bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hyperspectral imaging for skin assessment in systemic sclerosis: a pilot study
Authors: Chen Yi-Ming , Lai Kuo-Lung , Chen Hsin-Hua , Huang Wen-Nan , Lin Ching-Tsai , Chao Wen-Cheng , Chen Jun-Peng , Fu Yu-Wen , Chen Hsian-Min , Lui Ping-Wing 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Objective
Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a novel technology for obtaining quantitative measurements from transcutaneous spatial and spectral information. In patients with SSc, the severity of skin tightness is associated with internal organ involvement. However, clinical assessment using the modified Rodnan skin score is highly variable and there are currently no universal standardized protocols. This study aimed to compare the ability to differentiate between SSc patients and healthy controls using skin scores, ultrasound and HSI.

Methods
Short-wave infrared light was utilized to detect the spectral angle mapper (SAM) of HSI. In addition, skin severity was evaluated by skin scores, ultrasound to detect dermal thickness and strain elastography. Spearman’s correlation was used for assessing skin scores, strain ratio, thickness and SAM. Comparisons of various assessment tools were performed by receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results
In total, 31 SSc patients were enrolled. SAM was positively correlated with skin scores and dermal thickness. In SSc patients with normal skin scores, SAM values were still significantly higher than in healthy controls. SAM exhibited the highest area under the curve (AUC: 0.812, P &lt; 0.001) in detecting SSc compared with skin scores (AUC: 0.712, P &lt; 0.001), thickness (AUC: 0.585, P = 0.009) and strain ratio by elastography (AUC: 0.522, P = 0.510). Moreover, the severity of skin tightness was reflected by the incremental changes of waveforms in the spectral diagrams.

Conclusion
SAM was correlated with skin scores and sufficiently sensitive to detect subclinical disease. HSI can be used as a novel, non-invasive method for assessing skin changes in SSc.
An international, multicentre, double-blind, randomized study (DISSCO): effect of diacerein vs celecoxib on symptoms in knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Pelletier Jean-Pierre , Raynauld Jean-Pierre , Dorais Marc , Bessette Louis , Dokoupilova Eva , Morin Frédéric , Pavelka Karel , Paiement Patrice , Martel-Pelletier Johanne ,   for the DISSCO Trial Investigator Group
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Objective
The objective of this study was to investigate whether diacerein has comparable efficacy with celecoxib in pain reduction for treatment in symptomatic knee OA patients.

Methods
This randomized double-blind multicentre non-inferiority trial evaluated diacerein vs celecoxib treatment in patients with Kellgren–Lawrence grade 2–3 and pain scoring ≥4 (10-cm VAS). Patients were randomized to 6 months of treatment with diacerein 50 mg (n = 187) once daily for 1 month and twice daily thereafter, or celecoxib 200 mg (n = 193) once daily. The primary outcome was the change in WOMAC pain score (0–50 cm) at 6 months, and the secondary outcomes were WOMAC sub-scores, VAS pain score, and the OMERACT–OARSI responder rate.

Results
In the per protocol population, the adjusted mean change from baseline in the WOMAC pain score was –11.1 ( 0.9) with diacerein (n = 140) and –11.8 (0.9) with celecoxib (n = 148). The intergroup difference was 0.7 (95% CI: −1.8, 3.2; P = 0.597), meeting the non-inferiority margin. Supportive analysis of the intention-to-treat population gave similar results. Other outcomes showed no significant difference between treatment groups. The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was low and balanced between groups, but a greater incidence of diarrhoea occurred with diacerein (10.2% vs 3.7%). Diarrhoea was considered mild-to-moderate in all but one case with complete resolution.

Conclusions
Diacerein was non-inferior to celecoxib in reducing knee OA pain and improving physical function. Diacerein also demonstrated a good safety profile.

