bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variation in aggressiveness of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus genotypes amid the ash dieback epidemic
Authors: Kosawang Chatchai , McKinney Lea V. , Nielsen Lene R. , Kjær Erik D. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe ascomycete Hymenoscyphus fraxineus causes devastating damage to the European common ash (Fraxinus excelsior). The fungus originates from Asia, where it coexists with native ash species and completes its life cycle by sporulating on degrading ash leaf litter on the forest floor. Given this life cycle of the fungus, genotypes of H. fraxineus with varying degrees of aggressiveness may coexist in infected European ash forests. To test this hypothesis, we cultured 19 single‐spore isolates from apothecia collected in a trial of heavily infected ash in Denmark and carried out stem inoculations on young ash seedlings. Microsatellite markers revealed that the 19 isolates were all genetically unique and did not show any genetic structure. High variation was observed among the 19 isolates in pathogenicity on young seedlings. The variation (assessed as necrosis development) was highly significant, but not correlated with the vigour of the fungal isolates when grown on culture media. The results support the hypothesis that aggressiveness of H. fraxineus may not be crucial for its fitness. In this sense, ash dieback disease may differ from other recent emerging infectious diseases on trees. We discuss the variation in aggressiveness of H. fraxineus in relation to durability of resistance and future management of the ash dieback epidemic. The findings of this study call for more research into natural variation in endophytic versus pathogenic behaviour of H. fraxineus on European ash.
Cohort study of respiratory hospital admissions, air quality and sociodemographic factors in preterm infants born in California
Authors: Steurer Martina A. , Costello Jean , Baer Rebecca J. , Oltman Scott P. , Feuer Sky K. , Pacheco‐Werner Tania , Rogers Elizabeth , Jankowska Marta M. , Block Jessica , McCarthy Molly , Pantell Matthew S. , Chambers Christina , Ryckman Kelli K. , Jelliffe‐Pawlowski Laura L. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundPreterm infants suffer from respiratory morbidity especially during the first year of life.ObjectiveTo investigate the association of air quality and sociodemographic indicators on hospital admission rates for respiratory causes.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study. We identified all live‐born preterm infants in California from 2007 to 2012 in a population‐based administrative data set and linked them to a data set measuring several air quality and sociodemographic indicators at the census tract level. All sociodemographic and air quality predictors were divided into quartiles (first quartile most favourable to the fourth quartile least favourable). Mixed effect logistic models to account for clustering at the census tract level were used to investigate associations between chronic air quality and sociodemographic indicators respiratory hospital admission during the first year of life.ResultsOf 205 178 preterm infants, 5.9% (n = 12 033) were admitted to the hospital for respiratory causes during the first year. In the univariate analysis, comparing the first to the fourth quartile of chronic ozone (risk ratio [RR] 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21, 1.37), diesel (RR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02, 1.17) and particulate matter 2.5 (RR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01, 1.14) exposure were associated with hospital admission during the first year. Following adjustment for confounders, the risk ratios for hospital admission during the first year were 1.53 (95% CI 1.37, 1.72) in relation to educational attainment (per cent of the population over age 25 with less than a high school education) and 1.23 (95% CI 1.09, 1.38) for poverty (per cent of the population living below two times the federal poverty level).ConclusionsAmong preterm infants, respiratory hospital admissions in the first year in California are associated with socioeconomic characteristics of the neighbourhood an individual is living in.
Factors associated with health‐related quality of life among family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Liao Xiangping , Huang Ying , Zhang Ziliang , Zhong Shanquan , Xie Gaosheng , Wang Linghong , Xiao Hai 
Published: February 2020

AimBased on the ageing population and the inadequate healthcare system in China, the majority of care for patients with Alzheimerʼs disease (AD) is provided by family caregivers. Caregivers suffer a long‐term heavy care burden and pressure, which affects their physical and mental health. The present study aims at investigating health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) among family caregivers of AD patients and exploring its influencing factors.MethodsThis study included 206 family caregivers (76 male, 130 female) of AD patients recruited from one Tier 3 hospital, one psychiatric hospital, two gerocomiums and three communities in Ganzhou city, Jiangxi Province, China. Measures included the World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life (WHO/ QOL‐BREF) questionnaire, Zarit burden of care scale (ZBI), and social support rating scale (SSRS).We performed face‐to‐face or telephone interviews with patients and caregivers. The association between possible factors and changes in HRQOL was examined through stepwise multiple regression analysis.ResultsThe majority of family caregivers felt moderate to severe level of burden. The average HRQOL score was 54.24 ± 10.36. The mean SSRS score was 30.4 ± 10.9. The average ZBI score was 41.2 ± 12.8. The HRQOL of family caregivers of AD patients was negatively correlated with the neuropsychiatric questionnaire score, ZBI score, and chronic diseases of caregivers (P < 0.05), and positively correlated with the SSRS score (P < 0.05).ConclusionReduced QOL was highly prevalent among AD patient family caregivers, and the level of burden, neuropsychiatric symptoms of patients, social support, and chronic diseases of caregivers were factors associated with HRQOL, and the effect of care burden is greatest. Interventions aimed at reducing the level of burden should focus not only on the patient but also on the caregiver.
Investigating behavior inhibition in obsessive‐compulsive disorder: Evidence from eye movements
Authors: Hu Yixin , Liao Rui , Chen Weiling , Kong Xiangwei , Liu Jingyi , Liu Dongxu , Maguire Phil , Zhou Shengqi , Wang Dawei 
Published: February 2020

