bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intramural coronary pattern in patients with transposition: incidence and impact on follow-up
Authors: Moll Maciej , Moll Jadwiga A , Moll Jacek J , Łubisz Monika , Michalak Krzysztof W 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Coronary complications are still the main reason for early mortality after an arterial switch operation. The high incidence of coronary anomalies in patients with transposition of the great arteries may increase the difficulty of coronary transfer, and among them, an intramural pattern was shown to be an independent risk factor of early mortality. However, recently published studies have reported that this rare coronary variant has no impact on the survival rate. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of intramural coronary patterns in patients with transposition and the impact on overall mortality after an arterial switch operation. Additionally, we presented all coronary arrangements associated with intramural patterns in our cohort and the surgical techniques used to manage them successfully.

METHODS
All arterial switch operations were retrospectively reviewed. In each case, the surgical reports contained detailed graphical representations and coronary anatomy patterns. All operatively confirmed intramural patterns were included in the analysis.

RESULTS
Among 806 patients, 271 patients had coronary anomalies (33.62%), and 28 patients had an intramural pattern (3.47%), which was frequently associated with other complex coronary anomalies (P &lt; 0.001). Overall survival was significantly higher in patients with intramural coronary artery patterns than in those with other coronary variants (21.34% vs 8.74%, P = 0.024, log-rank test).

CONCLUSIONS
Intramural patterns associated with transposition remain a surgical challenge and increase overall mortality in our cohort. To reliably confirm or reject the significance of the observed impact of this rare coronary variant, a multicentre data analysis is required.
Astragaloside IV attenuates IL-1β secretion by enhancing autophagy in H1N1 infection
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhang Wanju , Ren Lehao , He Yanchao , Mei Zhoufang , Feng Jingjing , Shi Tianyun , Zhang Huiying , Song Zhigang , Jie Zhijun 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACT
Excessive secretion of inflammatory factors (cytokine storm) plays a significant role in H1N1-induced acute pneumonia, and autophagy acts as a cell-intrinsic mechanism to regulate inflammation. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), originating from the astragalus root, possesses multiple pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammation. However, the influences of AS-IV on H1N1-induced autophagy and inflammation have remained elusive. It has been reported that H1N1 infection leads to the accumulation of autophagosomes but obstructs autophagosomes incorporating into lysosomes, whereas the present study showed that AS-IV enhanced autophagy activation in H1N1 infection. Furthermore, we found that AS-IV promoted H1N1-triggered formation of autophagosomes and autolysosomes. Additionally, it was noted that AS-IV did not affect viral replication, mRNA level of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and pro-IL-1β protein level, but significantly decreased secretion of IL-1β, and chloroquine (CQ, as an inhibitor of autophagy) increased secretion of IL-1β in H1N1 infection. In conclusion, AS-IV stimulates the formation of autophagosomes and the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes in H1N1 infection and may lead to decreased IL-1β secretion.
Occurrence, Identification, and Virulence of Native Fungal Pathogens Isolated From Mexican Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Larvae From Soils of Three Cropping Systems
Authors: Presa-Parra Ehdibaldo , Hernández-Rosas Francisco , Bernal Julio S , Valenzuela-González Jorge E , Altúzar-Molina Alma , Birke Andrea 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens Loew, is a significant pest in mango and citrus production areas of Mexico. In this study, we evaluated the effects of some geographic characteristics, rainfall period, soil micro-environmental, and soil coverage variables on the occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) associated with A. ludens larvae in soils of mango, grapefruit and mixed crops in central Veracruz state, Mexico. EPF isolates were characterized morphologically and identified by sequence analysis of elongation factor (EF1-1018F, EF1-1620R). We recorded four species of EPF (Metarhizium robertsii J.F. Bisch, S.A. Rehner & Humber [Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae], M. brunneum Petch [Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae], M. pinghaense Q.T. Chen & H.L. Guo [Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae], and Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin [Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae]), of which Metarhizium robertsii was the most abundant and the most virulent. Also, we found that rainfall period, organic matter, coverage of herbs and forbs, and calcium levels modulated EPF occurrence. We estimated lethal concentrations for A. ludens larvae of the four most promising isolates, V3-123, V3-160, V1-332, and V3-369. Our results suggest that M. robertsii obtained from agricultural soils holds potential as a biological control agent for A. ludens.
A Political Economy of Global Security Approach
Authors: Cappella Zielinski Rosella , Schilde Kaija , Ripsman Norrin 
Published: January 2020