Trial registration
A multicentre study on the effect of DIacerein on Structure and Symptoms vs Celecoxib in Osteoarthritis is a National Institutes of Health (NCT02688400) and European Clinical Trial Database (2015–002933-23) registered phase III (Canada) or IV (Europe) study.
BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS NEAR A MINERAL SAND MINING FACTORY IN SRI LANKA: CORRELATION OF RADIATION MEASUREMENTS WITH MICRONUCLEI FREQUENCY
Authors: Warnakulasuriya Tania , Williams Senani , Weerakkody Thiwanka , Dabarera Mangala , Rodrigo Kusum , Waduge Vajira Ariyaratna , Ediriweera Dileepa , Siriwardena Niroshan , Wickremasinghe Rajitha 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd (LMS) is a company operating in Pulmoddai, Sri Lanka, mining for rare earth minerals along with monazite which contains thorium that emits ionizing gamma and alpha radiation on decay. The objective of the study was to determine the background radiation levels and selected radionuclides and then to correlate these levels with the frequency of micronuclei (MN) among persons residing in the vicinity of LMS. A cross-sectional study was conducted among persons of both sexes between 35 and 45 years of age residing in the vicinity of LMS. Background radiation measurements were obtained by a survey metre, and gamma spectrometry was done on soil samples. Five millilitres of venous blood was drawn for cytokinesis-blocked MN assay. Background radiation levels measured by the survey metre; 232Th, 226Ra and 210Pb mass activities in soil were highest in the samples collected from the LMS. The background radiation measurements positively correlated with MN frequency although the magnitude of the correlation was small (r = 0.176, p = 0.04). This implies that chronic long-term exposure to low-dose radiation may result in genotoxicity. Prospective large-scale studies are recommended to evaluate the long-term effect of exposure to low-dose radiation at Pulmoddai.
Different policy instruments and the threshold effects on collaboration efficiency in China
Authors: Cheng Hua , Zhang Zhiying , Liao Zhongju , Wei Yong , Nkongo Mvondo Joseph Martial 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
University–industry R&D collaboration is an important means to improve innovation efficiency; many governments have issued policies to promote it. The most frequent policy instruments implemented by policy-makers to foster firms’ innovation are subsidies and tax incentives. The article elaborated on how subsidies and tax incentives influence the R&D collaboration efficiency through a panel dataset from 2009 to 2015 in China. The result showed that subsidies and tax incentives have a positive effect on collaboration efficiency, and the effect of subsidies on output is bigger than that of tax incentives. Taking the intensity of subsidy as a threshold variable, there is a significant single threshold effect on collaboration efficiency. However, there is no threshold effect when the intensity of the tax incentive used as the threshold variable.
Accumulation or absorption? Changing disparities of household non-employment in Europe during the Great Recession
Authors: Biegert Thomas , Ebbinghaus Bernhard 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
This comparative study analyzes the impact of the Great Recession on household non-employment across Europe since 2008. We use the EU-SILC (2007–2014) for a shift-share analysis that decomposes annual variations in household non-employment in 30 European countries. Investigating whether job loss is absorbed by or accumulated in households, we break down non-employment variations into changes in individual non-employment, household compositions and polarization. We find that household joblessness increased since 2008, especially in crisis-ridden countries. There is no evidence for the widespread absorption of individual non-employment in families or multi-person households. Instead, household dynamics and unequal distribution of non-employment lead to further risk accumulation within households during the crisis. Surprisingly, this pattern occurs in those crisis-ridden countries known for their traditional household structures and less accommodating welfare systems, which have relied thus far on families to absorb employment risks. The Great Recession has aggravated household disparities in joblessness in Europe.
Dissecting the Student Experience at Australian Medical Schools, 1884–1912
Authors: Pacitti Eugenia 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Historians of medicine have observed that the student experience of medical school is difficult to capture. While students sometimes left behind notebooks containing lecture notes and diagrams, there is often little evidence that illuminates their lived experiences and responses to their education. This article analyses written submissions to the publication of the Melbourne Medical Students’ Society, Speculum, between 1884 and 1912, to argue that students at the Melbourne Medical School in this era actively participated in discussions about the curriculum on offer, were highly aware of the moral and ethical consequences of their actions in the dissecting room and took great interest in the advancements and debates of the medical profession. It reclaims the student experience of medical school, which has often been hidden in favour of history written from the perspective of those in positions of power, to offer fresh insights into the history of medical education.
Establishing a Baseline: Evidence-Supported State Laws to Advance Stroke Care
Authors: Gilchrist Siobhan , Sloan Arielle A. , Bhuiya Aunima R. , Taylor Lauren N. , Shantharam Sharada S. , Barbero Colleen , Fulmer Erika B. 
Published: January 2020

