bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the evaluation of pulmonary artery activity in patients with Takayasu’s arteritis
Authors: Gao Wei , Gong Juan-Ni , Guo Xiao-Juan , Wu Jiao-Yan , Xi Xiao-Ying , Ma Zhan-Hong , Yang Yuan-Hua , Yang Min-Fu 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Aims
To explore the value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the detection of active pulmonary artery (PA) lesions in patients with Takayasu’s arteritis (TA).

Methods and results
Consecutive TA patients with PA involvement were prospectively recruited. Clinical activity was assessed according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria. CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) or magnetic resonance pulmonary angiography was performed for evaluation of vascular structural characteristics, and mural thickening was considered as radiologically active. A vascular segment with 18F-FDG uptake ≥ liver was considered as PET-active. A total of 38 18F-FDG PET/CT scans were performed in 29 patients. In terms of disease activity, the sensitivity of 18F-FDG PET/CT did not significantly differ from radiological imaging (71.4% vs. 92.9%, P = 0.250), but 18F-FDG PET/CT had higher specificity (91.7% vs. 37.5%, P = 0.001) and accuracy (84.2% vs. 57.9%, P = 0.022). Although the majority of PET-active PA segments (54.9%) showed mural thickening, 14 PA segments with normal structure were also PET-active. 18F-FDG activity did not significantly differ between the PA and aorta in clinically active patients. In addition, 18F-FDG activity of the PA was positively correlated with inflammatory markers. Changes in 18F-FDG activity in PA during follow-up reflected therapeutic effects.

Conclusion
18F-FDG PET/CT can effectively evaluate PA activity in TA patients, and its diagnostic performance is superior to radiological imaging. The 18F-FDG activity of PA shows a good correlation with clinical disease status and inflammatory markers and can be used to monitor therapeutic effects.
First experience in quadripolar active fixation coronary sinus lead extraction: a case report
Authors: Guella Elhosseyn , Brack Michael , Abozguia Khalid , Cassidy Christopher John 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Background
The Attain Stability Quadripolar 4798 lead is a relatively new quadripolar active fixation coronary sinus (CS) lead. No cases of extraction of a chronically implanted 4798 lead have been published to date.

Case summary
A 52-year-old man with a history of previous cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker (CRT-P) insertion and atrioventricular node ablation presented to our institution with a pocket infection 69 weeks after implantation. Directed intravenous antibiotic therapy was commenced and an extraction was performed the following day. Extraction of the right atrial and right ventricular leads was simple and achieved with gentle manual traction. Extraction of the CS lead was more difficult. Significant traction was required due to the formation of adhesions inside the CS but extraction of the lead was eventually successful without complication. Specialized extraction equipment was not required. A new contralateral CRT-P device was implanted, and the patient was discharged home. He remains well at 3 months of follow-up.

Discussion
We present the first case of extraction of a chronically implanted active fixation Attain Stability Quadripolar lead. Our experience demonstrates that this has been performed successfully without specialist tools and with preservation of the CS branch. Significant adhesion was noted at the site of active fixation, however. Potential difficulty with this lead’s extraction should therefore be considered when contemplating its use.
Salvage pulmonary metastasectomy with auto-transplantation after nivolumab
Authors: Murakami Kotaro , Hamaji Masatsugu , Yoshizawa Akihiko , Date Hiroshi 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
A 64-year-old woman presented for potential salvage surgery with a residual and growing pulmonary metastasis from clear-cell renal cell carcinoma, originating in the left upper lobe, after immunotherapy with nivolumab. Preoperative computed tomography with contrast demonstrated that the lesion extended into the pulmonary artery branch of the anterior segment of the left lower lobe. Ex vivo dissection was performed, followed by auto-transplantation of the left lower lobe. Herein, we discuss the radiological, intraoperative and pathological findings.
Physiotherapy in addition to vacuum bell therapy in patients with pectus excavatum
Authors: Alaca Nuray , Alaca Ihsan , Yüksel Mustafa 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Vacuum bell and exercise therapy are non-invasive treatments for pectus excavatum (PE). The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the physiotherapy programme applied in addition to vacuum bell treatment in patients with PE.

