bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development, validation and assessment of the test on knowledge about basic life support and use of automated external defibrillator among schoolchildren
Authors: Borovnik Lesjak Vesna , Šorgo Andrej , Strnad Matej 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Educating lay public can significantly strengthen the Chain of Survival after out of hospital cardiac arrest. Schoolchildren are an accessible population for learning basic life support (BLS) and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) and can be regarded as multipliers of knowledge that can reach the whole population. This study aimed to develop and validate a test for examining levels of knowledge about BLS and AED among schoolchildren that can be used to uniformly present reliable data.

Methods
A knowledge test about BLS and AED consisting of 10 multiple-choice questions was developed and implemented before and after a 2-h BLS and AED course consisting of an interactive lecture and a practical workshop for 783 students in seventh and ninth grades of elementary schools in Maribor, Slovenia. Each question was analyzed and presented with descriptive statistics and educometric parameters (difficulty and discriminating indices). All variables were checked for normality with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and analyzed using non-parametric tests. Statistical significance of the differences in knowledge before and after intervention were calculated with chi-square statistics and effect sizes r are reported. Differences between genders, grades and previous attendance to BLS courses were compared using Mann – Whitney U test. The effect size was calculated from the Z score and reported as r value.

Results
After educometric analysis, questions were adjusted to meet the requirements of satisfactory functioning difficulty and discriminating indices (values between 0,40 and 0,60, and above 0,20, respectively). Only one question had to be eliminated due to inadequate difficulty and discriminating index (0,99 and 0,02, respectively). Measurement invariance across gender (p < 0,001), school grade (p < 0,001), and attendance to previous courses (p = 0,303) was assured.

Conclusions
A test for accurate and reliable measurement of knowledge of BLS and AED among schoolchildren was developed and validated. According to the findings it can now reliably be used to assess baseline knowledge and potential improvement in knowledge after a course on BLS and AED. Standardized data gathered with a validated tool can now be presented at legislative levels to promote BLS and AED courses implementation in school curricula.
A comparison framework and guideline of clustering methods for mass cytometry data
Authors: Liu Xiao , Song Weichen , Wong Brandon Y. , Zhang Ting , Yu Shunying , Lin Guan Ning , Ding Xianting 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundWith the expanding applications of mass cytometry in medical research, a wide variety of clustering methods, both semi-supervised and unsupervised, have been developed for data analysis. Selecting the optimal clustering method can accelerate the identification of meaningful cell populations.ResultTo address this issue, we compared three classes of performance measures, “precision” as external evaluation, “coherence” as internal evaluation, and stability, of nine methods based on six independent benchmark datasets. Seven unsupervised methods (Accense, Xshift, PhenoGraph, FlowSOM, flowMeans, DEPECHE, and kmeans) and two semi-supervised methods (Automated Cell-type Discovery and Classification and linear discriminant analysis (LDA)) are tested on six mass cytometry datasets. We compute and compare all defined performance measures against random subsampling, varying sample sizes, and the number of clusters for each method. LDA reproduces the manual labels most precisely but does not rank top in internal evaluation. PhenoGraph and FlowSOM perform better than other unsupervised tools in precision, coherence, and stability. PhenoGraph and Xshift are more robust when detecting refined sub-clusters, whereas DEPECHE and FlowSOM tend to group similar clusters into meta-clusters. The performances of PhenoGraph, Xshift, and flowMeans are impacted by increased sample size, but FlowSOM is relatively stable as sample size increases.ConclusionAll the evaluations including precision, coherence, stability, and clustering resolution should be taken into synthetic consideration when choosing an appropriate tool for cytometry data analysis. Thus, we provide decision guidelines based on these characteristics for the general reader to more easily choose the most suitable clustering tools.
Non-placement versus placement of a drainage tube around the cervical anastomosis in McKeown esophagectomy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Oshikiri Taro , Takiguchi Gosuke , Miura Susumu , Takase Nobuhisa , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Yamamoto Masashi , Kanaji Shingo , Yamashita Kimihiro , Matsuda Yoshiko , Matsuda Takeru , Nakamura Tetsu , Suzuki Satoshi , Kakeji Yoshihiro 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Esophagectomy with extended lymphadenectomy remains the mainstay of treatment for localized esophageal cancer. Currently, transthoracic and abdominal esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis (McKeown esophagectomy) is a frequently used technique in Japan. However, cervical anastomosis is still an invasive procedure with a high incidence of anastomotic leakage. The use of a drainage tube to treat anastomotic leakage is effective, but the routine placement of a closed suction drain around the anastomosis at the end of the operation remains controversial. The objective of this study is to evaluate the postoperative anastomotic leakage rate, duration to oral intake, hospital stay, and analgesic use with nonplacement of a cervical drainage tube as an alternative to placement of a cervical drainage tube.

