bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Infective Endocarditis in Patients With Intestinal Failure: Experience From a National Referral Center
Authors: Sawbridge David , Taylor Michael , Teubner Antje , Abraham Arun , Woolfson Peter , Abidin Nik , Chadwick Paul R. , Lal Simon 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundInfective endocarditis (IE) is a recognized complication of central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). Central venous access devices (CVADs) are essential for the delivery of long‐term parenteral nutrition (PN), yet there are no published data as to the prevalence, characteristics and outcomes of IE in this population.MethodsA prospectively maintained database of patients with intestinal failure (IF) types 2 and 3, managed by a national intestinal failure center between January 2010 and December 2018, was analyzed retrospectively and relevant factors extracted from case records.ResultsA total of 745 patients with IF and CVADs in situ on admission, or placed during their stay, were admitted over the duration of this study, 640 with type 2 IF and 105 with type 3 IF. Two hundred eighty‐two echocardiograms were performed to investigate potential IE associated with a CLABSI event. Four cases of IE were identified in the entire cohort of 782,666 catheter days (IE incidence rate: 0.005 per 1000 catheter days and 187 per 100,000 person‐years for the entire cohort; 0.048 per 1000 inpatient catheter days for acute type 2 IF, 0.0026 per 1000 outpatient catheter days [ie, 99 per 100,000 person‐years for outpatients with type 3 IF]).ConclusionIE is rare in the type 3 IF population and a rare consequence of CLABSI in inpatient acute type 2 IF. However, mortality and morbidity are high. Routine echocardiography may not be warranted for investigation of CLABSI unless there is a high risk of IE or a virulent organism is involved.
Epidemiology and reporting characteristics of non‐Cochrane updates of systematic reviews: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Rombey Tanja , Lochner Valerie , Puljak Livia , Könsgen Nadja , Mathes Tim , Pieper Dawid 
Published: April 2020

BackgroundIt is important that systematic reviews (SRs) are up‐to‐date, otherwise they cannot be relied upon to guide decision‐making in practice and policy. Our aim was to investigate epidemiological, descriptive and reporting characteristics of a cross‐section of recently published updates of SRs.MethodsA SR update was defined as a new edition of a SR, either published by the same or new authors. We searched PubMed for SR updates published from January 01, 2016 to January 22, 2018 and included a random sample of n = 100 non‐Cochrane updates of SRs on interventions reported in English.ResultsMost SR updates had a corresponding author from the United Kingdom, United States, or Canada (in total 48/100) and dealt with nonpharmacological interventions (63/100). The SR updates were published a median of 5 years (interquartile range [IQR] 3‐7) after the previous SR and included a median of 19 (IQR 9‐28) studies. 31/100 SR updates reported that the conclusion had changed since the previous version. Only 51/100 SR updates used the term “update” in the title and none reported having based the decision to update the previous SR on an existing method/decision tool. The number of newly included studies and participants and the number of studies and participants included in/from the previous SR were often not reported.ConclusionsThe included non‐Cochrane updates were frequently missing important information that would be expected to be present in a SR update. Thus, structured and detailed reporting guidance specific to SR updates is needed. It should focus particularly on appropriate labeling and justification of updates, and how to incorporate information regarding the previous SR.
Comparative transcriptome and phenotype analysis revealed the role and mechanism of ompR in the virulence of fish pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila
Authors: Zhang Mengmeng , Kang Jianping , Wu Bin , Qin Yingxue , Huang Lixing , Zhao Lingmin , Mao Leilei , Wang Suyun , Yan Qingpi 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAeromonas hydrophila B11 strain was isolated from diseased Anguilla japonica, which had caused severe gill ulcers in farmed eel, causing huge economic losses. EnvZ‐OmpR is a model two‐component system in the bacteria and is widely used in the research of signal transduction and gene transcription regulation. In this study, the ompR of A. hydrophila B11 strain was first silenced by RNAi technology. The role of ompR in the pathogenicity of A. hydrophila B11 was investigated by analyzing both the bacterial comparative transcriptome and phenotype. The qRT‐PCR results showed that the expression of ompR in the ompR‐RNAi strain decreased by 97% compared with the wild‐type strain. The virulence test showed that after inhibition of the ompR expression, the LD50 of A. hydrophila B11 decreased by an order of magnitude, suggesting that ompR is involved in the regulation of bacterial virulence. Comparative transcriptome analysis showed that the expression of ompR can directly regulate the expression of several important virulence‐related genes, such as the bacterial type II secretion system; moreover, ompR expression also regulates the expression of multiple genes related to bacterial chemotaxis, motility, adhesion, and biofilm formation. Further studies on the phenotype of A. hydrophila B11 and ompR‐RNAi also confirmed that the downregulation of ompR expression can decrease bacterial chemotaxis, adhesion, and biofilm formation.
