bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patterns of placental antimicrobial resistance in preterm birth before 30 completed weeks gestation complicated by preterm prelabour rupture of membranes
Authors: Axford Samuel B. , Andersen Chad C. , Stark Michael J. 
Published: October 2019

BackgroundWhile many guidelines recommend a 10‐day course of oral erythromycin following preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) as derived from the ORACLE I trial, evidence is emerging that this may encourage a state of antenatal genital tract dysbiosis. In addition, erythromycin’s lack of efficacy toward Gram‐negative microorganisms may promote colonisation and infection, conveying more significant unrecognised risk for very and extremely preterm newborns.AimsTo define patterns of placental infection or colonisation in newborns born before 30 completed weeks gestation following PPROM.Materials and MethodsRetrospective cohort study of mother‐infant dyads who delivered at < 30 completed weeks gestation following PPROM in a South Australian tertiary perinatal centre between January 2012 and December 2015. Main outcome measures included placental and neonatal culture and sensitivities within 72 h of delivery and histologic chorioamnionitis. Categorical characteristics were analysed using two‐sided Fisher’s exact test and numerical characteristics via analysis of variance.ResultsDuring the four years studied, 126 infant‐mother dyads were identified. Where a placental swab was taken, 23.9% cultured Gram‐negative organisms and the majority (58.8%) were antimicrobial‐resistant. Those that received erythromycin had increased incidence of antimicrobial‐resistant Gram‐negative organisms on placental swab (P = 0.02). All cases of neonatal early‐onset sepsis (EOS), including two cases of multi‐resistant Gram‐negative EOS, occurred in those who received erythromycin.ConclusionsThe current antibiotic recommendations for PPROM may promote selection of unhindered antimicrobial‐resistant Gram‐negative organisms and may increase risk of Gram‐negative EOS in very and extremely preterm newborns. Further wide‐scale examination of antibiotic recommendations in PPROM is necessary.
LA‐ICP‐MS analysis of Late Bronze Age blue glass beads from Gurob, Egypt
Authors: Kemp V. , McDonald A. , Brock F. , Shortland A. J. 
Published: October 2019

Laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) analysis was undertaken on 37 blue glass beads excavated from a tomb in the southern Faiyum region of northern Egypt. The tomb was undisturbed, contained the remains of seven females and two children, and dated between the reigns of Amenhotep I (1525–1504 bce) and Tuthmosis III (1479–1425 bce). The glass beads were coloured by copper and the trace element concentrations were compositionally consistent with glasses from Mesopotamia rather than from Egypt. Therefore, these glass beads represent a rare example of Mesopotamian glass to be discovered in Egypt, in addition to being some of the earliest glass found. Gurob is known to have been the site of a ‘harem palace' established in the reign of Tuthmosis III, the implication being that these beads represent luxury items transported to Egypt by high‐ranking foreign women, possibly in connection with the harem palace.
Novel variants in CDH2 are associated with a new syndrome including Peters anomaly
Authors: Reis Linda M. , Houssin Nathalie S. , Zamora Carlos , Abdul‐Rahman Omar , Kalish Jennifer M. , Zackai Elaine H. , Plageman Timothy F. , Semina Elena V. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPeters anomaly (PA) is a congenital corneal opacity associated with corneo‐lenticular attachments. PA can be isolated or part of a syndrome with most cases remaining genetically unsolved. Exome sequencing of a trio with syndromic PA and 145 additional unexplained probands with developmental ocular conditions identified a de novo splicing and three novel missense heterozygous CDH2 variants affecting the extracellular cadherin domains in four individuals with PA. Syndromic anomalies were seen in three individuals and included left‐sided cardiac lesions, dysmorphic facial features, and decreasing height percentiles; brain magnetic resonance imaging identified agenesis of the corpus callosum and hypoplasia of the inferior cerebellar vermis. CDH2 encodes for N‐cadherin, a transmembrane protein that mediates cell‐cell adhesion in multiple tissues. Immunostaining in mouse embryonic eyes confirmed N‐cadherin is present in the lens stalk at the time of separation from the future cornea and in the developing lens and corneal endothelium at later stages, supporting a possible role in PA. Previous studies in animal models have noted the importance of Cdh2/cdh2 in the development of the eye, heart, brain, and skeletal structures, also consistent with the patient features presented here. Examination of CDH2 in additional patients with PA is indicated to confirm this association.