Methods
This is an investigator-initiated, investigator-driven, open-label, randomized controlled parallel-group, noninferiority trial. All adult patients (aged ≥20 and ≤85 years) with histologically proven, surgically resectable (cT1–3 N0–3 M0) squamous cell carcinoma, adenosquamous cell carcinoma, or basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the intrathoracic esophagus, and European Clinical Oncology Group performance status 0, 1, or 2 are assessed for eligibility. Patients (n = 110) with resectable esophageal cancer who provide informed consent in the outpatient clinic are randomized to either nonplacement of a cervical drainage tube (n = 55) or placement of a cervical drainage tube (n = 55).
The primary outcome is the percentage of Clavien–Dindo grade 2 or higher anastomotic leakage.

Discussion
This is the first randomized controlled trial comparing nonplacement versus placement of a cervical drainage tube during McKeown esophagectomy with regards to the usefulness of a drain for anastomotic leakage. If our hypothesis is correct, nonplacement of a cervical drainage tube will be recommended because it is associated with a similar anastomotic leakage rate but less pain than placement of a cervical drainage tube.

Trial registration
UMIN-CTR, 000031244. Registered on 1 May 2018.
Effects of electroacupuncture frequencies on chronic low back pain in older adults: triple-blind, 12-months protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Francescato Torres Sarina , Brandt de Macedo Ana Carolina , Dias Antunes Mateus , Merllin Batista de Souza Ingred , Dimitre Rodrigo Pereira Santos Francisco , de Sousa do Espírito Santo Adriana , Ribeiro Jacob Flávia , Torres Cruz Ariela , de Oliveira Januário Priscila , Pasqual Marques Amélia 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is the most frequent complaint in clinical practice. Electroacupuncture treatment may be effective; however, the supporting evidence is still limited, especially in older adults.ObjectiveThe current study is a randomized controlled trial that aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture in older adults with LBP.MethodsA five-arm randomized controlled trial with patients and evaluators blinded to the group allocation. A total of 125 participants with non-specific LBP will be randomly assigned into one of five groups: three electroacupuncture groups (low, high, and alternating frequency); one control group; and one placebo group. The electroacupuncture will be applied twice a week (30 min per session) for five weeks. The primary clinical outcome measure will be pain intensity. The secondary outcomes include: quality of pain; physical functioning; perceived overall effect; emotional functionality; patient satisfaction; and psychosocial factors. Patients will be evaluated before the first session, immediately after the last, and followed up after six and 12 months to check the medium- and long-term effects.DiscussionAlthough electroacupuncture is increasingly used to treat LBP, there is no guidance regarding the parameters used, which leads to inconsistent results. Thus, the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on LBP remains controversial and requires more studies, especially in the older adult population.ConclusionThis is the first randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of different frequencies of electroacupuncture for treating chronic LBP in older adults. This study will provide evidence on the effectiveness of electroacupuncture as an alternative treatment method for LBP and will entail wider debate about an appropriate acupuncture intervention in this population.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov,NCT03802045. Registered on 14 January 2019.
Rapid Access to Contrast-Enhanced spectral mammogRaphy in women recalled from breast cancer screening: the RACER trial study design
Authors: Neeter L. M. F. H. , Houben I. P. L. , Nelemans P. J. , Van Nijnatten T. J. A. , Pijnappel R. M. , Frotscher C. , Osinga-de Jong M. , Sanders F. , Van Dalen T. , Raat H. P. J. , Essers B. A. B. , Wildberger J. E. , Smidt M. L. , Lobbes M. B. I. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
In the Dutch breast cancer screening program, women recalled with a BI-RADS 0 score are referred for additional imaging, while those with BI-RADS 4/5 scores are also directed to an outpatient breast clinic. Approximately six out of ten women are recalled without being diagnosed with a malignancy. However, these recalls require additional imaging and doctor visits, which result in patient anxiety and increased health care costs. Conventional types of imaging used for additional imaging are full-field digital mammography and tomosynthesis. Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography has proved to have higher sensitivity and specificity than conventional imaging in women recalled from screening. Therefore, the aim is to study if CESM instead of conventional imaging is a more accurate, patient-friendly, and cost-effective strategy in the work-up of women recalled from breast cancer screening.