Objective:
Approximately 800 000 strokes occur annually in the United States. Stroke systems of care policies addressing prehospital and in-hospital care have been proposed to improve access to time-sensitive, lifesaving treatments for stroke. Policy surveillance of stroke systems of care laws supported by best available evidence could reveal potential strengths and weaknesses in how stroke care delivery is regulated across the nation.

Design:
This study linked the results of an early evidence assessment of 15 stroke systems of care policy interventions supported by best available evidence to a legal data set of the body of law in effect on January 1, 2018, for the 50 states and Washington, District of Columbia.

Results:
As of January 1, 2018, 39 states addressed 1 or more aspects of prehospital or in-hospital stroke care in law; 36 recognized at least 1 type of stroke center. Thirty states recognizing stroke centers also had evidence-supported prehospital policy interventions authorized in law. Four states authorized 10 or more of 15 evidence-supported policy interventions. Some combinations of prehospital and in-hospital policy interventions were more prevalent than other combinations.

Conclusion:
The analysis revealed that many states had a stroke regulatory infrastructure for in-hospital care that is supported by best available evidence. However, there are gaps in how state law integrates evidence-supported prehospital and in-hospital care that warrant further study. This study provides a baseline for ongoing policy surveillance and serves as a basis for subsequent stroke systems of care policy implementation and policy impact studies.
Risk Factors for Wound Infection After Laparoscopic Surgery for Colon Cancer
Authors: Nakamura Takatoshi , Takayama Yoko , Sato Takeo , Watanabe Masahiko 
Published: January 2020

Objective:
To clarify risk factors for wound infection after laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer.

Subjects and Methods:
The study group comprised 1144 patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the following 14 postoperative risk factors for wound infection.

Results:
Univariate analysis showed that the following 4 risk factors were related to wound infection: tumor location right-sided colon cancer, a preoperative serum albumin level of ≤2.5 g/dL, anastomotic technique [functional end-to-end anastomosis (FEEA)], and sutures used at the time of wound closure non–polydioxanone sutures (PDS)-Plus. Multivariate analysis indicated that 3 factors were independent risk factors for wound infection: a preoperative serum albumin level of ≤2.5 g/dL, FEEA, and the use of non-PDS-Plus sutures wound closure.

Conclusions:
Risk factors for wound infection after laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer were a preoperative serum albumin level of ≤2.5 g/dL, FEEA, and the use of non-PDS-Plus sutures.
Peer review and preprint policies are unclear at most major journals
Authors: Klebel Thomas , Reichmann Stefan , Polka Jessica , McDowell Gary , Penfold Naomi , Hindle Samantha , Ross-Hellauer Tony 
Published: January 2020

