bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative cost‐effectiveness of mailed fecal immunochemical testing (FIT)–based interventions for increasing colorectal cancer screening in the Medicaid population
Authors: Wheeler Stephanie B. , O’Leary Meghan C. , Rhode Jewels , Yang Jeff Y. , Drechsel Rebecca , Plescia Marcus , Reuland Daniel S. , Brenner Alison T. 
Published: July 2020

BackgroundMailed reminders to promote colorectal cancer (CRC) screening by fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) have been shown to be effective in the Medicaid population, in which screening is underused. However, little is known regarding the cost‐effectiveness of these interventions, with or without an included FIT kit.METHODSThe authors conducted a cost‐effectiveness analysis of a randomized controlled trial that compared the effectiveness of a reminder + FIT intervention versus a reminder‐only intervention in increasing FIT screening. The analysis compared the costs per person screened for CRC screening associated with the reminder + FIT versus the reminder‐only alternative using a 1‐year time horizon. Input data for a cohort of 35,000 unscreened North Carolina Medicaid enrollees ages 52 to 64 years were derived from the trial and microcosting. Inputs and outputs were estimated from 2 perspectives—the Medicaid/state perspective and the health clinic/facility perspective—using probabilistic sensitivity analysis to evaluate uncertainty.ResultsThe anticipated number of CRC screenings, including both FIT and screening colonoscopies, was higher for the reminder + FIT alternative (n = 8131; 23.2%) than for the reminder‐only alternative (n = 5533; 15.8%). From the Medicaid/state perspective, the reminder + FIT alternative dominated the reminder‐only alternative, with lower costs and higher screening rates. From the health clinic/facility perspective, the reminder + FIT versus the reminder‐only alternative resulted in an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of $116 per person screened.ConclusionsThe reminder + FIT alternative was cost saving per additional Medicaid enrollee screened compared with the reminder‐only alternative from the Medicaid/state perspective and likely cost‐effective from the health clinic/facility perspective. The results also demonstrate that health departments and state Medicaid programs can efficiently mail FIT kits to large numbers of Medicaid enrollees to increase CRC screening completion.
A novel differentially private advising framework in cloud server environment
Authors: Shen Sheng , Zhu Tianqing , Ye Dayong , Wang Minghao , Zuo Xuhan , Zhou Andi 
Published: July 2020

SummaryDue to the rapid development of the cloud computing environment, it is widely accepted that cloud servers are important for users to improve work efficiency. Users need to know servers' capabilities and make optimal decisions on selecting the best available servers for users' tasks. We consider the process of learning servers' capabilities by users as a multiagent reinforcement learning process. The learning speed and efficiency in reinforcement learning can be improved by sharing the learning experience among learning agents which is defined as advising. However, existing advising frameworks are limited by the requirement that during advising all learning agents in a reinforcement learning environment must have exactly the same actions. To address the above limitation, this article proposes a novel differentially private advising framework for multiagent reinforcement learning. Our proposed approach can significantly improve the application of conventional advising frameworks when agents have one different action. The approach can also widen the applicable field of advising and speed up reinforcement learning by triggering more potential advising processes among agents with different actions.
Transition‐Metal‐Mediated versus Tetrazine‐Triggered Bioorthogonal Release Reactions: Direct Comparison and Combinations Thereof
Authors: Mancuso Francesca , Rahm Michal , Dzijak Rastislav , Mertlíková‐Kaiserová Helena , Vrabel Milan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBioorthogonal cleavage reactions are gaining popularity in chemically inducible prodrug activation and in the control of biomolecular functions. Despite similar applications, these reactions were developed and optimized on different substrates and under different experimental conditions. Reported herein is a side‐by‐side comparison of palladium‐, ruthenium‐ and tetrazine‐triggered release reactions, which aims at comparing the reaction kinetics, efficiency and overall advantages and limitations of the methods. In addition, we disclose the possibility of mutual combination of the cleavage reactions. Finally, we compare the efficiency of the bioorthogonal deprotections in cellular experiments, which revealed that among the three methods investigated, the palladium‐ and the tetrazine‐promoted reaction can be used for efficient prodrug activation, but only the tetrazine‐triggered reactions proceed efficiently inside cells.