METHODS
The study included 26 male patients with PE aged 11–18 years. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: group 1 received only vacuum bell treatment; group 2 had vacuum bell therapy and physiotherapy. Patient demographic and disease-related characteristics, type of sternal depression, perception of their deformity, postural evaluations, treatment satisfaction and quality of life were evaluated before and 12 weeks after treatment.

RESULTS
From external chest circumference measurements related to PE, sternal depression and anthropometric index values showed improvement in both groups (P &lt; 0.05), but better results were observed in group 2 than in group 1 (P &lt; 0.05). Modified percent depth and scores from the T3 region (distance between the most prominent point of the sternum and the spinous process of the vertebra at the same level) showed improvement only in group 2 (P &lt; 0.01), whereas severity of PE, the patient’s perception of his deformity and parental physiological quality-of-life scores improved in both groups (P &lt; 0.05). Posture, satisfaction with treatment and the patients’ physiological quality-of-life scores were significantly better in group 2 (P &lt; 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
Due to the additional improvements and greater satisfaction in the group receiving physiotherapy, we think that a proper rehabilitation programme should be applied simultaneously with the vacuum bell treatment in patients with PE.

Clinical trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov
NCT04167865.
Vancomycin prophylaxis in paediatric patients following cardiac surgery: a retrospective evaluation of trough levels and associated variables
Authors: Vallesi Leonardo , Fragasso Tiziana , Benegni Simona , Insom Giulia , Di Chiara Luca , Corsetti Tiziana , Ricci Zaccaria 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Therapeutic drug monitoring during vancomycin administration is recommended. However, little information is available in case of paediatric vancomycin prophylaxis. The aim of this study was to analyse vancomycin trough levels on postoperative day (POD) 2 and 3 after paediatric cardio-surgery to assess the clinical predictors and outcomes associated with vancomycin concentrations and to evaluate whether adjustments are effective to target optimal levels.

METHODS
A retrospective study was conducted in paediatric patients receiving vancomycin prophylaxis after elective cardio-surgery. Adjustments were made if levels between 20 and 30 (halving subsequent dose) or ˃30 mg/l (dose withheld) were found.

RESULTS
Vancomycin doses of the 100 examined children (3.7–6.4 years) were 12.8 (2.5), 9.4 (5.4) and 9.7 (4.5) mg/kg, on POD1, 2 and 3, respectively (P = 0.0001). The 200 vancomycin trough levels decreased from 16.9 (11.4) on POD2 to 14.6 (8.5) on POD3 (P = 0.003). Overall, 66 troughs were sub-target, 68 reached the optimal target and 66 were supra-target. On POD2 and 3, 32 and 27 dose adjustments were required, leading to a reduced number of patients with supra-target troughs. Neonates showed a higher number of supra-target levels with respect to non-neonatal patients on both POD2 (P = 0.003) and 3 (P = 0.0001). At multivariable regression analysis, vancomycin levels showed independent association with weight and creatinine levels on both POD2 and 3. Vancomycin levels correlated with ventilation days (P = 0.31, P = 0.039), but not with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus positivity (P = 0.69).

CONCLUSIONS
Vancomycin prophylaxis in paediatric cardio-surgery requires strict therapeutic drug monitoring and several dosage adjustments. Supra-target troughs are frequent and neonatal age, weight and creatinine levels significantly affect vancomycin concentrations.
Association Between Vaginal Bacterial Microbiota and Vaginal Yeast Colonization
Authors: Eastment McKenna C , Balkus Jennifer E , Richardson Barbra A , Srinivasan Sujatha , Kimani Joshua , Anzala Omu , Schwebke Jane , Fiedler Tina L , Fredricks David N , McClelland R Scott 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Background
Vaginal yeast is frequently found with Lactobacillus-dominant microbiota. The relationship between vaginal yeast and other bacteria has not been well characterized.

Methods
These analyses utilized data from the Preventing Vaginal Infections trial. Relative abundance of vaginal bacteria from 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene amplicon sequencing and quantities of 10 vaginal bacteria using taxon-directed polymerase chain reaction assays were compared at visits with and without detection of yeast on microscopy, culture, or both.

