bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Helicobacter pylori in early childhood and asthma in adolescence
Authors: Melby Kjetil K. , Carlsen Karin L. , Håland Geir , Samdal Helvi H. , Carlsen Kai-Håkon 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Objective
An inverse effect of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) on the occurrence of asthma is debated and early acquisition of H. pylori may be important. We analyzed sera from 197 children from Environment and Childhood Asthma (ECA) study in Oslo for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) at 2 and 10 years, and symptoms and signs of asthma at 16 years of age.

Results
While 16.4% of children who were H. pylori negative at 2 and 10 years had current asthma at 16 years, none of the 12 children who were H. pylori positive at 2 years of age had asthma at the age of 16 years, regardless of H. pylori status at 10 years. This trend for less current asthma in children who were H. pylori positive at 2 years compared to persistent or transient negative status at 10 years was not statistically significant, probably due to low number of H. pylori positive children at 2 years of age. Acquisition of H. pylori in school age did not appear to influence the risk of current asthma. Much larger prospective studies are probably required to document whether or not early H. pylori infection may be involved in the risk of asthma development in later childhood.
Paraneoplastic syndrome in undifferentiated embryonic sarcoma of the liver
Authors: Perl Regine Mariette , Häring Almut , Horger Marius Stefan , Pfannenberg Christina , Gatidis Sergios 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
The undifferentiated embryonic sarcoma of the liver (UESL) is a rare, aggressive tumor mainly affecting children. Since UESL has no specific clinical symptoms or imaging characteristics, many cases of UESL are diagnosed late. The paraneoplastic leukemoid reaction (PLR) is a very rare concomitant of oncological patients associated with poor prognosis. This report describes the clinical course of a patient combining these two rare entities and describes the diagnostic challenges and dynamics of paraneoplastic syndrome.

Case presentation
We report a case of UESL in a 46-year-old male who became clinically conspicuous due to pronounced B symptoms. CT and MRI showed a suspicious unifocal liver lesion. As the histological analysis of a tissue sample did not reveal a clear result, an 18F-FDG-PET-CT examination was performed. In addition to a high glucose metabolism of the liver lesion, an increased glucose metabolism in the entire bone marrow was observed. This finding was considered as pronounced paraneoplasia and laparotomy with liver segment resection followed. Immediately after resection of the tumor the paraneoplastic symptoms completely declined and the patient showed no signs of recurrence in the 1-year follow-up.

Conclusions
Although UESL is rare and predominantly affects children, this diagnosis should always be considered for unclear unifocal cystic liver lesions, regardless of the patient’s age, as appropriate treatment has a good prognosis.
Statistical evaluation of growth parameters in biofuel waste as a culture medium for improved production of single cell protein and amino acids by Yarrowia lipolytica
Authors: Jach Monika Elżbieta , Baj Tomasz , Juda Marek , Świder Robert , Mickowska Barbara , Malm Anna 
Published: February 2020

