bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early prediction of high flow nasal cannula therapy outcomes using a modified ROX index incorporating heart rate
Authors: Goh Ken Junyang , Chai Hui Zhong , Ong Thun How , Sewa Duu Wen , Phua Ghee Chee , Tan Qiao Li 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
The ROX index (ratio of pulse oximetry/FIO2 to respiratory rate) has been validated to predict high flow nasal cannula therapy (HFNC) outcomes in patients with pneumonia. We evaluated a modified ROX index incorporating heart rate (HR) in patients initiated on HFNC for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure and as a preventative treatment following planned extubation.

Methods
We performed a prospective observational cohort study of 145 patients treated with HFNC. ROX-HR index was defined as the ratio of ROX index over HR (beats/min), multiplied by a factor of 100. Evaluation was performed using area under the receiving operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and cutoffs assessed for prediction of HFNC failure: defined as the need for mechanical ventilation.

Results
Ninety-nine (68.3%) and 46 (31.7%) patients were initiated on HFNC for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure and following a planned extubation, respectively. The majority (86.9%) of patients had pneumonia as a primary diagnosis, and 85 (56.6%) patients were immunocompromised. Sixty-one (42.1%) patients required intubation (HFNC failure). Amongst patients on HFNC for acute respiratory failure, HFNC failure was associated with a lower ROX and ROX-HR index recorded at time points between 1 and 48 h. Within the first 12 h, both indices performed with the highest AUROC at 10 h as follows: 0.723 (95% CI 0.605–0.840) and 0.739 (95% CI 0.626–0.853) for the ROX and ROX-HR index respectively. A ROX-HR index of > 6.80 was significantly associated with a lower risk of HFNC failure (hazard ratio 0.301 (95% CI 0.143–0.663)) at 10 h. This association was also observed at 2, 6, 18, and 24h, even with correction for potential confounding factors. For HFNC initiated post-extubation, only the ROX-HR index remained significantly associated with HFNC failure at all recorded time points between 1 and 24 h. A ROX-HR > 8.00 at 10 h was significantly associated with a lower risk of HFNC failure (hazard ratio 0.176 (95% CI 0.051–0.604)).

Conclusion
While validation studies are required, the ROX-HR index appears to be a promising tool for early identification of treatment failure in patients initiated on HFNC for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure or as a preventative treatment after a planned extubation.
A comparative anatomy of the lingual apparatus of Indian doves (genus: Streptopelia and Stigmatopelia), Aves: Columbidae
Authors: Trivedi Varsha 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
The structure of the lingua of birds frequently gives some clue to the principal diet and manner of feeding of the species. The lingua is suitably modified for this purpose or does not intent the present work to understand it. The anatomical details of the lingual apparatus and their associated epidermal, musculature, and osteological elements of Indian doves (Aves: Columbidae) Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) and laughing dove (Stigmatopelia senegalensis) with comparison are lacking in the literature.

Results
A total of eight (n = 8/species) freshly preserved adult specimens with natural mortalities from Central Saurashtra, Western India, were examined. All the morphological features of species were observed in living as well as in preserved with the help of a pair of binoculars in the field and in the laboratory with stereo zoom dissecting microscope and camera lucida which are used for illustrations. The anatomical study includes the epidermal structures of the buccal region, lingua, apparatus hyobranchialis, and lingual muscles in relation to feeding behaviors and food. All these aspects are correlated with the food habits and finally with the muscles which bring about the suitable movements of the lingua.