AbstractStates have historically monopolized the provision of security for their societies. However, recent changes in the global economy combined with new sources of security and insecurity pose new and accelerating challenges that simultaneously hinder and bolster the ability of states to mobilize and extract resources for security provision. In contrast to a traditional political economy of security approach that emphasizes economic inputs shaping state power and economic tools states can use to project power vis-à-vis other states, the approach advanced in this forum stresses both domestic and transnational economic actors and market processes that affect security outcomes in both traditional security spaces and new security domains. The contributions to this forum exemplify the breadth of a political economy of global security approach while revisiting traditional areas of national security and newer security spaces and the application of the approach to both historical and contemporary phenomena.
Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir in Adolescents With Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 4 With and Without Hematological Disorders: Virological Efficacy and Impact on Liver Stiffness
Authors: Makhlouf Nahed A , Abdelmalek Mohamed O , Ibrahim Mohamed Eltaher , Abu-Faddan Nagla H , Kheila Abeer E , Mahmoud Amal A 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Egypt has the highest prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Anti-HCV antibodies were detectable in 3% of children in Upper Egypt. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir for chronic HCV genotype 4 in adolescents with/without hematological disorders and to determine the effect of sustained virological response (SVR) on liver stiffness.

Methods
Sixty-five adolescents were recruited. There were 3 patient groups: group 1, 44 treatment-naive without hematological disorders; group 2, 6 previously treated; and group 3, 15 treatment-naive with hematological disorders. All patients received sofosbuvir 400 mg/ledipasvir 90 mg per day for 12 weeks. Serum HCV RNA levels were measured before treatment, at week 12, and at 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12). Liver stiffness and the aspartate aminotransferase–platelet ratio index (APRI) score were estimated at baseline and at SVR12.

Results
SVR12 was 100%. At SVR12, there was a significant improvement in liver stiffness in all groups. The APRI score showed significant improvements in groups 1 and 3 (P &lt; .001 and P = .004, respectively). The treatment was well tolerated, with minimal and self-limited side effects.

