bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex-specific pattern of left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Wu Mei-Zhen , Chen Yan , Yu Yu-Juan , Zhen Zhe , Liu Ying-Xian , Zou Yuan , Ho Lai-Ming , Lin Qing-Shan , Ng Ming-Yen , Lam Karen Siu-Ling , Tse Hung-Fat , Yiu Kai-Hang 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Aims
Few prospective studies have evaluated sex-specific pattern, natural progression of left ventricular (LV) remodelling, and diastolic dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The aim of this study was to study the sex-specific prevalence, longitudinal changes of LV remodelling, and diastolic dysfunction in patients with T2DM. Further, the prognostic value of diastolic function in women and men was also evaluated.

Methods and results
A total of 350 patients with T2DM (mean age 61 ± 11 years; women, 48.3%) was recruited. Detailed echocardiography was performed at baseline and after 25 months. A major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) was defined as cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalization, or myocardial infarction. Despite a similar age, prevalence of hypertension and body mass index, women had a higher prevalence of LV hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction at baseline and follow-up compared with men. A total of 21 patients developed MACE (5 cardiovascular death, 9 hospitalization for heart failure, and 7 myocardial infarction) during a median follow-up of 56 months. Women with diastolic dysfunction had a higher incidence of MACE than those with normal diastolic function but this association was neutral in men. Multivariable Cox-regression analysis indicated that diastolic dysfunction was associated with MACE in women [hazard ratio = 6.30; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06–37.54; P &lt; 0.05] but not men (hazard ratio = 2.29, 95% CI = 0.67–7.89; P = 0.19).

Conclusion
LV hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction, both at baseline and follow-up, were more common in women than men. Pre-clinical diastolic dysfunction was independently associated with MACE only in women with T2DM but was neutral in men.
Clinical outcomes of patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis managed surgically
Authors: Setianingrum Findra , Rautemaa-Richardson Riina , Shah Rajesh , Denning David W 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

Surgical resection is one treatment modality for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), and sometimes a preoperative presumption of lung cancer turns out to be CPA. We have audited our surgical experience with regard to risk factors for relapse, and the value of postoperative monitoring of Aspergillus-immunogolubulin G (IgG) titres.

METHODS
All patients with CPA surgically treated at National Aspergillosis Centre (NAC), Manchester, UK (2007–2018), were retrospectively evaluated. Surgical procedures, underlying disorders, Aspergillus-IgG titres (ImmunoCap) and antifungal therapy were evaluated for symptom control, operative complications, CPA relapse and mortality.