AbstractClear and findable publishing policies are important for authors to choose appropriate journals for publication. We investigated the clarity of policies of 171 major academic journals across disciplines regarding peer review and preprinting. 31.6% of journals surveyed do not provide information on the type of peer review they use. Information on whether preprints can be posted or not is unclear in 39.2% of journals. 58.5% of journals offer no clear information on whether reviewer identities are revealed to authors. Around 75% of journals have no clear policy on co-reviewing, citation of preprints, and publication of reviewer identities. Information regarding practices of Open Peer Review is even more scarce, with <20% of journals providing clear information. Having found a lack of clear information, we conclude by examining the implications this has for researchers (especially early career) and the spread of open research practices.
The Structures of Natively Assembled Clathrin Coated Vesicles
Authors: Paraan Mohammadreza , Mendez Joshua , Sharum Savanna , Kurtin Danielle , He Huan , Stagg Scott M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractVesicle trafficking by clathrin coated vesicles (CCVs) is one of the major mechanisms by which proteins and nutrients are absorbed by the cell and transported between organelles. The individual proteins comprising the coated vesicles include clathrin heavy chain, clathrin light chain, and a variety of adaptor protein complexes. Much is known about the structures of the individual CCV components, but data are lacking about the structures of the fully assembled complexes together with membrane and in complex with cargo. Here we determined the structures of natively assembled CCVs in a variety of geometries. We show that the adaptor β2-appendages crosslink adjacent CHC β-propellers and that the appendage densities reside almost exclusively in CCV hexagonal faces. We resolve how AP2 and other associated factors in hexagonal faces form an assembly hub with an extensive web of interactions between neighboring β-propellers and propose a structural model that explains how adaptor binding can direct the formation of pentagonal and hexagonal faces.
Tailored Design of Protein Nanoparticle Scaffolds for Multivalent Presentation of Viral Glycoprotein Antigens
Authors: Ueda George , Antanasijevic Aleksandar , Fallas Jorge A. , Sheffler William , Copps Jeffrey , Ellis Daniel , Hutchinson Geoffrey , Moyer Adam , Yasmeen Anila , Tsybovsky Yaroslav , Park Young-Jun , Bick Matthew J. , Sankaran Banumathi , Gillespie Rebecca A. , Brouwer Philip J. M. , Zwart Petrus H. , Veesler David , Kanekiyo Masaru , Graham Barney S. , Sanders Rogier , Moore John P. , Klasse Per Johan , Ward Andrew B. , King Neil , Baker David 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe adaptive immune system is highly sensitive to arrayed antigens, and multivalent display of viral glycoproteins on symmetric scaffolds has been found to substantially increase the elicitation of antigen-specific antibodies. Motivated by the considerable promise of this strategy for next-generation anti-viral vaccines, we set out to design new self-assembling protein nanoparticles with geometries specifically tailored to scaffold ectodomains of different viral glycoproteins. We first designed and characterized homo-trimers from designed repeat proteins with N-terminal helices positioned to match the C termini of several viral glycoprotein trimers. Oligomers found to experimentally adopt the designed configuration were then used to generate nanoparticles with tetrahedral, octahedral, or icosahedral symmetry. Examples of all three target symmetries were experimentally validated by cryo-electron microscopy and several were assessed for their ability to display viral glycoproteins via genetic fusion. Electron microscopy and antibody binding experiments demonstrated that the designed nanoparticles display conformationally intact native-like HIV-1 Env, influenza hemagglutinin, and prefusion RSV F trimers in the predicted geometries. This work demonstrates that novel nanoparticle immunogens can be designed from the bottom up with atomic-level accuracy and provides a general strategy for precisely controlling epitope presentation and accessibility.
An introgressed gene causes meiotic drive inNeurospora sitophila