Conclusions
Treatment of chronic HCV in adolescents using ledipasvir/sofosbuvir was effective, with a cure rate (at SVR12) of 100%. Significant improvement in liver stiffness was found in all groups.
Plant receptor-like kinase signaling through heterotrimeric G-proteins
Authors: Pandey Sona 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Heterotrimeric G-proteins regulate multiple aspects of plant growth, development, and response to biotic and abiotic stresses. While the core components of heterotrimeric G-proteins and their basic biochemistry are similar in plants and metazoans, key differences exist in their regulatory mechanisms. In particular, the activation mechanisms of plant G-proteins appear diverse and may include both canonical and novel modes. Classical G-protein-coupled receptor-like proteins exist in plants and interact with Gα proteins, but their ability to activate Gα by facilitating GDP to GTP exchange has not been demonstrated. Conversely, there is genetic and functional evidence that plant G-proteins interact with the highly prevalent receptor-like kinases (RLKs) and are phosphorylated by them. This suggests the exciting scenario that in plants the G-proteins integrate RLK-dependent signal perception at the plasma membrane with downstream effectors. Because RLKs are active kinases, it is also likely that the activity of plant G-proteins is regulated via phosphorylation/dephosphorylation rather than GTP–GDP exchange as in metazoans. This review discusses our current knowledge of the possible RLK-dependent regulatory mechanisms of plant G-protein signaling in the context of several biological systems and outlines the diversity that might exist in such regulation.
Postquantum: A Tale for the Time Being, Atomik Aztex, and Hacking Modern Space-Time
Authors: Lee Derek 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis study identifies the postquantum novel as an emerging subgenre of speculative ethnic fiction that challenges the prevailing logic of Western space-time in contemporary literature. In contrast with archetypal twentieth-century literary modes such as modernism, postmodernism, and science fiction, postquantum fiction strays from classical and quantum mechanics—and Western science more broadly—as default knowledge systems and instead turns to premodern, indigenous, and non-Western epistemes as equally valid intellectual frameworks for representing reality. Drawing from philosophy of science and postcolonial theory, this study reads Zen Buddhism in Ruth Ozeki’s A Tale for the Time Being (2013) and the Meso-American calendrical sciences in Sesshu Foster’s Atomik Aztex (2005) as alternative logics of space-time and argues that the postquantum novel destabilizes many of the physicalist assumptions undergirding temporality and spatiality in twenty-first-century narrative. Postquantum fiction thus constitutes an original form of epistemological critique that decolonizes Western scientific hegemony in literature via ethnoscientific theory and praxis while also expanding the social justice concerns of ethnofuturism to include traditional and marginalized knowledge.
Evolution of a New Function by Fusion between Phage DNA and a Bacterial Gene
Authors: Warsi Omar , Knopp Michael , Surkov Serhiy , Jerlström Hultqvist Jon , Andersson Dan I 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMobile genetic elements, such as plasmids, phages, and transposons, are important sources for evolution of novel functions. In this study, we performed a large-scale screening of metagenomic phage libraries for their ability to suppress temperature-sensitivity in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain LT2 mutants to examine how phage DNA could confer evolutionary novelty to bacteria. We identified an insert encoding 23 amino acids from a phage that when fused with a bacterial DNA-binding repressor protein (LacI) resulted in the formation of a chimeric protein that localized to the outer membrane. This relocalization of the chimeric protein resulted in increased membrane vesicle formation and an associated suppression of the temperature sensitivity of the bacterium. Both the host LacI protein and the extracellular 23-amino acid stretch are necessary for the generation of the novel phenotype. Furthermore, mutational analysis of the chimeric protein showed that although the native repressor function of the LacI protein is maintained in this chimeric structure, it is not necessary for the new function. Thus, our study demonstrates how a gene fusion between foreign DNA and bacterial DNA can generate novelty without compromising the native function of a given gene.
Influence of distillers grains with solubles on bull growth and reproductive traits1
Authors: Henley Parker A , Podico Giorgia , Garrett Edgar , Kaplan Claire , Meteer William T , McCann Joshua C , Canisso Igor , Shike Daniel W 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of offering growing bulls a diet with 40% modified wet distillers grains plus solubles (MWDGS; dry matter [DM] basis) on growth, composition, hoof scores, and reproductive performance. Simmental × Angus bulls (n = 28) were stratified by body weight (BW; 316 ± 29 kg), sire, and day 0 semen production (Y/N) and assigned into one of six pens. Pens were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments (n = 3 pens/treatment): 1) offered free-choice access to a corn-based diet with no MWDGS (CON) or 2) offered free-choice access to a diet with 40% MWDGS (DST; DM basis). Bulls were offered treatments for 140 d and, then, switched to a free-choice, common, low-energy diet for an additional 70 d. Bull BW, body condition score (BCS), hip height (HH), ultrasound (rump fat depth [RF], 12th rib fat thickness [BF], marbling score [MS], and longissimus muscle depth [MD]), hoof evaluations, breeding soundness examination (BSE), and semen evaluations were performed on days 0, 28, 56, 84, 112, 140, 175, and 210. There was a tendency (P &lt; 0.09) for a treatment × time effect for BW. Bulls fed DST tended (P ≤ 0.10) to be heavier on days 28 and 56 than CON bulls. A treatment × time effect was detected (P &lt; 0.01) for RF. Bulls fed DST had greater (P = 0.02) RF on day 84 than CON bulls. Treatment × time and treatment effects were detected (P ≤ 0.05) for BF, in which DST bulls had greater (P ≤ 0.05) BF on days 84, 112, and 175 and tended (P ≤ 0.10) to be greater on days 56 and 210 than CON bulls. A treatment × time effect was detected (P &lt; 0.02) for percentage of major sperm defects. Bulls fed DST had a greater (P &lt; 0.01) percentage of major sperm defects on day 140 than control bulls. There was a tendency (P = 0.09) for a treatment × time effect for percentage of sperm with proximal droplets. Bulls fed DST had a greater (P = 0.01) percentage of sperm with proximal droplets on day 140 than CON bulls. In conclusion, offering growing bulls a diet with 40% MWDGS (DM basis) resulted in heavier BW at days 28 and 56, increased RF at day 84, and increased BF and increases in both major sperm defects and sperm with proximal droplets at day 140. However, after 70 d on the common low-energy diet, there were no carryover effects for any growth, composition, hoof, or reproductive measures except for a tendency for BF.
Pediatric Tuberculosis and a Unique Method of Case Finding and Default Prevention: The Case of Baby ‘Lucky’, Moyale Sub-County, Kenya, 2019
Authors: Galgallo Dahabo Adi , Lio Ibrahim , Kochi Adano , Mutiga CCE Dennis Kalikidane , Ransom James 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We report the case of a 9-month-old male infant diagnosed in the field with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Use of innovative global positioning system tracking of pregnant pastoralist women allowed staff to find the mother, locate the infant and enroll the infant in care and treatment. Due to this innovative intervention of case finding and tracking, the infant was prevented from defaulting and completed his anti-TB regimen.
The health and economic burden of podoconiosis in Ethiopia
Authors: Deribe Kebede , Negussu Nebiyu , Newport Melanie J , Davey Gail , Turner Hugo C 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Podoconiosis is one of the leading causes of lymphoedema-related morbidity in low-income settings, but little is known about the scale of its health and economic impact. This information is required to inform control programme planning and policy. In this study, we estimated the health and economic burden of podoconiosis in Ethiopia.