Fine Tuning of the HOMO–LUMO Gap of 6‐(Thiophen‐2‐yl) indolizino[3,2‐c]quinolines and their Self‐Assembly to Form Fluorescent Organic Nanoparticles: Rational Design and Theoretical Calculations
Authors: Park Jaehyun , Lee Ji Hye , Lim Bumhee , Lee Na Keum , Sim Gyuseok , Ryu Seol , Kim Ikyon , Hwang Hyonseok , Lee Jeeyeon 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn this study, we designed and synthesized novel 6‐(thiophen‐2‐yl) indolizino[3,2‐c]quinolines (IQs) guided by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and explored the optical properties of the IQ derivatives together with fractional atomic orbital contribution (FAOC) analysis. In accordance with the DFT predictions, the designed compound, IQ‐C9, with a methoxycarbonyl (MC) group attached to the C9 position of the IQ scaffold, displayed improved fluorescence quantum yields (QY) in solution and in the solid state along with bathochromic shifts compared to previous analogues. TEM images demonstrated that IQ‐C9 forms well‐defined nanoparticle structures (dimensions: 20×50 nm, aspect ratio: 2.3) in aqueous solution. Confocal images of IQ‐C9‐treated MCF7 cells revealed colocalization of IQ‐C9 with lipid droplets, highly dynamic subunits within cells involved in various metabolic disorders and cancers. Our results demonstrated that the analyses based on the FAOC coefficients and molecular orbital (MO) energy levels can be used as a computational method to predict spectral shifts for fluorophores and to design novel fluorescent probes for tracking dynamic cellular processes.
Combined In Situ XRD and Ex Situ TEM Studies of Thin Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3 Films Grown by PLD on MgO
Authors: Bauer Sondes , Rodrigues Adriana , Jin Xiaowei , Schneider Reinhard , Müller Erich , Gerthsen Dagmar , Baumbach Tilo 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDielectric barium strontium titanate films were deposited on MgO (001) substrate by pulsed‐laser deposition (PLD) and monitored in situ by means of reflection high‐energy electron diffraction and time‐resolved X‐ray diffraction (TRXRD). TRXRD showed two growth periods of the BSTO film and a transformation in the crystalline structure was detected as the thickness exceeds 80 nm. The occurrence of two different crystalline regions, namely BSTO1 and BSTO2 was proved by X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Ex situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques, including diffraction‐contrast as well as high‐resolution TEM, nanobeam electron diffraction, and scanning TEM in combination with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy reveal structural and microchemical peculiarities of the BSTO film. By these TEM analyses, the presence of the two different regions BSTO1 and BSTO2 within the PLD‐grown BSTO layer was demonstrated. Regions of phase BSTO2 were found on top of nanoscaled MgO islands formed on the substrate surface during annealing at high temperature. While the majority phase BSTO1 has a single‐crystalline structure over wide ranges, BSTO2 regions seem to be poly‐ or even nanocrystalline, and the chemical composition of the two phases is also different. The transition in the growth periods is presumably related to the occurrence of BSTO2 regions during layer growth.
Association mapping and genomic prediction for ear rot disease caused byFusarium verticillioidesin a tropical maize germplasm
Authors: Kuki Maurício Carlos , Pinto Ronald José Barth , Bertagna Filipe Augusto Bengosi , Tessmann Dauri José , Teixeira do Amaral Antônio , Scapim Carlos Alberto , Holland James Brendan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractFusarium ear rot (FER), caused byFusarium verticillioides(Sacc.) Nirenberg, is one of the major ear diseases that affect both yield and grain quality in maize (Zea maysL.), especially in tropical environments.Fusariumgenetic resistance is a complex trait, controlled by several small‐effect genes and strongly influenced by the environment. We applied a comprehensive genome‐wide association study and genomic prediction for ear rot and starburst symptoms, using 291,633 high‐quality single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) markers in 320 tropical maize inbred lines, in two distinct locations in Brazil's southern region. Three SNPs were significantly associated with starburst symptoms, each associated with 6–8% of the phenotypic variance, and with gene models that have expression levels in ears, pericarp, and kernels, corresponding to disease infection period and suggesting some role in FER resistance. No significant SNP was associated with FER, which is an indication that the genetic architecture for this trait is highly polygenic, with potentially many variants having small effects that are not detectable in the association mapping analysis. We observed genomic prediction accuracies ranging from 0.34 to 0.4 for FER and starburst, respectively. Further research is required to validate these significant SNPs and their relationship to genes affecting FER resistance, and also to improve genomic prediction accuracies across different genetic backgrounds.
