bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intimate Partner Violence Among Chinese Transwomen: Associations With Sexual Risk Behaviors and HIV Testing
Authors: Wang Liying , Barile John P. , Simoni Jane M. , Harris Rachel , Yue Qing , Fu Jie , Zheng Huang , Ning Zhen , Wong Frank Y. 
Published: October 2020

Background
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an emerging risk factor for HIV infection. Given the high vulnerability of and limited research on transwomen in China, we described IPV, sexual risk behaviors, HIV, and sexually transmitted infection (STIs) testing rates and results, and investigated the pathways that link IPV to HIV infection among this population.

Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional survey and collected blood samples for HIV and syphilis testing among transwomen in Shanghai, China (n = 199). With logistic regression, we examined sexual risk behaviors and HIV/STI testing history among participants with and without IPV experience.

Results
More than half of the respondents reported IPV (57.3%), and the prevalence of unprotected sex ranged from 51.9% (with sex workers) to 87.8% (oral sex); 85.9% had ever tested for HIV and 49.3% for other STIs. Self-reported positivity results were as follows: HIV (2.3%), herpes simplex virus type 2 (8.3%), gonorrhea (18.8%), and syphilis (17.8%). Laboratory-confirmed positivity values were 5.0% for HIV and 6.5% for syphilis. Respondents with a history of IPV were significantly less likely to report HIV testing in the past 12 months (adjusted odds ratio, 0.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.10–0.38).

Conclusions
Transwomen self-reported a high prevalence of IPV, which was related to a lower probability of HIV testing. The prevalence of HIV and other STIs was lower than reported in previous studies of Chinese transwomen, whereas the HIV/STI testing rates were higher. Findings suggest transwomen in China are at risk for IPV and need enhanced HIV prevention services to promote HIV testing in an IPV setting.
The Effect of Pediatric Early Warning Score Use on Emergency Response Calls After Admission From the Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Frascogna Melissa Nan , Merkle Eric , Dowdy Kristin , Seals Samantha 
Published: October 2020

Objectives
Pediatric Early Warning Scores (PEWS) are an easy-to-use diagnostic tool for patient evaluation. The goal of this study was to determine if using PEWS in our pediatric emergency department (PED) at the time of admission to the hospital was associated with a decrease in the number of emergency response calls within 6 hours of admission.

Methods
A retrospective chart review of 6 months before (May 2013–October 2013) and after (December 2013–May 2014) initiation of PEWS upon inpatient admission from our urban, tertiary care PED was conducted to determine the number of patients who had emergency response calls within 6 hours of admission.

Results
The percentage of patients admitted from the PED who required an emergency response call within 6 hours of admission dropped from 1.77% in the 6 months before assigning PEWS to 0.79% in the 6 months after, a 55% reduction (P = 0.0070).

Conclusions
Assigning PEWS to patients being admitted to our hospital from the PED was associated with a reduced number of emergency response calls in the period immediately after admission.
Treatment of extended-spectrum β-lactamases infections: what is the current role of new β-lactams/β-lactamase inhibitors?
Authors: Bassetti Matteo , Giacobbe Daniele R. , Robba Chiara , Pelosi Paolo , Vena Antonio 
Published: October 2020

Purpose of review
The widespread diffusion of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs)-producing Enterobacteriales currently represents a major threat for public health worldwide. Carbapenems are currently considered the first-line choice for serious ESBL infections. However, the dramatic global increase in ESBL prevalence has led to a significant overuse of carbapenems that has promoted the selection and spread of carbapenemases, which might further prejudicated our ability to treat infections due to multidrug-resistant pathogens. Therefore, strategies to limit the use of carbapenems should be implemented.

Recent findings
Although piperacillin–tazobactam should no longer be considered an alternative to carbapenems for definitive treatment of bloodstream infections due to ESBL-producing strains, it might still represent an alternative for step-down therapy or for low-to-moderate severity infection originating from urinary or biliary sources and when piperacillin–tazobactam minimum inhibitory concentration of 4 mg/l or less. Ceftazidime–avibactam and ceftolozane–tazobactam are both carbapenem sparing agents that appear interesting alternatives for treatment of serious ESBL infections. New β-lactams/β-lactamase inhibitors (BL/BLI), including cefepime–enmetazobactam, ceftaroline fosamil–avibactam, aztreonam–avibactam and cefepime–zidebactam, are also promising agents for treatment of ESBL infections, but further clinical data are needed to establish their efficacy relative to carbapenems. The role of carbapenems/β-lactamase inhibitors remain to be clarified.

