bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for the deterioration of periventricular–intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants
Authors: Wu Tian , Wang Yan , Xiong Tao , Huang Sheng , Tian Tian , Tang Jun , Mu Dezhi 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPreterm infants with periventricular–intraventricular hemorrhage (PV–IVH) have a high risk of neurological sequelae, with severity depending on the severity of the PV–IVH. Previous studies on the pathogenesis of PV–IVH have focused mainly on comparisons of perinatal risk factors between patients with and without PV–IVH. Notably, most cases of PV–IVH occur within the first 3 days after birth, and the condition may worsen within 1 week following the initial diagnosis. However, the risk factors that contribute to the deterioration of PV–IVH have not been investigated. In this cohort study, 514 PV–IVH infants with a gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks were enrolled. The dependent variable was initially diagnosed as mild PV–IVH (grade I or II) that subsequently progressed to severe PV–IVH (grade III or IV) within 1 week. A stepwise forward multivariate logistic regression model was adopted to select potential or related factors that affected the deterioration of PV–IVH in preterm infants. Overall, 42 of the 514 infants with PV–IVH (8.2%) showed deterioration within 1 week. The results showed that maternal lower genital tract infection (OR 3.73, 95% CI 1.75–7.95) was an independent risk factor for PV–IVH deterioration. Higher GA (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.48–0.80) was a protective factor. Our results suggest that maternal lower genital tract infection and a lower GA may contribute to PV–IVH deterioration in preterm infants.
Spatial regression analysis of MR diffusion reveals subject-specific white matter changes associated with repetitive head impacts in contact sports
Authors: Asselin Patrick D. , Gu Yu , Merchant-Borna Kian , Abar Beau , Wright David W. , Qiu Xing , Bazarian Jeff J. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractRepetitive head impacts (RHI) are a growing concern due to their possible neurocognitive effects, with research showing a season of RHI produce white matter (WM) changes seen on neuroimaging. We conducted a secondary analysis of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data for 28 contact athletes to compare WM changes. We collected pre-season and post-season DTI scans for each subject, approximately 3 months apart. We collected helmet data for the athletes, which we correlated with DTI data. We adapted the SPatial REgression Analysis of DTI (SPREAD) algorithm to conduct subject-specific longitudinal DTI analysis, and developed global inferential tools using functional norms and a novel robustpvalue combination test. At the individual level, most detected injured regions (93.3%) were associated with decreased FA values. Using meta-analysis techniques to combine injured regions across subjects, we found the combined injured region at the group level occupied the entire WM skeleton, suggesting the WM damage location is subject-specific. Several subject-specific functional summaries of SPREAD-detected WM change, e.g., the$${L}^{\infty }$$L∞norm, significantly correlated with helmet impact measures, e.g. cumulative unweighted rotational acceleration (adjustedp = 0.0049), time between hits rotational acceleration (adjustedpvalue 0.0101), and time until DTI rotational acceleration (adjustedp = 0.0084), suggesting RHIs lead to WM changes.
Artificially induced MAIT cells inhibit M. bovis BCG but not M. tuberculosis during in vivo pulmonary infection
Authors: Yu Huifeng , Yang Amy , Derrick Steven , Mak Jeffrey Y. W. , Liu Ligong , Fairlie David P. , Cowley Siobhan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThere is significant interest in targeting MAIT cells with immunostimulatory agents to enhance immune responses. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb.) is a pervasive respiratory disease that could benefit from treatments that augment immunity. Here we investigate the role of MAIT cells in M. tb. infection and the potential for MAIT cell-targeted immunotherapy to control bacterial burdens. We find that MAIT cells fail to substantially accumulate in the lungs during murine pulmonary M. bovis BCG and M. tb. infections but this defect is overcome by intranasal installation of a TLR2/6 agonist and a MAIT cell antigen. Although artificially induced MAIT cells produce important cytokines in both infections, they control BCG but not M. tb. growth in the lungs. Correspondingly, M. tb.-infected mouse macrophages are relatively resistant to MAIT cell antimicrobial activities in vitro. Thus, MAIT cell antigen-mediated immunotherapy for M. tb. presents a complex challenge.