RESULTS
A total of 61 patients with CPA (28 males, 33 females) were operated on primarily for antifungal therapy failure (51%, n = 31) and presumed lung malignancies (38%, n = 23). Procedures included lobectomy (64%, n = 39), wedge resection (28%, n = 17), segmentectomy (n = 3), pneumonectomy (n = 3) and decortication (n = 2). Overall, 25 (41%) patients relapsed, 26 months (standard deviation: 24.8 months) after surgery. Antifungal therapy before surgery (P = 0.002) or both before and after surgery (P = 0.005) were protective for relapse. The relapse rate within 3 years after surgery (33%, n = 20) was higher than the 3–10 years after surgery (8%, n = 5). At the end of follow-up, the median Aspergillus-IgG titre was lower than at relapse in 12 patients (67 vs 126 mg/l) (P = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS
Surgery in these selected patients with CPA resulted in favourable outcomes. Relapse is common after surgical treatment of CPA but can be minimized with antifungal therapy, emphasizing the importance of an accurate diagnosis prior to surgery.
Brown adipose tissue and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Levy Stephanie B 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Recent work proposes that a regimen of repeated mild cold exposure may have protective effects against the development of type II diabetes mellitus (T2D) by activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) metabolism. BAT may protect against by increasing whole-body energy expenditure and insulin sensitivity. An evolutionary perspective, however, highlights several limitations of this hypothesis. Some individuals adapt to acute cold stress by constricting their blood vessels, which leads to high blood pressure. Thus, a regimen of repeated mild cooling may have beneficial health effects for some individuals and negative consequences for others. Future research should examine the relationships between low temperature exposure, BAT metabolism, blood pressure, and type II diabetes risk.
Co-occurrence of rhizobacteria with nitrogen fixation and/or 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deamination abilities in the maize rhizosphere
Authors: Renoud Sébastien , Bouffaud Marie-Lara , Dubost Audrey , Prigent-Combaret Claire , Legendre Laurent , Moënne-Loccoz Yvan , Muller Daniel 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTThe plant microbiota may differ depending on soil type, but these microbiota probably share the same functions necessary for holobiont fitness. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that phytostimulatory microbial functional groups are likely to co-occur in the rhizosphere, using groups corresponding to nitrogen fixation (nifH) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deamination (acdS), i.e. two key modes of action in plant-beneficial rhizobacteria. The analysis of three maize fields in two consecutive years showed that quantitative PCR numbers of nifH and of acdS alleles differed according to field site, but a positive correlation was found overall when comparing nifH and acdS numbers. Metabarcoding analyses in the second year indicated that the diversity level of acdS but not nifH rhizobacteria in the rhizosphere differed across fields. Furthermore, between-class analysis showed that the three sites differed from one another based on nifH or acdS sequence data (or rrs data), and the bacterial genera contributing most to field differentiation were not the same for the three bacterial groups. However, co-inertia analysis indicated that the genetic structures of both functional groups and of the whole bacterial community were similar across the three fields. Therefore, results point to co-selection of rhizobacteria harboring nitrogen fixation and/or 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deamination abilities.
An Overexpression Experiment Does Not Support the Hypothesis That Avoidance of Toxicity Determines the Rate of Protein Evolution
Authors: Biesiadecka Magdalena K , Sliwa Piotr , Tomala Katarzyna , Korona Ryszard 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe misfolding avoidance hypothesis postulates that sequence mutations render proteins cytotoxic and therefore the higher the gene expression, the stronger the operation of selection against substitutions. This translates into prediction that relative toxicity of extant proteins is higher for those evolving faster. In the present experiment, we selected pairs of yeast genes which were paralogous but evolving at different rates. We expressed them artificially to high levels. We expected that toxicity would be higher for ones bearing more mutations, especially that overcrowding should rather exacerbate than reverse the already existing differences in misfolding rates. We did find that the applied mode of overexpression caused a considerable decrease in fitness and that the decrease was proportional to the amount of excessive protein. However, it was not higher for proteins which are normally expressed at lower levels (and have less conserved sequence). This result was obtained consistently, regardless whether the rate of growth or ability to compete in common cultures was used as a proxy for fitness. In additional experiments, we applied factors that reduce accuracy of translation or enhance structural instability of proteins. It did not change a consistent pattern of independence between the fitness cost caused by overexpression of a protein and the rate of its sequence evolution.
Canfam_GSD: De novo chromosome-length genome assembly of the German Shepherd Dog (Canis lupus familiaris) using a combination of long reads, optical mapping, and Hi-C
Authors: Field Matt A , Rosen Benjamin D , Dudchenko Olga , Chan Eva K F , Minoche Andre E , Edwards Richard J , Barton Kirston , Lyons Ruth J , Tuipulotu Daniel Enosi , Hayes Vanessa M , D. Omer Arina , Colaric Zane , Keilwagen Jens , Skvortsova Ksenia , Bogdanovic Ozren , Smith Martin A , Aiden Erez Lieberman , Smith Timothy P L , Zammit Robert A , Ballard J William O 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Background
The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is one of the most common breeds on earth and has been bred for its utility and intelligence. It is often first choice for police and military work, as well as protection, disability assistance, and search-and-rescue. Yet, GSDs are well known to be susceptible to a range of genetic diseases that can interfere with their training. Such diseases are of particular concern when they occur later in life, and fully trained animals are not able to continue their duties.

