bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trapezoid Advancement Flaps for the Treatment of Severe Upper Extremity Burn Contractures Limiting the Risk of Recurrence
Authors: Mende Konrad , Venter Tertius 
Published: August 2020

Introduction
Severe postburn contractures can lead to partial or total loss of function of the limbs, with devastating socioeconomic and psychosocial impact on the individual, especially in low- and middle-income countries. We present a surgical technique for the treatment of severe burn contractures with the purpose of limiting recurrence of the contracture after surgery, which was developed based on the observation that in most burn contractures, one side of a contracture has unburnt, soft, and pliable healthy skin. By advancing this skin as a flap over the joint crease, a bridge of healthy tissue is interposed. We postulate that the pliable skin, together with the fact that secondary wound contracture progresses away from the joint in the skin-grafted areas adjacent to the flap and not over a mobile joint, promote healing, prevent skin graft breakdown, and limit recurrence of the contracture in the long term.

Methods
We retrospectively analyzed data of all patients who have undergone surgery for severe burn contractures of elbow and axilla by means of our technique on the MV Africa Mercy between January 2013 and February 2014.

Results
In 27 patients (19 female, 8 male) with a mean age of 16.4 years, shoulder range of motion improved significantly from preoperative 111.0° to postoperative 149.4° of abduction-adduction. The elbow range of motion improved from preoperative 76.6° to postoperative 108.6° of flexion-extension, with a significant reduction in the residual elbow contracture from 60.5° preoperatively to 18.5° postoperatively. The average follow-up was 3 months (range, 1.5–7 months).

Conclusions
We conclude that this relatively simple and safe technique limits the risk for early postoperative healing complications and recurrence of the contractures in the long term.
How does public knowledge, attitudes and behaviours correlate in relation to COVID-19? A community-based cross-sectional study in Nepal
Authors: Devkota Hridaya Raj , Sijali Tula Ram , Bogati Ramji , Clarke Andrew , Adhikary Pratik , Karkee Rajendra 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has created a global health emergency requiring an effective public health response including citizen’s roles in preventing spread and controlling the pandemic. Little is known about public knowledge, beliefs and behaviors in-relation to the pandemic in Nepal. This study aims to assess knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19 among the general public and to identify associated factors.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted between May - June 2020 with a sample of 645, recruited from 26 hospitals across Nepal. We conducted telephone interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire related to KAP regarding COVID-19. T-test and one-way ANOVA was conducted to determine group differences for socio-demographic variables. Linear regression and correlational analysis were performed to identify associated factors and measure strength and direction of relationships.ResultsOverall mean scores for knowledge, attitude and practice were 11.6 (SD 4.5), 2.7 (SD 1.8), and 9.9 (SD 1.93) respectively but differed by socio-demographic characteristics. Positive but weak linear correlations were observed between knowledge-practice (r=0.19, p<0.01) and attitude-practice (r=0.08, p<0.05). The relationship between knowledge and education was fairly strong (r = 0.34, p< 0.01). Province, place of residence, ecological area, age, gender and caste/ethnicity were also significantly associated with KAP score of participants.ConclusionThe study found varying degrees of correlation between Knowledge, Attitude and Practice that may increase as the pandemic evolves in Nepal. Knowledge and level of education had positive associations with attitude and adherence of precautionary measures. The findings suggest a need for targeted community awareness interventions for the most vulnerable populations, men, those with no school education, the elderly and people living in rural areas.
