bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Symptoms and immunoglobulin development in hospital staff exposed to a SARS‐CoV‐2 outbreak
Authors: Brandstetter Susanne , Roth Samra , Harner Susanne , Buntrock‐Döpke Heike , Toncheva Antoaneta A. , Borchers Natascha , Gruber Rudolf , Ambrosch Andreas , Kabesch Michael 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundWorldwide, the number of SARS‐CoV‐2 infections is increasing. Serological immunoglobulin tests may help to better understand the development of immune mechanisms against SARS‐CoV‐2 in COVID‐19 cases and exposed but asymptomatic individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate exposure to SARS‐CoV‐2, symptoms, and antibody responses in a large sample of healthcare workers following a COVID‐19 outbreak.MethodsA COVID‐19 outbreak among staff members of a major German children's and women's hospital was followed by massive RT‐PCR SARS‐CoV‐2 tests and provided the opportunity to study symptoms, chains of infection, and SARS‐CoV‐2–specific antibody responses (IgG and IgA) by ELISA. Study participants were classified as COVID‐19 cases, and persons with close, moderate, or no exposure to SARS‐CoV‐2 in the clinical setting, respectively.ResultsOut of 201 study participants, 31 were COVID‐19 cases. While most study participants experienced many symptoms indicative for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, anosmia and coughing were remarkably more frequent in COVID‐19 cases. Approximately 80% of COVID‐19 cases developed some specific antibody response (IgA and IgG) approximately 3 weeks after onset of symptoms. Subjects in the non‐COVID‐19 groups had also elevated IgG (1.8%) and IgA values (7.6%) irrespective of contact history with cases.ConclusionWe found that a significant number of diseased did not develop relevant antibody responses three weeks after symptom onset. Our data also suggest that exposure to COVID‐19 positive co‐workers in a hospital setting is not leading to the development of measurable immune responses in a significant proportion of asymptomatic contact persons.
Influence of Clinical, Physical, Psychological, and Psychophysical Variables on Treatment Outcomes in Somatic Tinnitus Associated With Temporomandibular Pain: Evidence From a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Plaza‐Manzano Gustavo , Delgado‐de‐la‐Serna Pablo , Díaz‐Arribas María J. , Rodrigues‐de‐Souza Diana P. , Fernández‐de‐las‐Peñas César , Alburquerque‐Sendín Francisco 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the influence of clinical, psychological, and psychophysical variables on treatment outcomes after application of exercise combined with education with/without manual therapy in people with tinnitus associated with temporomandibular disorder (TMD).MethodsA secondary analysis of a clinical trial was performed investigating the effectiveness of including cervico‐mandibular manual therapy into an exercise combined with education program in 61 subjects with TMD‐related tinnitus. Clinical outcomes including tinnitus severity and tinnitus‐related handicap were assessed at 3 and 6 months post‐intervention. Patients were assessed at baseline for clinical (tinnitus severity, tinnitus‐related handicap, quality of life), physical (range of motion), psychological (depression), and psychophysical (pressure pain thresholds [PPTs]) variables that were included as predictors.ResultsThe regression models indicated that higher scores of tinnitus severity at baseline predicted better outcomes 3 and 6 months post‐intervention (explaining 13% to 41% of the variance) in both groups. Higher scores of tinnitus‐related handicap at baseline predicted better outcome of tinnitus‐related handicap (45% variance) in the manual therapy with exercise/education group. Lower PPTs over the temporalis muscle at baseline predicted poorer clinical outcomes (10.5% to 41% of the variance) in both groups. Other predictors were sex and quality of life (6.7% variance) in the manual therapy group and PPTs over the masseter muscle (5.8% variance) in the exercise/education group.ConclusionThis study found that baseline tinnitus severity and localized PPT over the temporalis muscle were predictive of clinical outcomes in individuals with TMD‐related tinnitus following physical therapy. Other predictors (eg, sex, quality of life) were less influential.