Findings
Here, we provide the draft genome sequence of a healthy German Shepherd female as a reference for future disease and evolutionary studies. We generated this improved canid reference genome (CanFam_GSD) utilizing a combination of Pacific Bioscience, Oxford Nanopore, 10X Genomics, Bionano, and Hi-C technologies. The GSD assembly is ~80 times as contiguous as the current canid reference genome (20.9 vs 0.267 Mb contig N50), containing far fewer gaps (306 vs 23,876) and fewer scaffolds (429 vs 3,310) than the current canid reference genome CanFamv3.1. Two chromosomes (4 and 35) are assembled into single scaffolds with no gaps. BUSCO analyses of the genome assembly results show that 93.0% of the conserved single-copy genes are complete in the GSD assembly compared with 92.2% for CanFam v3.1. Homology-based gene annotation increases this value to ~99%. Detailed examination of the evolutionarily important pancreatic amylase region reveals that there are most likely 7 copies of the gene, indicative of a duplication of 4 ancestral copies and the disruption of 1 copy.

Conclusions
GSD genome assembly and annotation were produced with major improvement in completeness, continuity, and quality over the existing canid reference. This resource will enable further research related to canine diseases, the evolutionary relationships of canids, and other aspects of canid biology.
Characterization of sheep erythrocyte glycosphingolipids recognized by human anti-Forssman antibodies
Authors: Santos Licinia , Jin Chunsheng , Mourato Cristiana , Mendes Fernando , Hesse Camilla , Teneberg Susann 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe FORS histo-blood group system is the most recently discovered carbohydrate-based human blood group system. FORS is a rare blood group system, and most individuals have naturally occurring anti-FORS1 antibodies in plasma. Screening for anti-FORS1 antibodies is often done by hemagglutination assays using FORS1-expressing sheep erythrocytes, since FORS1-positive human erythrocytes are most often not available. Here, we have characterized the non-acid glycosphingolipids from sheep erythrocytes and isolated subfractions, with mass spectrometry, binding of antibodies and lectins, and by enzymatic hydrolysis. This demonstrated the presence of Forssman and Galili pentaosylceramides, and a Galili heptaosylceramide. Two complex glycosphingolipids recognized by human anti-FORS1 antibodies were characterized as a Forssman neolacto hybrid hexaosylceramide (GalNAcα3GalNAcβ3Galβ4GlcNAcβ3Galβ4Glcβ1Cer) and a Forssman Galili hybrid heptaosylceramide (GalNAcα3GalNAcβ3Galα3Galβ4GlcNAcβ3Galβ4Glcβ1Cer). These are novel glycosphingolipid structures, and to our knowledge, the first case of an elongated Galili antigen. Thus, the anti-Forssman antibodies in human serum bind not only to the classical Forssman pentaosylceramide (GalNAcα3GalNAcβ3Galα4Galβ4Glcβ1Cer), but also when the GalNAcα3GalNAcβ3 sequence is presented on a neolacto core chain and even on a Galili carbohydrate sequence.
Development and evaluation of smoke-free or tobacco-free policies in university settings: a systematic scoping review
Authors: Bardus M , El Boukhari N , Nakkash R 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWe conducted a systematic scoping review to map the available evidence on smoke-free or tobacco-free (SF/TF) university policies globally. We specifically looked at (i) how policies were developed and communicated and (ii) what indicators were used to evaluate their impact. We searched for peer-reviewed literature, published up to January 2020, across 10 multi-disciplinary databases. We followed a duplicate, independent data selection, and charting process. We inductively categorized the studies according to the research design and objective of ‘process’ and ‘impact evaluation’. We identified 75 unique studies across 23 countries conducted between 1993 and 2019. Most studies were conducted in the United States (46/75, 61.3%), were based on quantitative research design and focused on impact evaluations; a third (n = 28) reported both process and impact evaluations (37.3%). Community engagement and multi-channel communication strategies were mostly used to disseminate SF/TF policies. The impact was determined by a wide range of indicators for knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to policies. There is a mature, relevant body of literature describing the development and evaluation of SF/TF policies in universities. Future reviews could quantify the impact of the bans and may consider process indicators as moderating factors to explain the potential heterogeneity of results.
Topologies of Random Geometric Complexes on Riemannian Manifolds in the Thermodynamic Limit
Authors: Auffinger Antonio , Lerario Antonio , Lundberg Erik 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
We investigate the topologies of random geometric complexes built over random points sampled on Riemannian manifolds in the so-called “thermodynamic” regime. We prove the existence of universal limit laws for the topologies; namely, the random normalized counting measure of connected components (counted according to homotopy type) is shown to converge in probability to a deterministic probability measure. Moreover, we show that the support of the deterministic limiting measure equals the set of all homotopy types for Euclidean connected geometric complexes of the same dimension as the manifold.
The use of theory in the development and evaluation of behaviour change interventions to improve antimicrobial prescribing: a systematic review
Authors: Talkhan Hend , Stewart Derek , Mcintosh Trudi , Ziglam Hisham , Abdulrouf Palli Valappila , Al-Hail Moza , Diab Mohammad , Cunningham Scott 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Objectives
This systematic review (SR) reviews the evidence on use of theory in developing and evaluating behaviour change interventions (BCIs) to improve clinicians’ antimicrobial prescribing (AP).