Early changes in immune cell metabolism and function are a hallmark of sleeve gastrectomy: a prospective human study
Authors: Lo Tammy , Rudge Eleanor J.M. , Chase Robert P. , Subramaniam Renuka , Heshmati Keyvan , Lucey Elizabeth M. , Weigl Alison M. , Iyoha-Bello Otatade J. , Ituah Chelsea O. , Benjamin Emily J. , McNutt Seth T. , Sathe Leena , Farnam Leanna , Raby Benjamin A. , Tavakkoli Ali , Croteau-Chonka Damien C. , Sheu Eric G. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo characterize longitudinal changes in blood biomarkers, leukocyte composition, and gene expression following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).BackgroundLSG is an effective treatment for obesity, leading to sustainable weight loss and improvements in obesity-related co-morbidities and inflammatory profiles. However, the effects of LSG on immune function and metabolism remain uncertain.MethodsProspective data was collected from 23 enrolled human subjects from a single institution. Parameters of weight, co-morbidities, and trends in blood biomarkers and leukocyte subsets were observed from pre-operative baseline to one year in three-month follow-up intervals. RNA-sequencing was performed on pairs of whole blood samples from the first six subjects of the study (baseline and three months post-surgery) to identify genome-wide gene expression changes associated with undergoing LSG.ResultsLSG led to a significant decrease in mean total body weight loss (18.1%) at three months and among diabetic subjects a reduction in HbA1c. Improvements in clinical inflammatory and hormonal biomarkers were demonstrated as early as three months after LSG. A reduction in neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio was observed, driven by a reduction in absolute neutrophil counts. Gene set enrichment analyses of differential whole blood gene expression demonstrated that after three months, LSG induced transcriptomic changes not only in inflammatory cytokine pathways but also in several key metabolic pathways related to energy metabolism.ConclusionsLSG induces significant changes in the composition and metabolism of immune cells as early as three months post-operatively. Further evaluation is required of bariatric surgery’s effects on immunometabolism and consequences for host defense and metabolic disease.
Risk factors of severity in community-acquired staphylococcal pneumonia
Authors: Gillet Yves , Tristan Anne , Rasigade Jean-Philippe , Saadatian-Elahi Mitra , Bouchiat Coralie , Bes Michele , Dumitrescu Oana , Leloire Marie , Dupieux Céline , Laurent Frédéric , Lina Gérard , Etienne Jerome , Vanhems Philippe , Argaud Laurent , Vandenesch Francois ,   the PVL pneumonia study group
Published: August 2020

BackgroundStaphylococcus aureus causes severe forms of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), namely staphylococcal pleuropneumonia in young children and staphylococcal necrotizing pneumonia in older patients. Methicillin resistance and the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) toxin have both been associated with poor outcome in severe CAP, but their respective roles are unclear.MethodsProspective multicenter cohort study of severe staphylococcal CAP conducted in 77 pediatric and adult intensive care units in France between January 2011 and December 2016. Clinical features and outcomes were compared between toddlers (<3 years of age) and older patients with PVL-positive CAP; and between older patients with PVL-negative or PVL-positive CAP. Risk factors for mortality were identified using multivariate Cox regression.ResultsOf 163 included patients, aged one month to 87 years, 85 (52.1%) had PVL-positive CAP; there were 20 (12.3%) toddlers, among whom 19 (95%) had PVL-positive CAP. The features of PVL-positive CAP in toddlers matched with the historical description of staphylococcal pleuropneumonia, with a lower mortality (n = 3/19, 15%) compared to PVL-positive CAP in older patients (n=31/66, 47%). Mortality in older patients was independently predicted by PVL-positivity (hazard ratio 1.81, 95% CI, 1.03 to 3.17) and methicillin resistance (2.37, 95% CI 1.29 to 4.34). As genetic diversity was comparably high in PVL-positive and PVL-negative isolates, confounding by microbial population structure was unlikely.ConclusionPVL was associated with staphylococcal pleuropneumonia in toddlers and was a risk factor for mortality in older patients with severe CAP, independently of methicillin resistance. Funded by the French ministry of Health (PHRC 2010-A01132-37).