We investigated the role of inhibition failure in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) through an eye tracking experiment. Twenty‐five subjects with OCD were recruited, as well as 25 with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and 25 healthy controls. A 3 (group: OCD group, GAD group and control group) × 2 (target eccentricity: far and near) × 2 (saccade task: prosaccade and antisaccade) mixed design was used, with all participants completing two sets of tasks involving both prosaccade (eye movement towards a target) and antisaccade (eye movement away from a target). The main outcome was the eye movement index, including the saccade latency (the time interval from the onset of the target screen to the first saccade) and the error rate of saccade direction. The antisaccade latency and antisaccade error rates for OCDs were much higher than those for GADs and healthy controls. OCDs had longer latency and error rates for antisaccades than for prosaccades, and for far‐eccentricity rather than near‐eccentricity stimuli. These results suggest that OCDs experience difficulty with behavior inhibition, and that they have higher visual sensitivity to peripheral stimuli. In particular, they show greatest difficulty in inhibiting behavior directed towards peripheral stimuli.
Double‐Object Constructions in Romance: The Common Denominator
Authors: Pineda Anna 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThis article presents empirical and theoretical arguments that challenge several received ideas regarding double‐object constructions in Romance languages. First, I argue that the syntactic and semantic differences that, according to much prior literature, hold between Spanish ditransitives with and without dative clitic doubling do not hold, at least for many speakers. Specifically, there are nondoubled Spanish ditransitives that are to be analyzed as double‐object constructions, not as prepositional constructions; the optional presence of dative clitic doubling in double‐object constructions reduces to a mere surface difference of spellout of the Low Applicative head that relates the indirect object and the direct object and is responsible for the transfer‐of‐possession interpretation. Next, I explore some theoretical consequences of these novel empirical observations regarding dative clitic doubling, showing that arguments for a base structure for Spanish/Romance double‐object constructions in which the direct object is higher than the indirect object are not viable, since in the absence of dative clitic doubling it is not possible to account for the c‐command facts. Lastly, I show that my analysis of double‐object constructions extends to other languages in the Romance family where dative clitic doubling in ditransitives is optional, such as Catalan, as well as to Romance languages that do not have dative clitic doubling but arguably do have double‐object constructions, such as French and Italian.
A simple introduction to programming and statistics with decision trees in R
Authors: Tang Marc 
Published: February 2020

SummaryUniversity students in other disciplines without prior knowledge in statistics and/or programming language are introduced to the statistical method of decision trees in the programming language R during a 45‐minute teaching and practice session. Statistics and programming skills are now frequently required within a wide variety of research fields and private industries. However, students unfamiliar with these subjects may be reluctant to join a full course because of time or student workloads or other commitments or a belief it is not for them. The proposed session is short and can be used as an ice‐breaker to let students have a basic understanding of running statistical models in programming language.
Antimicrobial activity of topical dyes used in clinical veterinary ophthalmology
Authors: Ferreira Thiago Alegre Coelho , Warth José Francisco Ghignatti , dos Santos Lucianne Leigue , Moore Bret A. , Montiani‐Ferreira Fabiano 
Published: February 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate in vitro the antibacterial effects of fluorescein, rose bengal, and lissamine green topical ophthalmic dyes against selected Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, and to evaluate whether preserved or preservative‐free fluorescein solutions are able to inhibit or potentiate bacterial growth.ProceduresSusceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby‐Bauer disk diffusion method plated with clinical ocular isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Streptococcus spp., Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Bacterial growth inhibition was evaluated 24 hours following the addition of commercially available fluorescein, rose bengal, and lissamine green sterile strips. Antimicrobial effectiveness testing was performed by inoculation of compounded 1% dye solutions, both with and without preservatives (fluorescein and lissamine contained thiomersal, and rose bengal contained nipagin and nepazol), with the five previously mentioned bacteria. Growth was evaluated at days 7, 14, and 28.ResultsAll dyes showed antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive organisms. Preservative‐free compounded 1% fluorescein solution inhibited growth of Gram‐positive organisms but not of Gram‐negative organisms. Preservative‐free rose bengal and lissamine green inhibited growth of both types of organisms.ConclusionsPreferably, ocular surface samples for antimicrobial culture should be taken prior to the administration of topical dyes, due to their potential antibacterial activity, particularly if undiluted strips are applied directly or commercial fluorescein solutions are used and not immediately rinsed. Ophthalmic dye solutions containing preservative are safe from bacterial growth for up to 28 days if properly handled and stored. The use of preservative‐free fluorescein solutions should be avoided and preservative‐free rose bengal and lissamine green should be handled carefully.
Neuronal HIF‐1α in the nucleus tractus solitarius contributes to ventilatory acclimatization to hypoxia
Authors: Moya Esteban A. , Go Ariel , Kim Cindy B. , Fu Zhenxing , Simonson Tatum S. , Powell Frank L. 
Published: February 2020