FF‐QuantSC: accurate quantification of fetal fraction by a neural network model
Authors: Yuan Yuying , Chai Xianghua , Liu Na , Gu Bida , Li Shengting , Gao Ya , Zhou Lijun , Liu Qiang , Yang Fan , Liu Jingjuan , Qiu Jiao , Zhang Jinjin , Hou Yumei , Cen Miaolan , Tian Zhongming , Tang Weijiang , Zhang Hongyun , Chen Fang , Yin Ye , Wang Wei 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundNoninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is one of the most commonly employed clinical measures for screening of fetal aneuploidy. Fetal Fraction (ff) has been demonstrated to be one of the key factors affecting the performance of NIPT. Accurate quantification offfplays vital role in NIPT.MethodsIn this study, we present a new approach, the accurate Quantification of Fetal Fraction with Shallow‐Coverage sequencing of maternal plasma DNA (FF‐QuantSC), for the estimation offfin NIPT. The method employs neural network model and utilizes differential genomic patterns between fetal and maternal genomes to quantifyff.ResultsOur results show that the predictedffby FF‐QuantSC exhibit high correlation with the Y chromosome–based method on male pregnancies, and achieves the highest accuracy compared with otherffestimation approaches. We also demonstrate that the model generates statistically similar results on both male and female pregnancies.ConclusionFF‐QuantSC achieves high accuracy inffquantification. The method is suitable for application in both male and female pregnancies. Since the method does not require additional information upon NIPT routines, it can be easily incorporated into current NIPT settings without causing extra costs. We believe that FF‐QuantSC shall provide valuable additions to NIPT.
A novel variant in the neutrophil cytosolic factor 2 (NCF2) gene results in severe disseminated BCG infectious disease: A clinical report and literature review
Authors: AlKhater Suzan A. , Deswarte Caroline , Casanova Jean‐Laurent , Bustamante Jacinta 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundChronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder (PID) affecting NADPH oxidase activity. The rarest form of the disease is considered to be caused by NCF2 gene bi‐allelic variant. Here, we report the clinical and molecular characterization of a patient presenting with early‐onset severe disease due to bi‐allelic NCF2 variant.MethodsGene mutational analysis was performed by whole‐exome and Sanger sequencing.ResultsThe patient presented with a history of fever and rash since the age of 1 month, followed by destructive osteomyelitis and necrotizing lymphadenopathy. The patient received the Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) vaccine at birth; she was subsequently diagnosed with disseminated BCG infection. Whole‐exome sequencing identified a private (unreported) homozygous variant in NCF2 (c.290C > A) that results in a nonconservative change, p.Ala97Asp, in the p67phox protein. The variant is located in the third helix of the TRP domain, which is crucial for the binding of GTPase RAC2 to the NADPH oxidase complex.ConclusionWe identified a novel NCF2 variant located in the region interacting with RAC2 that is linked to a severe and early CGD phenotype in the setting of disseminated BCG infection. Our findings support postponing BCG vaccination until 6–12 months of age and after PID assessment.