Secretory carcinoma of salivary type in a lymph node presenting as a neck cyst diagnosed by cytology: A case report
Authors: Hrudka Jan , Drozenová Jana , Sýba Jaroslav , Gregová Mária , Dundr Pavel 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSecretory carcinoma (SC) is a relatively recently described salivary gland adenocarcinoma characterized by ETV6‐NTRK3 gene fusion and, in most cases, indolent clinical behavior. Morphologically, the tumor shows a glandular architecture and the presence of monophasic tumor cells with vacuolated cytoplasm, low‐grade nuclear atypia, and mucin production, with possibly a tubular, papillary, or cystic arrangement. In this article, we describe a case of a 52‐year old man with SC involving a neck lymph node clinically manifesting as a slowly growing cystic neck mass without recent proof of the primary tumor, but with a history of a parotid gland “cystadenopapilloma,” which had been removed 35 years prior. A fine‐needle aspiration biopsy revealed a diagnosis of SC. Subsequent histopathological examination after lymph node dissection confirmed the diagnosis. The tumor showed typical features of SC, including immunohistochemical positivity for NTRK and NTRK3 gene rearrangement, detected using in situ hybridization. We discuss that the tumor may be a late metastasis occurring 35 years after resection of undiagnosed salivary SC or a primary SC arising from heterotopic salivary tissue within a lymph node. Differential diagnostic considerations and review of relevant literature are included.
Large‐scale connectivity, cryptic population structure, and relatedness in Eastern Pacific Olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea)
Authors: Silver‐Gorges Ian , Koval Julianne , Rodriguez‐Zarate Clara J. , Paladino Frank V. , Jordan Mark 
Published: July 2020

AbstractEndangered species are grouped into genetically discrete populations to direct conservation efforts. Mitochondrial control region (mtCR) haplotypes are used to elucidate deep divergences between populations, as compared to nuclear microsatellites that can detect recent structuring. When prior populations are unknown, it is useful to subject microsatellite data to clustering and/or ordination population inference. Olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) are the most abundant sea turtle, yet few studies have characterized olive ridley population structure. Recently, clustering results of olive ridleys in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean suggested weak structuring (FST = 0.02) between Mexico and Central America. We analyzed mtCR haplotypes, new microsatellite genotypes from Costa Rica, and preexisting microsatellite genotypes from olive ridleys across the Eastern Tropical Pacific, to further explore population structuring in this region. We subjected inferred populations to multiple analyses to explore the mechanisms behind their structuring. We found 10 mtCR haplotypes from 60 turtles nesting at three sites in Costa Rica, but did not detect divergence between Costa Rican sites, or between Central America and Mexico. In Costa Rica, clustering suggested one population with no structuring, but ordination suggested four cryptic clusters with moderate structuring (FST = 0.08,p < .001). Across the Eastern Tropical Pacific, ordination suggested nine cryptic clusters with moderate structuring (FST = 0.103,p < .001) that largely corresponded to Mexican and Central American populations. All ordination clusters displayed significant internal relatedness relative to global relatedness (p < .001) and contained numerous sibling pairs. This suggests that broadly dispersed family lineages have proliferated in Eastern Tropical Pacific olive ridleys and corroborates previous work showing basin‐wide connectivity and shallow population structure in this region. The existence of broadly dispersed kin in Eastern Tropical Pacific olive ridleys has implications for management of olive ridleys in this region, and adds to our understanding of sea turtle ecology and life history, particularly in light of the natal‐homing paradigm.
Evidence of a spatial auto‐correlation in the browsing level of four major European tree species
Authors: Hagen Robert , Suchant Rudi 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

The contribution of spatial processes to the spatial patterns of ecological systems is widely recognized, but spatial patterns in the ecology of plant‐herbivore interactions have rarely been investigated quantitatively owing to limited budget and time associated with ecological research. Studies of the level of browsing on various tree species reported either no spatial auto‐correlation or a small effect size. Further, the effects of disturbance events, such as hurricanes, which create large forest openings on spatial patterns of herbivory are not well understood.

In this study, we used forest inventory data obtained from the federal state of Baden‐Württemberg (Southern Germany) between 2001 and 2009 (grid size: 100 × 200 m) and thus, after hurricane Lothar struck Southern Germany in 1999. We investigated whether the browsing level of trees (height ≤ 130 cm) in one location is independent of that of the neighborhood.