Testing the impact of a single nucleotide polymorphism in a Plasmodium berghei ApiAP2 transcription factor on experimental cerebral malaria in mice
Authors: Akkaya Munir , Bansal Abhisheka , Sheehan Patrick W. , Pena Mirna , Cimperman Clare K. , Qi Chen Feng , Yazew Takele , Otto Thomas D. , Billker Oliver , Miller Louis H. , Pierce Susan K. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractCerebral malaria (CM) is the deadliest form of severe Plasmodium infections. Currently, we have limited understanding of the mechanisms by which Plasmodium parasites induce CM. The mouse model of CM, experimental CM (ECM), induced by infection with the rodent parasite, Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbANKA) has been extensively used to study the pathophysiology of CM. Recent genomic analyses revealed that the coding regions of PbANKA and the closely related Plasmodium berghei NK65 (PbNK65), that does not cause ECM, differ in only 21 single nucleotide polymorphysims (SNPs). Thus, the SNP-containing genes might contribute to the pathogenesis of ECM. Although the majority of these SNPs are located in genes of unknown function, one SNP is located in the DNA binding site of a member of the Plasmodium ApiAP2 transcription factor family, that we recently showed functions as a virulence factor alternating the host’s immune response to the parasite. Here, we investigated the impact of this SNP on the development of ECM. Our results using CRISPR-Cas9 engineered parasites indicate that despite its immune modulatory function, the SNP is neither necessary nor sufficient to induce ECM and thus cannot account for parasite strain-specific differences in ECM phenotypes.
Efficacy and safety of continuous antiviral therapy from preconception to prevent perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus
Authors: Pan Xingfei , Chen Jingsi , Zhou Liyang , Ou Xueting , He Fang , Liu Yifen , Zheng Shuo , Wang Haibin , Cao Bin , Wang Zhijian , Liu Huishu , Liu Guocheng , Huang Zhenyu , Shen Guanxin , Liu Shiliang , Chen Dunjin 
Published: August 2020

AbstractFew studies were conducted to assess safety and efficacy of continuous antiviral therapy administrated from preconception. In the present study, 136 eligible women with chronic HBV infection were recruited, and assigned to active chronic hepatitis B (CHB) (Group A, B or C) or chronic HBV carrier (Group D). Antiviral therapy was administrated in preconception (Group A), in early (Group B) or late pregnancy (Group C and Group D). Immunoprophylaxis was administrated to all infants. Mothers’ HBV status and ALT were assessed at delivery and 7 months postpartum. Offspring’s HBV status was examined at 7 months old. Group A women showed low HBV DNA level and normal ALT throughout pregnancy. All women at delivery had an HBV DNA level of less than 106 IU/ml, but the proportion of patients with lower HBV DNA level in Group A was higher than any of other three groups (P < 0.05). No differences in obstetrical complications were found among the four groups. None of infants who completed follow-up showed positive HBsAg at age of 7 months. Congenital malformation and infant growth indicators were similar among study cohorts. Continuous antiviral therapy from preconception to entire pregnancy is effective and safe for active CHB mothers and their infants.
Contrast sensitivity and retinal straylight after alcohol consumption: effects on driving performance
Authors: Casares-López Miriam , Castro-Torres José J. , Martino Francesco , Ortiz-Peregrina Sonia , Ortiz Carolina , Anera Rosario G. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of alcohol intake on visual function and driving performance, as well as on the relationship between these. A total of 40 healthy participants took part in three experimental sessions: one baseline session and two further sessions after consuming two different quantities of alcohol (300 ml and 450 ml of red wine). The breath alcohol content (BrAC) was measured using a breath analyzer. The contrast sensitivity and retinal straylight due to the forward intraocular scattering were measured to characterize visual function, and driving performance was assessed in three different scenarios using a driving simulator. The results showed a deterioration in contrast sensitivity and retinal straylight after drinking alcohol, in addition to an impaired ability to drive, especially for the highest alcohol intake. We also observed that the deteriorated driving performance was a function of the contrast sensitivity and retinal straylight under the effects of alcohol, indicating that these visual variables can partially predict driving performance in these conditions.
