bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of digital staining for ex vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy
Authors: Schüürmann M. , Stecher M.M. , Paasch U. , Simon J.C. , Grunewald S. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundEx vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is a novel diagnostic tool for the fast examination of native tissue. However, CLSM produces black/white/green images, depending on the refraction indices of the tissue structures, complemented by nuclear fluorescence staining, which the vast majority of Mohs surgeons and dermatopathologists are not trained to interpret. Digital staining is applicable to ex vivo CLSM investigations to simulate the images of conventional slides stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E).ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to evaluate in detail the appearance of human skin structures using digitally stained ex vivo CLSM images and compare the results to that of conventional H&E slides of the same specimen.MethodsAfter providing informed consent, 26 patients donated their Burow's triangles (healthy skin) that resulted from plastic reconstruction after the R0 excision of skin tumours. After being investigated by ex vivo CLSM, including automated digital staining (VivaScope 2500M‐4G, MAVIG GmbH), the specimens were fixed in formalin, embedded in paraffin and stained with H&E.ResultsAlmost all skin structures in the digitally stained ex vivo CLSM images morphologically resembled the structures in the histopathological images acquired from H&E slides. Due to the high refraction index of melanin, the hair shafts appeared bright pink, and the melanocytes and melanophages were poorly imaged, resulting in a strong pink appearance that vastly differed from the appearance of conventional H&E‐stained histopathology.ConclusionsDigital staining of ex vivo CLSM images is an easy and highly useful tool to facilitate the interpretation of black‐field images generated by confocal laser scanning microscopy for dermatopathologists and Mohs surgeons who are familiar with H&E staining. Unlike the pigmented structures, the cutaneous and subcutaneous structures had excellent visualization with only minimal differences from their appearance on H&E slides.
Recurrent eczema herpeticum – a retrospective European multicenter study evaluating the clinical characteristics of eczema herpeticum cases in atopic dermatitis patients
Authors: Seegräber M. , Worm M. , Werfel T. , Svensson A. , Novak N. , Simon D. , Darsow U. , Augustin M. , Wollenberg A. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundEczema herpeticum (EH) is a disseminated viral infection of eczematous skin disease with the herpes simplex virus. Knowledge on clinical characteristics, risk factors and recurrent disease is limited. Our aim was to better define clinical characteristics and risk factors for EH and especially for recurrent EH.MethodsA retrospective analysis of EH cases assessed the history, clinical signs, prior treatment and laboratory results using a predefined questionnaire.ResultsA total of 224 EH cases from eight European centres were included. Extrinsic AD was identified as risk factor for EH, and only one patient suffered from intrinsic AD. Early onset of AD was identified as risk factor for recurrent EH. Pretreatment with topical steroids, systemic steroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors or plain emollients reflected standard therapy. Many patients showed AD lesions without EH, but skin without AD lesions was never affected by herpetic lesions.ConclusionPatients with clinically active, extrinsic AD are at risk of EH. Recurrent EH is associated with confounders of severe atopic distortion and requires active AD lesions for clinical manifestation. Recurrent eczema herpeticum mainly affects patients with early onset of AD.
Enhanced Youden's index with net benefit: A feasible approach for optimal‐threshold determination in shared decision making
Authors: Lin Senlin , Ma Yingyan , Zou Haidong 
Published: November 2019

AbstractObjectivesTo establish an enhanced Youden's index with net benefit, as a scientific method for optimal‐threshold determination in shared decision making.MethodWe redefined the Youden's index by changing the target function from the maximization of accuracy to the maximization of net benefit and established the process for pursuing the patient's individual optimal‐threshold. In addition, we illustrated how the enhanced Youden's index works with an example of cataract operation decision making using the data from Shanghai, China.ResultsWe modified the method of calculating net benefit in decision curve analysis and fused it with Youden's index to expand the purpose from finding a threshold with the best test accuracy to finding one with the best net benefit. As an example, we used the enhanced Youden's index to establish an optimal‐thresholds list for cataract operation decision making. Then, we calculated three imaginary patients’ respective thresholds after integrating the local recovery rate, their visual activities, and individual preferences. The results demonstrated that the thresholds of patients with the same objective examination results might vary widely due to their individual preferences. Therefore, the thresholds are more individualized according to the enhanced Youden's index.ConclusionThe enhanced Youden's index can establish the optimal‐thresholds from the perspective of maximization of patients' net benefit and provide a quantifiable method for shared decision making.
Relative importance of clinical and sociodemographic factors in association with post‐operative in‐hospital deaths in colorectal cancer patients in New South Wales: An artificial neural network approach
Authors: Sha Sha , Du Wei , Parkinson Anne , Glasgow Nicholas 
Published: November 2019