Methods
The SR protocol was registered with PROSPERO. Eleven databases were searched from inception to October 2018 for peer-reviewed, English-language, primary literature in any healthcare setting and for any medical condition. This included research on changing behavioural intentions (e.g. in simulated scenarios) and research measuring actual AP. All study designs/methodologies were included. Excluded were: grey literature and/or those which did not state a theory. Two reviewers independently extracted and quality assessed the data. The Theory Coding Scheme (TCS) evaluated the extent of the use of theory.

Results
Searches found 4227 potentially relevant papers after removal of duplicates. Screening of titles/abstracts led to dual assessment of 38 full-text papers. Ten (five quantitative, three qualitative and two mixed-methods) met the inclusion criteria. Studies were conducted in the UK (n = 8), Canada (n = 1) and Sweden (n = 1), most in primary care settings (n = 9), targeting respiratory tract infections (n = 8), and medical doctors (n = 10). The most common theories used were Theory of Planned Behaviour (n = 7), Social Cognitive Theory (n = 5) and Operant Learning Theory (n = 5). The use of theory to inform the design and choice of intervention varied, with no optimal use as recommended in the TCS.

Conclusions
This SR is the first to investigate theoretically based BCIs around AP. Few studies were identified; most were suboptimal in theory use. There is a need to consider how theory is used and reported and the systematic use of the TCS could help.
Chromatographic Separation of the Novel Hypoglycemic Drug Mitiglinide in its Bulk Powder and Pharmaceutical Formulation: Forced Degradation and Validated Stability-Indicating HPTLC/Densitometry and HPLC/UV Methods
Authors: Eissa Maya S , Darweish Eman , Elghobashy Mohammed R , Shehata Mostafa A 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Background
Mitiglinide (MTG) is one of meglitinides group which are used for treatment of type two diabetes mellitus.

Objective
Mitiglinide (MTG) is a novel oral hypoglycemic drug. The present work adopts two stability-indicating chromatographic methods for determination of MTG after being exposed to forced degradation using 4 M methanolic HCl for 12 h.

Methods
The first method is HPTLC/densitometry using methanol:chloroform:acetic acid (5:2.5:0.3 by volume) as the eluting system and silica gel 60 GF254 as the stationary phase; the separated bands were then scanned at 220 nm. The second method is HPLC/UV in which acetonitrile:methanol:0.05 M potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (pH 3.5) (40:25:35 by volume) was used as the mobile phase and a Zorbax SB-C8 (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) column as a stationary phase, at a flow rate of 1 mL/min and UV detection at 220 nm.

Results
As a result of acid hydrolysis, two degradants were obtained. The first one was benzyl succinic acid to which this study was performed. The second one lacked configuration and was unreadable using UV spectrometry. Linearity was in the range of 8–48 µg/band MTG for HPTLC and 10–80 µg MTG for HPLC. LOD and LOQ values were 1.85 and 5.62 µg/band for the HPTLC method and 2.14 and 6.49 µg/mL for the HPLC method, respectively. The Recovery % was 100.03 ± 1.464 and 99.61 ± 1.44 using the HPTLC and HPLC methods, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSD, %) for intra- and inter-day assays were 1.111 and 1.430 for the HPTLC method, respectively, and those for the HPLC method were 1.377 and 0.866, respectively. The RSD, %, for robustness testing was 1.162 (saturation time of mobile phase) and 1.592 (change in ratio of methanol content) for the HPTLC method and 1.377 (mobile phase composition), 1.713 (detector wavelength) and 1.770 (mobile phase flow rate) for the HPLC method.

