bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combined Statistical Analyses of Forensic Evidence in Sexual Assault: A Case Report and Brief Review of the Literature
Authors: Tozzo Pamela , Gabbin Andrea , Politi Caterina , Da Pian Marta , Caenazzo Luciana , Causin Valerio 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDNA analysis has been widely used in the forensic field in order to contribute to identifying the perpetrator of a crime. Forensic investigation in sexual assaults usually focuses on locating and identifying biological fluids, followed by DNA analysis. The identification of certain compounds present in condoms can be useful to reconstruct the occurred event, especially in cases of sexual assaults where the DNA analysis did not show the presence of a male profile and where RNA analysis did not show the presence of sperm markers. Herein we describe the case of a woman reporting to be victim of sexual assault, who was not able to provide accurate information concerning the dynamics of the event; she remembered only forced penile–vaginal penetration by a single perpetrator. We performed short tandem repeat (STR) analyses and mRNA typing for forensic genetics testing on vaginal and rectal swabs collected on the victim, and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) followed by chromatographic analyses for the detection of condom compounds on the same swabs. The STR analysis showed only the victim’s genetic profile, and RNA analysis showed only the presence of vaginal and skin markers. In this situation, the identification of condom compounds residues on vaginal swabs became important as it complemented other collected evidences allowing the Court to reconstruct the events. A proposal of likelihood ratio (LR) calculation for the assessment of the weight of evidence in this case is described.
Extremophilic microbial communities on photovoltaic panel surfaces: a two‐year study
Authors: Tanner Kristie , Molina‐Menor Esther , Latorre‐Pérez Adriel , Vidal‐Verdú Àngela , Vilanova Cristina , Peretó Juli , Porcar Manuel 
Published: July 2020

SummarySolar panel surfaces can be colonized by microorganisms adapted to desiccation, temperature fluctuations and solar radiation. Although the taxonomic and functional composition of these communities has been studied, the microbial colonization process remains unclear. In the present work, we have monitored this microbial colonization process during 24 months by performing weekly measurements of the photovoltaic efficiency, carrying out 16S rRNA gene high‐throughput sequencing, and studying the effect of antimicrobial compounds on the composition of the microbial biocenosis. This is the first time a long‐term study of the colonization process of solar panels has been performed, and our results reveal that species richness and biodiversity exhibit seasonal fluctuations and that there is a trend towards an increase or decrease of specialist (solar panel‐adapted) and generalist taxa, respectively. On the former, extremophilic bacterial genera Deinococcus, Hymenobacter and Roseomonas and fungal Neocatenulostroma, Symmetrospora and Sporobolomyces tended to dominate the biocenosis; whereas Lactobacillus sp or Stemphyllium exhibited a decreasing trend. This profile was deeply altered by washing the panels with chemical agents (Virkon), but this did not lead to an increase of the solar panels efficiency. Our results show that solar panels are extreme environments that force the selection of a particular microbial community.
geoorigins: A new method andrpackage for trait mapping and geographic provenancing of specimens without categorical constraints
Authors: Hulme‐Beaman Ardern , Rudzinski Anna , Cooper Joseph E. J. , Lachlan Robert F. , Dobney Keith , Thomas Mark G. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBiologists often seek to geographically provenance organisms using their traits. This is typically achieved by defining spatial groups using distinct patterns of trait variation.Here, we present a new spatial provenancing and trait boundary identification methodology, based on correlations between geographic and trait distances that require no a priori group assumptions. We apply this to three datasets where spatial provenance is sought: morphological rat and vole dentition data (human commensal translocation datasets); and birdsong data (cultural transmission dataset). We also present the results of cross‐validation testing.Spatial provenancing is possible with differing degrees of accuracy for each dataset, with birdsong providing the most accurate geographic origin (identifying an average spatial region of 0.22 km2as the area of origin with 99.9% confidence).Our method has a wide range of potential applications to diverse data types—including phenotypic, genetic and cultural—to identify trait boundaries and spatially provenance the origin of unknown or translocated specimens where trait differences are geographically structured and correlated with spatial separation.
