bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The frozen elephant trunk technique for aortic dissection is safe after previous aortic repair
Authors: Berger Tim , Kreibich Maximilian , Mueller Felix , Rylski Bartosz , Kondov Stoyan , Schröfel Holger , Pingpoh Clarence , Beyersdorf Friedhelm , Siepe Matthias , Czerny Martin 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to evaluate outcomes of aortic arch replacement using the frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique after previous proximal and/or distal open or endovascular thoracic aortic repair.

METHODS
Sixty-three patients [median age: 63 (55–74) years; 65% men] were operated on for acute or chronic aortic dissection after previous proximal and/or distal open or endovascular thoracic aortic repair. Intraoperative details, clinical outcome and follow-up results were evaluated.

RESULTS
The median time between the index and the FET procedure was 81 (40–113) months. Fifty-eight (92%) patients had already undergone proximal aortic surgery; supracoronary ascending aortic replacement was the most frequent index procedure [n = 25 (40%)]. Distal aortic interventions had been done in 8 (13%) patients including endovascular thoracic aortic repair in 6 patients (10%). In-hospital mortality was 3% (n = 2). Postoperative strokes occurred in 5 patients (8%); of those, 1 stroke was dissection-related (2%). Subsequent aortic reinterventions after the FET procedure had to be done in 33% (n = 21).

CONCLUSIONS
Outcomes of aortic arch replacement using the FET technique after previous proximal and/or distal open or endovascular thoracic aortic repair are associated with low mortality and morbidity. Still, postoperative stroke remains an issue. After the successful accomplishments, the approach serves as an ideal platform for the secondary surgical or endovascular downstream aortic procedures, which are frequently needed.
The outlier Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain ATCC 9027 harbors a defective LasR quorum-sensing transcriptional regulator
Authors: García-Reyes Selene , Soto-Aceves Martín P , Cocotl-Yañez Miguel , González-Valdez Abigail , Servín-González Luis , Chávez Gloria Soberón 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACT
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections represent an important health problem that has been recognized by the World Health Organization as a research priority. A complex regulatory network called the quorum sensing (QS) regulates several P. aeruginosa virulence-related traits, including production of elastase, rhamnolipids and pyocyanin. The avirulent P. aeruginosa strain ATCC 9027 belongs to clade 3, which is the more distant phylogroup in relationship to the other four clades of this species. This strain does not produce QS-regulated virulence factors such as elastase and rhamnolipids when cultured in rich LB medium. We report here that ATCC 9027 harbors a defective LasR protein, presumably due to the presence of an aspartic acid in position 196 instead of a glutamic acid which is the amino acid present in this position in functional LasR proteins of the type strains PAO1 (clade 1) and PA7 (also belonging to clade 3), among others. In addition, we report that ATCC 9027 and PA7 strains present differences compared to the PAO1 strain in lasB which encodes elastase, and in the rhlR regulatory sequences that modify las-boxes, and that these mutations have a little effect in the expression of these genes by a functional LasR transcriptional regulator.
On the validity of the eikonal equation for surface-wave phase-velocity tomography
Authors: Lehujeur M , Chevrot S 
Published: July 2020

SUMMARYThe phase velocity of surface waves can be directly determined from the amplitude and phase of the regional wavefield using the Helmholtz equation. However, the Helmholtz equation involves estimating the Laplacian of the amplitude field, a challenging operation to perform on noisy and sparsely sampled seismic data. For this reason, the amplitude information is often discarded. In that case, phase-velocity maps are reconstructed with the eikonal equation, which relates the local phase slowness to the gradient of the phase. Here, we derive analytical expression of the errors arising from neglecting the amplitude of the wavefield in eikonal tomography. In general, these errors are quite strong but they vary sinusoidally with the wave propagation direction. Consequently, if the azimuthal coverage is good, they will average out, and unbiased phase-velocity maps can be obtained with eikonal tomography. We numerically validate these results with a synthetic tomography experiment.
Single-stage repair for coarctation with ventricular septal defect: results of 100 cases at a single centre
Authors: Truong Nguyen Ly Thinh , Mai Nguyen Tuan , Vinh Tran Quang , Anh Doan Vuong , Duyen Mai Dinh 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The outcomes of the single-stage surgical repair of aortic arch hypoplasia (AAH) and/or coarctation of the aorta (CoA) associated with ventricular septal defect (VSD) remain controversial, especially in a lower middle-income country. This study reports the results of a single-stage repair protocol at our institution for AAH/CoA with VSD using selective cerebral perfusion.