Key points
We hypothesized that hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) in CNS respiratory centres is necessary for ventilatory acclimatization to hypoxia (VAH); VAH is a time‐dependent increase in baseline ventilation and the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) occurring over days to weeks of chronic sustained hypoxia (CH).
Constitutive deletion of HIF‐1α in CNS neurons in transgenic mice tended to blunt the increase in HVR that occurs in wild‐type mice with CH.
Conditional deletion of HIF‐1α in glutamatergic neurons of the nucleus tractus solitarius during CH significantly decreased ventilation in acute hypoxia but not normoxia in CH mice.
These effects are not explained by changes in metabolic rate, nor CO2, and there were no changes in the HVR in normoxic mice.
HIF‐1α mediated changes in gene expression in CNS respiratory centres are necessary in addition to plasticity of arterial chemoreceptors for normal VAH.AbstractChronic hypoxia (CH) produces a time‐dependent increase of resting ventilation and the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) that is called ventilatory acclimatization to hypoxia (VAH). VAH involves plasticity in arterial chemoreceptors and the CNS [e.g. nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS)], although the signals for this plasticity are not known. We hypothesized that hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α), an O2‐sensitive transcription factor, is necessary in the NTS for normal VAH. We tested this in two mouse models using loxP‐Cre gene deletion. First, HIF‐1α was constitutively deleted in CNS neurons (CNS‐HIF‐1α−/−) by breeding HIF‐1α floxed mice with mice expressing Cre‐recombinase driven by the calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase IIα promoter. Second, HIF‐1α was deleted in NTS neurons in adult mice (NTS‐HIF‐1α−/−) by microinjecting adeno‐associated virus that expressed Cre‐recombinase in HIF‐1α floxed mice. In normoxic control mice, HIF‐1α deletion in the CNS or NTS did not affect ventilation, nor the acute HVR (10–15 min hypoxic exposure). In mice acclimatized to CH for 1 week, ventilation in hypoxia was blunted in CNS‐HIF‐1α−/− and significantly decreased in NTS‐HIF‐1α−/− compared to control mice (P < 0.0001). These changes were not explained by differences in metabolic rate or CO2. Immunofluorescence showed that HIF‐1α deletion in NTS‐HIF‐1α−/− was restricted to glutamatergic neurons. The results indicate that HIF‐1α is a necessary signal for VAH and the previously described plasticity in glutamatergic neurotransmission in the NTS with CH. HIF‐1α deletion had no effect on the increase in normoxic ventilation with acclimatization to CH, indicating this is a distinct mechanism from the increased HVR with VAH.
Is haemoglobin below 7.0 g/dL an optimal trigger for allogenic red blood cell transfusion in patients admitted to intensive care units? A meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Yao Ren-qi , Ren Chao , Zhang Zi-cheng , Zhu Yi-bing , Xia Zhao-fan , Yao Yong-ming 
Published: February 2020