AbstractYarrowia lipolytica is an oleaginous yeast species with the ability to grow on a number of substrates types, especially industrial wastes. This paper concerns the statistical optimization of fermentation parameters and media to ensure consistent and improved Y. lipolytica protein production. A strain of Y. lipolytica A-101 was observed to be proficient in producing single cell protein, amino acids, and vitamin B12 while utilizing biofuel waste instead of a complete YPD medium for yeast growth. A fractional fractal design experiment was then applied, and the two fermentation parameters of temperature and pH were recognized to have a significant effect on the protein and amino acid production. Subsequently, the response surface methodology with a three-level complete factorial design was employed to optimize these influential parameters. Therefore, five different measuring systems were utilized to construct a quadratic model and a second-order polynomial equation. Optimal levels of parameters were then obtained by analysis of the model and the numerical optimization method. When the Y. lipolytica A-101 was cultivated at optimized pH (5.0) using biofuel waste as a medium, the protein concentration was increased to 8.28—a 44% enhancement as compared to the original (3.65). This study has thus demonstrated a beneficial way to cultivate Y. lipolytica A-101 on biofuel waste for enhanced production of single cell protein and amino acids for use in human diet and in animal feed.
Commentary to: TDOA versus ATDOA for wide area multilateration system
Authors: Frisch Daniel , Hanebeck Uwe D. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe paper (Stefanski and Sadowski, EURASIP J. Wirel. Commun. Netw. 2018, Article 179) introduces a multilateration algorithm for unsynchronized sensor networks. However, a very similar method has been proposed before that is not cited. Furthermore, in the measurement model of Stefanski and Sadowski (EURASIP J. Wirel. Commun. Netw. 2018, Article 179), an incorrect covariance matrix (Eq. (11) in Stefanski and Sadowski (EURASIP J. Wirel. Commun. Netw. 2018, Article 179)) has been used that leads to inferior results. We summarize the context and explain the measurement methodology proposed in Stefanski and Sadowski (EURASIP J. Wirel. Commun. Netw. 2018, Article 179), while referring to the missing citation. Finally, we derive the correct covariance matrix of the measurement error and demonstrate that the covariance matrix proposed in Stefanski and Sadowski (EURASIP J. Wirel. Commun. Netw. 2018, Article 179) is incorrect.
Characterization of two leaf rust-resistant Aegilops tauschii accessions for the synthetic wheat development
Authors: Lee Aro , Trinh Cao Son , Lee Won Je , Kim Minseo , Lee Hyeri , Pathiraja Duleepa , Choi In-Geol , Chung Namhyun , Choi Changhyun , Lee Byung Cheon , Lee Hojoung 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAegilops tauschii (Ae. tauschii) is a diploid (2n = 2x = 14) wild grass species, which has been reported as the progenitor of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum) with D-genome. In this study, 68 Ae. tauschii accessions with diverse geographical backgrounds were investigated for their resistance to infection by the leaf rust fungi Puccinia triticina. Two Ae. tauschii accessions that exhibited hyper-resistance to leaf rust at both seedling and adult stages were identified. Utilizing two susceptible Ae. tauschii ecotypes and keumkang, a common Korean wheat cultivar known to be susceptible to leaf rust, as the negative control, further investigations were conducted for understanding the mechanism underlying immunity to leaf rust disease of these two resistant accessions. Resistant accessions displayed the increased β-1,3-glucanase activity to prevent fungal penetration and the better peroxidase activity to cope with leaf rust-induced oxidative stress. Moreover, transcriptional analyses reveal the important role of the LRR receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinase FLS2 (lrr) to the disease resistance of the two ecotypes. Ae. tauschii is a remarkable genetic source, especially for abiotic and biotic stress resistance genes, as the plant is known for its wide-ranging geographical habitat and adaptability to different environments. This, combined with the fact that Ae. tauschii and wheat share a close evolutionary relationship, is indicative of the immense benefit of using Ae. tauschii as a material for improving the quality of synthetic wheat. Our aim was to identify and evaluate the strongest Ae. tauschii contenders for breeding leaf rust-resistant synthetic wheat.
Single-nucleus RNA-seq identifies Huntington disease astrocyte states
Authors: Al-Dalahmah Osama , Sosunov Alexander A. , Shaik A. , Ofori Kenneth , Liu Yang , Vonsattel Jean Paul , Adorjan Istvan , Menon Vilas , Goldman James E. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractHuntington Disease (HD) is an inherited movement disorder caused by expanded CAG repeats in the Huntingtin gene. We have used single nucleus RNASeq (snRNASeq) to uncover cellular phenotypes that change in the disease, investigating single cell gene expression in cingulate cortex of patients with HD and comparing the gene expression to that of patients with no neurological disease. In this study, we focused on astrocytes, although we found significant gene expression differences in neurons, oligodendrocytes, and microglia as well. In particular, the gene expression profiles of astrocytes in HD showed multiple signatures, varying in phenotype from cells that had markedly upregulated metallothionein and heat shock genes, but had not completely lost the expression of genes associated with normal protoplasmic astrocytes, to astrocytes that had substantially upregulated glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and had lost expression of many normal protoplasmic astrocyte genes as well as metallothionein genes. When compared to astrocytes in control samples, astrocyte signatures in HD also showed downregulated expression of a number of genes, including several associated with protoplasmic astrocyte function and lipid synthesis. Thus, HD astrocytes appeared in variable transcriptional phenotypes, and could be divided into several different “states”, defined by patterns of gene expression. Ultimately, this study begins to fill the knowledge gap of single cell gene expression in HD and provide a more detailed understanding of the variation in changes in gene expression during astrocyte “reactions” to the disease.
Verbal guidance for sit-to-stand support system
Authors: Takeda Mizuki , Hirata Yasuhisa , Weng Yueh-Hsuan , Katayama Takahiro , Mizuta Yasuhide , Koujina Atsushi 
Published: February 2020

AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI)-based robots have become popular in various fields, thereby increasing the demand for care robots. Such care robots recognize or estimate factors such as human states and then perform actions depending on the estimation results. If the humans cooperating with robots do not understand robot functions well, the task will not be performed appropriately. Additionally, it is possible that the estimation may be incorrect. Robots may make mistakes, and there is a risk that these mistakes may not be understood by humans. In such cases, robots are not useful, and this may hinder the cooperation between humans and robots. There are several ways to deal with this issue including improving estimation and information representation. We can know what is important to design care robots by analyzing the influence of factors including accurate estimation and contents and timing of information representation. We developed a robot for analysis that can support a human during standing, by raising its armrest. The developed robot raises its armrest when the user leans on it. In the nursing-care field, verbal communication is important. Hence, we also adopt a verbal guidance for information representation. Verbal guidance to encourage a user to stand up and countdown timer representations are adopted. Initially, an experiment is conducted to validate the usability of the system that acts according to considerably accurate estimations. The experimental results show that system without verbal guidance causes anxiety to humans and the system becomes not useful, even if the human state is detected accurately. Furthermore, we determine the appropriate content and timing of verbal guidance based on the results. Subsequently, we conduct an experiment to confirm that the proposed method is applicable under imperfect estimations.
Chlorhexidine locking device for central line infection prevention in ICU patients: protocol for an open-label pilot and feasibility randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zamir Nasim , Pook Makena , McDonald Ellen , Fox-Robichaud Alison E. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are at risk for central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) with an incidence up to 6.9 per 1000 catheter days. CLABSI has a significant attributable mortality and increases in-hospital length of stay, readmissions, and costs. Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), a broad-spectrum biocide, has been shown to effectively reduce infections including CLABSI; however, few trials have utilized CHG for prevention of central line infections. Our preclinical work has demonstrated a device that diffuses CHG into the intravenous lock solution of central venous catheters and decreases bacterial growth on the catheter lumen. We designed a clinical trial to test the feasibility of using a CHG device in an ICU patient population.

Methods
The proposed pilot trial will be a single centre, open-label, two-arm, parallel group feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT). Participants will have a central line in situ and will be enrolled within 72 h of admittance to 3 ICUs at a single academic hospital. Exclusion criteria will include suspected infection, chronic indwelling catheters, and CHG allergy. Informed consent will be obtained from eligible participants or their substitute decision maker prior to randomization. Participants will be randomized to receive either usual care or the CHG locking device. Blood cultures will be drawn from all participants every 48 h. The primary objective of this study will be to determine the feasibility of using this protocol to conduct a larger trial. Feasibility will be assessed through the following outcomes: (1) consent rate, (2) recruitment rate, (3) protocol adherence, and (4) comfort level with the device. The secondary objective of this study will be to establish the preliminary efficacy of the device.