Results
Higher relative abundances of Megasphaera species type 1 (risk ratio [RR], 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52–0.95), Megasphaera species type 2 (RR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.67–0.98), and Mageeibacillus indolicus (RR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.25–0.83) were associated with lower risk of detecting yeast. In contrast, higher relative abundances of Bifidobacterium bifidum, Aerococcus christensenii, Lactobacillus mucosae, Streptococcus equinus/infantarius/lutentiensis, Prevotella bivia, Dialister propionicifaciens, and Lactobacillus crispatus/helveticus were associated with yeast detection. Taxon-directed assays confirmed that increasing quantities of both Megasphaera species and M indolicus were associated with lower risk of detecting yeast, whereas increasing quantities of L crispatus were associated with higher risk of detecting yeast.

Conclusions
Despite an analysis that examined associations between multiple vaginal bacteria and the presence of yeast, only a small number of vaginal bacteria were strongly and significantly associated with the presence or absence of yeast.
Nomen est omen: why we need to rename ‘antimicrobial resistance’
Authors: Krockow Eva M 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The naming of diseases is a critical aspect of public health communication. In light of the recent renaming of the ‘Wuhan novel coronavirus’ to COVID-19, the names of other health threats must be reviewed. In particular, a new name is urgently needed for the global challenge typically referred to as ‘antimicrobial resistance’. The current name is inconsistently used, difficult to pronounce and lacks meaning for lay audiences. It also fails to express the magnitude of the phenomenon’s potential consequences for human medicine. This article reviews and evaluates key findings from several cross-disciplinary streams of research on the psycholinguistic properties of names. These include early psychology literature pertaining to the concept of ‘word attensity’, recent cognitive research on ‘processing fluency’ in the context of word recognition, and relevant marketing literature examining the components of successful branding strategies. Three key criteria—pronounceability, meaningfulness and specificity—are found to influence the perception of names and these are discussed in the context of antimicrobial resistance. The article demonstrates that the current term of ‘antimicrobial resistance’ falls short with regard to all three criteria and concludes with specific recommendations for the creation of a new name. Only the strategic choice of a single term that is (i) short and easy to pronounce; (ii) intuitively meaningful to lay audiences and indicative of the existential threat linked to antimicrobial resistance; and (iii) uniquely associated with the topic of antimicrobial resistance is likely to bring about overdue change in the global discussion of antimicrobial resistance.
Predictive Value of Breast MRI Background Parenchymal Enhancement for Neoadjuvant Treatment Response among HER2− Patients
Authors: Arasu Vignesh A , Kim Paul , Li Wen , Strand Fredrik , McHargue Cody , Harnish Roy , Newitt David C , Jones Ella F , Glymour M Maria , Kornak John , Esserman Laura J , Hylton Nola M ,   ISPY2 investigators
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Objective
Women with advanced HER2− breast cancer have limited treatment options. Breast MRI functional tumor volume (FTV) is used to predict pathologic complete response (pCR) to improve treatment efficacy. In addition to FTV, background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) may predict response and was explored for HER2− patients in the I-SPY-2 TRIAL.

Methods
Women with HER2− stage II or III breast cancer underwent prospective serial breast MRIs during four neoadjuvant chemotherapy timepoints. BPE was quantitatively calculated using whole-breast manual segmentation. Logistic regression models were systematically explored using pre-specified and optimized predictor selection based on BPE or combined with FTV.

Results
A total of 352 MRI examinations in 88 patients (29 with pCR, 59 non-pCR) were evaluated. Women with hormone receptor (HR)+HER2− cancers who achieved pCR demonstrated a significantly greater decrease in BPE from baseline to pre-surgery compared to non-pCR patients (odds ratio 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.39–0.92, P = 0.04). The associated BPE area under the curve (AUC) was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.56–0.98), comparable to the range of FTV AUC estimates. Among multi-predictor models, the highest cross-validated AUC of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.73–0.90) was achieved with combined FTV+HR predictors, while adding BPE to FTV+HR models had an estimated AUC of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.74–0.92).