Conclusion
The lingua in Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) and laughing dove (Stigmatopelia senegalensis) studied here does not exhibit any wide variations in appearance as such. Although the comparison between the two dove species is reflected, a relation in diverse food habits and all the morphological variables do not reflect allometric consequences of selection on body size. Finally, the assumption appears intuitively right between morphology, food habits, and variable size of the food items and clears various microhabitat choices in adverse conditions.
Uncombined precise orbit and clock determination of GPS and BDS-3
Authors: Zeng Tian , Sui Lifen , Ruan Rengui , Jia Xiaolin , Feng Laiping 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThere is increasing concern about the uncombined (UC) observation model in the field of global navigation satellite system (GNSS). Based on the global positioning system (GPS) and the third-generation BeiDou navigation satellite system (BDS-3), this study processed the UC precision orbit determination (POD) for single and dual systems. First, a UC observation model suitable for multi-GNSS POD was derived, and the ionospheric-free (IF) combination observation model was presented. Although the ambiguity parameters of UC and IF strategies were different after reparameterization, the difference could be removed when processing ambiguity resolution, and the equivalence was proved theoretically. To demonstrate the accuracy of BDS-3 orbits fully, the observation data of approximately 1 month were selected for determining the precise orbit for global positioning system (GPS) only, BDS-3 only, and GPS/BDS-3 systems based on the UC and IF models. The orbit precision of BDS-3 satellites was validated by using metrics, including comparison with precision products released by Wuhan University, orbit boundary discontinuity, and satellite laser ranging (SLR) residuals. The results show that the orbit accuracies of the IF and UC models are almost the same, the difference in orbits is approximately several millimeters, and the clock difference is within 0.01 ns. The GPS/BDS-3 combined solution shows better accuracy compared to other solutions. The average accuracies in the R and 3D directions are approximately 4 and 15 cm, and the clock standard deviation is approximately 0.2 ns compared to external orbit product. The root mean square of SLR residuals is approximately 4 cm.
Anti-angiogenic activity of chloride and potassium channel modulators: repurposing ion channel modulators
Authors: Kamili Chandana , Kandoti Hima Sowmya , Radhakrishnan Sharadha , Konde Abbulu , Vattikutti Uma Maheshwara Rao 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Excessive angiogenesis can be the root cause of many pathological conditions. Various types of ion channels are found on the endothelial cells. These ion channels play a vital role in the multi-stepped process of angiogenesis. The study aims to investigate the anti-angiogenic effects of specific ion channel modulators mefloquine (volume-regulated chloride channel blocker), lubiprostone (ClC-2 channel agonist), and 4-aminopyridine (voltage-gated potassium channel blocker).

Results
The anti-angiogenic activity of ion channel modulators was screened by measuring its effects on the area of neovascularization and histopathological studies by in vivo (corneal neovascularization) method and by in vitro assays, endothelial cell proliferation assay, cell migration assay, and matrigel cord-like morphogenesis assay. The test and standard drug (bevacizumab) groups were compared with the control group using one-way ANOVA, followed by post hoc test, and Dunnett’s test to compare the mean of all the groups with the control mean. The results revealed that mefloquine at the dose of 0.6% w/v and 1.0% w/v, lubiprostone at the dose of 0.5% w/v and 1.0% w/v, and 4-aminopyridine at the dose of 2% w/v and 4% w/v showed significant anti-angiogenic property. In the studies on human umbilical vein endothelial cells, the test drugs (100 nM) showed significant inhibition of proliferation, migration, and decrease in network length of cord-like tubes.

Conclusion
The scientific findings indicate that the test drugs have potent anti-angiogenic activity by inhibiting the cell proliferation, inhibiting the cell volume increase, arresting the cell cycle progression and by causing membrane hyperpolarization. The potent anti-angiogenic drugs obtained by repurposing these ion channel modulators, in the further studies, will be able to treat the diseases due to excess angiogenesis from the root cause.

Graphical abstract
Antibiotic use on crops in low and middle-income countries based on recommendations made by agricultural advisors
Authors: Taylor Philip , Reeder Robert 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Background
Microbial resistance to medically important antibiotics is of international concern. There is considerable attention paid to the medical and veterinary use of antibiotics but there is a paucity of data on their use in global crop production. The only well documented use of antibiotics on crops is that on top fruit in the USA. Due to the absence of other data it is generally assumed that this use comprises the bulk of antibiotics applied to plants. The goal of this study was to investigate the scale and diversity of antibiotics being recommended for managing crop health problems in LMICs and the crops and types of problems for which they are selected.