Broadmark: A Testing Framework for Broad‐Phase Collision Detection Algorithms
Authors: Serpa Ygor Rebouças , Rodrigues Maria Andréia Formico 
Published: October 2019

AbstractResearch in the area of collision detection permeates most of the literature on simulations, interaction and agents planning, being commonly regarded as one of the main bottlenecks for large‐scale systems. To this day, despite its importance, most subareas of collision detection lack a common ground to test and validate solutions, reference implementations and widely accepted benchmark suites. In this paper, we delve into the broad‐phase of collision detection systems, providing both an open‐source framework, named Broadmark, to test, compare and validate algorithms, and an in‐deep analysis of the main techniques used so far to tackle the broad‐phase problem. The technical challenges of building this framework from the software and hardware perspectives are also described. Within our framework, several original and state‐of‐the‐art implementations of CPU and GPU algorithms are bundled, alongside three benchmark scenes to stress algorithms under several conditions. Furthermore, the system is designed to be easily extensible. We use our framework to bring out an extensive performance comparison among assembled solutions, detailing the current CPU and GPU state‐of‐the‐art on a common ground. We believe that Broadmark encompasses the principal insights and tools to derive and evaluate novel algorithms, thus greatly facilitating discussion about successful broad‐phase collision detection solutions.
Vascular anatomy of the splenic flexure, focusing on the accessory middle colic artery and vein
Authors: Murono K. , Miyake H. , Hojo D. , Nozawa H. , Kawai K. , Hata K. , Tanaka T. , Nishikawa T. , Shuno Y. , Sasaki K. , Kaneko M. , Emoto S. , Ishii H. , Sonoda H. , Ishihara S. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAimRecently, the accessory middle colic artery (AMCA) has been recognized as the vessel that supplies blood to the splenic flexure. However, the positional relationship between the AMCA and inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) has not been evaluated. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the anatomy of the AMCA and the splenic flexure vein (SFV).MethodTwo hundred and five patients with colorectal cancer who underwent enhanced CT preoperatively were enrolled in the present study. The locations of the AMCA and IMV were evaluated, focusing on the positional relationship between the vessels and pancreas – below the pancreas or to the dorsal side of the pancreas.ResultsThe AMCA was observed in 74 (36.1%) patients whereas the SFV was found in 177 (86.3%) patients. The left colic artery (LCA) was the major artery accompanying the SFV in 87 (42.4%) of patients. The AMCA accompanied the SFV in 65 (32.7%) patients. In 15 (7.8%) patients, no artery accompanied the SFV. The origin of the AMCA was located on the dorsal side of the pancreas in 15 (20.3%) of these 74 patients. Similarly, the destination of the IMV was located on the dorsal side of the pancreas in 65 (31.7%) of patients.ConclusionThe SFV was observed in most patients, and the LCA or AMCA was the common accompanying artery. In some patients these vessels were located on the dorsal side of the pancreas and not below it. Preoperative evaluation of this anatomy may be beneficial for lymph node dissection during left‐sided hemicolectomy.
The Portsmouth protocol for intra‐operative ultrasound of the small bowel in Crohn's disease
Authors: Celentano V. , Beable R. , Ball C. , Flashman K.G. , Reeve R. , Holmes A. , Fogg C. , Harper M. , Higginson A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAimBowel preservation is paramount in Crohn's disease surgery as affected patients are typically young adults at risk of having several abdominal surgical procedures during their lifetime. Intra‐operative assessment of the extent and location of Crohn's disease is not standardized and is left to a mixture of the surgeon's experience, tactile feedback, macroscopic appearance and preoperative imaging. The aim of this study was to describe the technical steps of a standardized protocol for intra‐operative ultrasound assessment of the small bowel in patients undergoing surgery for ileocolic Crohn's disease.MethodAfter laparoscopic mobilization of the bowel, a periumbilical incision is performed for extracorporeal division of the mesentery and the resection and anastomosis. A gastrointestinal consultant radiologist, with expertise in Crohn's disease imaging and abdominal ultrasound, performs full intra‐operative assessment of the small bowel by applying a sterile ultrasound probe directly to the bowel, prior to resection being performed by the surgeon. The bowel is assessed through the wound protector with a sterile technique and the length, location and number of segments is documented together with further quantitative assessment using the METRIC (MR enterography or ultrasound in Crohn's disease) scoring guide.ResultsA step‐by‐step protocol for intra‐operative ultrasound evaluation of the entire small bowel is described.ConclusionsA standardized approach to intra‐operative evaluation of the extent and location of Crohn's disease is desirable. Intra‐operative ultrasound may provide added value for assessment of proximal and multifocal Crohn's disease.