Enhancement of the water-resistance properties of an edible film prepared from mung bean starch via the incorporation of sunflower seed oil
Authors: Lee Jung-Soo , Lee Eun-sil , Han Jaejoon 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMung bean starch (MBS)-based edible films with incorporation of guar gum (GG) and sunflower seed oil (SSO) were developed in this study. MBS, GG, and SSO were used as the main filmogenic biopolymer, thickener, and hydrophobicity-imparting substance, respectively. To investigate the effect of SSO content on the physicochemical, mechanical, and optical properties of the films, they were supplemented with various concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 2%, w/w) of SSO. Increasing SSO content tended to decrease tensile strength, elongation at break, crystallinity, water solubility, and the water vapor permeability; in contrast, it increased the oxygen transmission rate and water contact angle. Consequently, the incorporation of SSO into the matrix of MBS-based films decreased their mechanical strength but effectively enhanced their water-resistance properties. Therefore, the MBS-based film developed here can be properly used as an edible film in settings that require high water-resistance properties but do not call for robust mechanical strength.
Arginine as an environmental and metabolic cue for cyclic diguanylate signalling and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Barrientos-Moreno Laura , Molina-Henares María Antonia , Ramos-González María Isabel , Espinosa-Urgel Manuel 
Published: August 2020

AbstractCyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) is a broadly conserved intracellular second messenger that influences different bacterial processes, including virulence, stress tolerance or social behaviours and biofilm development. Although in most cases the environmental cue that initiates the signal transduction cascade leading to changes in cellular c-di-GMP levels remains unknown, certain l- and d-amino acids have been described to modulate c-di-GMP turnover in some bacteria. In this work, we have analysed the influence of l-amino acids on c-di-GMP levels in the plant-beneficial bacterium Pseudomonas putida KT2440, identifying l-arginine as the main one causing a significant increase in c-di-GMP. Both exogenous (environmental) and endogenous (biosynthetic) l-arginine influence biofilm formation by P. putida through changes in c-di-GMP content and altered expression of structural elements of the biofilm extracellular matrix. The contribution of periplasmic binding proteins forming part of amino acid transport systems to the response to environmental l-arginine was also studied. Contrary to what has been described in other bacteria, in P. putida these proteins seem not to be directly responsible for signal transduction. Rather, their contribution to global l-arginine pools appears to determine changes in c-di-GMP turnover. We propose that arginine plays a connecting role between cellular metabolism and c-di-GMP signalling in P. putida.
Peach volatile emission and attractiveness of different host plant volatiles blends to Cydia molesta in adjacent peach and pear orchards
Authors: Lu Peng-fei , Qiao Hai-li 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe oriental fruit moth (OFM),Cydia(= Grapholitha)molesta, is a highly damaging pest; peaches are its primary host, and pears serve as post-peach secondary hosts during the late season in China. We collected volatiles from detached peach shoots and fruits, and identified them with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Antennally active compounds were identified by gas chromatography-electroantennogram detection (GC-EAD), and these were further tested in the laboratory and field. We detected consistent electroantennographic activity was for ten compounds. Significantly moreC. molestafemales were caught with a mixture of female EAD-active compounds identified from the detached matured peach fruits (nonanal, butyl acetate, 3-methylbutyl acetate, hexyl acetate, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, linalool and farnesene) than other mixtures mimicking the volatile profile from detached matured fruits or shoots. We identified a new GC-EAD active mixture from intact peach shoots composed of nonanal, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (E)-β-ocimene, and 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one. In the field test, the background odour of orchards could affect trap catches, and two peach-derived blends together with two previously known pear-derived blends were proven to be able to monitor the seasonal OFM population dispersal in adjacent orchards. These host plant blends will be effective for further designing candidate attractants for season-longC. molestapopulation dynamic monitoring.