AbstractRationale, Aims and ObjectivesCo‐morbidities in colorectal cancer patients complicate hospital care, and their relative importance to post‐operative deaths is largely unknown. This study was conducted to examine a range of clinical and sociodemographic factors in relation to post‐operative in‐hospital deaths in colorectal cancer patients and identify whether these contributions would vary by severity of co‐morbidities.MethodsIn this multicentre retrospective cohort study, we used the complete census of New South Wales inpatient data to select colorectal cancer patients admitted to public hospitals for acute surgical care, who underwent procedures on the digestive system during the period of July 2001 to June 2014. The primary outcome was in‐hospital death at the end of acute care. Multilayer perceptron and back‐propagation artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used to quantify the relative importance of a wide range of clinical and sociodemographic factors in relation to post‐operative deaths, stratified by severity of co‐morbidities based on Charlson co‐morbidity index.ResultsOf 6288 colorectal cancer patients, approximately 58.3% (n = 3669) had moderate to severe co‐morbidities. A total of 464 (7.4%) died in hospitals. The performance for ANN models was superior to logistic models. Co‐morbid musculoskeletal and mental disorders, adverse events in health care, and socio‐economic factors including rural residence and private insurance status contributed to post‐operative deaths in hospitals.ConclusionIdentification of relative importance of factors contributing to in‐hospital deaths in colorectal cancer patients using ANN may help to enhance patient‐centred strategies to meet complex needs during acute surgical care and prevent post‐operative in‐hospital deaths.
Cumulative evidence for the relationship between body mass index and the risk of esophageal cancer: An updated meta‐analysis with evidence from 25 observational studies
Authors: Tian Jie , Zuo Chunjian , Liu Guanchu , Che Pengyu , Li Gang , Li Xiang , Chen Huanwen 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackground and AimA large number of papers reporting the relationships between body mass index (BMI) and esophageal cancer (EC) risk have been published in the past few decades; however, these results are inconsistent. Therefore, we carried out meta‐analyses to explore the relationships between BMI and the risk of EC (including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma [ESCC] and esophageal adenocarcinoma [EADC]).MethodsWe used the Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase to identify all published/online articles before December 30, 2018, which yielded 25 articles eligible for data extraction (including 16,561 cases and 11,954,161 controls), and then pooled the relative risks (RRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using random‐effects model.ResultsOur study presented that underweight had statistically significant association with the risk of EC (RR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.48, 2.14, P < 0.001) and ESCC (RR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.20, 2.06, P = 0.001) when compared with normal weight. Interestingly, both overweight and obesity could increase the risk of EADC (RR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.42, 1.71, P < 0.001; RR = 2.34, 95% CI = 2.02, 2.70, P < 0.001) while decrease the risk of ESCC (RR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.60, 0.84, P < 0.001; RR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.60, 0.84, P = 0.002). Additionally, obesity could increase the risk of EC (RR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.21, 1.89, P < 0.001).ConclusionThese meta‐analyses provide a comprehensive and updated epidemiological evidence to confirm the associations between BMI and EC risk. These findings have public health implications with respect to better control bodyweight and then reduce the occurrence of EC (including ESCC and EADC).
How people with dementia perceive a therapeutic robot called PARO in relation to their pain and mood: A qualitative study
Authors: Pu Lihui , Moyle Wendy , Jones Cindy 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundInteracting with social robots, such as the robotic seal PARO, has been shown to improve mood and acute pain for people with dementia. Little attention has been paid to the effect of PARO on people with dementia and chronic pain.ObjectiveTo explore how people with mild to moderate dementia and chronic pain perceive PARO as an alternative intervention to manage their pain and mood.DesignA descriptive qualitative approach nested within a pilot randomised controlled trial.MethodsParticipants with dementia and chronic pain were recruited from three residential aged care facilities. They interacted with PARO for 30 min, 5 days a week over a 6‐week period. A sample of 11 participants completed individual semi‐structured interviews at the end of the intervention. Data were collected from January 2018–January 2019. Inductive thematic analysis was undertaken. Reporting of findings followed the COREQ checklist.ResultsFour themes emerged from the data: (a) perceptions of PARO; (b) therapeutic effects of PARO; (c) limitations of PARO; and (d) programme improvement. Residents with dementia expressed positive attitudes towards the use of PARO and acknowledged the therapeutic benefits of PARO on mood improvement and relaxation for pain relief but also mentioned the limitations of its weight, voice and characteristics. Residents' responses could also fluctuate during the intervention process, and individual preferences need to be considered.ConclusionsThe PARO intervention is a promising intervention to improve positive emotion, and there is some anecdotal evidence that pain may be decreased from the perspectives of people living with chronic pain and dementia.Relevance to clinical practiceLong‐term care staff may incorporate PARO therapy into daily dementia care. Understanding of individual's preferences may enhance the implementation of PARO for pain management in this group.
Prognostic significance of venous invasion in node‐negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Gopinath Arun , Mubeen Aysha , Baskovich Brett , Mohammed Ibraheem , Makary Raafat , Hoy Erica S. , Dagan Roi , Smotherman Carmen , Gautam Shiva , Fernandes Rui P. , Bunnell Anthony M. , Pirgousis Phillip , Alkhasawneh Ahmad 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundVenous invasion (VI) is not frequently evaluated on routine histologic examination of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and the prognostic significance is largely unknown. Studies have shown that extramural venous invasion is an adverse prognostic factor in colorectal carcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the prognostic significance of venous invasion in node‐negative (without clinical or pathologic evidence of lymph node involvement) HNSCC, utilizing the elastic stain.MethodsA total of 105 consecutive lymph node‐negative (N0) HNSCC were evaluated for the presence of venous channel invasion by tumor utilizing the elastin stain. Clinical, demographic, and follow‐up data were recorded.ResultsOf 37 patients with venous invasion, 19% had loco‐regional recurrence, as opposed to 12% of those without. Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant decreased recurrence‐free survival in the presence of venous invasion (log‐rank [Mantel‐Cox] test P‐value .025).ConclusionIdentification of VI is greatly aided by elastic stain. In patients with node‐negative HNSCC, presence of VI resulted in decreased recurrence‐free survival on univariate analysis. The impact of VI as a prognostic marker should be further evaluated.
The effect of fly maggot in pig feeding diets on growth performance and gut microbial balance in Ningxiang pigs
Authors: Li Biao , Zeng Qinghua , Song Yukun , Gao Zhendong , Jiang Liang , Ma Haiming , He Jun 
Published: November 2019