Methods
Plantwise is an international program which assists with the provision of agronomic advice to smallholder farmers in LMICs. Recommendations relating to the management of crop problems are stored in an international database, comprising over 400,000 records collected over 8 years. The extent of antibiotic use in crop production when grouped by the WHO regions was analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results
Within our data all WHO regions of the world are using antibiotics on crop plants with the exception of Africa (no data for Europe) and the main crop on which they are used is rice. In some years, and in one region, nearly 10% of the management recommendations for rice contained an antibiotic. Eleven antibiotics are being recommended on crops (often blended together) and there is considerable regional variation as to where they are used. The problems against which antibiotics are recommended are extremely varied and we speculate that they are often used as a prophylactic spray to prevent, or control, low levels of bacterial disease.

Conclusions
The data reveals that antibiotics are being recommended far more frequently and on a much greater variety of crops than previously thought. Relative to medical and veterinary use the quantities used globally are comparatively small, but this niche does provide some unique avenues by which resistance could develop in human pathogens. Results presented here have implications for those wanting to limit the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Endophytic colonization of tomato plants by the entomopathogenic fungus
Beauveria bassiana
for controlling the South American tomato pinworm,
Tuta absoluta
Authors: Silva Ana Carolina Loreti , Silva Gerson Adriano , Abib Pedro Henrique Nogueira , Carolino Aline Teixeira , Samuels Richard Ian 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Background

The deployment of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) for the control of crop pests is an important alternative to synthetic pesticides. Despite recent advances in EPF formulations and application techniques, their efficacy is still limited by abiotic and biotic factors. Entomopathogenic fungi naturally colonize plant tissues or they can be artificially inoculated, protecting the plants from insect attack.
Beauveria bassiana
is the most widely used fungal biological control agent and has potential as an endophyte to protect a range of crops. Although
B. bassiana
is known to be pathogenic to the South American tomato pinworm,
Tuta absoluta
(Meyrick), this fungus could be more efficient when deployed as an endophyte to protect tomato plants from attack.

Methods

Three
B. bassiana
isolates were screened for virulence against
T. absoluta
larvae by application of conidia to leaf surfaces. Following confirmation of virulence, tomato plants were then exposed to conidial suspensions using a forced uptake technique. Only one isolate, LPP139, colonized the leaves. Seedlings were then inoculated with LPP139 and the presence of the fungus in different plant tissues was monitored over 30 days. Possible effects of
B. bassiana
endophytic colonization on plant development were also evaluated. Following confirmation of endophytic colonization of leaf tissues,
T. absoluta
2nd or 3rd instar larvae were offered leaves and survival was monitored over a 7-day period.

Results

All three
B. bassiana
isolates were virulent to
T. absoluta
, with approximately 90% mortality over 10 days when conidia had been applied to leaf surfaces. Various plant inoculation techniques were tested but only seedling inoculation was successful. LPP139 successfully colonized all of the plant tissues. High percentages of colonization were observed in roots, stems and leaves up to 30 days after inoculation, with no negative effects on plant growth. When
T. absoluta
larvae were exposed to
B. bassiana
colonized leaves, survival was reduced to zero over a 7-day period.

Conclusions
The endophytic colonization of tomato plants with EPF is a promising method of controlling the South American tomato pinworm. The fungus was detectable for up to 30 days, longer than has been previously observed for tomato plants. Seedling inoculation could be a viable commercial option for marketing pre-colonized tomato plants.
Terminal drought effect on sugar partitioning and metabolism is modulated by leaf stay-green and panicle size in the stem of sweet sorghum (
Sorghum bicolor
L. Moench)
Authors: Tovignan Thierry Klanvi , Adoukonou-Sagbadja Hubert , Diatta Cyril , Clément-Vidal Anne , Soutiras Armelle , Cisse Ndiaga , Luquet Delphine 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Background
The benefits of leaf stay-green for maintaining grain filling in sorghum under drought was largely demonstrated. However, its role in the stability of a dual production (grain, stem sugar) in tall sweet sorghum remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to analyze the impact of a post-anthesis drought on sugar accumulation along stem internodes in sweet and tall West-African sorghum with variable leaf stay-green and grain yield abilities.

