bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Summary report of the 2019 Diversity and Inclusion Task Force of the National Society of Genetic Counselors
Authors: Channaoui Nadine , Khan Ambreen , Wiesman Chana , Bui Kara , Cunningham Mitch , Brown Kaitlyn , Wolfe Schneider Kami , Platt Kristal , Hodges Priscila Delgado , Thompson Nicole , Haas Bruce , Strang Katie , Carey Meghan , Ramos Erica , Arjunan Aishwarya , Platt Julia 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe size and reach of the genetic counseling profession have expanded on a global scale since the 1970s. Despite this growth, the profession of genetic counseling has remained demographically homogenous. Promoting a culture of inclusivity that supports visible and invisible diversity and leveraging that culture not only expands perspectives represented in the field, but also helps foster equity in genetic services. This report summarizes the formation, implementation, and outcomes of the 2019 Diversity and Inclusion Task Force (TF) of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC), including the group's responses to their allotted charges from the NSGC Board of Directors. The recommendations generated by the TF aim to aid in the (1) establishment of infrastructure for ongoing diversity, inclusion, and equity (DEI) work by collaborating with a DEI organizational expert and forming a DEI advisory group within the NSGC, (2) development of specific short‐term DEI initiatives, and (3) identification of seven areas of focus areas that must be addressed in order to create meaningful and measurable DEI improvements. The efficacy of these recommendations will depend on the consistency and creativity of implementation, shared responsibility, sufficient resources allocated to DEI initiatives, and measurable outcomes.
Understanding the disrupting mechanism of the Tau aggregation motif “306VQIVYK311” by phenylthiazolyl‐hydrazides inhibitors
Authors: Moreno‐Castillo Elena , Álvarez‐Ginarte Yoanna M. , Valdés‐Tresanco Mario E. , Montero‐Cabrera Luis A. , Moreno Ernesto , Valiente Pedro A. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAlzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the abnormal processing of the Tau and the amyloid precursor proteins. The unusual aggregation of Tau is based on the formation of intermolecular β‐sheets through two motifs: 275VQIINK280 and 306VQIVYK311. Phenylthiazolyl‐hydrazides (PTHs) are capable of inhibiting/disassembling Tau aggregates. However, the disaggregation mechanism of Tau oligomers by PTHs is still unknown. In this work, we studied the disruption of the oligomeric form of the Tau motif 306VQIVYK311 by PTHs through molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and free energy calculations. We predicted hydrophobic interactions as the major driving forces for the stabilization of Tau oligomer, with V306 and I308 being the major contributors. Nonpolar component of the binding free energy is essential to stabilize Tau‐PTH complexes. PTHs disrupted mainly the van der Waals interactions between the monomers, leading to oligomer destabilization. Destabilization of full Tau filament by PTHs and emodin was not observed in the sampled 20 ns; however, in all cases, the nonpolar component of the binding free energy is essential for the formation of Tau filament‐PTH and Tau filament‐emodin. These results provide useful clues for the design of more effective Tau‐aggregation inhibitors.
A perspective view on the nanomotion detection of living organisms and its features
Authors: Venturelli Leonardo , Kohler Anne‐Céline , Stupar Petar , Villalba Maria I. , Kalauzi Aleksandar , Radotic Ksenija , Bertacchi Massimiliano , Dinarelli Simone , Girasole Marco , Pešić Milica , Banković Jasna , Vela Maria E. , Yantorno Osvaldo , Willaert Ronnie , Dietler Giovanni , Longo Giovanni , Kasas Sandor 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe insurgence of newly arising, rapidly developing health threats, such as drug‐resistant bacteria and cancers, is one of the most urgent public‐health issues of modern times. This menace calls for the development of sensitive and reliable diagnostic tools to monitor the response of single cells to chemical or pharmaceutical stimuli. Recently, it has been demonstrated that all living organisms oscillate at a nanometric scale and that these oscillations stop as soon as the organisms die. These nanometric scale oscillations can be detected by depositing living cells onto a micro‐fabricated cantilever and by monitoring its displacements with an atomic force microscope‐based electronics. Such devices, named nanomotion sensors, have been employed to determine the resistance profiles of life‐threatening bacteria within minutes, to evaluate, among others, the effect of chemicals on yeast, neurons, and cancer cells. The data obtained so far demonstrate the advantages of nanomotion sensing devices in rapidly characterizing microorganism susceptibility to pharmaceutical agents. Here, we review the key aspects of this technique, presenting its major applications. and detailing its working protocols.