METHODS
This retrospective study included 100 consecutive patients who underwent single-stage repair via median sternotomy using selective cerebral perfusion for AAH/CoA with VSD from July 2010 to March 2017.

RESULTS
The patients consisted of 65 males and 35 females. The median age of the patients was 67 days (range 4–2266 days); the median weight was 3.8 kg (range 2.1–15 kg). The average cardiopulmonary bypass time was 132 ± 28 min, the aortic cross-clamp time was 92 ± 23 min and the selective cerebral perfusion time was 33 ± 10 min. The survival rate of all patients was 94.7 ± 2.3%, with an in-hospital mortality of 5% and no late mortality at a median follow-up of 37 months (range 4–96 months). Four patients required reoperation due to recoarctation. The overall event-free survival rate following surgery was 87.1%. The median pressure gradient across the anastomosis at the last follow-up was 8.3 ± 2.8 mmHg. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed proximal aortic arch obstruction as a predictor of mortality (odds ratio = 3.8). The aortic isthmus diameter was identified as a predictor for reintervention by Cox regression (hazard ratio = 6.7).

CONCLUSIONS
Single-stage repair for AAH/CoA with VSD is safe and feasible in a developing country.
Human Behavior, Livelihood, and Malaria Transmission in Two Sites of Papua New Guinea
Authors: Rodríguez-Rodríguez Daniela , Katusele Michelle , Auwun Alma , Marem Magdalene , Robinson Leanne J , Laman Moses , Hetzel Manuel W , Pulford Justin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundMalaria transmission is currently resurging in Papua New Guinea (PNG). In addition to intervention coverage, social and cultural factors influence changes in epidemiology of malaria in PNG. This study aimed to better understand the role of human behavior in relation to current malaria control efforts.MethodsA mixed-method design was used in 2 sites in PNG. In-depth interviews, focus group discussions, cross-sectional malaria indicator survey, and population census were implemented.ResultsWe identified 7 population groups based on demographics and behavioral patterns with potential relevance to Anopheles exposure. People spend a substantial amount of time outdoors or in semiopen structures. Between 4 pm and 8 am, all types of activities across all groups in both study sites may be exposing individuals to mosquito bites; sleeping under a long-lasting insecticidal net was the exception. The later in the night, the more outdoor presence was concentrated in adult men.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the potential of outdoor exposure to hamper malaria control as people spend a remarkable amount of time outdoors without protection from mosquitoes. To prevent ongoing transmission, targeting of groups, places, and activities with complementary interventions should consider setting-specific human behaviors in addition to epidemiological and entomological data.
Evaluating the Impact of Programmatic Mass Drug Administration for Malaria in Zambia Using Routine Incidence Data
Authors: Fraser Maya , Miller John M , Silumbe Kafula , Hainsworth Michael , Mudenda Mutinta , Hamainza Busiku , Moonga Hawela , Chizema Kawesha Elizabeth , Mercer Laina D , Bennett Adam , Schneider Kammerle , Slater Hannah C , Eisele Thomas P , Guinovart Caterina 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Background
In 2016, the Zambian National Malaria Elimination Centre started programmatic mass drug administration (pMDA) campaigns with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine as a malaria elimination tool in Southern Province. Two rounds were administered, 2 months apart (coverage 70% and 57%, respectively). We evaluated the impact of 1 year of pMDA on malaria incidence using routine data.

Methods
We conducted an interrupted time series with comparison group analysis on monthly incidence data collected at the health facility catchment area (HFCA) level, with a negative binomial model using generalized estimating equations. Programmatic mass drug administration was conducted in HFCAs with greater than 50 cases/1000 people per year. Ten HFCAs with incidence rates marginally above this threshold (pMDA group) were compared with 20 HFCAs marginally below (comparison group).