Methods
Four accessions with similar phenology were studied in two consecutive years in the field at the National Agronomic Research Centre (CNRA) of Bambey (Senegal, West Africa) under two post-anthesis water treatments (irrigated, non-irrigated). Plant morphology, stem sugar related traits, grain production, and plant leaf area (PLA) variation were assessed. Carbohydrate contents (sucrose, hexoses, starch) were determined during grain filling in the whole stem juice and at three internode levels: bottom, median, top. Analysis of variance was performed to test post-anthesis water treatment, accession, organ, year effects and their interactions on the studied traits.

Results
Panicle dry weight (PDW) was not affected by drought, but strongly varied among years and accessions. The PDW/PLA ratio was negatively correlated with the variation of sucrose and hexoses at the three internodes levels. This carbohydrates reduction was mainly influenced by the PDW. The bigger the panicle the higher the carbohydrates remobilization from the stem to panicle for grain filling. This was mainly shown on accessions G3 and G11 which exhibited low stay green ability. However, G10 with low PDW/PLA ratio and showing higher stay green ability, exhibited a low reduction of total soluble sugars and sucrose and inversely higher increase of hexoses mainly at the median internode.

Conclusions
This ability to better maintain green leaf area and high hexoses in the stem under post-flowering drought could be an osmoregulation mechanism to adapt to drought. Therefore, stay-green is an important trait to consider for sweet sorghum breeding and particularly in the objective of developing dual purpose varieties in drought prone environments.
Serum Detection of Nonadherence to Adjuvant Tamoxifen and Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk
Authors: Pistilli Barbara , Paci Angelo , Ferreira Arlindo R. , Di Meglio Antonio , Poinsignon Vianney , Bardet Aurelie , Menvielle Gwenn , Dumas Agnes , Pinto Sandrine , Dauchy Sarah , Fasse Leonor , Cottu Paul H. , Lerebours Florence , Coutant Charles , Lesur Anne , Tredan Olivier , Soulie Patrick , Vanlemmens Laurence , Jouannaud Christelle , Levy Christelle , Everhard Sibille , Arveux Patrick , Martin Anne Laure , Dima Alexandra , Lin Nancy U. , Partridge Ann H. , Delaloge Suzette , Michiels Stefan , André Fabrice , Vaz-Luis Ines 
Published: June 2020

