undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CSF collection for investigation of neurologic disease.MethodsCerebrospinal fluid was prospectively collected from the CM and lumbar cisterns in all patients. The total protein (TP) concentration, red blood cell (RBC) count, and total nucleated cell count (TNCC) were analyzed within 30 minutes of collection. Results and cytology findings were interpreted by a single pathologist.ResultsFifty‐one paired samples were collected. The TNCC (P < .001), RBC (P < .001), and TP (P < .001) were different between collection sites. When grouped by neurolocalization, TP (intracranial,P < .001; cervical,P < .001; thoracolumbar,P < .001) and RBC (intracranial,P < .001; cervical,P ≤ .002; thoracolumbar,P= .006) counts were significantly different. The TNCC was significantly different in the cervical (P= .04) and thoracolumbar localizations (P= .004) but not for intracranial (P= .30) localizations. The pathologist's interpretation differed between sites in 66.7% of the cases (34/51).ConclusionsIn dogs with lesions that neurolocalized to the brain or cervical spinal cord, there may be clinical benefit in collecting fluid from both the CM and lumbar cisterns. In dogs with thoracolumbar myelopathy, CSF collected from the CM cistern may not be representative of the underlying disease process.
Tales from the underground: Soil heterogeneity and not only above‐ground plant interactions explain fine‐scale species patterns in a Mediterranean dwarf‐shrubland
Authors: Pescador David S. , de la Cruz Marcelino , Chacón‐Labella Julia , Pavón‐García Javier , Escudero Adrián 
Published: January 2020

AbstractQuestionsThe current paradigm of plant community assembly relies on a set of processes operating at particular spatial scales. It is assumed that as the spatial scale becomes finer, environmental filtering loses its importance in favor of biotic interactions and neutral processes. Thus, at the very fine spatial scale represented by a rectangular plot of 72.25 m2 in a Mediterranean semiarid dwarf‐shrubland, we ask: (a) are the spatial distributions of individuals of the different species explained by neutral models; (b) are these distributions dependent on above‐ground plant interactions with the dominant species in the community; and/or (c) are they responding to the spatial variation of different soil variables, in a kind of fine‐scale environmental filtering?LocationCentral Spain.MethodsTo assess the correlates of fine‐scale (i.e., from 0.05–2.00 m) spatial patterns of the species in the community, we fully mapped all perennial individuals inside the rectangular plot. For each species, we fitted one complete spatial randomness (CSR) model that does not assume spatial heterogeneity and three weighted‐average inhomogeneous Poisson process (IPP) models using six soil covariates, distribution patterns of the four above‐ground dominant plants in the community or both types of covariates. All models were evaluated and compared to select the best‐fitting weighted‐average model.ResultsWe recorded 7,988 individuals of 22 species. Patterns of all species were appropriately explained by IPP models. For most species the best‐fitting weighted‐average model included both soil and dominant plants (i.e., 15) or only soil covariates (i.e., 6). The improvement provided by the best‐fitting weighted‐averaging model in comparison with the CSR model was consistently high (81%).ConclusionsOur approach suggests that species in this dwarf‐shrubland are mainly structured by soil heterogeneity and modulated in some cases by the interactions established with the dominant species.
Landscapes of practice in medical education
Authors: Hodson Nathan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractSociocultural learning theories play an important part in medical education. When Etienne Wenger‐Trayner described ‘communities of practice’ oriented around three common features (mutual engagement, joint enterprise, shared repertoire), his approach was enthusiastically embraced across a range of fields, including those of clinical medicine and medical education. However, this model is limited by its focus on a single community. Recently, leading sociocultural learning theorists including Wenger‐Trayner have proposed the landscape of practice as a model for how learner identities develop, but this theory has not yet been utilised in medical education. In this Cross-cutting Edge paper, I describe the key features of landscapes of practice. The landscape of practice encompasses all the communities of practice, and learners can move between these. The boundaries between communities of practice are particularly fertile settings for learning, either through occasional forays across borders or through complete multimembership of two or more communities of practice. The capacity to navigate knowledge acquisition and identity formation across the landscape, known as ‘knowledgeability,’ therefore becomes crucial. This paper concludes by describing possible applications of the landscapes of practice model in medical education practice and research. The model provides a rich framework for approaching cross‐discipline learning, although it has been criticised for failing to address the difficulties created by wide disparities in power within communities and for an unrealistically collaborative (rather than competitive) view of boundary relations. Nevertheless, it provides a novel way of understanding the identity formation of medical trainees and students.