Magnitude and Dynamics of the T-Cell Response to SARS-CoV-2 Infection at Both Individual and Population Levels
Authors: Snyder Thomas M. , Gittelman Rachel M. , Klinger Mark , May Damon H. , Osborne Edward J. , Taniguchi Ruth , Zahid H. Jabran , Kaplan Ian M. , Dines Jennifer N. , Noakes Matthew T. , Pandya Ravi , Chen Xiaoyu , Elasady Summer , Svejnoha Emily , Ebert Peter , Pesesky Mitchell W. , Almeida Patricia De , O’Donnell Hope , DeGottardi Quinn , Keitany Gladys , Lu Jennifer , Vong Allen , Elyanow Rebecca , Fields Paul , Greissl Julia , Baldo Lance , Semprini Simona , Cerchione Claudio , Nicolini Fabio , Mazza Massimiliano , Delmonte Ottavia M. , Dobbs Kerry , Laguna-Goya Rocio , Carreño-Tarragona Gonzalo , Barrio Santiago , Imberti Luisa , Sottini Alessandra , Quiros-Roldan Eugenia , Rossi Camillo , Biondi Andrea , Bettini Laura Rachele , D’Angio Mariella , Bonfanti Paolo , Tompkins Miranda F. , Alba Camille , Dalgard Clifton , Sambri Vittorio , Martinelli Giovanni , Goldman Jason D. , Heath James R. , Su Helen C. , Notarangelo Luigi D. , Paz-Artal Estela , Martinez-Lopez Joaquin , Carlson Jonathan M. , Robins Harlan S. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractT cells are involved in the early identification and clearance of viral infections and also support the development of antibodies by B cells. This central role for T cells makes them a desirable target for assessing the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, we combined two high-throughput immune profiling methods to create a quantitative picture of the T-cell response to SARS-CoV-2. First, at the individual level, we deeply characterized 3 acutely infected and 58 recovered COVID-19 subjects by experimentally mapping their CD8 T-cell response through antigen stimulation to 545 Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class I presented viral peptides (class II data in a forthcoming study). Then, at the population level, we performed T-cell repertoire sequencing on 1,815 samples (from 1,521 COVID-19 subjects) as well as 3,500 controls to identify shared “public” T-cell receptors (TCRs) associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection from both CD8 and CD4 T cells. Collectively, our data reveal that CD8 T-cell responses are often driven by a few immunodominant, HLA-restricted epitopes. As expected, the T-cell response to SARS-CoV-2 peaks about one to two weeks after infection and is detectable for at least several months after recovery. As an application of these data, we trained a classifier to diagnose SARSCoV-2 infection based solely on TCR sequencing from blood samples, and observed, at 99.8% specificity, high early sensitivity soon after diagnosis (Day 3–7 = 85.1% [95% CI = 79.9-89.7]; Day 8–14 = 94.8% [90.7-98.4]) as well as lasting sensitivity after recovery (Day 29+/convalescent = 95.4% [92.1-98.3]). These results demonstrate an approach to reliably assess the adaptive immune response both soon after viral antigenic exposure (before antibodies are typically detectable) as well as at later time points. This blood-based molecular approach to characterizing the cellular immune response has applications in clinical diagnostics as well as in vaccine development and monitoring.
Orange is the new white: taxonomic revision of AntarcticTritoniaspecies (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia)
Authors: Rossi Maria Eleonora , Avila Conxita , Moles Juan 
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACTAmong nudibranch molluscs, the family Tritoniidae gathers taxa with unclear phylogenetic position, such as some species of the genusTritoniaCuvier, 1798. Currently, 35 valid species belong to this genus and only three of them are found in the Southern Ocean, namelyT. challengerianaBergh, 1884,T. dantartiBallesteros & Avila, 2006, andT. vorax(Odhner, 1926). In this study, we shed light on the long-term discussed systematics and taxonomy of AntarcticTritoniaspecies using morpho-anatomical and molecular techniques. Samples from the Weddell Sea and Bouvet Island were dissected and prepared for scanning electron microscopy. The three molecular markers COI, 16S, and H3 were sequenced and analysed through maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. The phylogenetic analyses and species delimitation tests clearly distinguished two species,T. challengerianaandT. dantarti, being widely-spread in the Southern Ocean, and endemic to Bouvet Island, respectively. Coloration seemed to be an unreliable character to differentiate among species since molecular data revealed both species can either have orange or white colour-morphotypes. This variability could be explained by pigment sequestration from the soft coral species they feed on. Morphological analyses reveal differences between Antarctic and Magellanic specimens ofT. challengeriana, thus, we suggest the resurrection ofT. antarcticaMartens & Pfeffer, 1886 to encompass exclusively the Antarctic species. To progress further, additional molecular data from Magellanic specimens are required to definitely resolve their taxonomy and systematics.