A 235 Kb deletion at 17q21.33 encompassing theCOL1A1, and two additional secondary copy number variants in an infant with type I osteogenesis imperfecta: A rare case report
Authors: Numbere Numbereye , Weber David R. , Porter George , Iqbal Mohammed A. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundOsteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare group of disorders characterized by increased susceptibility to fractures due to genetically determined bone fragility. About 90% of cases are due to mutations inCOL1A1(17q21.33) orCOL1A2(7q21.3) resulting in quantitative or qualitative defects in type I collagen, a key structural constituent of bone. OI due to completeCOL1A1deletion is rare.MethodsWe present a case of OI type I in a Caucasian female referred at 10 months of age for investigation of multiple fractures associated with minimal or no known trauma, small stature, and blue sclera. Her father has four to five lifetime fractures, blue sclera, normal stature, and a 14.5 kilobase (kb) deletion ofCOL1A1detected by targeted array performed at an outside institution. Microarray comparative genomic hybridization was performed on the proband and all members of the family.ResultsA previously unreported 235 kb deletion at 17q21.33 encompassingCOL1A1,ITGA3,PDK2,SGCA, andHILS1was detected in the proband. Also identified in both the proband and sibling is a maternally inherited 283 kb gain at 8p21.3 encompassingCSGALNACT1and a 163 kb loss at 10q21.3 encompassingCTNNA3. Analysis in the father revealed the same size deletion at 17q21.33 as in the proband.ConclusionTogether with previously reported cases ofCOL1A1deletions, this case report emphasizes the importance of a whole‐genome DNA copy number assessment in patients suspected for OI, which will elucidate the presence of preciseCOL1A1deletions and any pathogenic secondary copy number variations.
From SAR Diagnostics to Compound Design: Development Chronology of the Compound Optimization Monitor (COMO) Method
Authors: Yonchev Dimitar , Vogt Martin , Bajorath Jürgen 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn medicinal chemistry, compound optimization largely depends on chemical knowledge, experience, and intuition, and progress in hit‐to‐lead and lead optimization projects is difficult to estimate. Accordingly, approaches are sought after that aid in assessing the odds of success with an optimization project and making decisions whether to continue or discontinue work on an analog series at a given stage. However, currently there are only very few approaches available that are capable of providing decision support. We introduce a computational methodology designed to combine the assessment of chemical saturation of analog series and structure‐activity relationship (SAR) progression. The current endpoint of these development efforts, the compound optimization monitor (COMO), further extends lead optimization diagnostics to compound design and activity prediction. Hence, COMO plays dual role in supporting lead optimization campaigns.
Identifying Cranberry Juice Consumers with Predictive OPLS‐DA Models of Plasma Metabolome and Validation of Cranberry Juice Intake Biomarkers in a Double‐Blinded, Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled, Cross‐Over Study
Authors: Zhao Shaomin , Liu Haiyan , Su Zhihua , Khoo Christina , Gu Liwei 
Published: April 2020

ScopeMethods to verify cranberry juice consumption are lacking. Predictive multivariate models built upon validated biomarkers may help to verify human consumption of a food using a nutrimetabolomics approach.MethodsA 21‐day double‐blinded, randomized, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study was conducted among healthy young women aged 1829. Plasma was collected at baseline and after 3‐day and 21‐day consumption of cranberry or placebo juice. Plasma metabolome was analyzed using UHPLC coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry.Results18 discriminant metabolites in positive mode and 18 discriminant metabolites in negative mode from a previous 3‐day open‐label study were re‐discovered in the present blinded study. Predictive orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA) models were able to identify cranberry juice consumers over a placebo juice group with 96.9% correction rates after 3‐day consumption in both positive and negative mode. This present study revealed 84 and 109 additional discriminant metabolites in positive and negative mode, respectively. Twelve of them were tentatively identified.ConclusionCranberry juice consumers were classified with high correction rates using predictive OPLS‐DA models built upon validated plasma biomarkers. Additional biomarkers were tentatively identified. These OPLS‐DA models and biomarkers provided an objective approach to verify participant compliance in future clinical trials.
Myelin water fraction estimation using small‐tip fast recovery MRI
Authors: Whitaker Steven T. , Nataraj Gopal , Nielsen Jon‐Fredrik , Fessler Jeffrey A. 