Our analyses of 1,758,622 saplings (187.632 sampling units) of oak (Quercus), fir (Abies), spruce (Picea), and beech (Fagus) revealed that the browsing level is characterized by a short distance spatial auto‐correlation.

The application of indicator variables based on browsed saplings should account for the spatial pattern as the latter may affect the results and therefore also the conclusions of the analysis.
Tropical understory herbaceous community responds more strongly to hurricane disturbance than to experimental warming
Authors: Kennard Deborah K. , Matlaga David , Sharpe Joanne , King Clay , Alonso‐Rodríguez Aura M. , Reed Sasha C. , Cavaleri Molly A. , Wood Tana E. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe effects of climate change on tropical forests may have global consequences due to the forests’ high biodiversity and major role in the global carbon cycle. In this study, we document the effects of experimental warming on the abundance and composition of a tropical forest floor herbaceous plant community in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico. This study was conducted within Tropical Responses to Altered Climate Experiment (TRACE) plots, which use infrared heaters under free‐air, open‐field conditions, to warm understory vegetation and soils + 4°C above nearby control plots. Hurricanes Irma and María damaged the heating infrastructure in the second year of warming, therefore, the study included one pretreatment year, one year of warming, and one year of hurricane response with no warming. We measured percent leaf cover of individual herbaceous species, fern population dynamics, and species richness and diversity within three warmed and three control plots. Results showed that one year of experimental warming did not significantly affect the cover of individual herbaceous species, fern population dynamics, species richness, or species diversity. In contrast, herbaceous cover increased from 20% to 70%, bare ground decreased from 70% to 6%, and species composition shifted pre to posthurricane. The negligible effects of warming may have been due to the short duration of the warming treatment or an understory that is somewhat resistant to higher temperatures. Our results suggest that climate extremes that are predicted to increase with climate change, such as hurricanes and droughts, may cause more abrupt changes in tropical forest understories than longer‐term sustained warming.
The importance of heart rate in isoprenaline‐induced takotsubo‐like cardiac dysfunction in rats
Authors: Ali Anwar , Redfors Björn , Lundgren Joel , Alkhoury Jessica , Oras Jonatan , Gan Li‐Ming , Omerovic Elmir 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAimsTakotsubo syndrome (TS) is an acute cardiac syndrome characterized by regional myocardial akinesia that cannot be attributed to a culprit lesion in coronary arteries. Cardiac overstimulation by catecholamines in the setting of stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of TS. While catecholamine‐induced alterations in cardiac contractility have been studied as part of the causal pathway in TS, the importance of catecholamine‐mediated tachycardia has not been studied. Our aim was to explore whether the reduction in heart rate, either by pharmacological suppression of the sinoatrial node with ivabradine or by surgical induction of third‐degree atrioventricular block, prevents isoprenaline‐induced TS‐like akinesia in an experimental animal model.Methods and resultsWe used 142 female Sprague–Dawley rats in two separate protocols. The TS‐like phenotype was induced by an intraperitoneal bolus dose of isoprenaline (ISO) 50 mg/kg. In the first protocol, we randomized 54 rats to ivabradine 10 min before ISO (IVAB1), ivabradine 10 min after ISO (IVAB2), or saline 10 min before ISO (CONTROL). In the second protocol, we randomized 88 rats to surgically induced complete heart block (CHB) or sham operation (CTRL) 10 min before the administration of ISO. All drugs were administered intraperitoneally. We recorded heart rate and blood pressure invasively in the right carotid artery. Cardiac morphology and function were evaluated by high‐resolution echocardiography (VisualSonics 770 VEVO, Toronto, Ontario, Canada) 90 min after ISO injection. IVAB1 and IVAB2 rats had significantly lower heart rate and less pronounced TS‐like cardiac dysfunction than CONTROL. CHB rats had a lower (54%) heart rate, and no animal developed left ventricular akinesia. In the first protocol, the CONTROL group had a median degree of akinesia of 10.2 [inter‐quartile range (IQR) 0.0–18.6]. The IVAB1 group showed a median of akinesia of 0% (IQR 0.0–0.0, P < 0.001 vs. CONTROL). In the IVAB2 group, 5% had TS‐like dysfunction (P = 0.001). Ejection fraction was higher in both the IVAB1 (92%, IQR 89–95) and IVAB2 groups (93%, IQR 87–96) than in the CONTROL group (78%, IQR 63–87, P < 0.05). In the second protocol, the median degree of akinesia in the CTRL group was 21.9% (IQR 8.9–24.6). In the CHB group, no rat developed akinesia (median 0%; IQR 0.0–0.0, P < 0.001 vs. CONTROL). Ejection fraction was higher in the CHB group (90%, IQR 87–92) than in the CTRL group (51%, IQR 87–92, P < 0.05).ConclusionsIsoprenaline‐induced TS‐like cardiac dysfunction can be prevented by lowering heart rate. Tachycardia may be an important part of the causal pathway in TS.