Conclusion
Among women with HER2− cancer, BPE alone demonstrated association with pCR in women with HR+HER2− breast cancer, with similar diagnostic performance to FTV. BPE predictors remained significant in multivariate FTV models, but without added discrimination for pCR prediction. This may be due to small sample size limiting ability to create subtype-specific multivariate models.
The freshwater mysid Mysis diluviana (Audzijonyte & Väinölä, 2005) (Mysida: Mysidae) consumes detritus in the presence of Daphnia (Cladocera: Daphniidae)
Authors: Griffin Jessica E , O’Malley Brian P , Stockwell Jason D 
Published: July 2020

AbstractFreshwater mysids of the Mysis relicta group are omnivorous macroinvertebrates that form an important link between fishes and lower trophic levels in many north temperate to Arctic lakes, where they exhibit diel vertical migration (DVM) to exploit subsurface food-rich layers at night. Benthic food resources have been assumed to be less important for mysid diets than pelagic zooplankton. Studies have nevertheless indicated that mysids consume benthic sedimented detritus, calling this assumption into question. We conducted a food-choice experiment to evaluate the feeding preferences of Mysis diluviana (Audzijonyte & Väinölä, 2005) by presenting field-caught specimens in individual foraging arenas with multiple choices of food. Experimental food treatments included a preferred pelagic prey (Daphnia), a presumed less desirable benthic resource (detritus), and a combination of both. We hypothesized that M. diluviana 1) prefers Daphnia over detritus and consumes only Daphnia in combination treatments, and 2) would not consume detritus except when detritus was the only food source available. Contrary to our hypothesis, M. diluviana readily consumed detritus in the presence of Daphnia. Mysis diluviana unexpectedly consumed more individuals of Daphnia in the presence rather than in the absence of detritus. Our results demonstrate that mysids take advantage of benthic food resources even in the presence of a presumably preferred zooplankton prey, calling to question the long-held assumption that benthic resources are unimportant when considering the trophic role of freshwater mysids of the M. relicta group.
Pre- and Post-Copulatory Competitiveness of the Genetic Sexing Strain Tapachula-7 of Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Contreras-Navarro Yair , Pérez-Staples Diana , Orozco-Dávila Dina , Díaz-Fleischer Francisco 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is an endemic pest of Mexico, attacking several fruits of economic importance. The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), consisting of mass-rearing, irradiation and release of adults, is used to control this pest in affected areas. Currently, a genetic sexing strain (Tapachula 7, Tap-7) consisting only of A. ludens males is being released, yet we lack information on its sexual performance at the early ages when they are released and on its post copulatory behavior in terms of sperm transfer and mating inhibition. Here, sexual competitiveness at young ages and ability to inhibit female re-mating was compared between sterile Tap-7, Standard Bisexual (SB), or wild males both in laboratory and field cage conditions. Sperm stored by females mating with wild, Tap-7, or SB strain males was also compared. Six-day-old sterile Tap-7 males had low mating rates, however, by 7 d of age 80% of males had mated. Tap-7 males were just as likely as wild males to inhibit wild female re-mating. In field cages, sterile Tap-7 males mated faster than wild and sterile males from the SB strain and had comparable mating success to wild males. Females mated to sterile Tap-7 males stored more sperm than those mated to sterile SB males. Females mated to wild males stored more sperm than females mated to any other type of male. Mass-rearing had a greater effect on decreasing sperm stored by females than irradiation. We recommend continuing the release of the GSS strain of A. ludens.
Resistance of Cowpea Genotypes to Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Its Relationship to Resistance-Related Enzymes
Authors: Costa Eduardo Neves , Martins Lucas Ortega , Reis Lucas Coutinho , Fernandes Marcos Gino , de Paula Quintão Scalon Silvana 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSpodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) can attack cowpea plants (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) (Fabales: Fabaceae) in any growth stage but attacks primarily in the first days after plant emergence, when the plants are more sensitive to defoliation. This study was carried out to evaluate the resistance to S. frugiperda in six cowpea genotypes, of which four were cultivars (BRS Tapahium, BRS Tumucumaque, Fradinho, and Miranda), and two were landraces (Juti and Nioaque), in three different experiments. In the first experiment, adult emergence, adult weight, adult longevity, larva to adult period, numbers of injured leaves per plant canopy (upper, middle, and lower), and reduction in plant dry matter were assessed. In the second experiment, the oviposition