ObjectivesWe employed a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to assess benefits and risks of a threshold of haemoglobin level below 7 g/dL versus liberal transfusion strategy among critically ill patients, and even patients with septic shock.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesWe performed systematical searches for relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the Cochrane Library, EMBASE and PubMed databases up to 1 September 2019.Eligibility criteriaRCTs among adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients comparing 7 g/dL as restrictive strategy with liberal transfusion were incorporated.Data extraction and synthesisThe clinical outcomes, including short-term mortality, length of hospital stay, length of ICU stay, myocardial infarction (MI) and ischaemic events, were screened and analysed after data collection. We applied odds ratios (ORs) to analyse dichotomous outcomes and standardised mean differences (SMDs) to analyse continuous outcomes with fixed or random effects models based on heterogeneity evaluation for each outcome.ResultsEight RCTs with 3415 patients were included. Compared with a more liberal threshold, a red blood cell (RBC) transfusion threshold <7 g/dL haemoglobin showed no significant difference in short-term mortality (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.67 to 1.21, p=0.48, I2=53%), length of hospital stay (SMD: −0.11, 95% CI: −0.30 to 0.07, p=0.24, I2=71%), length of ICU stay (SMD: −0.03, 95% CI: −0.14 to 0.08, p=0.54, I2=0%) or ischaemic events (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.43 to 1.48, p=0.48, I2=51%). However, we found that the incidence of MI (OR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.98, p=0.04, I2=0%) was lower in the group with the threshold <7 g/dL than that with the more liberal threshold.ConclusionsAn RBC transfusion threshold <7 g/dL haemoglobin is incapable of decreasing short-term mortality in ICU patients according to currently published evidences, while it might have potential role in reducing MI incidence.
Perceived barriers to multiprofessional team briefings in operating theatres: a qualitative study
Authors: Fruhen Laura , Carpini Joseph Alexandre , Parker Sharon K , Leung Yee , Flemming Adrian F S 
Published: February 2020

ObjectivesThis study investigates perceived barriers towards the implementation of multiprofessional team briefings (MPTB) in operating theatres, as well as ways to overcome these perceived barriers. Previous research shows that MPTB can enhance teamwork and communication, but are underused in operating theatres. By adopting a multilevel systems perspective, this study examines perceived barriers and solutions for MPTB implementation.DesignParticipants completed open-ended survey questions. Responses were coded via qualitative content analysis. The analysis focused on themes in the responses and the systems level at which each barrier and solution operates.SettingFour tertiary hospitals in Australia.Participants103 operating theatre staff, including nurses, surgeons, anaesthetists, technicians and administrators.ResultsParticipants identified barriers and solutions at the organisational (15.81% of barriers; 74.10% of solutions), work group (61.39% of barriers; 25.09% of solutions) and individual level (22.33% of barriers; 0% of solutions). Of all the perceived barriers to MPTB occurrence, a key one is getting everyone into the room at the same time . Matching of perceived barriers and solutions shows that higher systems-level solutions can address lower level barriers, thereby showing the relevance of implementing such wider reaching solutions to MPTB occurrence (including work practices at occupational level and above) as well as addressing more local issues.ConclusionsSuccessful MPTB implementation requires changes at various systems levels. Practitioners can strategically prepare and plan for systems-based strategies to overcome barriers to MPTB implementation. Future research can build on this study’s findings by directly examining higher systems-level barriers and solutions via detailed case analyses.
Retrospective qualitative study evaluating the application of IG4 curriculum: an adaptable concept for holistic surgical education
Authors: Theodoulou Iakovos , Sideris Michail , Lawal Kola , Nicolaides Marios , Dedeilia Aikaterini , Emin Elif Iliria , Tsoulfas Georgios , Papalois Vassilios , Velmahos George , Papalois Apostolos 
Published: February 2020

ObjectivesFaced with a costly and demanding learning curve of surgical skills acquisition, the growing necessity for improved surgical curricula has now become irrefutable. We took this opportunity to formulate a teaching framework with the capacity to provide holistic surgical education at the undergraduate level.SettingData collection was conducted in all the relevant healthcare centres the participants worked in. Where this was not possible, interviews were held in quiet public places.ParticipantsWe performed an in-depth retrospective evaluation of a proposed curriculum, through semi-structured interviews with 10 participants. A targeted sampling technique was employed in order to identify senior academics with specialist knowledge in surgical education. Recruitment was ceased on reaching data saturation after which thematic data analysis was performed using NVivo 11.ResultsThematic analysis yielded a total of 4 main themes and 29 daughter nodes. Majority of study participants agreed that the current landscape of basic surgical education is deficient at multiple levels. While simulation cannot replace surgical skills acquisition taking place in operating rooms, it can be catalytic in the transition of students to postgraduate training. Our study concluded that a standardised format of surgical teaching is essential, and that the Integrated Generation 4 (IG4) framework provides an excellent starting point.ConclusionsThrough expert opinion, IG4 has been validated for its capacity to effectively accommodate learning in a safer and more efficacious environment. Moreover, we support that through dissemination of IG4, we can instil a sense of motivation to students as well as develop robust data sets, which will be amenable to data analysis through the application of more sophisticated methodologies.