Diverse conserved domains and a positively selected site in the sugarcane streak mosaic virus P1 protein are essential for RNA silencing suppression and protein stability
Authors: Chen Jian‐Sheng , Liang Shan‐Shan , Sun Sheng‐Ren , Damaj Mona B. , Fu Hua‐Ying , Gao San‐Ji 
Published: May 2020

AbstractRNA silencing is one of the conserved antiviral mechanisms in plants, and viruses encode RNA silencing suppressors (RSS) to overcome host RNA silencing and facilitate virus infection. Sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSMV; species Sugarcane streak mosaic virus, genus Poacevirus, family Potyviridae) is a major causal agent of sugarcane mosaic disease in many countries in Asia, including China. In this study, we used Agrobacterium co‐infiltration to show that the SCSMV P1 protein, rather than the helper component‐proteinase (HC‐Pro), functions as a strong RSS to suppress local RNA silencing in Nicotiana benthamiana. Mutational analysis indicated that the 15 amino acids (aa; aa 1–15) of the SCSMV P1 N‐terminus were not important for RNA silencing suppression, but rather another 15 aa domain (aa 108–122) containing a conserved motif (LFR/KNKQAYIST) was essential for efficient silencing suppression by P1. In addition to the 15 aa (aa 344–358) domain in the P1 N‐terminus, another 15 aa domain (aa 65–79) of P1, containing the LXKA motif and one conserved aa (D78), were associated with P1 protein stability. Furthermore, substituting the histidine (H263) residue in P1 with threonine (H263T) or alanine (H263A) also affected P1 protein stability. Notably, the H263 residue is both a positively selected site and part of the serine protease catalytic triad (HDS). Taken together, our data demonstrate that SCSMV P1, and not HC‐Pro, plays a functional role in suppressing RNA silencing, and also show that some conserved motifs and a positivelyselected site in the P1 protein are associated with RSS activity and protein stability.
Effect of RNF4‐SacII gene polymorphism on reproductive traits of Landrace × Large White crossbred sows
Authors: Menčik Sven , Vuković Vlado , Jiang Zhihua , Ostović Mario , Sušić Velimir , Žura Žaja Ivona , Samardžija Marko , Ekert Kabalin Anamaria 
Published: May 2020

ContentsThe aim of the present study was to investigate whether and to what extent the RNF4‐SacII gene polymorphism influences reproduction performances in hyperprolific sow lines. The study involved 101 Landrace x Large White crossbred sows, with 461 records collected on the following reproductive traits: Total Number of piglets Born per litter (TNB), Number of piglets Born Alive per litter (NBA), Number of StillBorn piglets per litter (NSB), piglet Pre‐Weaning Mortality (PWM) and Number of piglets at Weaning per litter (NW). The least square method with the GLM procedure in SAS with eight effects was used to pursue the data analysis. Study results revealed that TT homozygotes and TC heterozygotes had a significantly higher (p < .05) NW than CC homozygotes for the life‐span performance in all parities and first parity analysed. In the fourth parity analysed, TNB and NBA in TC genotype were significantly higher (p < .05) as compared with TT genotype. Based on the life‐span performance, significant effect (p < .05) was recorded for order of parity on TNB, NBA and NW, for farrowing season on TNB and NSB, and for lactation length on PWM. In the second parity, significant effect (p < .05) was recorded for sire of boar on NSB and for gestation length on TNB. Only in the fourth parity, significant effect (p < .05) of RNF4 gene was observed on NBA. There was significant additive effect (p < .05) of the RNF4 gene polymorphism identified on NW in all parities analysed, and significant additive and dominance effects (p < .05) on NSB in the third parity analysed. In conclusion, additional research on related production pig genotypes is necessary to elucidate the effect of RNF4 gene mutation on reproductive traits.
Hybridization in China's elder care service provision
Authors: Maags Christina 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAlthough the party‐state has embarked on a mission to increase elder care services, evaluating this development according to different sectors demonstrates certain challenges. Official statistics do not include sector‐specific information, and while provider websites suggest that elder care services are largely in public hands, Chinese experts argue that they are mostly “civilian‐run.” How can we explain these discrepancies in data on Chinese elder care? Drawing on the concept of hybridization and triangulating quantitative and qualitative data, I argue that the party‐state's efforts to “socialize” elder care provision has resulted in hybridization within the industry which blurs the line between care providers and obfuscates the stark role of the state in elder care service provision. During the implementation of state‐initiated hybridization, providers misclassify their ownership type to benefit from financial incentives or circumvent political control, resulting in even greater hybridization and fragmentation on the ground.