Summary
New BL/BLI have distinctive specificities and limitations that require further investigations. Future randomized clinical trials are required to define the best strategy for their administering for ESBL infections.
A Comparison of Outcomes After Palatoplasty in Patients With Non-Syndromic Pierre Robin Sequence Versus Patients With Non-Syndromic Isolated Cleft Palate
Authors: Taku Maeda , Yamamoto Yuhei , Oyama Akihiko , Sasaki Satoru , Hayashi Toshihiko , Murao Naoki , Osawa Masayuki , Funayama Emi 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare outcomes of cleft palate repair in patients with non-syndromic Pierre Robin sequence (NS-PRS) versus those with non-syndromic isolated cleft palate (NS-ICP). Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) was defined as a diagnosis of the triad of microretrognathia, glossoptosis, and cleft palate, and the severity of PRS was assessed based on the presence of respiratory and feeding problems. All patients underwent palatoplasty between January 2000 and December 2011. The authors examined age at palatoplasty, type of cleft palate, fistula rate, velopharyngeal (VP) function, nasal emission, hypernasality, and need for secondary speech surgery, in addition to PRS severity in the NS-PRS patients. A total of 15 NS-PRS patients and 40 NS-ICP patients were reviewed. The incidence of VP dysfunction, nasal emission, hypernasality, and secondary speech surgery was not significantly different between the NS-PRS patients and NS-ICP patients. Age at palatoplasty was significantly different between the 2 groups (P = 0.012) but type of CP was not (P = 1.00). Only 2 NS-PRS patients were classified as category III (severe), and all of the NS-PRS patients who had VP insufficiency were classified as PRS severity category I (not severe). The findings of this study indicate that NS-PRS patients may not have worse outcomes than NS-ICP patients.
Muscle-Derived Mitochondrial Transplantation Reduces Inflammation, Enhances Bacterial Clearance, and Improves Survival in Sepsis
Authors: Zhang Zhanqin , Yan Chaoying , Miao Jiwen , Pu Kairui , Ma Hongli , Wang Qiang 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACT

Background:
Mitochondrial transplantation is a promising strategy for the treatment of several diseases. However, the effects of mitochondrial transplantation on the outcome of polymicrobial sepsis remain unclear.

Methods:
The distribution of transplanted mitochondria in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-operated mice was detected at 2 and 12 h after intravenous injection in the tail (n = 3). Then, the effects of mitochondrial transplantation on bacterial clearance (n = 7), systemic inflammation (n = 10), organ injury (n = 8), and mortality (n = 19) during CLP-induced sepsis were explored. Microarray analysis (n = 3) was used to testify the molecular changes associated with decreased systemic inflammation and multiorgan dysfunction in sepsis.

Results:
The extraneous mitochondria were distributed in the lung, liver, kidney, and brain of CLP-operated mice at 2 and 12 h after intravenous injection in the tail. Mitochondrial transplantation increased the survival rate of septic mice, which was associated with decreased bacterial burden, systemic inflammation, and organ injury. Spleen samples were utilized for microarray analysis. Pathway analysis revealed that in polymicrobial sepsis, gene expression was significantly changed in processes related to inflammatory response, complement and coagulation cascades, and rejection reaction.

Conclusions:
These data displayed that mitochondrial replenishment reduces systemic inflammation and organ injury, enhances bacterial clearance, and improves the survival rate in sepsis. Thus, extraneous mitochondrial replenishment may be an effective adjunctive treatment to reduce sepsis-related mortality.
Survival Benefit Associated With the Use of Extracorporeal Life Support for Neonates With Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Authors: Jancelewicz Tim , Langham Max R. , Brindle Mary E. , Stiles Zachary E. , Lally Pamela A. , Dong Lei , Wan Jim Y. , Guner Yigit S. , Harting Matthew T. 
Published: October 2020

Objective:
To measure the survival among comparable neonates with CDH supported with and without ECLS.