preference of S. frugiperda for the different cowpea genotypes was evaluated under free-choice conditions. In the third experiment, levels of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and protein content in cowpea leaves were assessed. Insects fed on landrace Juti plants showed low adult emergence, yielded a lower fitness index, and caused less plant dry matter reduction. In addition, plants of landrace Juti were less preferred for oviposition. Overall, Juti plants showed higher resistance levels in all three resistance categories and higher levels of POD and SOD in S. frugiperda injured leaves, in addition to a lower protein content. Juti will be tested in field conditions, followed by molecular characterization. This will provide additional information about its potential as an S. frugiperda resistance source in plant breeding programs.
Maximizing Bark and Ambrosia Beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Catches in Trapping Surveys for Longhorn and Jewel Beetles
Authors: Marchioro Matteo , Rassati Davide , Faccoli Massimo , Van Rooyen Kate , Kostanowicz Chantelle , Webster Vincent , Mayo Peter , Sweeney Jon 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Bark and ambrosia beetles are commonly moved among continents within timber and fresh wood-packaging materials. Routine visual inspections of imported commodities are often complemented with baited traps set up in natural areas surrounding entry points. Given that these activities can be expensive, trapping protocols that attract multiple species simultaneously are needed. Here we investigated whether trapping protocols commonly used to detect longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) and jewel beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) can be exploited also for detecting bark and ambrosia beetles. In factorial experiments conducted in 2016 both in Italy (seminatural and reforested forests) and Canada (mixed forest) we tested the effect of trap color (green vs purple), trap height (understory vs canopy), and attractive blend (hardwood-blend developed for broadleaf-associated wood-boring beetles vs ethanol in Italy; hardwood-blend vs softwood-blend developed for conifer-associated wood-boring beetles, in Canada) separately on bark beetles and ambrosia beetles, as well as on individual bark and ambrosia beetle species. Trap color affected catch of ambrosia beetles more so than bark beetles, with purple traps generally more attractive than green traps. Trap height affected both beetle groups, with understory traps generally performing better than canopy traps. Hardwood-blend and ethanol performed almost equally in attracting ambrosia beetles in Italy, whereas hardwood-blend and softwood-blend were more attractive to broadleaf-associated species and conifer-associated species, respectively, in Canada. In general, we showed that trapping variables suitable for generic surveillance of longhorn and jewel beetles may also be exploited for survey of bark and ambrosia beetles, but trapping protocols must be adjusted depending on the forest type.
Morphological and Developmental Traits of the Binucleation of Male Accessory Gland Cells in the Benthic Water Bug, Aphelocheirus vittatus (Hemiptera: Aphelochiridae)
Authors: Takeda Koji , Yamauchi Jun , Adachi-Yamada Takashi 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The male accessory glands (MAGs) in insects are pair(s) of internal reproductive organs that produce and secrete the plasma component of seminal fluid. In various insects, MAG size is important for male reproductive success because the fluid provides physiologically active substances and/or nutrients to females to control sperm as well as female reproductive behaviors. Although the MAG epithelial cells in most insect species are standard mononucleate cells, those in some insect taxa are binucleate due to incomplete cytokinesis (e.g., Drosophila [Fallén] [Diptera: Drosophilidae]) or cell fusion (e.g., Cimex [Linnaeus] [Hemiptera: Cimicidae]). In the case of Drosophila, the apicobasal position of the two nuclei relative to the epithelial plane changes from vertical to horizontal after nutrient intake, which allows the volume of the MAG cavity to expand effectively. On the other hand, in the case of Cimex, the positions of the two nuclei do not change apicobasally in response to feeding, but their position relative to the proximodistal axis varies depending on the tubular/spherical organ morphology. Here, we report that the MAG of the benthic water bug Aphelocheirus vittatus (Matsumura) (Hemiptera: Aphelochiridae) shows binucleation in all epithelial cells. Despite the phylogenetically close relationship between Aphelocheirus and Cimex, the MAG cells in Aphelocheirus showed a Drosophila-like apicobasal change in the position of the two nuclei in response to feeding. Furthermore, the cytological processes during binucleation are more similar to those in Drosophila (incomplete cytokinesis) than to those in Cimex (cell fusion). These results indicate that the physiological role and mechanism of binucleation in MAG cells changed during the evolution of Hemiptera.