Hyperammonemia syndrome due to Ureaplasma urealyticum in a kidney transplant recipient: A case of disseminated disease from a fluoroquinolone‐resistant isolate
Authors: Higgins Andrea B. , Farmakiotis Dimitrios , Rogers Ralph , Osband Adena J. , Seo Angie , Chen Brendan , Birkenbach Mark P. , Crabb Donna , Xiao Li , Leal Sixto , Waites Ken , Gohh Reginald , Morrissey Paul , Nau Gerard J. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractUreaplasmaspecies (spp.) are common colonizers of the urogenital tract but may cause systemic infection in immunocompromised patients. They release significant amounts of ammonia via urea hydrolysis and have been recently implicated in the pathogenesis of hyperammonemia syndrome after organ transplantation. We describe a unique case of hyperammonemia syndrome after kidney transplant caused byU urealyticuminfection, and the first, to our knowledge, case of a fluoroquinolone‐resistantUreaplasmastrain causing hyperammonemia syndrome. A 17‐year‐old female developed intermittent fevers, rising creatinine, sterile pyuria and debilitating polyarthritis approximately 1 year after kidney transplant. Serum ammonia level was elevated, and urine PCR was positive forU urealyticum. Near the end of treatment with levofloxacin, she had rebound hyperammonemia, which preceded clinical relapse of polyarthritis and encephalopathy. Blood and urine PCR and synovial fluid culture were positive forU urealyticum. Susceptibility testing showed fluoroquinolone resistance, but she responded well to azithromycin and doxycycline. The frequency ofUreaplasmaspp. infection in immunocompromised patients is probably underestimated due to diagnostic challenges. Ammonia levels were helpful biomarkers of response to antimicrobial therapy in our case. Susceptibility testing of clinical isolates should be pursued. In seriousUreaplasmaspp. infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients, two empiric antibiotics may be indicated given the potential for antimicrobial resistance.
Transcriptome and epigenome analyses of vernalization in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Xi Yanpeng , Park Sung‐Rye , Kim Dong‐Hwan , Kim Eun‐Deok , Sung Sibum 
Published: May 2020

SummaryVernalization accelerates flowering after prolonged winter cold. Transcriptional and epigenetic changes are known to be involved in the regulation of the vernalization response. Despite intensive applications of next‐generation sequencing in diverse aspects of plant research, genome‐wide transcriptome and epigenome profiling during the vernalization response has not been conducted. In this work, to our knowledge, we present the first comprehensive analyses of transcriptomic and epigenomic dynamics during the vernalization process in Arabidopsis thaliana. Six major clusters of genes exhibiting distinctive features were identified. Temporary changes in histone H3K4me3 levels were observed that likely coordinate photosynthesis and prevent oxidative damage during cold exposure. In addition, vernalization induced a stable accumulation of H3K27me3 over genes encoding many development‐related transcription factors, which resulted in either inhibition of transcription or a bivalent status of the genes. Lastly, FLC‐like and VIN3‐like genes were identified that appear to be novel components of the vernalization pathway.
A pilot study to identify perceived barrier and motivating factors of primary veterinarians in the USA for specialty referral and management of atopic dermatitis with allergen‐specific immunotherapy
Authors: Flanagan Sarah , Schick Anthea , Lewis Thomas P. 