Results
The pMDA HFCAs saw a 46% greater decrease in incidence at the time of intervention than the comparison areas (incidence rate ratio = 0.536; confidence interval = 0.337–0.852); however, incidence increased toward the end of the season. No HFCAs saw a transmission interruption.

Conclusions
Programmatic mass drug administration, implemented during 1 year with imperfect coverage in low transmission areas with suboptimal vector control coverage, significantly reduced incidence. However, elimination will require additional tools. Routine data are important resources for programmatic impact evaluations and should be considered for future analyses.
Autocrine Regulation of Interleukin-3 in the Activity of Regulatory T Cells and its Effectiveness in the Pathophysiology of Sepsis
Authors: Zhao Jie , Liu Ying , Hu Jian-Nan , Peng Min , Dong Ning , Zhu Xiao-Mei , Ma Tao , Yao Yong-Ming 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a crucial role in modulating the inflammatory response and participated in sepsis-related immune dysfunctions. However, little is known about the regulatory mechanisms by which Tregs are kept in check during immune responses. Here, we verified the simultaneous expression of interleukin-3 (IL-3) and its receptor (IL-3R) in Tregs. Then, by modulation of IL-3 expression via lentiviral transduction-mediated small interfering RNA, we demonstrated that IL-3 negatively regulated Tregs activity via an autocrine mechanism. Furthermore, we found that anti-IL-3 antibody treatment significantly diminished inflammatory cytokines and organ injury, and improved survival in septic mice, which was associated with enhanced Treg percentage and function. Collectively, these results suggest that IL-3 negatively regulates the activity of Tregs in a previously unrecognized autocrine manner, and plays an important role in the excessive inflammatory response in sepsis, which might be utilized as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of complications in sepsis.
Octenidine/carbenicillin GUMBOS as potential treatment for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea
Authors: Lopez Kelsey M , Hobden Jeffrey A , Warner Isiah M 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Background
Reducing Neisseria gonorrhoeae colonies in the oropharynx is a viable solution to minimize the transmission of this bacterium amongst individuals.

Objectives
A strategy involving the electrostatic interaction between a common antiseptic and a discontinued antibiotic (i.e. octenidine and carbenicillin) was evaluated as a potential treatment for gonorrhoea. Octenidine/carbenicillin is a novel group of uniform materials based on organic salts (GUMBOS) with inherent in vitro antibacterial activity that comes from its parent antiseptic and antibacterial ions, octenidine and carbenicillin, respectively.

Methods
Antibacterial activities for octenidine dihydrochloride, disodium carbenicillin, octenidine/carbenicillin and stoichiometrically equivalent 1:1 octenidine dihydrochloride to disodium carbenicillin were assessed using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion assay for N. gonorrhoeae (ATCC 49226) and three clinical isolates. Predictive permeability using the Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay and cytotoxicity against HeLa cells was also evaluated.

Results
Additive in vitro antibacterial activities against N. gonorrhoeae were observed in this study, which suggests octenidine/carbenicillin could be a useful agent in reducing N. gonorrhoeae transmission and minimizing gonorrhoea infections. Octenidine/carbenicillin also exhibited bioequivalence to azithromycin and doxycycline, two currently prescribed antibiotics. Likewise, octenidine/carbenicillin had improved predicted permeability compared with octenidine dihydrochloride.