Zooplankton community beta diversity in an Amazonian floodplain lake
Authors: Gomes Leonardo Fernandes , Gomes Ana Caroline Alcântara Missias , de Souza Carla Albuquerque , Pereira Hasley Rodrigo , Bonnet Marie-Paule , Galli Vieira Ludgero Cardoso 
Published: August 2020

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanisms that generate organism distribution patterns from the beta diversity perspective can assist in environmental monitoring strategies. In this study, we emphasized the limnic zooplankton due to the ability of these organisms to respond quickly to environmental variations. Therefore, we evaluated the following questions: (i) Do different regions of the same lake have the same importance in contributing to beta diversity? (ii) Do beta diversity and its components vary over the hydrological cycle? (iii) What is the importance of local and spatial predictors in beta diversity and its components? (iv) Do beta diversity and its components show a consistent pattern throughout the hydrological cycle? We found that the contribution of different sites to diversity was more associated with regions with low abundance and richness of organisms values, such as the littoral andigarapes, which shows the relevance of these areas for biological monitoring and for the delimitation of priority areas for the zooplankton diversity conservation. Despite the peculiarities of each hydrological period and regarding beta diversity components, we verified a species substitution and differences in abundance pattern in the lake. We also found low concordance patterns between the periods and low environmental and spatial variables prediction on beta diversity patterns.
Fire effect and its legacy modulate soil bacterial and fungal communities in Chinese boreal forests along a chronosequence
Authors: Su Wei-qin , Tang Caixian , Lin Jiahui , Yu Mengjie , Luo Yu , Li Yong , Dai Zhongmin , Xu Jianming 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWildfire has increasingly profound and pervasive consequences for forest ecosystems via directly altering soil physicochemical properties and modulating microbial community. In this study, we examined the changes in soil properties and microbial community at different periods after highly severe wildfire events (44 plots, 113 samples) in the Chinese Great Khingan Mountains. We also separated charcoals from burnt soils to establish the relationship between soil microbes and the microbes colonized on the charcoal. Wildfire significantly altered bacterial and fungal community structures across a 29-year chronosequence. The network analysis revealed that from 17 years after fire, the complexity and connectivity of bacterial and fungal communities were significantly increased. Differential abundance analysis suggested that bacterial and fungal OTUs were enriched or depleted only during 0-4 years after fire. In addition, soil factors, including soil pH, total C and N, soil water content, and dissolved C and N, are key determinants of soil bacterial and fungal communities from 17 years after fire. The fire-derived charcoals provided a new and unusual niche for microbial colonization and charcoal microbes had a significantly different community structure from the burnt soil microbes. Our data suggest that soil bacterial and fungal communities changed dramatically during the recovery from fire events in terms of the abundance and co-occurrence networks in the boreal forest ecosystems.ImportancePervious research has reported fire altered soil microbial community composition and function during short-term succession in boreal forests. However, the long-term effect of fire and fire-derived charcoals which are regarded as fire legacy effect on soil bacterial and fungal communities composition and structure have not previously been shown. Understanding how soil microbes particularly the keystone taxa and determinative soil factors, respond to fire and its legacy matter charcoal, is critical for predicting how future fire influences soil nutrient transformations and biological processes. We accessed time chronosequence to examine the effect of fire history on soil microbial abundance and co-occurrence network. These findings suggest that soil microbes can be reshaped by fire and its legacy effect of fire-derived charcoal even in the long periods after fire and provide further insights into fire and its legacy effect.
Local adaptation contributes to gene expression divergence in maize
Authors: Blanc Jennifer , Kremling Karl A. G. , Buckler Edward , Josephs Emily B. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractGene expression links genotypes to phenotypes, so identifying genes whose expression is shaped by selection will be important for understanding the traits and processes underlying local adaptation. However, detecting local adaptation for gene expression will require distinguishing between divergence due to selection and divergence due to genetic drift. Here, we adapt aQST–FSTframework to detect local adaptation for transcriptome-wide gene expression levels in a population of diverse maize genotypes. We compare the number and types of selected genes across a wide range of maize populations and tissues, as well as selection on cold-response genes, drought-response genes, and coexpression clusters. We identify a number of genes whose expression levels are consistent with local adaptation and show that genes involved in stress-response show enrichment for selection. Due to its history of intense selective breeding and domestication, maize evolution has long been of interest to researchers, and our study provides insight into the genes and processes important for in local adaptation of maize.