Summary of Background Data:
Despite widespread use in the management of newborns with CDH, ECLS has not been consistently associated with improved survival.

Methods:
A retrospective cohort study was performed using ECLS-eligible CDH Study Group registry patients born between 2007 and 2019. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Neonates who did and did not receive ECLS were matched based on variables affecting risk for the primary outcome. Iterative propensity score-matched, survival (Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier), and center effects analyses were performed to examine the association of ECLS use and mortality.

Results:
Of 5855 ECLS-eligible CDH patients, 1701 (29.1%) received ECLS. “High-risk” patients were best defined as those with a lowest achievable first-day arterial partial pressure of CO2 of ≥60 mm Hg. After propensity score matching, mortality was higher with ECLS (47.8% vs 21.8%, odds ratio 3.3, 95% confidence interval 2.7–4.0, hazard ratio 2.3, P < 0.0001). For the subgroup of high-risk patients, there was lower mortality observed with ECLS (64.2% vs 84.4%, odds ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.17–0.65, hazard ratio 0.33, P = 0.001). This survival advantage was persistent using multiple matching approaches. However, this ECLS survival advantage was found to occur primarily at high CDH volume centers that offer frequent ECLS for the high-risk subgroup.

Conclusions:
Use of ECLS is associated with excess mortality for low- and intermediate-risk neonates with CDH. It is associated with a significant survival advantage among high-risk infants, and this advantage is strongly influenced by center CDH volume and ECLS experience.
Evaluation of the antiviral effect of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) using a vertebrate model inoculated with avian coronavirus
Authors: Zambrano-Estrada Xóchitl , Domínguez-Sánchez Carlos , Banuet-Martínez Marina , Guerrero de la Rosa Fabiola , García-Gasca Teresa , Prieto-Valiente Luis , Acevedo-Whitehouse Karina 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe need for safe and effective antiviral treatments is pressing given the number of viral infections that are prevalent in animal and human populations, often causing devastating economic losses and mortality. Informal accounts of anecdotal use of chlorine dioxide (ClO2), a well-known disinfectant and antiseptic, in COVID-19 patients has raised concern about potential toxicity, but also raises the question that ClO2might elicit antiviral effects, a possibility that has never been examinedin vivoin any animal model. Here, we challenged the hypothesis that ClO2decreases the viral load and virus-induced mortality in a vertebrate model. For this, we determined viral load, virus-induced lesions and mortality in 10-day old chick embryos inoculated with 104mean EID50/mL of attenuated Massachusetts and Connecticut avian coronavirus (IBV) strains.ResultsThe ClO2treatment had a marked impact on IBV infection. Namely, viral titres were 2.4-fold lower and mortality was reduced by half in infected embryos that were treated with ClO2. Infection led to developmental abnormalities regardless of treatment. Lesions typical of IBV infections were observed in all inoculated embryos, but severity tended to be significantly lower in ClO2-treated embryos. We found no gross or microscopic evidence of toxicity caused by ClO2at the doses used herein.ConclusionsOur study shows that ClO2could be a safe and viable way of treating and mitigating the effects of avian coronavirus infections, and raises the possibility that similar effects could be observed in other organisms.Graphical abstract
In-silico development of a method for the selection of optimal enzymes using L-asparaginase II against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia as an example
Authors: Baral Adesh , Gorkhali Ritesh , Basnet Amit , Koirala Shubham , Bhattarai Hitesh K. 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTL-Asparaginase II (asnB), a periplasmic protein, commercially extracted fromE. coliandErwinia, is often used to treat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. L-Asparaginase is an enzyme that converts L-asparagine to aspartic acid and ammonia. Cancer cells are dependent on asparagine from other sources for growth and when these cells are deprived of asparagine by the action of the enzyme the cancer cells selectively die. Questions remain as to whether asnB fromE. coliandErwiniais the best asparaginase as they have many side-effects. asnB with the lowest Michaelis constant (Km) (most potent), and with the lowest immunogenicity is considered the most optimal enzyme. In this paper asnB sequence ofE. coliwas used to search for homologous proteins in different bacterial and archaeal phyla and a maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed. The sequences that are most distant fromE. coliandErwiniawere considered best candidates in terms of immunogenicity and were chosen for further processing. The structures of these proteins were built by homology modeling and asparagine was docked with these proteins to calculate the binding energy. asnBs fromStreptomyces griseus,Streptomyces venezuelaeandStreptomyces collinuswere found to have the highest binding energy i.e. −5.3 kcal/mol, −5.2 kcal/mol, and −5.3 kcal/mol respectively (Higher than theE.coliandErwiniaasnBs) and were predicted to have the lowest Kms as we found that there is an inverse relationship between binding energy and Km. Besides predicting the most optimal asparaginase, this technique can also be used to predict the most optimal enzymes where the substrate is known and the structure of one of the homologs is solved.
Scale-invariant time registration of 24-hour accelerometric rest-activity profiles and its application to human chronotypes
Authors: McDonnell Erin I. , Zipunnikov Vadim , Schrack Jennifer A. , Goldsmith Jeff , Wrobel Julia 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTBy collecting data continuously over 24 hours, accelerometers and other wearable devices can provide novel insights into circadian rhythms and their relationship to human health. Existing approaches for analyzing diurnal patterns using these data, including the cosinor model and functional principal components analysis, have revealed and quantified population-level diurnal patterns, but considerable subject-level variability remained uncaptured in features such as wake/sleep times and activity intensity. This remaining informative variability could provide a better understanding of chronotypes, or behavioral manifestations of one’s underlying 24-hour rhythm. Curve registration, or alignment, is a technique in functional data analysis that separates “vertical” variability in activity intensity from “horizontal” variability in time-dependent markers like wake and sleep times; this data-driven approach is well-suited to studying chronotypes using accelerometer data. We develop a parametric registration framework for 24-hour accelerometric rest-activity profiles represented as dichotomized into epoch-level states of activity or rest. Specifically, we estimate subject-specific piecewise linear time-warping functions parametrized with a small set of parameters. We apply this method to data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging and illustrate how estimated parameters give a more flexible quantification of chronotypes compared to traditional approaches.
Calcium- and Phosphorus-Supplemented Diet Increases Bone Volume After Four Weeks of High-Speed Treadmill Exercise in Adult Mice
Authors: Friedman Michael A. , Kohn David H. 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTExercise has long-lasting benefits to bone health. Bone mass and the ability to exercise both decline with age, making it ideal to exercise earlier in life and to maximize gains in bone mass. Increasing strain on bone and frequency of loading during exercise can increase bone formation rate and cross-sectional area. Combining a short-term exercise program with a calcium- and phosphorus-supplemented diet increases cortical bone tissue mineral content (TMC) and area more than exercise alone in adult mice. It was hypothesized that combining high-speed running with a mineral-supplemented diet would lead to greater cortical TMC and area than high-speed running on a standard diet and low-speed running on a supplemented diet after 4 weeks. Male, 15-week old mice were assigned to 7 groups – a baseline group, non-exercised groups fed a control or supplemented diet, low-speed exercised groups fed a control or supplemented diet, and high-speed exercised groups fed a control or supplemented diet. Exercise consisted of 4 weeks of daily treadmill running for 20 min/day at 12 m/min or 20 m/min for low- and high-speed exercise, respectively. High-speed exercised mice had significantly lower body weight and lower tibial length after 4 weeks. Cortical TMC and area were significantly higher in high-speed exercised mice on the supplemented diet than high-speed exercised mice on the control diet. Trabecular bone volume (BV) and bone density were significantly higher in all groups on the supplemented diet than groups on the control diet, regardless of exercise. For mice on the control diet, non-exercised mice had significantly lower trabecular BV than baseline, while both speeds of exercise prevented this decline. There were few effects of exercise or diet on mechanical properties. For mice on the control diet, exercise significantly decreased serum PINP/CTX ratio on day 9 which may be preventing exercise from increasing bone mass or strength after only 4 weeks. For non-exercised mice on the supplemented diet, the serum PINP/CTX ratio on day 30 was significantly greater than for exercised mice, suggesting the supplemented diet may also lead to significantly greater bone mass in non-exercised mice if these interventions were extended beyond 4 weeks. Increasing treadmill speed can lower body weight while maintaining cortical and trabecular bone mass. A mineral-supplemented diet increases cortical and trabecular bone mass with high-speed exercise.
Framework for Rapid Comparison of Extracellular Vesicle Isolation Methods
Authors: Ter-Ovanesyan Dmitry , Norman Maia , Lazarovits Roey , Trieu Wendy , Lee Ju-Hyun , Church George M. , Walt David R. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by all cells into biofluids and hold great promise as reservoirs of disease biomarkers. One of the main challenges in studying EVs is a lack of methods to quantify EVs that are sensitive enough and can differentiate EVs from similarly sized lipoproteins and protein aggregates. We demonstrate the use of ultrasensitive, single molecule array (Simoa) assays for the quantification of EVs using three widely expressed transmembrane proteins: the tetraspanins CD9, CD63, and CD81. Using Simoa to measure these three EV markers, as well as albumin to measure protein contamination, we were able to compare the relative efficiency and purity of several commonly used EV isolation methods in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): ultracentrifugation, precipitation, and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). We further used these assays, all on one platform, to improve SEC isolation from plasma and CSF. Our results highlight the utility of quantifying EV proteins using Simoa and provide a rapid framework for comparing and improving EV isolation methods from biofluids.
SQ3370 Activates Cytotoxic Drug via Click Chemistry at Tumor and Elicits Sustained Responses in Injected & Non-injected Lesions
Authors: Srinivasan S. , Yee N. A. , Wu K. , Zakharian M. , Mahmoodi A. , Royzen M. , Oneto J.M. Mejia 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWhile systemic immuno-oncology therapies have shown remarkable success, only a limited subset of patients benefit from them. Our Click Activated Protodrugs Against Cancer (CAPAC™) Platform is a click chemistry-based approach that activates cancer drugs at a specific tumor with minimal systemic toxicity. CAPAC Platform is agnostic to tumor characteristics that can vary across patients and hence applicable to several types of tumors. We describe the benefits of SQ3370 (lead candidate of CAPAC) to achieve systemic anti-tumor responses in mice bearing two tumors. SQ3370 consists of a biopolymer, injected in a single lesion, followed by systemic doses of an attenuated protodrug of doxorubicin (Dox). SQ3370 was well-tolerated at 5.9-times the maximum dose of conventional Dox, increased survival by 63% and induced a systemic antitumor response against injected and non-injected lesions. The sustained anti-tumor response also correlated with immune activation measured at both lesions. SQ3370 could potentially benefit patients with micro-metastatic lesions.
Obesity alters Ace2 and Tmprss2 expression in lung, trachea, and esophagus in a sex-dependent manner: Implications for COVID-19
Authors: Sarver Dylan C. , Wong G. William 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTObesity is a major risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity. The underlying basis of this association is likely complex in nature. The host-cell receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the type II transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2) are important for viral cell entry. It is unclear whether obesity alters expression of Ace2 and Tmprss2 in the lower respiratory tract. Here, we show that: 1) Ace2 expression is elevated in the lung and trachea of diet-induced obese male mice and reduced in the esophagus of obese female mice relative to lean controls; 2) Tmprss2 expression is increased in the trachea of obese male mice but reduced in the lung and elevated in the trachea of obese female mice relative to lean controls; 3) in chow-fed lean mice, females have higher expression of Ace2 in the lung and esophagus as well as higher Tmprss2 expression in the lung but lower expression in the trachea compared to males; and 4) in diet-induced obese mice, males have higher expression of Ace2 in the trachea and higher expression of Tmprss2 in the lung compared to females, whereas females have higher expression of Tmprss2 in the trachea relative to males. Our data indicate diet- and sex-dependent modulation of Ace2 and Tmprss2 expression in the lower respiratory tract and esophagus. Given the high prevalence of obesity worldwide and a sex-biased mortality rate, we discuss the implications and relevance of our results for COVID-19.