The effect of travel costs on the ideal free distribution in stickleback
Authors: Abrahams Mark V. , Labelle Jennifer 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe ideal free distribution (IFD) theory, which predicts that a population of individuals will match the distribution of a patchily distributed resource, is widely used in ecology to describe the spatial distribution of animals. While many studies have shown general support of its habitat matching prediction, others have described a systematic pattern of undermatching, where too many animals feed at patches with fewer resources, and too few animals feed in richer patches. These results have been attributed to deviations from several of the assumptions of the IFD. One possible variable, the cost of travelling between patches, has received little attention. Here, we investigated the impact on resource matching when travel costs were manipulated in a simple laboratory experiment involving two continuous input patches. This experiment allowed us to control for extraneous variables and decouple time costs from energetic costs of travel. Two experiments examined the impact of varying travel costs on movement rates between foraging patches and how these travel costs impact conformity to the IFD. Our data demonstrated that there was less movement between patches and greater discrepancies from the IFD predictions as the cost of travel increased.
Prognostic indicators and long‐term survival in 14 horses with equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Easton‐Jones C. A. , Cissell D. D. , Mohr F. C. , Chigerwe M. , Pusterla N. 
Published: October 2019

SummaryThere is limited information on long‐term follow‐up and prognostic indicators for horses diagnosed with equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF). The objectives of this study were to describe the signalment, clinicopathological data, radiographic and ultrasonographic findings, equine herpesvirus‐5 viral loads, clinical outcomes, and pathologic lesions associated with EMPF. Medical records from 2008 to 2016 were reviewed for this retrospective case series of 14 horses diagnosed with equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis on lung histopathology. Independent variables associated with survival to hospital discharge (short‐term survival) were determined using Chi‐square or Fisher’s exact test. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated when applicable. Short‐term survival was 57%, with only 14% of cases surviving longer than 6 months after discharge. The odds of short‐term survival were higher in horses administered corticosteroids (OR = 0.029, 95% CI 0.002‐0.615; P = 0.026). Severity of thoracic radiographic changes and equine herpesvirus‐5 viral loads measured by quantitative PCR in the lung on presentation were not associated with survival time. Severity of thoracic radiographic changes was also not correlated to equine herpesvirus‐5 viral loads in the lung ante‐mortem. Equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis has a poor prognosis for survival, with horses frequently displaying severe radiographic and histopathological changes at the time of diagnosis. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids reduced the odds of short‐term mortality.
Prognostic significance of serum tyrosine concentration in patients with primary biliary cholangitis under ursodeoxycholic acid therapy
Authors: Amano Nozomi , Ikeda Yuji , Hayashida Sho , Takahashi Sho , Sato Sho , Murata Ayato , Tsuzura Hironori , Sato Shunsuke , Shimada Yuji , Iijima Katsuyori , Wada Ryo , Nagahara Akihito , Genda Takuya 
Published: October 2019

AimChronic liver insufficiency is often associated with alteration in amino acid metabolism. We evaluated the prognostic value of changes in serum amino acid concentrations in patients with primary biliary cholangitis.MethodsA total of 75 primary biliary cholangitis patients who started urusodeoxycholic acid therapy were retrospectively enrolled. Baseline serum concentrations of branched‐chain amino acids and tyrosine, and branched‐chain amino acid‐to‐tyrosine ratio were determined. The hazard ratios of factors associated with liver‐related events were analyzed by Cox proportional hazard analysis.ResultsOf the 75 patients enrolled, 12 showed a decrease in serum branched‐chain amino acid levels, and 15 showed an increase in serum tyrosine levels. The branched‐chain amino acid‐to‐tyrosine ratio decreased in 16 patients. During a median 5.6‐year follow up, liver‐related events occurred in 11 patients. Multivariate analysis showed that high serum tyrosine levels at baseline and high alkaline phosphatase levels 48 weeks after starting urusodeoxycholic acid therapy were independent risk factors for event occurrence. From the receiver operator characteristics curve analysis, serum tyrosine concentration >110 μmol/L was identified as a cut‐off value with an adjusted hazard ratio of 20.9 (95% confidence interval 4.3–101.5, P < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the 5‐year cumulative incidences of event occurrence in patients with high and low serum tyrosine concentration were 56.5% and 5.5%, respectively (P < 0.001). The 10‐year survival probabilities also showed significant differences between patients with high and low serum tyrosine concentration (44.9% vs. 92.0%, P < 0.001).ConclusionElevation of serum tyrosine concentration indicates a high risk of liver‐related events in primary biliary cholangitis patients receiving urusodeoxycholic acid therapy.
