bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variation in the Anatomy of the Normal Human Optic Chiasm: An MRI Study
Authors: Bosler Nicholas S. I. , Ashton David , Neely Andrew J. , Lueck Christian J. 
Published: March 2020

Background:
Compression of the optic chiasm typically leads to bitemporal hemianopia. This implies that decussating nasal fibers are selectively affected, but the precise mechanism is unclear. Stress on nasal fibers has been investigated using finite element modeling but requires accurate anatomical data to generate a meaningful output. The precise shape of the chiasm is unclear: A recent photomicrographic study suggested that nasal fibers decussate paracentrally and run parallel to each other in the central arm of an “H.” This study aimed to determine the population variation in chiasmal shape to inform future models.

Methods:
Sequential MRI scans of 68 healthy individuals were selected. 2D images of each chiasm were created and analyzed to determine the angle of elevation of the chiasm, the width of the chiasm, and the offset between the points of intersection of lines drawn down the centers of the optic nerves and contralateral optic tracts.

Results:
The mean width of the chiasm was 12.0 ± 1.5 mm (SD), and the mean offset was 4.7 ± 1.4 mm generating a mean offset:width ratio of 0.38 ± 0.09. No chiasm had an offset of zero. The mean incident angle of optic nerves was 56 ± 7°, and for optic tracts, it was 51 ± 7°.

Conclusions:
The human optic chiasm is “H” shaped, not “X” shaped. The findings are consistent with nasal fibers decussating an average of 2.4 mm lateral to the midline before travelling in parallel across the midline. This information will inform future models of chiasmal compression.
The Clinical Utility of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Determining Hemispheric Dominance for Language: A Magnetoencephalography Comparison Study
Authors: Rezaie Roozbeh , Schiller Katherine K. , Embury Luke , Boop Frederick A. , Wheless James W. , Narayana Shalini 
Published: March 2020

Purpose:
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has recently emerged as a noninvasive alternative to the intracarotid sodium amytal (Wada) procedure for establishing hemispheric dominance (HD) for language. The accuracy of HD determined by TMS was examined by comparing against the HD derived by magnetoencephalography (MEG), a prominent clinical technique with excellent concordance with the Wada procedure.

Methods:
Sixty-seven patients (54 patients ≤18 years) underwent language mapping with TMS and MEG as part of clinical epilepsy and tumor presurgical assessment. Language was mapped in MEG during an auditory word recognition paradigm, and a laterality index was calculated using the number of dipoles and their spatial extent in the two hemispheres. Transcranial magnetic stimulation language mapping was performed as patients performed a naming task, and TMS-induced speech disruptions were recorded during 5-Hz TMS applied to anterior and posterior language cortices. Transcranial magnetic stimulation laterality index was estimated using the number and type of speech disruption in the language regions of each hemisphere.

Results:
Transcranial magnetic stimulation and MEG estimates of HD were concordant in 42 (63%) patients, resulting in a sensitivity of 74% and a specificity of 72%. The overall accuracy of TMS was 73%, equivalent to an odds ratio of 7.35.

Conclusions:
In this first large-scale comparative study in a clinical population, we demonstrate that TMS is a safe and reliable noninvasive tool in determining HD for language. Improving the accuracy of TMS by optimizing TMS parameters and improving task choice will further facilitate the use of TMS to characterize language function, especially in pediatrics.
Nursing documentation for chemotherapy in a university hospital's bone marrow transplant unit: a best practice implementation project
Authors: dos Santos Kelli Borges , Campos Caroline S. , de São José Perrone Ana Carolina Amaral , de Araújo Silva Vieira Camila M. , Coelho Davi Pereira , Hallack-Neto Abrahão Elias , Lockwood Craig , de Araújo Püschel Vilanice Alves 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACT

Aim:
The aim of this evidence implementation project was to improve the documentation of chemotherapy administration by nursing staff in a bone marrow transplant unit, to improve patient care and safety, as well as meet the legal and educational responsibilities of the nursing staff.