Rapid and quantitative detection of Shiga toxin1 and Shiga toxin2 based on multiple targets UPT‐LF assay
Authors: Wei Qiaozhen , Hu Qiushi , Shi Fengjuan , Li Shuang , Sun Chongsi , Zhang Huicong , Xue Lei , Feng QiuXia , Dong Jinying , Jiao Yongjun , Zhou Lei 
Published: July 2020

AbstractShiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection causes a series of diseases that are highly pathogenic and deadly in humans and animals, seriously endangering public health. Of the pathogenic factors within STEC, the two groups of Shiga toxin (Stx) consisting Stx1 and Stx2 plays a prominent role in the pathogenesis of STEC infection. In this study, we developed single‐target up‐converting phosphor technology‐based lateral flow assay (Stx‐UPT‐LFA) for the rapid detection of Stx1 and Stx2, respectively, and also developed a dual‐target Stx1/2‐UPT‐LFA based on single‐target strips to detect of Stx1 and Stx2 at the meantime within 20 min. We choose the purified Stx1 and Stx2 standard samples, and the optimum monoclonal antibody (namely 8E7‐E6, 2F6‐F8 for Stx1 and S1D8, S2C4 for Stx2) were selected for use in Stx‐UPT‐LFA in double‐antibody‐sandwich mode. The sensitivities of single‐target Stx‐UPT‐LFA for both Stx1 and Stx2 were 1 ng mL−1 with accurate quantitation ranges of 1–1000 ng mL−1 and 1–800 ng mL−1 respectively. No false‐negative result was found in the Stx2‐UPT‐LFA even with a high‐test concentration up to 1000 ng mL−1. Meanwhile, both targets detection sensitivities for dual‐target Stx1/2‐UPT‐LFA were 5 ng mL−1, and accurate quantitation ranges were 5–1000 ng mL−1 and 5–800 ng mL−1 for standard Stx1 and Stx2 solutions without cross‐interference between two targets. Both techniques showed good linearities, with a linear fitting coefficient of determination(r) of 0.9058–0.9918. Therefore, the UPT‐LFA could realize simultaneous detection for multiple targets on a single strip and thus to quickly determine the type of infectious Stxs. In addition, the single‐target Stx1‐UPT‐LFA and Stx2‐UPT‐LFA showed excellent specificity to six toxins, even at high concentrations of 1000 ng mL−1. In conclusion, the developed Stx‐UPT‐LFA allows the rapid, quantitative, reliable and simultaneous detection of Stx1 and Stx2 within 20 min, providing an alternative method for clinical diagnosis of STEC infection.
Characterization and stabilization in process development and product formulation for super large proteinaceous particles
Authors: Yang Yanli , Su Zhiguo , Ma Guanghui , Zhang Songping 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSuper large proteinaceous particles (SLPPs) such as virus, virus like particles, and extracellular vesicles have successful and promising applications in vaccination, gene therapy, and cancer treatment. The unstable nature, the complex particulate structure and composition are challenges for their manufacturing and applications. Rational design of the processing should be built on the basis of fully understanding the characteristics of these bio‐particles. This review highlights useful analytical techniques for characterization and stabilization of SLPPs in the process development and product formulations, including high performance size exclusion chromatography, multi‐angle laser light scattering, asymmetrical flow field‐flow fractionation, nanoparticle tracking analysis, CZE, differential scanning calorimetry, differential scanning fluorescence, isothermal titration calorimetry , and dual polarization interferometry. These advanced analytical techniques will be helpful in obtaining deep insight into the mechanism related to denaturation of SLPPs, and more importantly, in seeking solutions to preserve their biological functions against deactivation or denaturation. Combination of different physicochemical techniques, and correlation with in vitro or in vivo biological activity analyses, are considered to be the future trend of development in order to guarantee a high quality, safety, and efficacy of SLPPs.