Conclusions
Antimicrobial GUMBOS synthesized in this study could be used as an adjunctive treatment approach to current drug therapies for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea infection control and prevention.
A scoping review of qualitative research inJAMIA:past contributions and opportunities for future work
Authors: Hussain Mustafa I , Figueiredo Mayara Costa , Tran Brian D , Su Zhaoyuan , Molldrem Stephen , Eikey Elizabeth V , Chen Yunan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveQualitative methods are particularly well-suited to studying the complexities and contingencies that emerge in the development, preparation, and implementation of technological interventions in real-world clinical practice, and much remains to be done to use these methods to their full advantage. We aimed to analyze how qualitative methods have been used in health informatics research, focusing on objectives, populations studied, data collection, analysis methods, and fields of analytical origin.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review of original, qualitative empirical research in JAMIA from its inception in 1994 to 2019. We queried PubMed to identify relevant articles, ultimately including and extracting data from 158 articles.ResultsThe proportion of qualitative studies increased over time, constituting 4.2% of articles published in JAMIA overall. Studies overwhelmingly used interviews, observations, grounded theory, and thematic analysis. These articles used qualitative methods to analyze health informatics systems before, after, and separate from deployment. Providers have typically been the main focus of studies, but there has been an upward trend of articles focusing on healthcare consumers.DiscussionWhile there has been a rich tradition of qualitative inquiry in JAMIA, its scope has been limited when compared with the range of qualitative methods used in other technology-oriented fields, such as human–computer interaction, computer-supported cooperative work, and science and technology studies.ConclusionWe recommend increased public funding for and adoption of a broader variety of qualitative methods by scholars, practitioners, and policy makers and an expansion of the variety of participants studied. This should lead to systems that are more responsive to practical needs, improving usability, safety, and outcomes.
Applicability of Gradient Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry to the Simultaneous Screening for About 100 Pesticides in Crops
Authors: Klein Jeannette , Alder Lutz 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
A method was developed for screening crops for a range of pesticide residues by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). A complete set of LC, electrospray ionization (ESI), and tandem MS acquisition parameters was established for the determination of 108 analytes; these parameters were used for the simultaneous acquisition of 98 analytes in the positive ESI mode and 10 analytes in an additional MS/MS method in the negative ESI mode. The entire procedure involves extraction of residues with methanol–water and partition into dichloromethane. The utility of the method is demonstrated by the analysis of crops of 5 matrix types (water-containing, acidic, dry, sugar-containing, and fatty). Of 108 pesticides/metabolites tested, 104 showed sufficient stability in most matrixes for determination by LC/MS/MS. These analytes belong to 20 chemical classes, which demonstrate the general applicability of the method for multiclass analysis. By using matrix-matched standards, 67 compounds could be determined in most matrixes with recoveries of 70–120% and a relative standard deviation of ≤25% at the 0.01 mg/kg level.
Analytical Methods Used to Measure Acrylamide Concentrations in Foods
Authors: Castle Laurence , Eriksson Sune 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The state-of-the-art of analysis for acrylamide in food is reviewed. The majority of analytical methods adopts a similar approach: addition of internal standard to the specimen, extraction with water, purification of extract using a solid-phase extraction cartridge, and then determination using either gas chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) after bromination, or direct measurement with liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy (LC/MS). The available methods generally show good agreement and are likely to be accurate. However, improvements in precision (within-laboratory) and repeatability (between-laboratory) are needed by particular data users.
Determination of Malachite Green and Leucomalachite Green in a Variety of Aquacultured Products by Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry Detection
Authors: van de Riet Jeffrey M , Murphy Cory J , Pearce Johanna N , Potter Ross A , Burns B Garth 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method was developed for determining the residues of malachite green (MG) and leucomalachite green (LMG) in a number of aquatic species. MG and its metabolite were extracted from homogenized tissues with a perchloric acid-acetonitrile solution; the extract was centrifuged; and an aliquot was taken, concentrated, and passed through a chemically bonded octadecyl C18 solid-phase extraction column. The compounds of interest were eluted with acetonitrile, and the eluate was evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in acetonitrile and diluted with water in preparation for analysis by LC/MS/MS. MG and its metabolite were determined by reversed-phase LC using a Luna C18 column with an ammonium hydroxide-formic acid buffer in acetonitrile gradient and MS/MS detection using multiple reaction monitoring. Calibration curves were linear for all analyses between 5 and 500 pg injected for both analytes, with recoveries ranging from 81% for LMG to 98% for MG in salmon spiked at the 1 ng/g level. Detection limits of 0.1 ng/g for both MG and LMG were easily obtainable using the recommended method. The operational errors, interferences, and recoveries for spiked samples compared favorably with those obtained by established methodology. The recommended method is simple, rapid, and specific for monitoring residues of MG and LMG in a number of aquatic species.