The pox in Boswell's London: an estimate of the extent of syphilis infection in the metropolis in the 1770s†
Authors: Szreter Simon , Siena Kevin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis article provides for the first time a robust quantitative estimate of the amount of syphilis infection in the population of London in the later eighteenth century. A measure of the cumulative incidence of having ever been treated for the pox by the age of 35 is constructed, providing an indicator of over 20 per cent syphilitic infection. The principal primary sources are hospital admissions registers, augmented with an analysis of London's workhouse infirmaries. A range of potentially confounding factors are taken into account, including the contemporary conflation between syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections, patients who shunned hospitals in favour of private treatment, possible double‐counting of patients, institutional patients who may have hailed from outside London, and the complexity of establishing what should constitute the ‘at‐risk’ population of London for this period. Cultural and medical historians have demonstrated considerable pre‐occupation with venereal disease in the texts of the eighteenth century, while demographic and epidemiological historians, lacking any quantitative evidence, have tended to ignore the disease. This article can now demonstrate for the first time just how extensive syphilis was likely to have been and, by doing so, offer an original contribution to major debates in the history of sexuality and the demography of early modern London.
Operating model design in tuna Regional Fishery Management Organizations: Current practice, issues and implications
Authors: Sharma Rishi , Levontin Polina , Kitakado Toshihide , Kell Laurence , Mosqueira Iago , Kimoto Ai , Scott Rob , Minte‐Vera Carolina , De Bruyn Paul , Ye Yimin , Kleineberg Jana , Walton Jo Lindsay , Miller Shana , Magnusson Arni 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe five Regional Fishery Management Organizations dedicated to tunas (tRFMOs) are all either developing or implementing Management Strategy Evaluations (MSEs) to provide advice for the stocks under their competencies. Providing a comparative overview will help tRFMOs to learn from one another and to collaborate on common solutions and may also help to more clearly define the challenges of building decision support tools in contexts of large scientific uncertainty and where management requires cooperation across multiple stakeholders characterized by unequal power and divergent interests. For example, our overview showed that in most cases, a grid‐based design with an emphasis on structural uncertainty has been adopted. However, uncertainties such as sampling errors and non‐stationarity of important ecological processes, which are of potentially equal significance for demonstrating robustness of management procedures, were not considered. This paper identifies key issues for operating model (OM) design that challenges the tRFMOs, compares how these challenges are being met, summarizes what lessons have been learned and suggests a way forward. Although the current approach of using assessment models as the basis for OM design is a reasonable starting point, improvements should be made to the conditioning of OMs, especially with respect to enabling the inclusion of other important processes and uncertainties that are difficult to account for in stock assessments but that can crucially affect the robustness of advice. Attempts should also be made to improve documentation and communication of uncertainties that are included and those that are excluded from consideration in the process.
Serum Homocysteine, Pyridoxine, Folate, and Vitamin B12 Levels in Migraine: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Liampas Ioannis , Siokas Vasileios , Mentis Alexios‐Fotios A. , Aloizou Athina‐Maria , Dastamani Metaxia , Tsouris Zisis , Aslanidou Paraskevi , Brotis Alexandros , Dardiotis Efthimios 
Published: July 2020

BackgroundMigraine, especially migraine with aura (MA), has been linked to increased risk for ischemic cerebrovascular disease. The possible role of elevated serum homocysteine (Hcy, a cause of thrombophilia) in migraine has been demonstrated by several studies.ObjectiveThe present study aims to review and meta‐analyze data from studies investigating the difference of serum Hcy and Hcy lowering vitamins between migraine patients and healthy controls (HC), as well as between patients with MA and migraine without aura (MO).MethodsLiterature search involved MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, Google Scholar, and trial registries. The Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the quality of the retrieved studies. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated. Funnel‐plots were utilized for the evaluation of publication bias.ResultsOverall, 29 (28 case‐control and 1 cross‐sectional) studies were retrieved. Meta‐analysis was indicative of higher Hcy concentration in migraine patients vs HC overall [adults and children: 16 studies, I2 = 81%, SMD = 0.41, 95%CI = (0.20, 0.61)]. Hcy was consistently elevated in adults with migraine [adults: 12 studies, I2 = 76%, SMD = 0.35, 95%CI = (0.15, 0.54); children: 1 study, SMD = 0.37, 95%CI = (−0.05, 0.79)]. Subgroup analyses reproduced the results for both adults with MA [7 studies, I2 = 83%, SMD = 0.37, 95%CI = (0.03, 0.71)] and MO [5 studies, I2 = 84%, SMD = 0.46, 95%CI = (0.03, 0.89)]. Figures for serum folate were lower in the overall comparison of migraine patients with HC [adults and children: 11 studies, I2 = 87%, SMD = −0.36, 95%CI = (−0.68, −0.05); adults: 8 studies, I2 = 6%, SMD = −0.11, 95%CI = (−0.22, 0.01); children: 1 study, SMD = −0.71, 95%CI = (−1.14, −0.29); MA adults: 4 studies, I2 = 44%, SMD = −0.16, 95%CI = (−0.35, 0.04); MO adults: 4 studies, I2 = 47%, SMD = −0.17, 95%CI = (−0.44, 0.10)]. Serum vitamin B12 levels were not different between migraine patients and HC [adults and children: 11 studies, I2 = 88%, SMD = −0.24, 95%CI = (−0.57, 0.09); adults: 8 studies, I2 = 57%, SMD = −0.10, 95%CI = (−0.28, 0.08); children: 1 study, SMD = 0.29, 95%CI = (−0.13, 0.71); MA adults: 4 studies, I2 = 63%, SMD = −0.14, 95%CI = (−0.48, 0.20); MO adults: 4 studies, I2 = 59%, SMD = −0.15, 95%CI = (−0.45, 0.15)]. Serum Hcy was lower in MO than MA [adults and children: 10 studies, I2 = 39%, SMD = 0.30, 95%CI = (0.14, 0.46), adults: 6 studies, I2 = 29%, SMD = 0.21, 95%CI = (0.09, 0.36), children: 1 study, SMD = 0.51, 95%CI = (0.22, 0.80)]. Serum folate and vitamin B12 did not differ between MA and MO.ConclusionsOur results suggest that there is a possible link between migraine, mainly MA, and elevated serum Hcy.
Insights into pathogenesis of fatal COVID‐19 pneumonia from histopathology with immunohistochemical and viral RNA studies
Authors: Sauter Jennifer L , Baine Marina K , Butnor Kelly J , Buonocore Darren J , Chang Jason C , Jungbluth Achim A , Szabolcs Matthias J , Morjaria Sejal , Mount Sharon L , Rekhtman Natasha , Selbs Elena , Sheng Zong‐Mei , Xiao Yongli , Kleiner David E , Pittaluga Stefania , Taubenberger Jeffery K , Rapkiewicz Amy V , Travis William D 
Published: July 2020

IntroductionWe describe post‐mortem pulmonary histopathologic findings of COVID‐19 pneumonia in patients with a spectrum of disease course, from rapid demise to prolonged hospitalisation.Methods and resultsHistopathologic findings in post‐mortem lung tissue from eight patients who died from COVID‐19 pneumonia were reviewed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and next‐generation sequencing (NGS) were performed to detect virus. Diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) was seen in all cases with a spectrum of acute phase and/or organising phase. IHC with monoclonal antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 viral nucleoprotein and spike protein detected virus in areas of acute but not organising DAD, with intracellular viral antigen and RNA expression seen predominantly in patients with duration of illness less than 10 days. Major vascular findings included thrombi in medium‐ and large‐calibre vessels, platelet microthrombi detected by CD61 IHC and fibrin microthrombi.ConclusionsPresence of SARS‐CoV‐2 viral RNA by NGS early in the disease course and expression of viral antigen by IHC exclusively in the acute, but not in the organising phase of DAD, suggests that the virus may play a major role in initiating the acute lung injury of DAD, but when DAD progresses to the organising phase the virus may have been cleared from the lung by the patient's immune response. These findings suggest the possibility of a major change during the disease course of COVID‐19 pneumonia that may have therapeutic implications. Frequent thrombi and microthrombi may also present potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
Schistosome and intestinal helminth modulation of macrophage immunometabolism
Authors: Cortes‐Selva Diana , Fairfax Keke 
Published: July 2020

SummaryMacrophages are fundamental to sustain physiological equilibrium and to regulate the pathogenesis of parasitic and metabolic processes. The functional heterogeneity and immune responses of macrophages are shaped by cellular metabolism in response to the host’s intrinsic factors, environmental cues and other stimuli during disease. Parasite infections induce a complex cascade of cytokines and metabolites that profoundly remodel the metabolic status of macrophages. In particular, helminths polarize macrophages to an M2 state and induce a metabolic shift towards reliance on oxidative phosphorylation, lipid oxidation and amino acid metabolism. Accumulating data indicate that helminth‐induced activation and metabolic reprogramming of macrophages underlie improvement in overall whole‐body metabolism, denoted by improved insulin sensitivity, body mass in response to high‐fat diet and atherogenic index in mammals. This review aims to highlight the metabolic changes that occur in human and murine‐derived macrophages in response to helminth infections and helminth products, with particular interest in schistosomiasis and soil‐transmitted helminths.