Methods
This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial will be conducted at four centers and will include 528 patients recalled for suspicious breast lesions from the Dutch breast cancer screening program. Participants are randomized in two groups: (1) standard care using conventional breast imaging techniques as initial imaging after recall versus (2) work-up primarily based on CESM. Written informed consent will be collected prior to study inclusion. The primary outcome is the diagnostic accuracy for detection of breast cancer. Secondary outcomes are numbers of additional diagnostic exams, days until final diagnosis, health care costs, and experienced patient anxiety.

Discussion
Based on previously published retrospective studies, we expect to demonstrate in this prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial, that using CESM as a primary work-up tool in women recalled from breast cancer screening is a more accurate, cost-effective, and patient-friendly strategy.

Trial registration
Netherlands Trial Register, NL6413/NTR6589. Registered on 6 July, 2017.
Engineered Pseudomonas putida KT2440 co-utilizes galactose and glucose
Authors: Peabody George L. , Elmore Joshua R. , Martinez-Baird Jessica , Guss Adam M. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundEfficient conversion of plant biomass to commodity chemicals is an important challenge that needs to be solved to enable a sustainable bioeconomy. Deconstruction of biomass to sugars and lignin yields a wide variety of low molecular weight carbon substrates that need to be funneled to product.Pseudomonas putidaKT2440 has emerged as a potential platform for bioconversion of lignin and the other components of plant biomass. However,P. putidais unable to natively utilize several of the common sugars in hydrolysate streams, including galactose.ResultsIn this work, we integrated a De Ley–Doudoroff catabolic pathway for galactose catabolism into the chromosome ofP. putidaKT2440, using genes from several different organisms. We found that the galactonate catabolic pathway alone (DgoKAD) supported slow growth ofP. putidaon galactose. Further integration of genes to convert galactose to galactonate and to optimize the transporter expression level resulted in a growth rate of 0.371 h−1. Additionally, the best-performing strain was demonstrated to co-utilize galactose with glucose.ConclusionsWe have engineeredP. putidato catabolize galactose, which will allow future engineered strains to convert more plant biomass carbon to products of interest. Further, by demonstrating co-utilization of glucose and galactose, continuous bioconversion processes for mixed sugar streams are now possible.
Nitrogen-dependent coordination of cell cycle, quiescence and TAG accumulation in Chlamydomonas
Authors: Takeuchi Tomomi , Benning Christoph 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMicroalgae hold great promises as sustainable cellular factories for the production of alternative fuels, feeds, and biopharmaceuticals for human health. While the biorefinery approach for fuels along with the coproduction of high-value compounds with industrial, therapeutic, or nutraceutical applications have the potential to make algal biofuels more economically viable, a number of challenges continue to hamper algal production systems at all levels. One such hurdle includes the metabolic trade-off often observed between the increased yields of desired products, such as triacylglycerols (TAG), and the growth of an organism. Initial genetic engineering strategies to improve lipid productivity in microalgae, which focused on overproducing the enzymes involved in fatty acid and TAG biosynthesis or inactivating competing carbon (C) metabolism, have seen some successes albeit at the cost of often greatly reduced biomass. Emergent approaches that aim at modifying the dynamics of entire metabolic pathways by