Development and Validation of a Column High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Method for Quantification of Ganaphaliin A and B in Inflorescences of Gnaphalium liebmannii Sch. Bp ex Klatt
Authors: Rodríguez-Ramos Fernando , Sánchez-Estrada Víctor H , Alfaro-Romero Alejandro , Tapia-Álvarez Gabriela Rubí , Navarrete Andrés 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
An HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous determination of gnaphaliin A and B, active compounds of Gnaphalium liebmannii Sch. Bp ex Klatt. The HPLC separation was performed on an Inertsil ODS-3 (150 × 4.6 mm id, 5 μm) RP C18 column operated at 40°C; the isocratic mobile phase was 0.02% aqueous orthophosphoric acid– methanol–acetonitrile (50 + 30 + 20, v/v/v), with a run time of 20 min and ﬂow rate of 1.5 mL/min. Detection with a photodiode array detector (PDAD) was at 270 nm. The method was validated for linearity, repeatability, LOD, and LOQ. The LOD and LOQ for gnaphaliin A and B were found to be in the range of 0.4–0.5 and 1.0–1.4 μg/mL, respectively. This is the frst report of an analytical method developed for the quantitative analysis of ﬂavones from Gnaphalium species by HPLC-PDAD with applications for raw material and commercial products.
A Financial Capitalism Perspective on Start-Up Acquisitions: Introducing the Economic Goodwill Test
Authors: McLean Andrew P 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
This paper discusses the acquisition of start-ups by major technology firms. Such transactions pose a significant anticompetitive threat, yet often escape competition scrutiny because they fail to trigger merger notification threshold tests. Alongside a financial analysis of historic acquisitions by Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft, the paper introduces a new threshold test—the economic goodwill test. The economic goodwill test is a concerned with the value of a target’s net tangible assets as a proportion of total transaction value. The difference between these figures largely represents the gains an acquirer expects to realise from a strengthened competitive position, therefore reflecting the logic driving the mass acquisition of technology start-ups. Although a specific triggering figure is not prescribed, the economic goodwill test represents a useful innovation that could bring potentially anticompetitive start-up acquisitions under substantive merger review. More broadly, the paper argues start-up acquisitions are representative of the difficulties that competition law faces governing economic activity in the era of financial capitalism. The modern financial system creates a strong bridge between the present and the distant future. This enables firms to engage in future-oriented competitive strategies that challenge competition law’s static approach.
Allergic fungal sinusitis masquerading as cavernous sinus thrombosis
Authors: Chalam K V , Enghelberg Moises , Murthy Ravi K 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS), a noninvasive form of fungal sinusitis, is rarely seen in immunocompetent patients. Involvement of sphenoid sinus can result in proptosis and loss of vision. We report AFS masquerading as posterior cavernous sinus syndrome. A 59-year-old African-American man presented with right complete ptosis with ophthalmoplegia. After an initial work-up and imaging studies, patient underwent endonasal sphenoid surgery, which revealed characteristic ‘allergic fungal mucin’. Cavernous sinus syndrome is a rare presenting clinical feature of allergic fungal sinusitis. Ophthalmologists should be aware of this rare presentation of relatively common otorhinological disease for timely referral and appropriate management.
Sticky or not sticky? Measurements of the tensile strength of microgranular organic materials
Authors: Bischoff D , Kreuzig C , Haack D , Gundlach B , Blum J 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACT
Knowledge of the mechanical properties of protoplanetary and cometary matter is of key importance to better understand the activity of comets and the early stages of planet formation. The tensile strength determines the required pressure to lift off grains, pebbles, and agglomerates from the cometary surface and also describes how much strain a macroscopic body can withstand before material failure occurs. As organic materials are ubiquitous in space, they could have played an important role during the planet-formation process. This work provides new data on the tensile strength of five different microgranular organic materials, namely, humic acid, paraffin, brown coal, charcoal, and graphite. These materials are investigated by the so-called Brazilian Disc Test and the resulting tensile strength values are normalized to a standard grain size and volume filling factor. We find that the tensile strength of these materials ranges over four orders of magnitude. Graphite and paraffin possess tensile strengths much higher than silica, whereas coals have very low tensile-strength values. This work demonstrates that organic materials are not generally stickier than silicates, or water ice, as often believed.