Prolonged interval of total bilirubin decline is an early independent predictive factor of chronic persistent drug‐induced liver injury
Authors: Zhu Wenjing , Wang Lan , Zhao Xinyan , Wang Tailing , Shi Xiaoyan , Ou Xiaojuan , Wang Yu , Wang Xiaoming , Duan Weijia , Wang Qianyi , Jia Jidong , Ma Hong 
Published: October 2019

AimChronic drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) with persistent abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) >6 months after cessation of the insulting drugs could progress to cirrhosis. The aim of the present study was to identify the risk factors of chronic DILI for early recognition and better management.MethodsHistory of drug intake and results of LFTs were retrospectively retrieved for patients with a discharge diagnosis of DILI for at least 1‐year follow up. The risk factors independently associated with chronic DILI were analyzed by multiple logistic regression analyses.ResultsA total of 33 of the 140 DILI patients had persistent abnormal LFTs >6 months, which were considered as chronic DILI. It was found that the time intervals of alanine aminotransferase and total bilirubin decline from the peak to their half peak (T0.5ALT, T0.5TBIL) were significantly longer in the chronic DILI group than that in the recovered group (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001). The risk factors associated with chronic DILI independently were T0.5TBIL (OR 1.315, 95% CI 1.038–1.668), longer period of insulting drug(s) intake (OR 1.018, 95% CI 1.003–1.033), mixed/cholestatic pattern (OR 97.159, 95% CI 1.866–5005.994). More importantly, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the prognostic value of T0.5TBIL for chronic DILI had a sensitivity of 60.0% at a specificity of 90.7% with the threshold of 16 days.ConclusionsThe time intervals of total bilirubin decline from its peak to half of its peak (T0.5TBIL) was an early independent predictive factor of chronic DILI, suggesting that T0.5TBIL might serve as an indicator for chronicity.
A micro‐computed tomographic assessment of root canal preparation with conventional and different rotary files in primary teeth and young permanent teeth
Authors: Esentürk Gülce , Akkas Efe , Cubukcu Evren , Nagas Emre , Uyanik Ozgur , Cehreli Zafer C. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundRoot canals of primary teeth are commonly prepared with endodontic files that are originally manufactured for permanent teeth.AimThis micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) study evaluated and compared the changes in root canal morphology after preparation with different conventional and rotary files in primary teeth and young permanent teeth.DesignSeventy‐two extracted primary and permanent molars were selected and randomly assigned to three subgroups according to the file systems used (n = 12/each). After pre‐scanning of teeth with micro‐CT, root canals were prepared with One Shape and Revo‐S rotary systems and conventional endodontic files. After rescanning procedure, changes in canal volume, surface area, uninstrumented surface area, and apical transportation were evaluated. Mann‐Whitney U test, Kruskal‐Wallis test, and Conover's multiple comparison test were used for statistical analysis (P = .05).ResultsInstrumentation with rotary files resulted in significantly greater volume and surface area of root canals and less uninstrumented areas (P < .001) than with manual files (P < .001). Primary molars showed significantly less apical transportation than permanent teeth (P < .001).ConclusionsPreparation of canals with rotary files could be a viable alternative to conventional files in primary teeth. Regardless of the file system used, uninstrumented areas still exist in both primary teeth and permanent teeth.