engineering of pertinent transcription factors or signaling networks appear to have successfully achieved a balance between growth and neutral lipid accumulation. However, the biological knowledge of key signaling networks and molecular components linking these two processes is still incomplete in photosynthetic eukaryotes, making it difficult to optimize metabolic engineering strategies for microalgae. Here, we focus on nitrogen (N) starvation of the model green microalga,Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, to present the current understanding of the nutrient-dependent switch between proliferation and quiescence, and the drastic reprogramming of metabolism that results in the storage of C compounds following N starvation. We discuss the potential components mediating the transcriptional repression of cell cycle genes and the establishment of quiescence in Chlamydomonas, and highlight the importance of signaling pathways such as those governed by the target of rapamycin (TOR) and sucrose nonfermenting-related (SnRK) kinases in the coordination of metabolic status with cellular growth. A better understanding of how the cell division cycle is regulated in response to nutrient scarcity and of the signaling pathways linking cellular growth to energy and lipid homeostasis, is essential to improve the prospects of biofuels and biomass production in microalgae.
In vitro activity of 1H-phenalen-1-one derivatives against Leishmania spp. and evidence of programmed cell death
Authors: López-Arencibia Atteneri , Reyes-Batlle María , Freijo Mónica B. , Sifaoui Ines , Bethencourt-Estrella Carlos J. , Rizo-Liendo Aitor , Chiboub Olfa , McNaughton-Smith Grant , Lorenzo-Morales Jacob , Abad-Grillo Teresa , Piñero José E. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
The in vitro activity against Leishmania spp. of a novel group of compounds, phenalenone derivatives, is described in this study. Previous studies have shown that some phenalenones present leishmanicidal activity, and induce a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential in L. amazonensis parasites, so in order to elucidate the evidence of programmed cell death occurring inside the promastigote stage, different assays were performed in two different species of Leishmania.

Methods
We focused on the determination of the programmed cell death evidence by detecting the characteristic features of the apoptosis-like process, such as phosphatidylserine exposure, mitochondrial membrane potential, and chromatin condensation among others.

Results
The results showed that four molecules activated the apoptosis-like process in the parasite. All the signals observed were indicative of the death process that the parasites were undergoing.

Conclusions
The present results highlight the potential use of phenalenone derivatives against Leishmania species and further studies should be undertaken to establish them as novel leishmanicidal therapeutic agents.
Does antennal sensilla pattern of different populations of Triatoma maculata (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) reveal phenotypic variability?
Authors: Müller Josiane Nogueira , Gonçalves Teresa Cristina Monte , Ricardo-Silva Alice Helena , Souza Amanda Coutinho , Santos Francisco Maciel , Santos Rosangela , Vargas Nathalia Coelho , Lopes Catarina Macedo , Carbajal-de-la-Fuente Ana Laura 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
In Brazil, Triatoma maculata is only found in the State of Roraima and is a vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. It occurs in wild, peridomestic and domestic habitats, with an urban infestation in Boa Vista, the capital of this Brazilian state. The aim of this study was to assess the morphological variability of the T. maculata antennal phenotype in three populations of Roraima State, using the antennal sensilla pattern analyzed under optical microscopy.