Novel coronavirus treatment with ribavirin: Groundwork for an evaluation concerning COVID‐19
Authors: Khalili Jahan S. , Zhu Hai , Mak Nga Sze Amanda , Yan Yongqi , Zhu Yi 
Published: March 2020

AbstractConfronting the challenge of the outbreak of COVID‐19 should sharpen our focus on global drug access as a key issue in antiviral therapy testing. The testing and adoption of effective therapies for novel coronaviruses are hampered by the challenge of conducting controlled studies during a state of emergency. The access to direct antiviral drugs, such as ribavirin, that have an existing inventory and reliable supply chain may be a priority consideration for therapies developed for the 2019‐nCoV infection outbreaks and any strain variants that may emerge. On the basis of the direct antiviral activity of ribavirin against 2019‐nCoV in vitro and evidence for potency enhancement strategies developed during the prior SARS and MERS outbreaks, ribavirin may significantly impact our ability to end the lingering outbreaks in China and slow outbreaks in other countries. The apparent COVID‐19 pandemic provides an opportunity to follow dosage guidelines for treatment with ribavirin, test new therapeutic concepts, and conduct controlled testing to apply the scientific rigor required to address the controversy around this mainstay of antiviral therapy.
Effects of high power ultrasound on the enzymolysis and structures of sweet potato starch
Authors: Jin Jian , Lin Hongbin , Yagoub Abu ElGasim A , Xiong Shuangli , Xu Liang , Udenigwe Chibuike C 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe general enzymatic method for producing reducing sugar is liquefaction followed by saccharification of starch. This method results in lower yields, consuming high energy and time. Therefore, the present study evaluated a new approach for producing reducing sugar from sweet potato starch (SPS), including simultaneous liquefaction (by α‐amylase) and saccharification (by glucoamylase) of SPS pretreated with high power ultrasound. The effects of ultrasound parameters on the conversion rate of SPS and mechanism were investigated.RESULTSThe optimum ultrasound pretreatment conditions were a frequency of 20 kHz, SPS concentration of 125 g L−1, temperature of 30 °C, pulsed on‐time of 3 s, pulsed off‐time of 5 s, power density of 8 W mL−1 and sonication time of 15 min. The ultrasound assisted enzymolysis resulted in a SPS conversion rate of 59.10%, which was improved by 56.35% compared to the control. The results of pasting properties and thermal analysis showed that ultrasound pretreatment decreased the peak viscosity, breakdown temperature, setback viscosity, gelatinization range (TC − TO) and enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH) of SPS significantly (P < 0.05) by 12.1%, 7.6%, 6.6%, 18.8% and 44.4%, respectively. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that ultrasound damaged the ordered structures and crystallization zone. This was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction analysis, which showed that the relative crystallinity was reduced by 15.0%. Scanning electron microscopy showed that ultrasound destroyed the surfaces and the linkages between starch granules.CONCLUSIONPrior to simultaneous liquefaction and saccharification of SPS, high power ultrasound pretreatment is a promising method for improving the conversion rate of starch. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Metabolic profiling comparison of isovitexin in normal and kidney stone model rats by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Meng Caifeng , Liu Ruina , Wang Wei , Guo Wei , Ma Hongyun , Xie Shuang , Liu Yimeng , Wang Chunying 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIsovitexin, a bioactive flavonoid constituent isolated from Desmodii Styracifolii, is considered an adjuvant for antiurolithiasis diseases. In this study, an ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid triple quadruple time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry method was developed to characterize and compare the metabolic profiling of isovitexin experimented on normal and kidney stone model rats. The comparative research indicated that 28 metabolites (18 phase I and 10 phase II) in normal rats and 33 metabolites (20 phase I and 13 phase II) in kidney stone model rats were initially identified. The results of relative quantitative determination reflected that the contents of metabolites produced by deglycosylation, reduction, and isomerization in kidney stone model rats were greater than those in healthy rats. Instead, the levels of oxidative and dehydrogenated metabolites in normal groups were higher than those in kidney stone model groups. The results of this study are valuable and important for understanding the metabolic process of isovitexin in clinical application, and especially the metabolism study in kidney stone model rats could provide a beneficial reference for the further search of effective substances associated with the treatment of kidney stones.