Does the out‐group recognize our mental skills? Cross‐group friendships, extended contact, and the expectation of humanizing perceptions from the out‐group
Authors: Capozza Dora , Falvo Rossella , Di Bernardo Gian Antonio 
Published: July 2020

AbstractRecent research has shown the negative effect of meta‐dehumanization: the perception that out‐group members deny a fully human status to the in‐group. So far, no strategies have been investigated that allow the improvement of humanity meta‐attributions. In this work, we focused on the two mind perception dimensions: agency (e.g., the capacity of planning actions) and experience (e.g., the capacity of feeling emotions), and investigated whether direct and indirect intergroup friendships are associated with the expectation that the out‐group will recognize our mental capacities. A survey was conducted considering the relationship between two regional groups in Italy (Northern and Southern Italians). Participants were Northern university students. A two‐level mediation model was tested, in which the exogenous variables were cross‐group friendship and extended contact, the first‐level mediators were IOS (the inclusion of the out‐group in the self mechanism), in‐group and out‐group norms, and the second‐level mediators were anxiety, empathy, and trust toward the out‐group. The dependent variables were the evaluations of agency and experience regarding one's group (Northerners) expected by Southerners. Models were estimated by path analysis with observed variables. To replicate prior findings, the attributions of agency and experience to the out‐group (Southerners) were also assessed. Results showed that both direct and indirect friendships are related to more positive meta‐attributions through the mediation of affective and cognitive factors. Findings have practical implications: contact may favor the expectation of being perceived both as moral agents and as moral patients, thus improving intergroup relations.
Hot balloon versus cryoballoon ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation: Lesion area, efficacy, and safety
Authors: Wakamatsu Yuji , Nakahara Shiro , Nagashima Koichi , Fukuda Reiko , Nishiyama Naoki , Watanabe Ryuta , Arai Masaru , Otsuka Naoto , Kurokawa Sayaka , Sato Hirotsugu , Ishikawa Tetsuya , Hori Yuichi , Okumura Yasuo , Taguchi Isao 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe clinical efficacy and safety of hot balloon ablation (HBA) for the treatment of persistent AF (PerAF) remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of HBA versus cryoballoon ablation (CBA) as a treatment for PerAF.MethodsOf 195 consecutive patients who underwent initial catheter ablation for PerAF (AF lasting for longer than 7 days but shorter than 12 months), 158 propensity score‐matched (79 HBA and 79 CBA) patients were included in our retrospective study. All patients who underwent HBA received applications of energy to the upper posterior LA wall with a larger balloon in addition to single shots to each pulmonary vein (PV) ostium, whereas those who underwent CBA received simple single‐shot applications. The electrically isolated surface area (ISA), including the PV antrum and part of the posterior LA wall, was assessed by high‐resolution mapping.ResultsThe success of the PV isolation with balloon shots alone did not differ between HBA and CBA (81% vs. 85%; p = .52). The ISA was generally wide in both groups and significantly larger in the HBA group than in the CBA group (61 ± 16% vs. 51 ± 12%; p < .001). The incidence of procedure‐related complications did not differ significantly (HBA 4% vs. CBA 1%; p = .62) nor did the arrhythmia recurrence rate (HBA 11% vs. CBA 18% at 18 months; p = .26).ConclusionDespite the difference in protocols, HBA and CBA performed for PerAF appear comparable in terms of wide antral lesion creation, clinical efficacy, and safety. Further prospective studies, based on a unified methodology, are needed.