Methods:
This evidence implementation project used the Joanna Briggs Institute's Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System and Getting Research into Practice audit and feedback framework for the design and development of an evidence-based audit and feedback change project. A baseline audit was conducted to assess current practices against best practice and identify areas requiring improvement. Next, the project team reflected on the results of the audit to develop and implement strategies for documentation improvement. Lastly, a follow-up audit was conducted to assess changes in practice improvement.

Results:
The baseline audit results revealed practice areas requiring improvement; facilitators of and barriers to nursing documentation and practice improvement were identified. A checklist, educational session, Nursing Documentation Guidelines for Chemotherapy Administration, was implemented to improve nursing documentation. The follow-up audit demonstrated improved adherence across all audit criteria.

Conclusion:
The checklist implemented for nursing documentation and education contributed to improved practices. To promote additional improvements, nurses will continue to utilize the tools developed and receive continued education through formal training and staff meetings. Future auditing is planned to ensure sustainability.
A retrospective analysis of the dynamic transmission routes of the COVID-19 in mainland China
Authors: Jiang Xiandeng , Chang Le , Shi Yanlin 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe fourth outbreak of the Coronaviruses, known as the COVID-19, has occurred in Wuhan city of Hubei province in China in December 2019. We propose a time-varying sparse vector autoregressive (VAR) model to retrospectively analyze and visualize the dynamic transmission routes of this outbreak in mainland China over January 31 - February 19, 2020. Our results demonstrate that the influential inter-location routes from Hubei have become unidentifiable since February 4, 2020, whereas the self-transmission in each provincial-level administrative region (location, hereafter) was accelerating over February 4-15, 2020. From February 16, 2020, all routes became less detectable, and no influential transmissions could be identified on February 18 and 19, 2020. Such evidence supports the effectiveness of government interventions, including the travel restrictions in Hubei. Implications of our results suggest that in addition to the origin of the outbreak, virus preventions are of crucial importance in locations with the largest migrant workers percentages (e.g., Jiangxi, Henan and Anhui) to controlling the spread of COVID-19.
Maturity of brain structures and white matter connectomes, and their relationship with psychiatric symptoms in youth
Authors: Luna Alex , Bernanke Joel , Cha Jiook , Posner Jonathan 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundBrain neuromaturation can be indexed using brain predicted age difference (BrainPAD), a metric derived by the application of machine learning (ML) algorithms to neuroimaging. Previous studies in youth have been limited to a single type of imaging data, single ML approach, or specific psychiatric condition. Here, we use multimodal neuroimaging and an ensemble ML algorithm to estimate BrainPAD and examine its relationship with broad measures of symptoms and functioning in youth.MethodsWe used neuroimaging from eligible participants in the Healthy Brain Network (HBN, N = 498). Participants with a Child Behavior Checklist Total Problem T-Score < 60 were split into training (N=215) and test sets (N=48). Morphometry estimates (from structural MRI), white matter connectomes (from diffusion MRI), or both were fed to an automated ML pipeline to develop BrainPAD models. The most accurate model was applied to a held-out evaluation set (N=249), and the association with several psychometrics was estimated.ResultsModels using morphometry and connectomes together had a mean absolute error of 1.16 years, outperforming unimodal models. After dividing participants into positive, normal, and negative BrainPAD groups, negative BrainPAD values were associated with more symptoms on the Child Behavior Checklist (negative=71.6, normal 59.0, p=0.011) and lower functioning on the Children’s Global Assessment Scale (negative=49.3, normal=58.3, p=0.002). Higher scores were associated with better performance on the Flanker task (positive=62.4, normal=52.5, p=0.006).ConclusionThese findings suggest that a multimodal approach, in combination with an ensemble method, yields a robust biomarker correlated with clinically relevant measures in youth.
Clinical features and outcomes of 221 patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China
Authors: Zhang Guqin , Hu Chang , Luo Linjie , Fang Fang , Chen Yongfeng , Li Jianguo , Peng Zhiyong , Pan Huaqin 
Published: March 2020