Adaptive changes in root morphological traits of Gramineae and Leguminosae seedlings in the ecological restoration of the semiarid region of northwest China
Authors: Wang Guangyi , Liu Shan , Fang Yan , Shangguan Zhouping 
Published: March 2020

AbstractGramineae and Leguminosae forages are widely grown in the semiarid region of northwest China. To understand the changes in root morphology in forage seedlings under drought stress, a nursery experiment was conducted with and without water stress using four Gramineae species (Bromus inermis, Agropyron mongolicum, Lolium perenne, and Bothriochloa ischaemum) and four Leguminosae species (Lespedeza bicolor, Medicago sativa, Astragalus adsurgens and Melilotus suaveolens). The forages were grown in rhizoboxes under drought stress (15% polyethylene glycol stress) and well‐watered (85% of field capacity) conditions. The results showed that the root length, root area, and specific root length of the Gramineae species were higher than those of the Leguminosae species at the 30–60 cm soil depth. The fine roots of eight species in the 0~0.5 mm diameter class had the largest total root length and total root area, and the total root volume and root tips in the 0.5~1.0 mm diameter class were the highest. Based on the subordinate function method results, B. inermis had the highest comprehensive score, while M. suaveolens had the lowest. Our results implied that Gramineae seedlings distributed more roots than Leguminosae seedlings in the 30–60 cm soil layer under drought stress. Under drought stress, fine roots in the 0~0.5 mm and 0.5~1.0 mm diameter classes were the main organs sustaining the growth of the eight species when suffered drought stress. Among the eight species, B. inermis had the strongest drought tolerance and could act as an optimal ecological restoration forage in the semiarid region of northwest China.
RS‐1 enhances CRISPR‐mediated targeted knock‐in in bovine embryos
Authors: Lamas‐Toranzo I. , Martínez‐Moro A. , O´Callaghan E. , Millán‐Blanca G. , Sánchez J.M. , Lonergan P. , Bermejo‐Álvarez P. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractTargeted knock‐in (KI) can be achieved in embryos by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)‐assisted homology directed repair (HDR). However, HDR efficiency is constrained by the competition of nonhomologous end joining. The objective of this study was to explore whether CRISPR‐assisted targeted KI rates can be improved in bovine embryos by exposure to the HDR enhancer RS‐1. In vitro produced zygotes were injected with CRISPR components (300 ng/µl Cas9 messenger RNA and 100 ng/µl single guide RNA against a noncoding region) and a single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) repair template (100 ng/µl). ssDNA template contained a 6 bp XbaI site insert, allowing targeted KI detection by restriction analysis, flanked by 50 bp homology arms. Following microinjection, zygotes were exposed to 0, 3.75, or 7.5 µM RS‐1 for 24 hr. No differences were noted between groups in terms of development or genome edition rates. However, targeted KI rates were doubled in the group exposed to 7.5 µM RS‐1 compared to the others (52.8% vs. 25% and 23.1%, for 7.5, 0, and 3.75 µM, respectively). In conclusion, transient exposure to 7.5 µM RS‐1 enhances targeted KI rates resulting in approximately half of the embryos containing the intended mutation, hence allowing direct KI generation in embryos.
Why we fail: Stakeholders' perceptions of the social and ecological barriers to reforestation in southern Malawi
Authors: Whittaker Abigail R. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Reversing deforestation is a pressing challenge for planetary health and global development, but the path to restoring forests on a globally significant scale is ill‐defined, and government implementation of afforestation projects often generates conflict with user groups. Understanding the needs and values of forest‐reliant stakeholders in developing countries and effectively engaging them in forest landscape restoration planning and implementation are critical steps towards meeting afforestation goals, and yet few examples of practical methods to include the poor in participatory environmental governance processes exist.