A novel local impedance algorithm to guide effective pulmonary vein isolation in atrial fibrillation patients: Preliminary experience across different ablation sites from the CHARISMA pilot study
Authors: Segreti Luca , De Simone Antonio , Schillaci Vincenzo , Bongiorni Maria Grazia , Pelargonio Gemma , Pandozi Claudio , Di Cori Andrea , Stabile Giuseppe , Pepe Marco , Zucchelli Giulio , Shopova Gergana , De Lucia Raffaele , Ferrari Chiara , Casati Francesca , Malacrida Maurizio , Solimene Francesco 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIntroductionRecently, a novel technology able to measure local impedance (LI) and tissue characteristics has been made available for clinical use. This analysis explores the relationships among LI and generator impedance (GI) parameters in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Characterization of LI among different ablation spots and procedural success were also evaluated.Methods and ResultsConsecutive patients undergoing AF ablation from the CHARISMA registry at five Italian centers were included. A novel radiofrequency (RF) ablation catheter with a dedicated algorithm (DIRECTSENSE™) was used to measure LI and to guide ablation. The ablation endpoint was pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. We analyzed 2219 ablation spots created around PVs in 46 patients for AF ablation. The mean baseline tissue impedance was 105.8 ± 14 Ω for LI versus 91.8 ± 10 Ω for GI (p < .0001). Baseline impedance was homogenous across the PV sites and proved higher in high‐voltage areas than in intermediate‐ and low‐voltage areas and the blood pool (p < .001). Both LI and GI displayed a significant drop after RF delivery, and absolute LI drop values were significantly larger than GI drop values (14 ± 8 vs. 3.7 ± 5 Ω, p < .0001). Every 5‐point increment in LI drop was associated with successful ablation (odds ratio = 3.05, 95% confidence interval: 2.3–4.1, p < .0001). Conversely, GI drops were not significantly different comparing successful versus unsuccessful sites (3.7 ± 5 vs. 2.8 ± 4 Ω, p = .1099). No steam pops or major complications occurred during or after the procedures. By the end of the procedures, all PVs had been successfully isolated in all patients.ConclusionsThe magnitude of the LI drop was more closely associated with effective lesion formation than the GI drop.
Association between METTL3 gene polymorphisms and neuroblastoma susceptibility: A nine‐centre case‐control study
Authors: Bian Jun , Zhuo Zhenjian , Zhu Jinhong , Yang Zhonghua , Jiao Zhang , Li Yong , Cheng Jiwen , Zhou Haixia , Li Suhong , Li Li , He Jing , Liu Yanfei 
Published: July 2020

AbstractNeuroblastoma ranks as the most commonly seen and deadly solid tumour in infancy. The aberrant activity of m6A‐RNA methyltransferase METTL3 is involved in human cancers. Therefore, functional genetic variants in the METTL3 gene may contribute to neuroblastoma risk. In the current nine‐centre case‐control study, we aimed to analyse the association between the METTL3 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and neuroblastoma susceptibility. We genotyped four METTL3 gene SNPs (rs1061026 T>G, rs1061027 C>A, rs1139130 A>G, and rs1263801 G>C) in 968 neuroblastoma patients and 1814 controls in China. We found significant associations between these SNPs and neuroblastoma risk in neither single‐locus nor combined analyses. Interestingly, in the stratified analysis, we observed a significant risk association with rs1061027 AA in subgroups of children ≤ 18 months of age (adjusted OR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.03‐3.41, P = .040) and females (adjusted OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.07‐3.24, P = .028). Overall, we identified a significant association between METTL3 gene rs1061027 C>A polymorphism and neuroblastoma risk in children ≤18 months of age and females. Our findings provide novel insights into the genetic determinants of neuroblastoma.
The Earth Is Hungry: Amerindian Worlds and the Perils of Gold Mining in the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Ulmer Gordon 
Published: July 2020

ResumenEn este artículo, muestro cómo los mineros desde los andes en la Amazonía peruana se enfrentan a la disponibilidad de su vida y trabajo. Describo cómo los mineros forjan un término medio, o espacio donde los mundos amerindios se adaptan a situaciones políticas cambiantes y donde existen formas divergentes de experimentar el mundo simultáneamente. Ilumino las particularidades del extractivismo en la región de Madre de Dios en Perú y abordo un problema común en las etnografías andinas y amazónicas, que a menudo se abordan de forma aislada a pesar de ser regiones interconectadas. Utilizando el concepto de término medio para fundamentar mi discusión, sostengo que la minería artesanal contemporánea y en pequeña escala en la Amazonía occidental exige un análisis de las relaciones políticas, económicas y religioso‐espirituales que se extienden más allá de las comunidades locales o estudios regionales.[Amazonia, Andes, Peru, economías extractivas, cosmología, desechabilidad]