Published: April 2020

PurposeTo demonstrate the feasibility of an optimized set of small‐tip fast recovery (STFR) MRI scans for rapidly estimating myelin water fraction (MWF) in the brain.MethodsWe optimized a set of STFR scans to minimize the Cramér‐Rao Lower Bound of MWF estimates. We evaluated the RMSE of MWF estimates from the optimized scans in simulation. We compared STFR‐based MWF estimates (both modeling exchange and not modeling exchange) to multi‐echo spin echo (MESE)‐based estimates. We used the optimized scans to acquire in vivo data from which a MWF map was estimated. We computed the STFR‐based MWF estimates using PERK, a recently developed kernel regression technique, and the MESE‐based MWF estimates using both regularized non‐negative least squares (NNLS) and PERK.ResultsIn simulation, the optimized STFR scans led to estimates of MWF with low RMSE across a range of tissue parameters and across white matter and gray matter. The STFR‐based MWF estimates that modeled exchange compared well to MESE‐based MWF estimates in simulation. When the optimized scans were tested in vivo, the MWF map that was estimated using a 3‐compartment model with exchange was closer to the MESE‐based MWF map.ConclusionsThe optimized STFR scans appear to be well suited for estimating MWF in simulation and in vivo when we model exchange in training. In this case, the STFR‐based MWF estimates are close to the MESE‐based estimates.
Urodynamic findings during the filling phase in neurogenic bladder patients with or without vesicoureteral reflux who have undergone sacral neuromodulation
Authors: Chen Guoqing , Liao Limin , Wang Yiming , Ying Xiaoqian 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAimsTo assess the urodynamic findings during the filling phase in neurogenic bladder patients with or without vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) who underwent sacral neuromodulation (SNM).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the records of 19 patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) who underwent SNM at our center from July 2018 to July 2019. Clinical data and video‐urodynamic parameters were collected. VUR grading systems were used to evaluate upper urinary tract function.ResultsThe mean test duration was 24 ± 8.2 days. The urodynamic evaluation showed a significant increase in the mean maximum cystometric capacity (136.3 ± 118.2 vs 216.5 ± 137.8 mL; P = .0071) and compliance (8.7 ± 8.52 vs18.3 + 16.47 mL/H2O; P = .016), as well as a decrease in maximum intravesical pressure (57 ± 39.23 vs 36.58 ± 31.16 H2O; P = .0064). In the voiding phase, none of the patients had automatic urination at the baseline and testing phases. In 8 of 19 patients who had detrusor overactivity (DO), the DO disappeared (four patients) or was delayed (four patients). The VUR in 3 of 12 ureter units disappeared. The grade of VUR or the volume before VUR improved in 8 ureter units, and the remaining 1 did not change significantly. An implant was performed in 16 cases. After permanent implantation, all patients needed intermittent catheterization to empty the bladder.ConclusionsThis retrospective study indicates that SNM can improve the urinary storage function of the bladder in appropriate patients with NLUTD. For patients with VUR, SNM can cure or reduce VUR by improving DO and bladder compliance.
On the computational complexity of the patrol boat scheduling problem with complete coverage
Authors: Surendonk Timothy J. , Chircop Paul A. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractOur study is primarily concerned with analyzing the computational complexity of the patrol boat scheduling problem with complete coverage (PBSPCC). This combinatorial optimization problem has important implications for maritime border protection and surveillance operations. The objective of the PBSPCC is to find a minimum size patrol boat fleet to provide ongoing continuous coverage at a set of maritime patrol regions, ensuring that there is at least one vessel on station in each patrol region at any given time. This requirement is complicated by the necessity for patrol vessels to be replenished on a regular basis in order to carry out patrol operations indefinitely. We introduce the PBSPCC via an example, discuss its relationship to related but dissimilar problems in the literature and proffer a mathematical description of the problem. We then show that the PBSPCC is ‐hard by a transformation of the Hamiltonian graph decision problem into the problem of finding a minimum cyclic covering of a patrol network. We conclude that the associated decision problem of whether a patrol network has a continuous cover is ‐complete, subject to the requirement that patrol covering solutions are cyclic of a bounded polynomial order.