Published: May 2020

BackgroundAllergen‐specific immunotherapy (ASIT) may decrease clinical signs and potential neosensitization in dogs with canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). Identification of barriers to referral and specialty level case management may improve clinical outcome and satisfaction for both clients and primary veterinarians.Hypothesis/ObjectivesThe objective of this cross‐sectional, descriptive, survey‐based pilot study was to identify factors influencing a veterinarian’s decision to recommend dermatology referral and prescribe ASIT for management of cAD.Methods and materialsAn online survey was administered to small animal veterinarians through two veterinary associations in the western United States. Participants were asked to rate factors using Likert scales.ResultsOf 60 responses, 18 (30%) rarely or never recommended ASIT. The top three factors against recommending ASIT included successful pharmaceutical management (100%), clients’ concern for cost (94.4%) and veterinarians’ perceptions that immunotherapy is unable to reduce pharmacological dependency (83.4%). The top three motivating factors included concerns for glucocorticoid adverse effects (83.3%), animal/owner quality of life (77.8%) and risk of antimicrobial resistant infection (55.6%). Results of the secondary objective revealed that 19 of 60 (31.7%) respondents rarely or never refer atopic pets to a dermatologist, citing cost of referral, availability of serological testing, and perception of limited benefits as the greatest barriers.Conclusions and clinical significanceNumerous factors appear to influence decisions to recommend referral or ASIT for management of pets with cAD. Further work is needed to determine if these can be generalized to larger populations with a goal of providing suggestions to bridge these gaps and improve outcomes.
Creep-Relaxation Modeling of HDPE and Polyvinyl Chloride Bolted Flange Joints
Authors: Kanthabhabha Jeya Rahul Palaniappan , Zhao Zijian , Bouzid Abdel-Hakim 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSimilar to many polymer materials, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) show a clear creep behavior, the rate of which is influenced by temperature, load, and time. Most bolted flange joints undergo relaxation under compression, which is caused by the creep of the material. However, the creep property of the two polymers is different under tension and compression loading. Since the sealing capacity of a flanged gasketed joint is impacted by the amount of relaxation that takes place, it is important to properly address and predict the relaxation behavior due to flange creep under compression and thereby reducing the chances of leakage failure of HDPE and PVC bolted flange joints. The main objective of this study is to analyze the compressive creep behavior of HDPE and PVC flanges under normal operating conditions. This is achieved by developing a respective creep model for the two materials, based on their short-term experimental creep test data. Both numerical and experimental simulations of the polymeric flange relaxation behavior are conducted on an NPS 3 class 150 bolted flange joint of dissimilar materials, where one of the flanges is made of HDPE or PVC material and the other one is made of steel SA105. The study also provides a clear picture on how the compression creep data of ring specimen may be utilized for predicating the flange bolt load relaxation over time at the operating temperatures.
Experimental evidence for crustal control over seismic fault segmentation
Authors: Lefevre M. , Souloumiac P. , Cubas N. , Klinger Y. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Strike-slip faults are generally described as continuous structures, while they are actually formed of successive segments separated by geometrical complexities. Although this along-strike segmentation is known to affect the overall dynamics of earthquakes, the physical processes governing the scale of this segmentation remain unclear. Here, we use analogue models to investigate the structural development of strike-slip faults and the physical parameters controlling segmentation. We show that the length of fault segments is regular along strike and scales linearly with the thickness of the brittle material. Variations of the rheological properties only have minor effects on the scaling relationship. Ratios between the segment length and the brittle material thickness are similar for coseismic ruptures and sandbox experiments. This supports a model where crustal seismogenic thickness controls fault geometry. Finally, we show that the geometrical complexity acquired during strike-slip fault formation withstands cumulative displacement. Thus, the inherited complexity impedes the formation of an ever-straighter fault, and might control the length of earthquake ruptures.
Comparing the outcomes of two independent computed tomography perfusion softwares and their impact on therapeutic decisions in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Bathla Girish , Ortega-Gutierrez Santiago , Klotz Ernst , Juergens Markus , Zevallos Cynthia B , Ansari Sameer , Ward Caitlin E , Policeni Bruno , Samaniego Edgar , Derdeyn Colin 
Published: May 2020

BackgroundTo compare the computed tomography perfusion (CTP) outcomes derived from two commercial CTP processing software and evaluate their concordance in terms of eligibility for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS), based on DEFUSE III criteria.MethodsA total of 118 patients (62 patients in the MT group and 56 patients in the non-MT (NMT) group) were included. Volumetric perfusion outputs were compared between Syngo.via (package A) and RAPID (package B). Influence on proceeding or not-proceeding with MT was based on DEFUSE III imaging eligibility criteria.ResultsMedian core infarct/hypoperfusion volumes were 12.3/126 mL in the MT group and 7.7/29.3 ml in the NMT group with package A and 10.5/138 mL and 1.9/24.5 mL with package B, respectively. In the MT group (n=62), concordant perfusion results in terms of patient triage were noted in all but two cases. Of these, one patient would not have qualified (low ASPECTS), while the other qualified based on package A results. For the NMT group (n=56), there was discordance in terms of MT eligibility in seven cases. However, none of these patients qualified for MT based on DEFUSE III criteria.ConclusionsBoth perfusion softwares showed high concordance in correctly triaging patients in the MT versus NMT groups (110/118, 93.2%), which further improved when all DEFUSE III imaging criteria were considered (117/118, 99.1%). The core/hypoperfusion volumes in the NMT group and core infarct volumes in the MT groups were comparable. The hypoperfusion volumes in the MT group varied slightly but did not affect triage between groups.