PURPOSE Nonadherence to long-term treatments is often under-recognized by physicians and there is no gold standard for its assessment. In breast cancer, nonadherence to tamoxifen therapy after surgery constitutes a major obstacle to optimal outcomes. We sought to evaluate the rate of biochemical nonadherence to adjuvant tamoxifen using serum assessment and to examine its effects on short-term, distant disease-free survival (DDFS). PATIENTS AND METHODS We studied 1,177 premenopausal women enrolled in a large prospective study (CANTO/NCT01993498). Definition of biochemical nonadherence was based on a tamoxifen serum level < 60 ng/mL, assessed 1 year after prescription. Self-reported nonadherence to tamoxifen therapy was collected at the same time through semistructured interviews. Survival analyses were conducted using an inverse probability weighted Cox proportional hazards model, using a propensity score based on age, staging, surgery, chemotherapy, and center size. RESULTS Serum assessment of tamoxifen identified 16.0% of patients (n = 188) below the set adherence threshold. Patient-reported rate of nonadherence was lower (12.3%). Of 188 patients who did not adhere to the tamoxifen prescription, 55% self-reported adherence to tamoxifen. After a median follow-up of 24.2 months since tamoxifen serum assessment, patients who were biochemically nonadherent had significantly shorter DDFS (for distant recurrence or death, adjusted hazard ratio, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.05 to 5.06; P = .036), with 89.5% of patients alive without distant recurrence at 3 years in the nonadherent cohort versus 95.4% in the adherent cohort. CONCLUSION Therapeutic drug monitoring may be a useful method to promptly identify patients who do not take adjuvant tamoxifen as prescribed and are at risk for poorer outcomes. Targeted interventions facilitating patient adherence are needed and have the potential to improve short-term breast cancer outcomes.
Engineering the Ovarian Hormones Inhibin A and Inhibin B to Enhance Synthesis and Activity
Authors: Goney Monica P , Wilce Matthew C J , Wilce Jacqueline A , Stocker William A , Goodchild Georgia M , Chan Karen L , Harrison Craig A , Walton Kelly L 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Ovarian-derived inhibin A and inhibin B (heterodimers of common α- and differing β-subunits) are secreted throughout the menstrual cycle in a discordant pattern, with smaller follicles producing inhibin B, whereas the dominant follicle and corpus luteum produce inhibin A. The classical function for endocrine inhibins is to block signalling by activins (homodimers of β-subunits) in gonadotrope cells of the anterior pituitary and, thereby, inhibit the synthesis of FSH. Whether inhibin A and inhibin B have additional physiological functions is unknown, primarily because producing sufficient quantities of purified inhibins, in the absence of contaminating activins, for preclinical studies has proven extremely difficult. Here, we describe novel methodology to enhance inhibin A and inhibin B activity and to produce these ligands free of contaminating activins. Using computational modeling and targeted mutagenesis, we identified a point mutation in the activin β A-subunit, A347H, which completely disrupted activin dimerization and activity. Importantly, this β A-subunit mutation had minimal effect on inhibin A bioactivity. Mutation of the corresponding residue in the inhibin β B-subunit, G329E, similarly disrupted activin B synthesis/activity without affecting inhibin B production. Subsequently, we enhanced inhibin A potency by modifying the binding site for its co-receptor, betaglycan. Introducing a point mutation into the α-subunit (S344I) increased inhibin A potency ~12-fold. This study has identified a means to eliminate activin A/B interference during inhibin A/B production, and has facilitated the generation of potent inhibin A and inhibin B agonists for physiological exploration.
Ciliogenesis and Hedgehog signalling are suppressed downstream of KRAS during acinar-ductal metaplasia in mouse
Authors: Bangs Fiona K. , Miller Paul , O'Neill Eric 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACT
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, but has a 5-year survival rate of only 7% primarily due to late diagnosis and ineffective therapies. To treat or even prevent PDAC, it is vital that we understand the initiating events that lead to tumour onset. PDAC develops from preneoplastic lesions, most commonly pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanINs), driven by constitutive activation of KRAS. In patients, PanINs are associated with regions of acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) where, in response to inflammation, acini dedifferentiate to a pancreatic progenitor-like fate. In healthy tissue this process is reversible leading to regeneration of the pancreas; however, in the presence of oncogenic KRAS, regeneration is blocked and ADM can give rise to PanIN lesions. Here, we used a 3D mouse acinar culture that recapitulates ADM in vitro to explore how KRAS prevents regeneration. Regeneration is regulated by Hedgehog (Hh) signalling, which is transduced via the primary cilium. In wild-type acini, cilia assemble upon ADM and Hh target gene expression is upregulated; however, ciliogenesis and Hh signalling are suppressed during ADM in cells expressing oncogenic KRAS. We show that ciliogenesis fails due to ectopic activation of the cilium disassembly pathway, which is mediated by AurkA, a direct transcriptional target of KRAS. Inhibition of AurkA is able to rescue primary cilia and restore Hh signalling. We suggest that this could be used as a mechanism to prevent the formation of early lesions and thereby prevent progression to PDAC.
THE PEDIATRIC INACTIVITY TRIAD: A TRIPLE JEOPARDY FOR MODERN DAY YOUTH
Authors: Faigenbaum Avery D. , MacDonald James P. , Carvalho Carlos , Rebullido Tamara Rial 
Published: June 2020

Apply It!
• A majority of youth worldwide do not accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily.
• The pediatric inactivity triad is a novel construct that consists of three interrelated determinants, namely, exercise deficit disorder, pediatric dynapenia, and physical illiteracy, that drive physical inactivity in youth.
• Developmentally appropriate and inherently enjoyable exercise interventions are needed to move inactive youth toward the pediatric activity triad.
• Youth fitness specialists who understand the science of pediatric exercise as well as the art of designing youth fitness programs are more likely to be successful.