Methods
The number and distribution of four antennal sensilla types (bristles, thin and thick walled trichoidea, and basiconic) of three Brazilian populations of T. maculata from Roraima State were compared. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results
The antenna of T. maculata presented the four types of sensilla. According to the density and distribution of the antennal sensilla characteristics, the multivariate analyses showed that the laboratory population is morphologically structured. Urban specimens showed a pronounced phenotypic variability. The main differences were observed in the pedicel segment, and between males and females.

Conclusions
We determined the antennal phenotype in three Roraima populations of T. maculata. These results support the idea that the patterns of antennal sensilla are sensitive markers for distinct populations in the Triatominae. The infestations of T. maculata in different habitats reinforces the ability of this vector to become adapted to a variety of environments, which, could have eco-epidemiological implications for the T. cruzi transmission that are still not well understood.
Epigenetic therapy of myelodysplastic syndromes connects to cellular differentiation independently of endogenous retroelement derepression
Authors: Kazachenka Anastasiya , Young George R. , Attig Jan , Kordella Chrysoula , Lamprianidou Eleftheria , Zoulia Emmanuela , Vrachiolias George , Papoutselis Menelaos , Bernard Elsa , Papaemmanuil Elli , Kotsianidis Ioannis , Kassiotis George 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundMyelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) are characterised by abnormal epigenetic repression and differentiation of bone marrow haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Drugs that reverse epigenetic repression, such as 5-azacytidine (5-AZA), induce haematological improvement in half of treated patients. Although the mechanisms underlying therapy success are not yet clear, induction of endogenous retroelements (EREs) has been hypothesised.MethodsUsing RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), we compared the transcription of EREs in bone marrow HSCs from a new cohort of MDS and chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) patients before and after 5-AZA treatment with HSCs from healthy donors and AML patients. We further examined ERE transcription using the most comprehensive annotation of ERE-overlapping transcripts expressed in HSCs, generated here by de novo transcript assembly and supported by full-length RNA-seq.ResultsConsistent with prior reports, we found that treatment with 5-AZA increased the representation of ERE-derived RNA-seq reads in the transcriptome. However, such increases were comparable between treatment responses and failures. The extended view of HSC transcriptional diversity offered by de novo transcript assembly argued against 5-AZA-responsive EREs as determinants of the outcome of therapy. Instead, it uncovered pre-treatment expression and alternative splicing of developmentally regulated gene transcripts as predictors of the response of MDS and CMML patients to 5-AZA treatment.ConclusionsOur study identifies the developmentally regulated transcriptional signatures of protein-coding and non-coding genes, rather than EREs, as correlates of a favourable response of MDS and CMML patients to 5-AZA treatment and offers novel candidates for further evaluation.
Unexpected normal left ventricular systolic function after total chronic occlusion of left main coronary artery and stenosis of right coronary artery: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Moutakiallah Younes , Mounir Reda , Ali Amir Aden , Nya Fouad , Seghrouchni Aniss , Atmani Noureddine , Bouzerda Abdelmajid , Lakhal Zouhair , Drissi Mohamed , Aithoussa Mahdi 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Introduction
Total occlusion of the left main coronary artery is a very rare finding in coronary angiography because of its highly lethal nature. Right coronary artery dominance and extensive collateral circulation are the principal determinant factors of survival after total occlusion of the left main coronary artery. The impact on the left ventricle is often significant with a profound alteration of its systolic function.

Case presentation
We describe a 52-year-old North African man, a tobacco smoker, who presented symptoms of unstable angina related to a total chronic occlusion of his left main coronary artery with a right coronary artery stenosis. Unexpectedly, the impact on his left ventricle was absent with normal dimensions and systolic function. He underwent a successful on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with uneventful postoperative course and good recovery.

Conclusions
Total occlusion of the left main coronary artery is a rare condition, the fact that the left ventricle retains a normal size and systolic function makes it exceptional, which must be kept in mind to avoid dangerous examinations and delayed treatment. Coronary artery bypass surgery should be considered the main treatment of total chronic occlusion of the left main coronary artery.