Automated recognition of postures and drinking behaviour for the detection of compromised health in pigs
Authors: Alameer Ali , Kyriazakis Ilias , Bacardit Jaume 
Published: August 2020

AbstractChanges in pig behaviours are a useful aid in detecting early signs of compromised health and welfare. In commercial settings, automatic detection of pig behaviours through visual imaging remains a challenge due to farm demanding conditions, e.g., occlusion of one pig from another. Here, two deep learning-based detector methods were developed to identify pig postures and drinking behaviours of group-housed pigs. We first tested the system ability to detect changes in these measures at group-level during routine management. We then demonstrated the ability of our automated methods to identify behaviours of individual animals with a mean average precision of$$0.989 \pm 0.009$$0.989±0.009, under a variety of settings. When the pig feeding regime was disrupted, we automatically detected the expected deviations from the daily feeding routine in standing, lateral lying and drinking behaviours. These experiments demonstrate that the method is capable of robustly and accurately monitoring individual pig behaviours under commercial conditions, without the need for additional sensors or individual pig identification, hence providing a scalable technology to improve the health and well-being of farm animals. The method has the potential to transform how livestock are monitored and address issues in livestock farming, such as targeted treatment of individuals with medication.
Magnetic heating of nanoparticles as a scalable cryopreservation technology for human induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Ito Akira , Yoshioka Kantaro , Masumoto Shinya , Sato Keiichiro , Hatae Yuki , Nakai Tomoki , Yamazaki Takashi , Takahashi Masazumi , Tanoue Shota , Horie Masanobu 
Published: August 2020

AbstractScale-up of production is needed for industrial applications and clinical translation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). However, in cryopreservation of hiPSCs, successful rewarming of vitrified cells can only be achieved by convective warming of small volumes (generally 0.2 mL). Here, we present a scalable nano-warming technology for hiPSC cryopreservation employing inductive heating of magnetic nanoparticles under an alternating magnetic field. The conventional method by water bath heating at 37 °C resulted in a decrease of cell viability owing to devitrification caused by slow warming of samples with large volumes (≥ 20 mL). Nano-warming showed uniform and rapid rewarming of vitrified samples and improved viability of hiPSCs in the 20-mL system. In addition to single cells, hiPSC aggregates prepared using a bioreactor-based approach were successfully cryopreserved by the nano-warming technique. These results demonstrate that nano-warming is a promising methodology for cryopreservation in mass production of hiPSCs.
High performance crystalline nanocellulose using an ancestral endoglucanase
Authors: Alonso-Lerma Borja , Barandiaran Leire , Ugarte Lorena , Larraza Izaskun , Reifs Antonio , Olmos-Juste Raquel , Barruetabeña Nerea , Amenabar Iban , Hillenbrand Rainer , Eceiza Arantxa , Perez-Jimenez Raul 
Published: August 2020

AbstractImproving the efficiency of enzymes towards decomposing substrates has been one of the central goals in the biotechnology industry. However, the modification of enzymes for upgrading natural materials to high-value performant materials is largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that the ancestral form of a Cel5A bacterial endoglucanase, unlike its modern descendant from Bacillus subtilis, was able to generate cellulose nanocrystals (EnCNC) chemically pure, maintaining native cellulose structure and displaying higher thermal stability and crystallinity than standard CNC obtained by acidic treatment. We demonstrate that EnCNC alone is a suitable matrix to grow cells in 2D and 3D cultures. Importantly, EnCNC accepts well graphene derivatives to fabricate conductive hybrids inks forming a stable flat surface where cells also attach and proliferate. Our results demonstrate that EnCNC has physicochemical properties unattainable with standard CNC, making it a unique material ideal as a matrix for the design of biocompatible advanced materials for tissue engineering and other applications.
When do solar erupting hot magnetic flux ropes form?
Authors: Nindos A. , Patsourakos S. , Vourlidas A. , Cheng X. , Zhang J. 
Published: August 2020

Aims. We investigate the formation times of eruptive magnetic flux ropes relative to the onset of solar eruptions, which is important for constraining models of coronal mass ejection (CME) initiation.