Authors: Svedberg Jesper , Vogan Aaron A. , Rhoades Nicholas A. , Sarmarajeewa Dilini , Jacobson David J. , Lascoux Martin , Hammond Thomas M. , Johannesson Hanna 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMeiotic drive elements cause their own preferential transmission following meiosis. In fungi this phenomenon takes the shape of spore killing, and in the filamentous ascomyceteNeurospora sitophila, theSk-1spore killer element is found in many natural populations. In this study, we identify the gene responsible for spore killing inSk-1by generating both long and short-read genomic data and by using these data to perform a genome wide association test. Through molecular dissection, we show that a single 405 nucleotide long open reading frame generates a product that both acts as a poison capable of killing sibling spores and as an antidote that rescues spores that produce it. By phylogenetic analysis, we demonstrate that the gene is likely to have been introgressed from the closely related speciesN. hispaniola, and we identify three subclades ofN. sitophila, one whereSk-1is fixed, another whereSk-1is absent, and a third where both killer and sensitive strain are found. Finally, we show that spore killing can be suppressed through an RNA interference based genome defense pathway known as meiotic silencing by unpaired DNA.Spk-1is not related to other known meiotic drive genes, and similar sequences are only found withinNeurospora. These results shed new light on the diversity of genes capable of causing meiotic drive, their origin and evolution and their interaction with the host genome.Significance StatementIn order to survive, most organisms have to deal with parasites. Such parasites can be other organisms, or sometimes, selfish genes found within the host genome itself. While much is known about parasitic organisms, the interaction with their hosts and their ability to spread within and between species, much less is known about selfish genes. We here identify a novel selfish “spore killer” gene in the fungusNeurospora sitophila. The gene appears to have evolved within the genus, but has entered the species through hybridization and introgression. We also show that the host can counteract the gene through RNA interference. These results shed new light on the diversity of selfish genes in terms of origin, evolution and host interactions.
Multisensory perception, verbal, visuo-spatial, and motor working memory modulation after a single open- or closed-skill exercise session in children
Authors: O’Brien Jessica , Ottoboni Giovanni , Tessari Alessia , Setti Annalisa 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPhysical activity presents clear benefits for children’s cognition; this study examined the effect of a single exercise session of open- or closed-skill exercise, as opposed to a no-exercise activity on multisensory perception, i.e. the ability to appropriately merge inputs from different sensory modalities, and on working memory (verbal, visuo-spatial, and motor working memory) in 51 preadolescent children (aged 6-8). Using a semi-randomised pre-post design, participants completed a range of cognitive tasks immediately before and after an exercise session or a classroom sedentary activity. Participants were randomised, within each school, to one of the three groups (open-skill, n=16; closed-skill, n=16; classroom activity, n=19). Exercise, but not usual classroom activity, improved children’s multisensory perception, with no difference between exercise types. Results also revealed that a single open-skill session produced verbal working memory (digit span) benefits; a closed-skill exercise session benefitted motor working memory. While the relatively small number of participants should be acknowledged as limitation, these findings contribute to emerging evidence for selective cognitive benefits of exercise, and show, for the first time in children, that multisensory processing sensitivity is improved by exercise.
Long term AAV2/9-mediated silencing of PMP22 prevents CMT1A disease in rats and validates skin biomarkers as treatment outcome measure
Authors: Gautier Benoit , Hajjar Helene , Soares Sylvia , Berthelot Jade , Deck Marie , Abbou Scarlette , Campbell Graham , Fovet Claire-Maelle , Schütza Vlad , Jouvenel Antoine , Rivat Cyril , Zerah Michel , Le Ravazet Virginie François , Le Guiner Caroline , Aubourg Patrick , Fledrich Robert , Tricaud Nicolas 
Published: January 2020

AbstractCharcot-Marie-Tooth disease 1A (CMT1A) results from a duplication of thePMP22gene leading to an excess of PMP22, a deficit of myelination and an instability of the myelin sheath in peripheral nerves. Patients present with reduced nerve conduction velocity, muscle waste, hand and foot deformations and foot drop walking problems. As gene silencing therapy has been shown to be effective in other monogenic neurological disorders, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of recombinant adeno-associated viral vector serotype 9 (AAV2/9)-based gene therapy for CMT1A. AAV2/9-mediated delivery of eGFP and shRNAs targeting PMP22 mRNA in the sciatic nerve allowed widespread gene expression in myelinating Schwann cells in mouse, rat and nonhuman primate. The treatment restored wild-type PMP22 level, increased myelination and prevented motor and sensory impairment over 12 months in a rat model of CMT1A. Intra-nerve injection limited off-target transduction and immune response to barely detectable levels. A combination of previously characterized human skin biomarkers successfully discriminated treated animals from their untreated littermate controls indicating their potential use as part of outcome measures in future clinical trials. Our results support intra nerve injection of AAV2/9 as an effective strategy for the treatment of CMT1A as well as other demyelinating CMT diseases.