AbstractRationaleIn late December 2019, an outbreak of acute respiratory illness, now officially named as COVID-19, or coronavirus disease 2019, emerged in Wuhan, China, now spreading across the whole country and world. More data were needed to understand the clinical characteristics of the disease.ObjectivesTo study the epidemiology, clinical features and outcomes of patients with COVID-19.Methodswe performed a single center, retrospective case series study in 221 patients with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia at a university hospital.Measurements and Main ResultsThe median age was 55.0 years and 48.9% were male and only 8 (3.6%) patients had a history of exposure to the Huanan Seafood Market. Compared to the non-severe pneumonia patients, the median age of the severe patients was significantly older, and they were more likely to have chronic comorbidities. Most common symptoms in severe patients were high fever, anorexia and dyspnea. On admission, 33.0% patients showed leukopenia and 73.8% showed lymphopenia. In addition, the severe patients suffered a higher rate of co-infections with bacteria or fungus and they were more likely to developing complications. As of February 15, 2020, 19.0% patients had been discharged and 5.4% patients died. 80% of severe cases received ICU care, and 52.3% of them transferred to the general wards due to relieved symptoms, and the mortality rate of severe patients in ICU was 20.5%.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 epidemic spreads rapidly by human-to-human transmission. Patients with elder age, chronic comorbidities, blood leukocyte/lymphocyte count, procalcitonin level, co-infection and severe complications might increase the risk of poor clinical outcomes.
Strong effect ofPenicillium roquefortipopulations on volatile and metabolic compounds responsible for aromas, flavor and texture in blue cheeses
Authors: Caron Thibault , Piver Mélanie Le , Péron Anne-Claire , Lieben Pascale , Lavigne René , Brunel Sammy , Roueyre Daniel , Place Michel , Bonnarme Pascal , Giraud Tatiana , Branca Antoine , Landaud Sophie , Chassard Christophe 
Published: March 2020