Discussion
This study will be the first human RCT to investigate a CHG locking device for the prevention of central line infections. Findings from this trial will inform the feasibility of conducting a large RCT and provide preliminary data on the efficacy of a CHG locking device.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03309137, registered on October 13, 2017.
Examining the influence of native and non-native English-speaking teachers on Korean EFL writing
Authors: Schenck Andrew 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBoth Native English-Speaking Teachers (NESTs) and Non-Native English-Speaking Teachers (NNESTs) may have advantages as writing instructors, yet little is known about how they actually influence writing in EFL contexts like South Korea. To address this issue, 76 high proficiency Korean EFL university students from the International Corpus Network of Asian Learners of English (ICNALE) were separated into a group that received extensive native English speaker instruction (n = 57) and a group that did not (n = 19) using a self-survey. Analysis of essay content revealed that words used by Korean EFL writers with more NEST instruction are similar in difficulty and variety to native English writers. Concerning style, Korean EFL learners with more NEST instruction used stances to evaluate, validate, and state personal opinions, while learners with less NEST instruction used speech formulas and more unbiased logical arguments. Regarding grammar, Korean EFL learners with extensive NEST instruction used more sophisticated vocabulary, word forms, and verb tenses to create a novel argument using personal experience, whereas Korean EFL learners with low NEST instruction tended to use formulaic and logical arguments with more accuracy. Overall, results suggest that NEST instruction in Korea promotes more creativity and sophistication in composition, while NNEST instruction encourages more accurate use of language. In accordance with the findings, curricula or teacher training may be developed to ensure that each type of instruction shares the strengths of its counterpart.
Does time to loss to follow-up differ among adult tuberculosis patients initiated on tuberculosis treatment and care between general hospital and health centers? A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Shaweno Tamrat , Getnet Masrie , Fikru Chaltu 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Patients’ loss to follow-up (LTFU) from tuberculosis treatment and care is a growing worry in Ethiopia. But, available information is inadequate in assessing the time to tuberculosis patient loss to follow-up difference between health centers and a general hospital in Ethiopia. We aimed to assess time to LTFU difference between health centers and a general hospital in rural Ethiopia.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort study from September 2008 to August 2015 and collected data from September 1 to October 02, 2016. A total of 1341 TB patients with known treatment outcomes were included into the study. Log rank test was used to compare the difference in time to TB patient loss to follow-up between health centers and a general hospital, whereas Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess factors associated with time to loss to follow-up in both settings.

Results
We reviewed a total of 1341 patient records, and the overall follow-up time was 3074.7 and 3974 person months of observation (PMOs) for TB patients followed at health centers and a general hospital, respectively. The incidence of loss to follow-up rate was 27.3 per 1000 PMOs and 9.6 per 1000 PMOs, at health centers and a general hospital, respectively. From the overall loss to follow-ups that occurred, 55 (65.5%) and 33 (86.8%) of LTFUs occurred during the intensive phase and grew to 78 (92.9%) and 38 (100%) at health center and a general hospital, respectively, at the end of 6-month observation period. Older age (AOR = 1.7, 95%CI, 1.2–2.5, P < 0.001), being a rural resident (AHR = 2.7, 95%CI, 1.6–4.6), HIV reactive (AHR = 2.2, 95%CI, 1.5–3.2), following treatment and care in health center (AHR = 3.38, 95%CI, 2.06–5.53), and living at more than 10 km away from the health facility (AHR = 3.4, 95%CI, 2.1–5.7) were predictors for time to loss to follow-up among TB patients on treatment and care.

Conclusion
Time to TB patient loss to follow-up between health centers and a general hospital was significant. Loss to follow-up was high in patients with older age, rural residence, sero positive for HIV, living further from the health facilities, and following treatment and care at health centers. Strengthening the DOTs program with special emphasis on health centers is highly recommended.
Development and content validation of two new patient-reported outcome measures for endometriosis: the Endometriosis Symptom Diary (ESD) and Endometriosis Impact Scale (EIS)
Authors: Gater Adam , Taylor Fiona , Seitz Christian , Gerlinger Christoph , Wichmann Kamonthip , Haberland Claudia 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Endometriosis is a common, chronic, impactful condition in women of reproductive age. In the absence of established sensitive and specific biomarkers, disease severity is determined by patient-reported symptoms and impacts. This article details the development of two new patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures designed to assess efficacy endpoints in clinical studies: The Endometriosis Symptom Diary (ESD) and the Endometriosis Impact Scale (EIS).