AbstractFly maggot meal has been regarded as one of the substitutes of fish meal and soybean meal in pig feed. However, its effects on pig growth performance and faecal micro‐organism remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary fly maggot meal on fattening performance, plasma indices related to gut hormones, immunity and faecal microbial communities composition of finishing pigs. A total of 40 Ningxiang fattening pigs were randomly allocated to two dietary treatments and pigs in each group were arranged by control group (CK) diet or 8% maggot meal group (MMG) diet for 45 days respectively. Growth performance, indices of gut hormones and immunity in plasma were evaluated. Microbiota composition in faeces was determined using 16S rDNA Amplicon Sequencing. The results showed that dietary MMG did not affect gut hormones and immune proteins in the trial compared with CK group (p > .05). However, dietary MMG significantly increased average daily gain (ADG). The population of the Firmicutes in MMG treatment was increased, while the percentage of the Bacteroidetes was decreased (p < .05). In particular, the number of Clostridiales related to hydrolyzed sugar and protein were increased (p < .05). It can inhibit the growth of harmful intestinal bacteria, promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria and effectively improve the ability of digestion and absorption of nutrients. In conclusion, a diet containing 8% MMG changed the proportion of intestinal micro‐organisms in finishing pigs, especially the higher richness of Firmicutes, and promoted the fattening ability of pigs to a certain extent. These changes should benefit finishing pig production during fattening period.
Control of the bifunctional O2‐sensor kinase NreB of Staphylococcus carnosus by the nitrate sensor NreA: Switching from kinase to phosphatase state
Authors: Klein Robin , Kretzschmar Ann‐Katrin , Unden Gottfried 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe NreB–NreC two‐component system of Staphylococcus carnosus for O2 sensing cooperates with the accessory nitrate sensor NreA in the NreA–NreB–NreC system for coordinated sensing and regulation of nitrate respiration by O2 and nitrate. ApoNreA (NreA in the absence of nitrate) interacts with NreB and inhibits NreB autophosphorylation (and activation). NreB contains the phosphatase motif DxxxQ. The present study shows that NreB on its own was inactive for the dephosphorylation of the phosphorylated response regulator NreC (NreC‐P), but co‐incubation with NreB and NreA stimulated NreC‐P dephosphorylation. Either the presence of instead of apoNreA or mutation of the phosphatase motif (D160 or Q164) of NreB abrogated phosphatase activity of NreB. Phosphatase activity was observed for anoxic (active) NreB as well as oxic NreB, therefore the functional state of NreB is not relevant for phosphatase activity. Thus, NreB is a bifunctional sensor kinase with an integral cryptic phosphatase activity. Activation of phosphatase activity and dephosphorylation of NreC‐P requires NreA as a cofactor. Accordingly, NreA and nitrate have major and dual roles in NreA–NreB–NreC regulation by (i) inhibiting NreB phosphorylation and (ii) triggering a kinase/phosphatase switch of NreB when present as apoNreA.
Difficulty envisioning a positive future: Secondary analyses in patients in intensive care who are communication vulnerable
Authors: Koszalinski Rebecca S. , Heidel R. Eric , McCarthy Jillian 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to report a secondary analysis of data collected through a primary study. The primary study was a, randomized, control trial that used a team‐designed (nursing, speech language hearing, engineering, communication sciences, and biostatistics), nurse‐led, electronic communication intervention (Speak for Myself Voice) and measured patient outcomes of symptoms of anxiety and depression in five intensive care units at a regional, magnet‐status, academic medical center. A secondary analysis of data using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale is reported here. The extant literature supports patient expressions of frustration, anger, anxiety, and depression when unable to communicate. This secondary analysis study report adds information about Hospital Anxiety and Depression subscales in the communication‐vulnerable population. Implications include emerging awareness of potential feelings of depression and anxiety in patients who are receiving mechanical ventilation or who are unable to verbally communicate for any reason (e.g. obstruction, trauma, head and neck cancer) in the intensive care unit.
Correlated evolution of morphology, gas exchange, growth rates and hydraulics as a response to precipitation and temperature regimes in oaks (Quercus)
Authors: Ramírez‐Valiente José Alberto , López Rosana , Hipp Andrew L. , Aranda Ismael 
Published: November 2019