Methods. We inspected uninterrupted sequences of 131 Å images that spanned more than eight hours and were obtained by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory to identify the formation times of hot flux ropes that erupted in CMEs from locations close to the limb. The appearance of the flux ropes as well as their evolution toward eruptions were determined using morphological criteria.
Results. Two-thirds (20/30) of the flux ropes were formed well before the onset of the eruption (from 51 min to more than eight hours), and their formation was associated with the occurrence of a confined flare. We also found four events with preexisting hot flux ropes whose formations occurred a matter of minutes (from three to 39) prior to the eruptions without any association with distinct confined flare activity. Six flux ropes were formed once the eruptions were underway. However, in three of them, prominence material could be seen in 131 Å images, which may indicate the presence of preexisting flux ropes that were not hot. The formation patterns of the last three groups of hot flux ropes did not show significant differences. For the whole population of events, the mean and median values of the time difference between the onset of the eruptive flare and the appearance of the hot flux rope were 151 and 98 min, respectively.
Conclusions. Our results provide, on average, indirect support for CME models that involve preexisting flux ropes; on the other hand, for a third of the events, models in which the ejected flux rope is formed during the eruption appear more appropriate.
Stärkung des Immunsystems durch Sport – Eine Frage der Intensität
Authors: Freese Jens , Proschinger Sebastian 
Published: August 2020

ZusammenfassungSport und körperliche Aktivität haben nicht nur präventivmedizinische Bedeutung für die Gesundheit, sondern auch für die Leistungsfähigkeit des Immunsystems. Entscheidend ist die Dosis: Diabetiker profitierten in einer Studie von moderater Aktivität mit besserer kardiorespiratorischer Fitness, niedrigerem Körperfettanteil, niedrigerem LDL-Cholesterin und besserer Insulinsensitivität. Leistungssportler hingegen leiden auffällig häufig an Infekten der oberen Atemwege, gastrointestinalen Störungen und Erschöpfungssyndromen.Die sportimmunologische Forschung ist in den letzten Jahrzehnten exponentiell gewachsen. Auf Basis des derzeitigen Wissens kann abgeleitet werden: Das Immunsystem lässt sich trainieren, mit der individuell angepassten Dosis. Die Immunoseneszenz ist durch tägliche Bewegung positiv beeinflussbar. Und immer deutlicher zeigt sich: Die Intensität ist ein entscheidender Faktor, um das Immunsystem zu stimulieren.
Usability Testing a Potentially Inappropriate Medication Dashboard: A Core Component of the Dashboard Development Process
Authors: Richter Lagha Regina , Burningham Zachary , Sauer Brian C. , Leng Jianwei , Peters Celena , Huynh Tina , Patel Shardool , Halwani Ahmad S. , Kramer B. Josea 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background With the increased usage of dashboard reporting systems to monitor and track patient panels by clinical users, developers must ensure that the information displays they produce are accurate and intuitive. When evaluating usability of a clinical dashboard among potential end users, developers oftentimes rely on methods such as questionnaires as opposed to other, more time-intensive strategies that incorporate direct observation.
Objectives Prior to release of the potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) clinical dashboard, designed to facilitate completion of a quality improvement project by clinician scholars enrolled in the Veterans Affairs (VA) workforce development Geriatric Scholars Program (GSP), we evaluated the usability of the system. This article describes the process of usability testing a dashboard reporting system with clinicians using direct observation and think-aloud moderating techniques.
Methods We developed a structured interview protocol that combines virtual observation, think-aloud moderating techniques, and retrospective questioning of the overall user experience, including use of the System Usability Scale (SUS). Thematic analysis was used to analyze field notes from the interviews of three GSP alumni.
Results Our structured approach to usability testing identified specific functional problems with the dashboard reporting system that were missed by results from the SUS. Usability testing lead to overall improvements in the intuitive use of the system, increased data transparency, and clarification of the dashboard's purpose.
Conclusion Reliance solely on questionnaires and surveys at the end stages of dashboard development can mask potential functional problems that will impede proper usage and lead to misinterpretation of results. A structured approach to usability testing in the developmental phase is an important tool for developers of clinician friendly systems for displaying easily digested information and tracking outcomes for the purpose of quality improvement.