Methods
We developed a model to estimate the health burden attributed to podoconiosis in terms of the number of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and the economic burden. We estimated the economic burden by quantifying the treatment and morbidity-management costs incurred by the healthcare system in managing clinical cases, patients' out-of-pocket costs and their productivity costs.

Results
In 2017, there were 1.5 million cases of podoconiosis in Ethiopia, which corresponds to 172 073 DALYs or 182 per 100 000 people. The total economic burden of podoconiosis in Ethiopia is estimated to be US$213.2 million annually and 91.1% of this resulted from productivity costs. The average economic burden per podoconiosis case was US$136.9.

Conclusions
The national cost of podoconiosis is formidable. If control measures are scaled up and the morbidity burden reduced, this will lead to Ethiopia saving millions of dollars. Our estimates provide important benchmark economic costs to programme planners, policymakers and donors for resource allocation and priority setting.
Making primary healthcare responsive to non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Baiden Frank 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Primary healthcare (PHC) meets the needs of people's health throughout their lives and empowers individuals and communities to oversee their own health. Most of the community-based activities currently undertaken in PHC in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) address child and maternal health. Non-communicable diseases are now major causes of morbidity and premature mortality in SSA. In this paper, I propose the formal integration of community-based, non-communicable disease prevention and early detection into PHC activities. I offer practical suggestions on how this can be achieved to ensure a continuum of care.
Tissue Engineered Vascularized Patient-Specific Temporomandibular Joint Reconstruction in a Yucatan Pig Model
Authors: Abramowicz Shelly , Crotts Sarah Jo , Hollister Scott J. , Goudy Steve 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTPurposePediatric temporomandibular joint (TMJ) reconstruction occurs as a result of acquired, developmental, and/or congenital conditions. Current pediatric reconstruction options are limited. The aim of this project was to develop a proof of principle porcine model for a load bearing, customized 3-dimensional (3D) printed and BMP2-coated scaffold implanted in a pedicled (temporal) flap as a regenerative approach to pediatric TMJ mandibular condyle reconstruction.Materials and MethodsScaffolds were custom designed and 3D printed based on porcine computed tomography and absorbed with BMP2. Two operations occured: (1) implantation of scaffold in temporalis muscle to establish vascularity, and six weeks later, (2) unilateral condylectomy and rotation of the vascularized scaffold (with preservation of superficial temporal artery) onto mandibular ramus defect and secured with titanium screws. At 6 months post-implantation, the pigs were sacrified. The experimental side (muscle-scaffold) and the control side (unoperated condyle) were individually harvested at 6 months and evaluated by clinical, mechanical, radiographic, and qualitative/histologic methods.ResultsScaffolds maintained physical properties similar in appearance to unoperated condyles. The vascularized scaffolds had bone formation at edges and adjacent to scaffold-bone interface. New bone was visible in scaffold. Condyle height on the reconstructed side was 68% and 78% of the control side. Reconstructed condyle stiffness was between 20% and 45% of the control side.ConclusionIn our porcine model, customized 3D printed TMJ scaffolds impregnanted with BMP2 and implanted in and pedicled on temporalis muscle has the ability to (1) reconstruct a TMJ defect model, (2) maintain appropriate condylar height and upper airway diameter, and (3) generate new bone, without impacting functional outcomes.
Radius-Optimized Efficient Template Matching for Lesion Detection from Brain Images
Authors: Koley Subhranil , Dutta Pranab K. , Aganj Iman 
Published: January 2020