Summary

It is hypothesised that tree distributions in Europe are largely limited by their ability to cope with the summer drought imposed by the Mediterranean climate in the southern areas and by their competitive potential in central regions with more mesic conditions.

We investigated the extent to which leaf and plant morphology, gas exchange, leaf and stem hydraulics and growth rates have evolved in a coordinated way in oaks (Quercus) as a result of adaptation to contrasting environmental conditions in this region. We implemented an experiment in which seedlings of 12 European/North African oaks were grown under two watering treatments, a well‐watered treatment and a drought treatment in which plants were subjected to three cycles of drought.

Consistent with our hypothesis, species from drier summers had traits conferring more tolerance to drought such as small sclerophyllous leaves and lower percent loss of hydraulic conductivity. However, these species did not have lower growth rates as expected by a trade‐off with drought tolerance.

Overall, our results revealed that climate is an important driver of functional strategies in oaks and that traits have evolved along two coordinated functional axes to adapt to different precipitation and temperature regimes.
Metabolic engineering of rice endosperm for betanin biosynthesis
Authors: Tian Yong‐Sheng , Fu Xiao‐Yan , Yang Zun‐Qiu , Wang Bo , Gao Jian‐Jie , Wang Ming‐Qing , Xu Jing , Han Hong‐Juan , Li Zhen‐Jun , Yao Quan‐Hong , Peng Ri‐He 
Published: November 2019

Summary

Betanin has been widely used as an additive for many centuries, and its use has increased because of its market application as an additive, high free radical scavenging activity, and safety, health‐promoting properties.
The main source of betanin is red beet, but many factors notably affect the yield of betanin from red beets. Betanin is not produced in cereal grains. Thus, developing biofortified crops with betanin is another alternative to health‐promoting food additives.
Here, rice endosperm was bioengineered for betanin biosynthesis by introducing three synthetic genes (meloS, BvDODA1S, and BvCYP76AD1S). The overexpression of these genes driven by rice endosperm‐specific promoter established the betanin biosynthetic pathways in the endosperm, resulting in new types of germplasm – ‘Betanin Rice’ (BR). The BR grains were enriched with betanin and had relatively high antioxidant activity.
Our results proved that betanin can be biosynthesized de novo in rice endosperm by introducing three genes in the committed betanin biosynthetic pathway. The betanin‐fortified rice in this study can be used as a functional grain to promote health and as a raw material to process dietary supplements.
Energy and sugar signaling during hypoxia
Authors: Cho Hsing‐Yi , Loreti Elena , Shih Ming‐Che , Perata Pierdomenico 
Published: November 2019

SummaryThe major consequence of hypoxia is a dramatic reduction in energy production. At the onset of hypoxia, both oxygen and ATP availability decrease. Oxygen and energy sensing therefore converge to induce an adaptive response at both the transcriptional and translational levels. Oxygen sensing results in stabilization of the transcription factors that activate hypoxia‐response genes, including enzymes required for efficient sugar metabolism, allowing plants to produce enough energy to ensure survival. The translation of the resulting mRNAs is mediated by SnRK1, acting as an energy sensor. However, as soon as the sugar availability decreases, a homeostatic mechanism, detecting sugar starvation, dampens the hypoxia‐dependent transcription to reduce energy consumption and preserves carbon reserves for regrowth when oxygen availability is restored.