AbstractStudies of food microorganism domestication can provide important insight into adaptation mechanisms and lead to commercial applications.Penicillium roquefortiis a fungus with four genetically differentiated populations, two of which were independently domesticated for blue cheese-making, with the other two populations thriving in other environments. Most blue cheeses are made with strains from a singleP. roquefortipopulation, whereas Roquefort cheeses are inoculated with strains from a second population. We made blue cheeses in accordance with the production specifications for Roquefort-type cheeses, inoculating each cheese with a singleP. roquefortistrain, using a total of three strains from each of the four populations. We investigated differences between the cheeses made with the strains from the fourP. roquefortipopulations, in terms of the induced flora, the proportion of blue color, water activity and the identity and abundance of aqueous and organic metabolites as proxies for proteolysis and lipolysis as well as volatile compounds responsible for flavor and aroma. We found that the population-of-origin of theP. roquefortistrains used for inoculation had a minor impact on bacterial diversity and no effect on the abundance of the main microorganism. The cheeses produced withP. roquefortistrains from cheese populations had a higher percentage of blue area and a higher abundance of the volatile compounds typical of blue cheeses, such as methyl ketones and secondary alcohols. In particular, the Roquefort strains produced higher amounts of these aromatic compounds, partly due to more efficient proteolysis and lipolysis. The Roquefort strains also led to cheeses with a lower water availability, an important feature for preventing spoilage in blue cheeses, which is subject to controls for the sale of Roquefort cheese. The typical appearance and flavors of blue cheeses thus result from human selection onP. roqueforti,leading to the acquisition of specific features by the two cheese populations. These findings have important implications for our understanding of adaptation and domestication, and for cheese improvement.
EvaluatingaroAgene essentiality and EPSP synthase vulnerability inMycobacterium smegmatisunder different nutritional conditions
Authors: Duque-Villegas Mario Alejandro , Abbadi Bruno Lopes , Romero Paulo Ricardo , Galina Luiza , Dalberto Pedro Ferrari , Rodrigues-Junior Valnês da Silva , Roth Candida Deves , Rambo Raoní Scheibler , Vieira de Souza Eduardo , Perello Marcia Alberton , Machado Pablo , Basso Luiz Augusto , Bizarro Cristiano Valim 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe epidemiological importance of bacteria from the genusMycobacteriumis indisputable and the necessity to find new molecules that can inhibit their growth is urgent. The shikimate pathway, required for the synthesis of important metabolites in bacteria, represents a target for inhibitors ofMycobacterium tuberculosisgrowth. ThearoA-encoded 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) enzyme catalyzes the sixth step of the shikimate pathway. In this study, we combined gene knockout, gene knockdown and kinetic assays to evaluatearoAgene essentiality and the vulnerability of its protein product, EPSPS synthase fromMycobacterium smegmatis(MsEPSPS), under different nutritional conditions. We demonstrate by an allelic exchange-based gene knockout approach the essentiality ofMsEPSPS under rich and poor nutritional conditions. By performing gene complementation experiments with wild-type (WT) and point mutant versions ofaroAgene, together with kinetic assays using WT and mutant recombinant proteins, we show thataroAgene essentiality depends onMsEPSPS activity. To evaluateMsEPSPS vulnerability, we performed gene knockdown experiments using the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats interference (CRISPRi) system. The experiments were performed in both rich and defined (poor) media, using three different repression forces foraroAgene. We only observed growth impairment when bacteria were grown in defined medium without supplementation of aromatic amino acids, thereby indicating thatMsEPSPS vulnerability depends on the environment conditions.ImportanceWe evaluated both gene essentiality and target vulnerability of the enzyme that catalyzes the sixth step of the shikimate pathway, thearoA-encoded 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase fromMycobacterium smegmatis(MsEPSPS). Combining gene knockout experiments and kinetic assays, we established a causal link betweenaroAgene essentiality and the biological function of EPSPS protein, which we advocate is an indispensable step for target validation. Moreover, we characterizedMsEPSPS vulnerability under different nutritional conditions and found it is a vulnerable target only whenM. smegmatisis grown under poor nutritional conditions without supplementation with aromatic amino acids. Based on our findings, we suggest that gene essentiality information should be obtained from gene knockout experiments and not knockdown approaches, as even low levels of a protein after gene silencing can lead to a different growth phenotype when compared to that under its complete absence, as was the case witharoAandMsEPSPS in our study.
SOCRATES: An online tool leveraging a social contact data sharing initiative to assess mitigation strategies for COVID-19
Authors: Willem Lander , Van Hoang Thang , Funk Sebastian , Coletti Pietro , Beutels Philippe , Hens Niel 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectiveEstablishing a social contact data sharing initiative and an interactive tool to assess mitigation strategies for COVID-19.ResultsWe organized data sharing of published social contact surveys via online repositories and formatting guidelines. We analyzed this social contact data in terms of weighted social contact matrices, next generation matrices, relative incidence and R0. We incorporated location-specific isolation measures (e.g. school closure or telework) and capture their effect on transmission dynamics. All methods have been implemented in an online application based on R Shiny and applied to COVID-19 with age-specific susceptibility and infectiousness. Using our online tool with the available social contact data, we illustrate that social distancing could have a considerable impact on reducing transmission for COVID-19. The effect itself depends on assumptions made about disease-specific characteristics and the choice of intervention(s).