Conclusions
The adopted methods were successfully applied for the determination of MTG in its pure form, in presence of its acid degradant and in its tablet dosage form.

Highlights
Statistical comparison between the results obtained from the developed methods and those obtained by the reported HPLC method showed no significance difference.
Influence of Provider Communication on Emerging Adults’ Medication Cognitions and Provider Satisfaction
Authors: Carreon Samantha A , Durkin Lindsay , Davies W Hobart , Greenley Rachel Neff 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Objective
This study examined how the content of medical provider communication related to medication prescriptions influenced emerging adults’ (EA) medication-related cognitions and satisfaction with care.

Methods
In total, 257 EA (ages 18–25) were randomized to one of three audio vignettes depicting a medical appointment in which the EA imagined him/herself as the recipient of an oral antibiotic prescription. Provider communication content varied by vignette as follows: the positive outcome expectancy (POE) vignette focused on enhancing patient POE related to antibiotic use; the negative outcome expectancy (NOE) vignette focused on reducing patient NOE; and the standard care vignette focused on providing factual medication information. Following the vignette, participants self-reported on demographics, select medication-related cognitions, and provider satisfaction from vignette.

Results
Those in the NOE vignette condition reported higher provider satisfaction, perceived the provider to have given more information, and evidenced lower NOE and higher POE about the antibiotic compared with those in the other conditions. Intent to adhere did not vary by vignette condition.

Conclusions
Brief, provider-initiated communication focused on reducing patient NOE may have unique value in altering EA’s medication-related cognitions. Given that medication-related beliefs are known correlates of adherence, future research should replicate and expand these findings in the context of real-world medical encounters and through the utilization of objective indices of medication adherence to more fully understand the potential significance of provider language emphasizing reduction of NOE on medication adherence.
Veterans Team Recovery Integrative Immersion Process (Vet TRIIP): A Qualitative Evaluation of Participation and Impact
Authors: Maddox Dondee , Deschner Bob , Goodsun Dottie , Lapiz-Bluhm M Danet 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe Veterans Team Recovery Integrative Immersion Process (Vet TRIIP) is a short-term multi-modality complementary, integrative immersion program for veterans with chronic pain, post-traumatic stress, and related symptoms. Geared toward Veterans, active duty servicemembers, family members, and caregivers, Vet TRIIP aims to honor and empower them to create healthy, happy, and productive civilian lives. This study evaluates the program to determine its impact on the quality of life and ways to improve and develop Vet TRIIP.Materials and MethodsIn total, 14 clients participated in the qualitative review of the Vet TRIIP program in San Antonio. The participants were interviewed related to their reason for participating, their most bothersome symptoms and the effects of Vet TRIIP on those symptoms, service provided that is most and least appreciated, suggestions for improvement, and things learned from Vet TRIIP that helped them daily. Responses were analyzed for emerging themes.ResultsThe main reasons for participating were physiological and psychological needs, social support, and curiosity to address their reported symptoms such as pain, stress/anxiety, and depression. Vet TRIIP reportedly improved their quality of life and decreased stress. The participants liked most the support of the Vet TRIIP staff and the interventions such as reiki and massage. Other participants did not like acupuncture. Participants suggested the addition of professional psychological services could be helpful. They reported that emotional freedom technique (EFT/tapping) and guided breathing were most useful in their daily lives. Each participant reported that Vet TRIIP was a positive experience that helped with their pain, anxiety, and stress management, providing an improvement in their quality of life. It also imparted an eye-opening experience to nontraditional non-pharmacological interventions for pain, anxiety, and stress.ConclusionsEvaluative studies on organizations that support Veterans are useful to gauge the effectiveness and impact. Through this study, Veterans expressed perceived strengths and weaknesses of the program so further development and appropriate services will be provided. Similar studies on the impact of non-profit organizations are encouraged. Vet TRIIP significantly impacts the lives of many through stress and pain reduction, potentially preventing suicide.