Improved dielectric and dynamic mechanical properties of epoxy/polyaniline nanorod/in situ reduced graphene oxide hybrid nanocomposites
Authors: A. M. Rahnamol , Gopalakrishnan Jayalatha 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe incorporation of hybrid fillers such as conducting polymer/graphene in polymer matrices affords promising materials with high dielectric constant suitable for electronic devices. Initially PANI/GO hybrid was prepared via in situ oxidative polymerization of aniline on GO. The hybrid was dispersed in dichlorobenzene and then incorporated in epoxy resin. The evaporation of the solvent resulted in in situ reduction of GO and the mixture was cured. The effect of PANI/rGO hybrid filler on the morphology, electrical conductivity, dielectric, dynamic mechanical, and thermal properties of epoxy nanocomposites was evaluated. The electrical conductivity of the nanocomposite containing 9 wt% of the filler (EPG9) enhanced by five orders of magnitude compared to neat epoxy, that is, from 5.6 × 10−13 to 1.27 × 10−8 S/cm. A high dielectric constant (ε′) of 208 was achieved for EPG9. The dielectric loss tangent (tan δ) was low for the hybrid nanocomposites at 103 Hz. DMA studies revealed that the storage modulus (E′) increased significantly with the incorporation of hybrid fillers. The tensile strength and Young's modulus of the EPG3 nanocomposites improved by 14.3% and 33.1%, respectively compared to neat epoxy. SEM and TEM studies revealed the uniform dispersion of the hybrid filler at 3 wt% in the epoxy matrix. The addition of PANI/rGO filler also improved the thermal stability of the epoxy nanocomposites.
Impact response of repaired sandwich structures
Authors: Ivañez Ines , Sánchez‐Saez Sonia , Garcia‐Castillo Shirley K. , Barbero Enrique , Amaro Ana M. , Reis Paulo N. B. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe low‐velocity impact behavior of repaired sandwich structures with woven carbon/epoxy face‐sheets and Nomex honeycomb core is studied experimentally. First, sandwich plates were subjected to ballistic impacts; the damaged area was removed, filled by nano‐enhanced resin and covered by a double‐external patch. Afterwards, the repaired sandwich plates were impacted at low‐velocity. Peak load and absorbed energy were determined for several impact energies and compared with results for non‐repaired (intact) sandwich plates. For all impact energies tested, repaired specimens show higher peak load and lower absorbed energy than the intact ones. Additionally, tested sandwich plates were cut transversally in order to observe the resulting damage, concluding that is different in both configurations, and confirming that it is initiated at higher impact energies in repaired structures.
A review of fetal and neonatal consequences of maternal systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Limaye Meghana A. , Buyon Jill P. , Cuneo Bettina F. , Mehta‐Lee Shilpi S. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) primarily affects women of childbearing age and is commonly seen in pregnancy. The physiologic and immunologic changes of pregnancy may alter the course of SLE and impact maternal, fetal, and neonatal health. Multidisciplinary counseling before and during pregnancy from rheumatology, maternal fetal medicine, obstetrics, and pediatric cardiology is critical. Transplacental passage of autoantibodies, present in about 40% of women with SLE, can result in neonatal lupus (NL). NL can consist of usually permanent cardiac manifestations, including conduction system and myocardial disease, as well as transient cutaneous, hematologic, and hepatic manifestations. Additionally, women with SLE are more likely to develop adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and preterm birth, perhaps due to an underlying effect on placentation. This review describes the impact of SLE on maternal and fetal health by trimester, beginning with prepregnancy optimization of maternal health. This is followed by a discussion of NL and the current understanding of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of anti‐Ro/La mediated cardiac disease, as well as screening, treatment, and methods for prevention. Finally discussed is the known increase in preeclampsia and fetal growth issues in women with SLE that can lead to iatrogenic preterm delivery.
Therapeutic peptides targeting the Ras superfamily
Authors: Hurd Catherine A. , Mott Helen R. , Owen Darerca 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe Ras superfamily of small GTPases are master regulators of numerous essential processes within the cell, so that when they malfunction, cancer and many other diseases can result. For example, activating Ras mutations are present in approximately 20% of human cancers. As such, they are key therapeutic targets, yet more than three decades of intensive research efforts have failed to produce effective Ras inhibitors in the clinic. This is, in part, due to their relatively smooth surfaces which are difficult to target through traditional drug discovery methods using small molecules. Peptides offer a solution to this issue as they occupy larger surface areas on their targets and therefore offer exquisite selectivity and affinity. However, their use in the past has been limited to extracellular targets due to delivery issues. Recent advances in peptide macrocyclisation, modifications and delivery methods have ignited increased interest in the use of these highly effective biologics for intracellular targets. This review will cover progress made in the development of peptides targeting small GTPases to treat a wide range of diseases.