Inspired by an approach used to mediate other natural resource conflicts, I structured a series of stakeholder focus groups in the Zomba–Machinga region of southern Malawi around Systems Thinking and Bayesian Belief Networks. Through these focus groups, I engaged forest‐reliant households, academics and government staff in a participatory process to explore the conditions of past restoration failure; identify the barriers to future reforestation success; and develop proposed solutions.

Out of eight focus groups held, seven viewed poverty as the single greatest obstacle to afforestation success, and all seven perceived small business capacity building as one of the three most important factors in poverty alleviation, followed in order of frequency by improved agricultural practices (six of seven groups), and non‐forest employment (three of seven groups).

If each focus group could successfully implement the three factors they considered most important, the groups' perceptions that poverty could be alleviated ranged from a likelihood of 15.8%–62.3%, with differences among focus groups that underscored inequities in social agency and vocational opportunities of the participants based on age and gender.

This study illustrates where these diverse groups of stakeholders from a single region converge and diverge in their thinking, underscoring the importance of establishing durable participatory processes to work through conflicts, nurture trust and collaboratively develop solutions that are relevant to local conditions in order for global forest landscape restoration to succeed.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Study on machining deformation control of fiber‐metal laminates
Authors: Lei Jianhua , Liu Xueshu , Wang Qi , Zhang Mengen 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWhen composite products are machined to designed shapes, geometrical deformations are generated with removal of materials, which is caused by release of residual stresses generated during the curing process of composite materials. Due to the uncontrollability of the deformation in machining process, both requirements of form and dimensional tolerances are difficult to meet. Inspired by the relationship between material removal and stress release of the slitting method, a deformation control methodology by introducing stress‐release‐groove in machining process was proposed. Residual stresses were firstly measured by using the slitting method and the distribution of residual stresses in thickness direction was estimated. Finite element model was then created and used to study the influence of machining process on geometrical deformation of the composite. It was found that the pre‐processing grooves can reduce the subsequent processing deformation and consequently improve the machining accuracy. To make the release of stress controllable, the influences of width, spacing, depth, and processing sequence of grooves on machining deformation were numerical studied.
The role of sonographic phenotyping in delivering an efficient noninvasive prenatal diagnosis service for FGFR3‐related skeletal dysplasias
Authors: Mellis Rhiannon , Chandler Natalie , Jenkins Lucy , Chitty Lyn S. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the diagnostic yield of noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) for FGFR3‐related skeletal dysplasias and assess the accuracy of referrals based on sonographic findings to inform guidelines for referral.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed laboratory and referral records from 2012 to 2018 to ascertain all NIPD tests performed using our next generation sequencing panel to detect FGFR3 mutations. We calculated the diagnostic yield of the test overall and when sub‐divided according to the phenotypic features identified on ultrasound before testing. Pregnancy outcomes were ascertained wherever possible from referring centers.ResultsOf 335 tests, 261 were referred because of sonographic findings, of which 80 (31.3%) had a mutation. The diagnostic yield when short limbs were the only abnormal sonographic feature reported was 17.9% (30/168), increasing to 48.9% (23/47) in the presence of one, and 82.6% (19/23) in the presence of two or more characteristic features in addition to short limbs.ConclusionsAccurate sonographic phenotyping can maximise the diagnostic yield of NIPD in fetuses suspected to have FGFR3‐related skeletal dysplasias. We suggest that clear guidelines for referral are necessary to increase benefits, decrease costs by preventing unnecessary NIPD, and potentially allow first‐line broader spectrum testing for fetuses where the aetiology may be more heterogeneous.
Executive Summary: Therapeutic Monitoring of Vancomycin for Serious Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections: A Revised Consensus Guideline and Review of the American Society of Health‐System Pharmacists, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists
Authors: Rybak Michael J. , