bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Machine Learning Directed Interventions Associate with Decreased Hospitalization Rates in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Chaudhuri Sheetal , Han Hao , Usvyat Len , Jiao Yue , Sweet David , Vinson Allison , Steinberg Stephanie Johnstone , Maddux Dugan , Belmonte Kathleen , Brzozowski Jane , Bucci Brad , Kotanko Peter , Wang Yuedong , Kooman Jeroen P. , Maddux Franklin W , Larkin John 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundAn integrated kidney disease company uses machine learning (ML) models that predict the 12-month risk of an outpatient hemodialysis (HD) patient having multiple hospitalizations to assist with directing personalized interdisciplinary interventions in a Dialysis Hospitalization Reduction Program (DHRP). We investigated the impact of risk directed interventions in the DHRP on clinic-wide hospitalization rates.MethodsWe compared the hospital admission and day rates per-patient-year (ppy) from all hemodialysis patients in 54 DHRP and 54 control clinics identified by propensity score matching at baseline in 2015 and at the end of the pilot in 2018. We also used paired T test to compare the between group difference of annual hospitalization rate and hospitalization days rates at baseline and end of the pilot.ResultsThe between group difference in annual hospital admission and day rates was similar at baseline (2015) with a mean difference between DHRP versus control clinics of −0.008±0.09 ppy and −0.05±0.96 ppy respectively. The between group difference in hospital admission and day rates became more distinct at the end of follow up (2018) favoring DHRP clinics with the mean difference being −0.155±0.38 ppy and - 0.97±2.78 ppy respectively. A paired t-test showed the change in the between group difference in hospital admission and day rates from baseline to the end of the follow up was statistically significant (t-value=2.73, p-value<0.01) and (t-value=2.29, p-value=0.02) respectively.ConclusionsThese findings suggest ML model-based risk-directed interdisciplinary team interventions associate with lower hospitalization rates and hospital day rate in HD patients, compared to controls.
Reliability and limits of transport-ventilators to safely ventilate severe patients in special surge situations
Authors: Savary Dominique , Lesimple Arnaud , Beloncle François , Morin François , Templier François , Broc Alexandre , Brochard Laurent , Richard Jean-Christophe , Mercat Alain 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundSeveral Intensive Care Units (ICU) have been overwhelmed by the surge of COVID-19 patients thus necessitating to extend ventilation capacity outside the ICU where air and oxygen pressure are not always available. Transport ventilators requiring only O2 source may be used to deliver volume-controlled ventilation.ObjectiveTo evaluate the performances of four transport ventilators compared to an ICU ventilator simulating severe respiratory conditions.Materials and methodsTwo pneumatic transport ventilators, (Oxylog 3000, Draeger; Osiris 3, Air Liquide Medical Systems) and two turbine transport ventilators (Elisee 350, ResMed; Monnal T60, Air Liquide Medical Systems) were compared to an ICU ventilator (Engström Carestation – GE Healthcare) using a Michigan training test lung. We tested each ventilator with different set volumes Vtset (350, 450, 550 ml) and different compliances (20 or 50 ml/cmH2O) and a resistance of 15 cmH2 0/L/sec based on values recently described in COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Volume error was measured, as well as the trigger time delay during assist-control ventilation simulating spontaneous breathing activity with a P0.1 of 4 cmH20.ResultsGrouping all conditions, the volume error was 2.9 ± 2.2 % for Engström Carestation; 3.6 ± 3.9 % for Osiris 3; 2.5 ± 2.1 % for Oxylog 3000; 5.4 ± 2.7 % for Monnal T60 and 8.8 ± 4.8 % for Elisee 350. Grouping all conditions, trigger delay was 42 ± 4 ms, 65 ± 5 ms, 151 ± 14 ms, 51 ± 6 and 64 ± 5 ms for Engström Carestation, Osiris 3, Oxylog 3000, Monnal T60 and Elisee 350, respectively.ConclusionsIn special surge situations such as COVID-19 pandemic, most transport ventilators may be used to safely deliver volume-controlled ventilation in locations where only oxygen pressure supply is available with acceptable volume accuracy. Performances regarding triggering function are generally acceptable but vary across ventilators.
Enhanced skin permeation of a novel peptide via structural modification, chemical enhancement, and microneedles
Authors: Chen Jungen , Bian Junxing , Hantash Basil M. , Hibbs David E. , Wu Chunyong , Kang Lifeng 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHyperpigmentation is a common skin condition with serious psychosocial consequences. Decapeptide-12, a novel peptide, has been found to be safer than hydroquinone in reducing content of melanin, with efficacy up to more than 50% upon 16 weeks of twice daily treatment. However, the peptide suffers from limited transcutaneous penetration due to its hydrophilicity and large molecular weight. Therefore, decapeptide-12 was modified by adding a palmitate chain in an attempt to overcome this limitation. We also tested the effects of chemical penetration enhancers and microneedles to deliver two peptides through skin. Enhanced skin permeation was found using anin vitrohuman skin permeation model. Moreover, we examined peptide retention of different formulations in skin. Our data showed that palm-peptides in microneedle patch was the most effective.
Remote Learning Barriers and Opportunities for Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Learners in Career and Professional Skill Development: A Case Study
Authors: Gardner Margery Evans , Bodiya Elizabeth C , Subramanian Shoba 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTCareer and professional development competencies are critical for biomedical PhD and postdoctoral training. In the current educational landscape, programs that meet these competencies are offered and attended in an ad hoc manner. During the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying switch to virtual learning, our team observed a surge in interest for our weekly non-sequential programs. In this study, we surveyed our learners to better understand motivators for attending these programs during the pandemic and to identify barriers for participating in such events before and during Work-From-Home. Our data indicate that conflict with research responsibilities, time spent to get to the event location, and planning time to attend are all significant barriers to engagement. Notably, feelings of being overwhelmed, which increased slightly during the pandemic, stood out as an identified barrier. Per our results, the virtual format was an attraction. While 58% of respondents would prefer to access professional development programs virtually in the future, almost 42% indicated a preference for in-person events when normalcy resumes as the physical presence of an instructor and of peers result in a deeper engagement. Our collective analysis here suggests that learners will benefit from a hybrid or combination of synchronous and asynchronous career and professional development programming in the future, even post-pandemic, to reduce identified barriers. Alongside hybrid learning engagements, we strongly recommend structured time for learners to enhance their professional competencies, enabled by a commitment from departments and faculty mentors to enable equity in professional skill building and fostering lifelong growth mindset.
α-Endosulfine regulates amyloid β 42 via the modulation of neprilysin activity
Authors: Watamura Naoto , Kakiya Naomasa , Nilsson Per , Tsubuki Satoshi , Kamano Naoko , Takahashi Mika , Hashimoto Shoko , Sasaguri Hiroki , Saito Takashi , Saido Takaomi C. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe neuropeptide somatostatin (SST) regulates amyloid β peptide (Aβ) catabolism by enhancing neprilysin (NEP)-catalyzed proteolytic degradation. However, the mechanism by which SST regulates NEP activity remains unclear. Here we report the identification by differential proteomics of α-endosulfine (ENSA), an endogenous ligand of the ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel, as a negative regulator of NEP activity downstream of SST signaling. Genetic deficiency of ENSA resulted in enhanced NEP activity and decreased Aβ deposition in the brains of wild-type and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model mice. Pharmacological intervention to increase the probability of KATPchannel opening reduced Aβ deposition in AD model mice. Our findings provide new insights into possible mechanisms to prevent AD.
Neural dynamics of semantic categorization in semantic variant of Primary Progressive Aphasia
Authors: Borghesani V. , Dale C. L. , Lukic S. , Hinkley L. B. N. , Lauricella M. , Shwe W. , Mizuiri D. , Honma S. , Miller Z. , Miller B. , Houde J. F. , Gorno-Tempini M.L. , Nagarajan S. S. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSemantic representations are processed along a posterior-to-anterior gradient reflecting a shift from perceptual (e.g.,it has eight legs) to conceptual (e.g.,venomous spiders are rare) information. One critical region is the anterior temporal lobe (ATL): patients with semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), a clinical syndrome associated with ATL neurodegeneration, manifest a deep loss of semantic knowledge. We test the hypothesis that svPPA patients perform semantic tasks by over-recruiting areas implicated in perceptual processing. We compared MEG recordings of svPPA patients and healthy controls during a categorization task. While behavioral performance did not differ, svPPA patients showed indications of greater activation over bilateral occipital cortices and superior temporal gyrus, and inconsistent engagement of frontal regions. These findings suggest a pervasive reorganization of brain networks in response to ATL neurodegeneration: the loss of this critical hub leads to a dysregulated (semantic) control system, and defective semantic representations are seemingly compensated via enhanced perceptual processing.Impact StatementFollowing anterior temporal lobe neurodegeneration, defective semantic representations are compensated via enhanced perceptual processing and associated with a dysregulation of the semantic control system.
Better expression profile of CD8 and CD4 gene in uterus of pregnant ewe in comparison to non-pregnant - a novel report
Authors: Islam Md Mofijul , Pal Aruna , Das Partha , Banerjee Samiddha 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCD8 and CD4 T cells play a central role in the immune response to viruses and intracellular pathogens as well as functions for the maintenance of both the mother and fetus. The present study was conducted to explore the differential gene expression profile for CD8 and CD4 present in the uterus with reference to the gravid and non-gravid Garole sheep and confirmation through immuno histochemical studies. Better CD8 and CD4 gene expression was observed in the mid uterus of pregnant ewes compared to that of non-pregnant ewes, where CD8 expression was better to that of CD4. Gene expression profiling of CD8 and CD4 are reported here for the first time in sheep. CD8 and CD4 expression may be regarded as the useful factor for maintenance of pregnancy. The current observations demonstrate that during pregnancy in ewe the immune system may respond to changes in the maternal environment to maintain the size and function of the CD8 and CD4 T-cell compartment. CD8 and CD4 expression may be employed as marker for pregnancy detection in sheep, which remains always a challenge for sheep breeders.
A Spectral Theory for Wright’s Inbreeding Coefficients and Related Quantities
Authors: François Olivier , Gain Clément 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWright’s inbreeding coefficient,FST, is a fundamental measure in population genetics. Assuming a predefined population subdivision, this statistic is classically used to evaluate population structure at a given genomic locus. With large numbers of loci, unsupervised approaches such as principal component analysis (PCA) have, however, become prominent in recent analyses of population structure. In this study, we describe the relationships between Wright’s inbreeding coefficients and PCA for a model ofKdiscrete populations. Our theory provides an equivalent definition ofFSTbased on the decomposition of the genotype matrix into between and within-population matrices. The average value of Wright’sFSTover all loci included in the genotype matrix can be obtained from the PCA of the between-population matrix. Assuming that a separation condition is fulfilled and for reasonably large data sets, this value ofFSTapproximates the proportion of genetic variation explained by the first (K– 1) principal components accurately. The new definition ofFSTis useful for computing inbreeding coefficients from surrogate genotypes, for example, obtained after correction of experimental artifacts or after removing adaptive genetic variation associated with environmental variables. The relationships between inbreeding coefficients and the spectrum of the genotype matrix not only allow interpretations of PCA results in terms of population genetic concepts but extend those concepts to population genetic analyses accounting for temporal, geographical and environmental contexts.Author’s summaryPrincipal component analysis (PCA) is the most-frequently used approach to describe population genetic structure from large population genomic data sets. In this study, we show that PCA not only estimates ancestries of sampled individuals, but also computes the average value of Wright’s inbreeding coefficient over the loci included in the genotype matrix. Our result shows that inbreeding coefficients and PCA eigenvalues provide equivalent descriptions of population structure. As a consequence, PCA extends the definition of this coefficient beyond the framework of allelic frequencies. We give examples on howFSTcan be computed from ancient DNA samples for which genotypes are corrected for coverage, and in an ecological genomic example where a proportion of genetic variation is explained by environmental variables.
Multi-modal imaging of a single mouse brain over five orders of magnitude of resolution
Authors: Foxley Sean , Sampathkumar Vandana , De Andrade Vincent , Trinkle Scott , Sorokina Anastasia , Norwood Katrina , La Riviere Patrick , Kasthuri Narayanan 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTMammalian neurons operate at length scales spanning five orders of magnitude; micron-scale-diameter myelinated axons project millimeters across brain regions, ultimately forming nanometer scale synapses on individual post-synaptic neurons. Capturing these anatomical features across that breadth of scale has required imaging samples with multiple independent imaging modalities (e.g. MRI, electron microscopy, etc.). Translating between the different modalities, however, requires imaging thesamebrain with each. Here, we imaged the same postmortem mouse brain over five orders of spatial resolution using MRI, whole brain micron-scale synchrotron x-ray tomography (μCT), and large volume automated serial electron microscopy. Using this pipeline, we can track individual myelinated axons previously relegated to axon bundles in diffusion tensor MRI or arbitrarily trace neurons and their processes brain-wide and identify individual synapses on them. This pipeline provides both an unprecedented look across a single brain’s multi-scaled organization as well as a vehicle for studying the brain’s multi-scale pathologies.
Criteria for effective fallow field eco schemes for farmland birds during non-breeding
Authors: Rieger Mirjam , Mailänder Sarah , Stier Lea , Staggenborg Julia , Anthes Nils 
Published: October 2020

AbstractFarmland eco schemes implemented under the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union are often considered ineffective in halting farmland bird declines. Fallow fields, often seeded with dedicated seed mixtures, rate among the more beneficial eco scheme types. Yet, the CAP currently defines no minimum criteria for fallow fields to qualify as eco scheme, likely jeopardizing their potential biodiversity benefits.We investigated the attractiveness of four fallow field types established under CAP eco schemes and dedicated bird conservation programs in Southern Germany. Our 2-year surveys on > 100 fields focused on the non-breeding season, where food limitation can become particularly problematic. We modelled bird incidences also in response to vegetation structure and adjacent landscape features to derive minimum criteria for effective fallow field eco schemes.Fallow field types varied only mildly in overall species richness but showed striking differences in the attracted species. Finches in particular tended to preferentially visit 1-year fallow fields, while buntings tended towards 2-year and older field types. 1-year CAP fallows, however, are typically removed before mid-winter, and thus potentially act as a trap to farmland birds and other wildlife.The investigated species consistently preferred larger fallow fields with a more differentiated vegetation structure. Placement close to woods and hedgerows positively affected birds inhabiting woodland ecotones, while classic farmland species showed higher incidences on fallow fields embedded in open landscapes.‘Policy implications’Our findings call for the ongoing CAP revisions to specify minimum requirements that qualify fallow fields as eco schemes. These should include an at least biennial cycle, a diversification of seed mixtures, standards for fallow field size, and criteria for their placement in the landscape matrix.
Fibrillin 2 interacts with other proteins to protect photosystem II against abiotic stress inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Torres-Romero Diego , Gómez-Zambrano Ángeles , Serrato Antonio Jesús , Sahrawy Mariam , Mérida Ángel 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTFibrillins (FBNs) are plastidial proteins found in photosynthetic organisms, from cyanobacteria to higher plants. The function of most FBNs is largely unknown. We focused on the subgroup formed by FBN1a, −1b, and −;2, which has been proposed to be involved in the photoprotection of photosystem II (PSII), though their mechanism of action has not yet been characterized. We show that FBN2 interacts with FBN1a and with other FBN2 polypeptides, potentially forming a network around the plastoglobule surface. Both FBN2 and FBN1 interact with the allene oxide synthase, and the elimination of any of these FBNs results in a delay in jasmonate-mediated anthocyanin accumulation in response to a combination of moderate-high light and low temperature. FBN2 also interacts with other proteins involved in different metabolic processes. Mutants lacking FBN2 demonstrate less photoprotection of PSII, alterations that are not found infbn1a-fbn1bmutants. We also show that FBN2 interacts with Acclimation of Photosynthesis to Environment 1 (APE1), and gene co-expression analysis suggests that both proteins are involved in the same metabolic process. The elimination of APE1 leads to lesions in PSII under abiotic stress similar to observations infbn2mutants, with lower maximum and effective quantum yield. However, a reduction in non-photochemical quenching is observed exclusively infbn2mutants, suggesting that other FBN2-interacting proteins are responsible for this alteration. We propose that FBN2 facilitates accurate positioning of different proteins involved in distinct metabolic processes, and its elimination leads to dysfunction in those proteins.One sentence summaryFibrillin 2 protects photosynthesis against abiotic stresses by facilitating the accurate positioning of different proteins involved in distinct processes, and its elimination leads to dysfunction in those proteins
Cardiovascular risk prediction in type 2 diabetes: a comparison of 22 risk scores in primary care setting
Authors: Dziopa K , Asselbergs F W , Gratton J , Chaturvedi N , Schmidt A F 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo compare performance of general and diabetes specific cardiovascular risk prediction scores in type 2 diabetes patients (T2DM).DesignCohort study.SettingScores were identified through a systematic review and included irrespective of predicted outcome, or inclusion of T2DM patients. Performance was assessed using data from routine practice.ParticipantsA contemporary representative sample of 203,172 UK T2DM patients (age ≥ 18 years).Main outcome measuresCardiovascular disease (CVD i.e., coronary heart disease and stroke) and CVD+ (including atrial fibrillation and heart failure).ResultsWe identified 22 scores: 11 derived in the general population, 9 in only T2DM patients, and 2 that excluded T2DM patients. Over 10 years follow-up, 63,000 events occurred. The RECODE score, derived in people with T2DM, performed best for both CVD (c-statistic 0.731 (0.728,0.734), and CVD+ (0.732 (0.729,0.735)). Overall, neither derivation population, nor original predicted outcome influenced performance. Calibration slopes (1 indicates perfect calibration) ranged from 0.38 (95%CI 0.37;0.39) to 1.05 (95%CI 1.03;1.07). A simple, population specific recalibration process considerably improved performance, ranging between 0.98 and 1.03. Risk scores performed badly in people with pre-existing CVD (c-statistic ∼0.55). Scores with more predictors did not perform scores better: for CVD+ QRISK3 (19 variables) c-statistic 0.69 (95%CI 0.68;0.69), compared to CHD Basic (8 variables) 0.71 (95%CI 0.70; 0.71).ConclusionsCVD risk prediction scores performed well in T2DM, irrespective of derivation population and of original predicted outcome. Scores performed poorly in patients with established CVD. Complex scores with multiple variables did not outperform simple scores. A simple population specific recalibration markedly improved score performance and is recommended for future use.