Perfusion, tissue oxygenation and peripheral temperature in the skin of heels of healthy participants exposed to pressure: a quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Gómez‐González Alberto José , Morilla‐Herrera Juan Carlos , Lupiáñez‐Pérez Inmaculada , Morales‐Asencio José Miguel , García‐Mayor Silvia , León‐Campos Álvaro , Marfil‐Gómez Raquel , Aranda‐Gallardo Marta , Moya‐Suárez Ana Belén , Kaknani‐Uttumchandani Shakira 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAimTo evaluate the relationship between the pressure exerted on the heel of one foot resting directly on a mattress, versus that exerted on the other heel, protected by a pillow beneath the Achilles tendon area and the changes thus produced in perfusion, oxygenation and temperature in the skin of heels of healthy volunteers lying in a supine position.DesignExperimental study in a pre‐clinical phase, with healthy volunteer participants and intrapeople control.MethodsThe study was carried out from November 2017 – May 2018. A pressure measurement surface was placed between the participant and the constant low‐pressure support surface. Doppler laser devices were used to measure local temperature and perfusion. The degree of oxygenation was determined using an infrared beam close to the pressure zone in each heel. Both feet rested immobile on the bed, in a natural position, for 2 hr. To ensure intrapeople control, in every case the left heel was raised slightly, compared with the right.ResultsEighteen participants took part in this study. Analysis of the results obtained showed that capillary blood flow was significantly reduced in the heel subjected to pressure, compared with the other heel, while no significant effects on oxygen saturation or temperature were observed. The variables associated with greater oxygen saturation were capillary blood flow, local temperature and pressure exerted. Fat‐free mass, fat mass and duration of exposure to pressure were all significantly associated with reduced oxygen saturation.ConclusionsIn healthy participants, when the heel is subjected to constant pressure against a constant low‐pressure support surface, there is a significant reduction in blood flow, compared with the heel where pressure is relieved. However, there are no significant differences in temperature or tissue oxygenation.ImpactSignificant reductions in vascular flow were observed; however, the oxygenation and temperature of the heel tissues remained unchanged. These findings, corroborated in real patients, would advance our understanding and facilitate decision‐making on measures to prevent pressure ulcers, such as repositioning or tissue protection.Trial registration: The protocol is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02736838).
Research on function and mechanisms of a novel small molecule WG449E for hypertrophic scar
Authors: Shao T. , Tang W. , Li Y. , Gao D. , Lv K. , He P. , Song Y. , Gao S. , Liu M. , Chen Y. , Yi Z. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundHypertrophic scars are complications of severe wound healing characterized by excessive fibrosis associated with aberrant function of fibroblasts. However, no available drugs can be utilized to effectively treat these scars. The transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signalling pathway regulates collagen synthesis and plays an important role in scar formation.ObjectivesTo evaluate the anti‐scar effects of TGFβ inhibitors in vitro and in vivo.MethodsCol1α2‐luciferase reporter assay was used to screen the compounds suppress type I collagen gene transcription. Sulforhodamine B colorimetric assay and colony formation assay were used to test the compound's effect on cell proliferation. Wound healing and transwell assay were performed to test the cell migration and invasion. Western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and Q‐PCR assay were used to determine the protein and mRNA levels. 3D cell contraction assay was used to examine the cell contraction. Flow cytometry was performed to analyse cell apoptosis. Masson stain, H&E stain and immunochemistry were used to analyse the scar formation in vivo.ResultsWG449E, as one of the most potent inhibitors, was identified to significantly downregulate the mRNA and protein levels of collagen in hypertrophic scar‐derived fibroblasts through inhibiting Smad2/3 phosphorylation. WG449E inhibited the proliferation, migration and contraction of fibroblasts in vitro and in vivo. In addition, WG449E induced cell apoptosis through the activation of cleaved‐caspase3. Moreover, WG449E significantly attenuated hypertrophic scar formation and collagen deposition in a mechanical load‐induced mouse model.ConclusionsWG449E is a potential candidate for the treatment of hypertrophic scars.WG449E downregulates the mRNA and protein levels of collagen in hypertrophic scar‐derived fibroblasts through inhibiting Smad2/3 phosphorylation and nucleic localization. WG449E blocks HSF migration and invasion by regulating F‐actin assignment. In addition, WG449E induces HSF apoptosis through the activation of cleaved‐caspase3.