Clinical findings in critically ill patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Guangdong Province, China: a multi-center, retrospective, observational study
Authors: Xu Yonghao , Xu Zhiheng , Liu Xuesong , Cai Lihua , Zheng Haichong , Huang Yongbo , Zhou Lixin , Huang Linxi , Lin Yun , Deng Liehua , Li Jianwei , Chen Sibei , Liu Dongdong , Lin Zhimin , Zhou Liang , He Weiquan , Liu Xiaoqing , Li Yimin 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundIn December 2019, human infection with a novel coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2, was identified in Wuhan, China. The mortality of critical illness was high in Wuhan. Information about critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection outside of Wuhan is scarce. We aimed to provide the clinical features, treatment, and prognosis of the critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Guangdong Province.MethodsIn this multi-centered, retrospective, observational study, we enrolled critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in Guangdong Province. Demographic data, symptoms, laboratory findings, comorbidities, treatments, and prognosis were collected. Data were compared between patients with and without intubation.ResultsForty-five critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia were identified in 7 ICUs in Guangdong Province. The mean age was 56.7 years, and 29 patients (64.4%) were men. The most common symptoms at the onset of illness were high fever and cough. Majority of patients presented with lymphopenia and elevated lactate dehydrogenase. Treatment with antiviral drugs was initiated in all the patients. Thirty-seven patients (82.2%) had developed acute respiratory distress syndrome, and 13 (28.9%) septic shock. A total of 20 (44.4%) patients required intubation and 9 (20%) required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. As of February 28th 2020, only one patient (2.2%) had died and half of them had discharged of ICU.ConclusionsInfection with SARS-CoV-2 in critical illness is characterized by fever, lymphopenia, acute respiratory failure and multiple organ dysfunction. Compared with critically ill patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan, the mortality of critically ill patients in Guangdong Province was relatively low. These data provide some general understandings and experience for the critical patients with SARS-CoV-2 outside of Wuhan.
Association of public care in childhood with social, criminal, cognitive, and health outcomes in middle-age: six decades of follow-up of members of the 1958 Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Xie Tiffany H. , de Mestral Carlos , Batty G. David 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo examine if there is an association between childhood public care and adverse life outcomes in middle-age.MethodsWe used data from the United Kingdom 1958 birth cohort study of 18,558 babies. Parents of study members were surveyed at age 7, 11, and 16 years when experience of public care of their offspring was ascertained. An array of outcomes were self-reported by cohort members at age 42 years, and a cognitive test battery was administered at age 50.Results420 (3.8%) of 11,160 individuals in the analytical sample experienced childhood public care prior to age 16. Net of confounding factors, public care was linked to half of the twenty-eight non-mutually exclusive endpoints captured in middle-age with the most consistent effects apparent for psychosocial characteristics: 6/7 sociodemographic, 2/2 anti-social, 3/3 psychological, 1/3 health behaviours, 2/8 somatic health, and 0/5 cognitive.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that known associations between childhood care and outcomes in adolescence and early adulthood are also seen in middle-age.Policy implicationsPractitioners in health and social services should perhaps more closely monitor care graduates.
Boysenberry and apple juice concentrate reduces acute lung inflammation through increased alternatively activated macrophage activity in an acute mouse model of allergic airways disease
Authors: Shaw Odette M. , Hurst Roger D , Cooney Janine , Sawyer Gregory M. , Dinnan Hannah , Martell Sheridan 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBioactive compounds such as anthocyanins, proanthocyanins and other polyphenols are found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, and consumption of these have been associated with reduced lung inflammation and improved lung function in asthma and other lung diseases. We investigated whether a combination of Boysenberry and apple juice, found in BerriQi®Boysenberry and apple juice concentrate, could reduce the allergic airways inflammation associated with asthma. We characterised the polyphenolic components in BerriQi®Boysenberry and apple juice concentrate and identified the main compounds as cyanidin glycosides, ellagitannins, and chlorogenic acid. We found that consumption of 2.5 mg/kg of total anthocyanins from the BerriQi®Boysenberry and apple juice concentrate significantly reduced eosinophil infiltration following acute ovalbumin (OVA) exposure in a mouse model of allergic airways inflammation. We found that BerriQi®Boysenberry and apple juice concentrate consumption increased M2 (CD206+) macrophages and the production of the M2-associated cytokines CXCL10 and CCL4 within the lung. These results suggest that consumption of BerriQi®Boysenberry and apple juice concentrate promotes a shift towards an anti-inflammatory environment within the lung leading to reduced immune cell infiltration and tissue damage.