Siblings of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have an increased mortality rate: a Swedish cohort study
Authors: Westerlind Helga , Delcoigne Bénédicte , Askling Johan 
Published: May 2020

ObjectivesTo estimate the mortality among siblings of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and put any excess mortality among these in relation to the mortality among patients with RA.MethodsUsing prospective nation-wide registers, we identified patients diagnosed with new-onset RA 2001–2017 (n=8137), patients with prevalent RA 2006–2017 (n=25 464), matched general population comparator subjects to all RA patients (n=22 457/68 674) and full-siblings of all groups (n=28 878/91 546).We followed all cohorts until death, 31 December 2018, migration and (for non-RA subjects) RA diagnosis. We compared patients with RA versus the general population, and siblings of RA versus siblings of the general population using Cox regression, including adjustment for socio-economy.ResultsThe HR of death versus the general population was 1.11 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.22) for incident and 1.46 (95% CI 1.39 to 1.52) for prevalent patients with RA. The siblings of these patient groups were also at increased risk of death (HR=1.10, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.20 and 1.09, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.13, respectively), with little impact of adjustment for socio-economy.ConclusionThe mortality in RA is increased, but around one-fifth of this excess is present also among their siblings. Previous literature using general population rates for comparison has thus likely overestimated the direct impact on mortality attributable to RA. To bring down excess mortality in RA, optimal disease control is important but may not suffice.
The $$\pi \eta $$ interaction and $$a_0$$ resonances in photon–photon scattering
Authors: Lu Junxu , Moussallam B. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe revisit the information on the two lightest$$a_0$$a0resonances andS-wave$$\pi \eta $$πηscattering that can be extracted from photon–photon scattering experiments. For this purpose we construct a model for theS-wave photon–photon amplitudes which satisfies analyticity properties, two-channel unitarity and obeys the soft photon as well as the soft pion constraints. The underlying I=1 hadronicT-matrix involves six phenomenological parameters and is able to account for two resonances below 1.5 GeV. We perform a combined fit of the$$\gamma \gamma \rightarrow \pi \eta $$γγ→πηand$$\gamma \gamma \rightarrow K_SK_S$$γγ→KSKShigh statistics experimental data from the Belle collaboration. Minimisation of the$$\chi ^2$$χ2is found to have two distinct solutions with approximately equal$$\chi ^2$$χ2. One of these exhibits a light and narrow excited$$a_0$$a0resonance analogous to the one found in the Belle analysis. This however requires a peculiar coincidence between the$$J=0$$J=0and$$J=2$$J=2resonance effects which is likely to be unphysical. In both solutions the$$a_0(980)$$a0(980)resonance appears as a pole on the second Riemann sheet. The location of this pole in the physical solution is determined to be$$m-i\varGamma /2=1000.7^{+12.9}_{-0.7} -i\,36.6^{+12.7}_{-2.6}$$m-iΓ/2=1000.7-0.7+12.9-i36.6-2.6+12.7MeV. The solutions are also compared to experimental data in the kinematical region of the decay$$\eta \rightarrow \pi ^0\gamma \gamma $$η→π0γγ. In this region an isospin violating contribution associated with$${\pi ^+}{\pi ^-}$$π+π-rescattering must be added for which we provide a dispersive evaluation.