AbstractComputer-aided detection of brain lesions from volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is in demand for fast and automatic diagnosis of neural diseases. The template-matching technique can provide satisfactory outcome for automatic localization of brain lesions; however, finding the optimal template size that maximizes similarity of the template and the lesion remains challenging. This increases the complexity of the algorithm and the requirement for computational resources, while processing large MRI volumes with three-dimensional (3D) templates. Hence, reducing the computational complexity of template matching is needed. In this paper, we first propose a mathematical framework for computing the normalized cross-correlation coefficient (NCCC) as the similarity measure between the MRI volume and approximated 3D Gaussian template with linear time complexity,, as opposed to the conventional fast Fourier transform (FFT) based approach with the complexity, whereNis the number of voxels in the image andamaxis the number of tried template radii. We then propose a mathematical formulation to analytically estimate the optimal template radius for each voxel in the image and compute the NCCC with the location-dependent optimal radius, reducing the complexity to. We test our methods on one synthetic and two real multiple-sclerosis databases, and compare their performances in lesion detection with FFT and a state-of-the-art lesion prediction algorithm. We demonstrate through our experiments the efficiency of the proposed methods for brain lesion detection and their comparable performance with existing techniques.
Amphetamine Maintenance Therapy During Intermittent Cocaine Self-Administration in Rats: Reduction of Addiction-like Behavior is Associated with Attenuation of Psychomotor and Dopamine Sensitization
Authors: Allain Florence , Delignat-Lavaud Benoît , Beaudoin Marie-Pierre , Jacquemet Vincent , Robinson Terry E. , Trudeau Louis-Eric , Samaha Anne-Noël 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundD-amphetamine maintenance therapy shows promise as a treatment for people with cocaine addiction. Preclinical studies using Long Access (LgA) cocaine self-administration procedures suggest D-amphetamine may act by preventing tolerance to cocaine’s effects at the dopamine transporter (DAT). However, Intermittent Access (IntA) cocaine self-administration better reflects human patterns of use, is especially effective in promoting addiction-relevant behaviors, and instead of tolerance, produces psychomotor, incentive, and neural sensitization. We asked, therefore, how D-amphetamine maintenance during IntA influences cocaine use and cocaine’s potency at the DAT.MethodsMale rats self-administered cocaine intermittently (5 minutes ON, 25 minutes OFF x 10) for 14 sessions, with or without concomitant D-amphetamine (5 mg/kg/day via s.c. osmotic minipump). In Experiment 1, psychomotor sensitization, responding for cocaine under a progressive ratio schedule, responding under extinction and cocaine-primed relapse were assessed. In Experiment 2, rats self-administered cocaine or saline intermittently, with or without D-amphetamine, and the ability of cocaine to inhibit dopamine uptake in the nucleus accumbens core was assessed using fast scan cyclic voltammetryex vivo.ResultsIntA cocaine self-administration produced psychomotor sensitization, strong motivation to take and seek cocaine, and it increased cocaine’s potency at the DAT. The co-administration of D-amphetamine suppressed both the psychomotor sensitization and high motivation for cocaine produced by IntA experience, and also reversed sensitization of cocaine’s actions at the DAT, leaving baseline DAT function unchanged.ConclusionsTreatment with D-amphetamine might reduce cocaine use by preventing sensitization-related changes in cocaine potency at the DAT, consistent with an incentive-sensitization view of addiction.