The role of CLV1, CLV2 and HPAT homologs in nitrogen-regulation of root development
Authors: Wang Chenglei , Reid James B , Foo Eloise 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPlants use a variety of hormonal and peptide signals to control root development, including in adapting root development to cope with nutrient stress. Nitrogen (N) is a major limiting factor in plant growth and in response to N stress plants dramatically modulate root development, including in legumes influencing the formation of N-fixing nodules in response to external N supply. Recently, specific CLE peptides and/or receptors important for their perception, including CLV1 and CLV2, have been found to play important roles in root development in a limited number of species, including in some cases the response to N. In the legumeMedicago truncatula, this response also appears to be influenced by RDN1, a member of the hydroxyproline O-arabinosyltransferase (HPAT) family which can modify specific CLE peptides. However, it not known if this signalling pathway plays a central role in root development across species, in particular root responses to N. In this study, we sought to systematically examine the role of homologues of these genes in root development of the legume pea (Pisum sativum. L) and non-legume tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) using a mutant based approach. This included a detailed examination of root development in response to N in these mutant series in tomato. We found no evidence for a role of these genes in pea seedling root development. Furthermore, theCLV1-like FABgene did not influence tomato root development, including N response. In contrast, bothCLV2and theHPAT FINappear to positively influence root size in tomato but do not mediate root responses to N. These suggest a relatively species-specific role for these genes in root development, including N regulation of root architecture.
Gender disparities in international COVID-19 clinical trial leadership
Authors: Cevik Muge , Haque Syed Arefinul , Manne-Goehler Jennifer , Kuppalli Krutika , Sax Paul E. , Majumder Maimuna S. , Orkin Chloe 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic offers considerable possibilities for research and leadership that might equalize opportunity in a new field; however, our study finds instead that more than two-thirds of investigators leading COVID-19-related clinical studies are predicted to be men. These gender disparities in trial leadership during the pandemic suggest that the structural reproduction of inequalities in research has taken place once again in this new academic field. This indicates that policies are needed to facilitate the identification and implementation of strategies to correct gender bias. The active participation of women, trans and gender-nonconforming individuals are needed in research to drive scientific discovery and innovation as well as to better address health disparities.
Visual Perception in the Periphery: The Role of Covert Attention Vectors in the Extraction of Semantic Information
Authors: Suri Ikaasa , Wilson Patrick McGranor , Doustmohammadi Saba , De Schutter Anna , Chunwatanapong Thida Sandy , Tan Juanyi , Varadharajulu Sara Divija , O’Connell Nicholas Hunter , Lai Archibald , Dureja Sakshi , Govin River Jonathan Phoenix , Arisaka Katsushi , Mills Elizabeth Anne Falcone 
Published: August 2020

AbstractUnder covert attention, our visual perception deteriorates dramatically as eccentricity increases. This reduction of peripheral visual acuity (PVA) is partially due to the coarse sampling of the retinal ganglion cells towards the periphery, but this property cannot be solely responsible. Other factors, such as character crowding, have been studied, yet the origin of the poor PVA is not entirely understood. This gap motivated us to investigate the PVA by varying the crowding conditions systematically. Under completely crowded conditions (i.e. resembling a full page of text), PVA was observed to be eight times worse than the PVA under uncrowded conditions. By partially crowding the periphery, we obtained PVA values between the fully crowded and uncrowded conditions. On the other hand, crowding the fovea center while leaving the periphery uncrowded improved PVA relative to the uncrowded case. These results support a model for a top-down “covert attention vector” that assists the resulting PVA in a manner analogous to saccadic eye movement for overt attention. We speculate that the attention vector instructs the dorsal pathway to transform the peripheral character to the foveal center. Then, the scale-invariant log-polar retinotopy of the ventral pathway can scale the centered visual input to match the prior memory of the specific character shape.