Motivational factors influencing student intentions to practise in underserved areas
Authors: Abbiati Milena , Savoldelli Georges L. , Baroffio Anne , Bajwa Nadia M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractContextExploring student intentions to practise in underserved areas (UAs) is necessary to inform the planning and training of the future medical workforce in order to increase effectiveness and fulfil societal needs. However, little is known about the motivational factors influencing these intentions. This paper explores medical students’ intentions to practise in UAs and the motivational factors predicting these intentions.MethodsEligible participants included graduating medical students from four of the five Swiss medical schools, who self‐reported specialty choice, intentions to practise in UAs, and motives that explained their career choices. Chi‐squared analysis was used to compare site, gender, specialty choice and UA practice intention. Motives were aggregated to obtain motivational factors using a principal component analysis with varimax rotation. Logistic regression was used to predict the effects of these motivational factors and of gender on UA practice intention.ResultsOf 1749 students included in the study, 240 (13.7%) expressed an intention to practise in UAs (62.1% of whom intended to practise in rural areas) and 719 (41.1%) were undecided. In those who wished to practise in UAs, general practice (21.6%) was the most preferred specialty. Motivational factors influencing specialty choice were intellectual challenge, work variety, work conditions and enthusiasm (Kaiser‐Meyer‐Olkin index 0.79, P < .001, 49.0% of variance explained). Students motivated by work variety (odds ratio [OR] 1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2‐1.7) and by work conditions (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1‐1.6) were more likely to choose UAs and those motivated by intellectual challenge (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.3‐0.5) were less likely. Undecided students’ motivations were very similar to those of students interested in working in UAs.ConclusionsThe actual number of Swiss students interested in working in UAs is low and is probably insufficient to meet current societal needs. Work variety and work conditions appear to be factors that might attract interested and undecided students towards working in UAs.
The Bacillus subtilis dCMP deaminase ComEB acts as a dynamic polar localization factor for ComGA within the competence machinery
Authors: Burghard‐Schrod Marie , Altenburger Stephan , Graumann Peter L. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBacillus subtilis can import DNA from the environment by an uptake machinery that localizes to a single cell pole. We investigated the roles of ComEB and of the ATPase ComGA during the state of competence. We show that ComEB plays an important role during competence, possibly because it is necessary for the recruitment of GomGA to the cell pole. ComEB localizes to the cell poles even upon expression during exponential phase, indicating that it can serve as polar marker. ComEB is also a deoxycytidylate monophosphate (dCMP) deaminase, for the function of which a conserved cysteine residue is important. However, cysteine‐mutant ComEB is still capable of natural transformation, while a comEB deletion strain is highly impaired in competence, indicating that ComEB confers two independent functions. Single‐molecule tracking (SMT) reveals that both proteins exchange at the cell poles between bound and unbound in a time scale of a few milliseconds, but turnover of ComGA increases during DNA uptake, whereas the mobility of ComEB is not affected. Our data reveal a highly dynamic role of ComGA during DNA uptake and an unusual role for ComEB as a mediator of polar localization, localizing by diffusion‐capture on an extremely rapid time scale and functioning as a moonlighting enzyme.
Conserved and nuanced hierarchy of gene regulatory response to hypoxia
Authors: Lee Travis A. , Bailey‐Serres Julia 
Published: January 2020

SummaryA dynamic assembly of nuclear and cytoplasmic processes regulate gene activity. Hypoxic stress and the associated energy crisis activate a plurality of regulatory mechanisms including modulation of chromatin structure, transcriptional activation and post‐transcriptional processes. Temporal control of genes is associated with specific chromatin modifications and transcription factors. Genome‐scale technologies that resolve transcript subpopulations in the nucleus and cytoplasm indicate post‐transcriptional processes enable cells to conserve energy, prepare for prolonged stress and accelerate recovery. Moreover, the harboring of gene transcripts associated with growth in the nucleus and macromolecular RNA–protein complexes contributes to the preferential translation of stress‐responsive gene transcripts during hypoxia. We discuss evidence of evolutionary variation in integration of nuclear and cytoplasmic processes that may contribute to variations in flooding resilience.