Methods
The ESD and EIS were developed according to best practice and scientific standards (including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) PRO Guidance) and with extensive input from women with surgically-confirmed endometriosis. Research included: a review of published qualitative literature; concept elicitation interviews in the US, Germany and France (n = 45) to explore the experiences of women with endometriosis and to inform ESD and EIS development; and cognitive interviews in the US and Germany (n = 31) to assess relevance and understanding of the ESD and EIS and usability of administration using an electronic handheld device. The FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) as well as PRO and clinical experts were consulted throughout the process.

Results
Pelvic pain was identified as the most frequent, severe and bothersome symptom for women with endometriosis. Pain was reported to be greatest during menstruation (dysmenorrhea) and during or after sexual intercourse (dyspareunia). Pain resulted in significant impairments in physical activities, work/study, social/leisure activities, household activities and sexual functioning. All women highlighted the emotional impact of endometriosis. Descriptions of pain and associated impacts were largely consistent across participants from the US and Europe, with the most notable differences being the words used to describe the location of pain (e.g., ‘pelvis’ vs. ‘abdomen’). Testing during cognitive interviews indicated that the ESD and EIS were well understood and consistently interpreted. Furthermore, all participants found the ePRO devices easy to use and no issues regarding visual presentation, selection of responses or navigation were identified.

Conclusions
Evidence from extensive qualitative research supports the content validity of the ESD and EIS as patient-reported measures of the disease-defining symptoms of endometriosis and the associated impact on women’s lives. Future research will seek to establish the measurement properties of the measures.
Aphid’s parasitoid fauna and their trophic associations in the oasis ecosystems of Zibans (Biskra, Algeria)
Authors: Hemidi Widad , Laamari Malik 
Published: February 2020

AbstractA study on the fauna of aphids’ parasitoids was carried out in the oasis ecosystems of the Ziban in the region of Biskra, Algeria. Eighteen primary parasitoids species belong to 2 subfamilies; Aphidiinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea, Braconidae), represented by 17 species and 6 genera (Aphidius, Diaeretiella, Ephedrus, Lysiphlebus, Praon,andBinodoxys) and the subfamily Aphelininae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea, Aphelinidae), represented by only one species of the genusAphelinuswas listed. The parasitoid species were collected and identified in association with 22 species of aphids infesting 29 host plant species belonging to 13 botanical families. A number of 83 tri-trophic plant-aphid-parasitoid associations were presented. The two parasitoid species,Aphidius matricariae(Hal.) andLysiphlebus testaceipes(Cress.), were the most abundant species. The present study dealt only with primary parasitoids, while hyperparasitoids will be presented in another publication.
Compensatory role of C3 convertase on the strain difference for C3 protein expression in FVB/N, C3H/HeN and C57BL/6N mice
Authors: Park Ji Won , Kim Ji Eun , Kang Mi Ju , Choi Hyeon Jun , Bae Su Ji , Hwang Dae Youn 
Published: February 2020

AbstractTo investigate the role of complement C3 (C3) convertase on the strain difference for C3 protein expression in three inbred mice strains, we compared the levels of C2, C3 and C4 mRNA, as well as C3 protein and C3 convertase activity in the serum and liver tissue of FVB/N, C3H/HeN and C57BL/6N mice. The level of mRNA, inactive form (InACF) and active form (ACF) for C3 showed a regular pattern, which they were higher in the FVB/N and C57BL/6N mice than C3H/HeN mice. However, the level of C3b fragments (C3bα and β) derived from C3 protein were constantly maintained in the liver of FVB/N, C3H/HeN and C57BL/6N mice in spite of the strain difference on the transcriptional and translation level of C3. Especially, a reverse pattern of the level of mRNA, InACF and ACF for C3 was observed on the activity level of C3 convertase activity. The highest level of C3 convertase activity was measured in C3H/HeN mice, followed by C57BL/6N and FVB/N mice. In case of C3 convertase components, the level of C2 mRNA was higher in C3H/HeN mice than FVB/N and C57BL/6 N mice, while levels of C4 mRNA were higher in FVB/N and C57BL/6N mice than C3H/HeN mice. The current study results provide the first scientific evidence that C3 convertase may play complementary role to overcome the strain difference on the C3 protein expression in FVB/N, C3H/HeN and C57BL/6N mice.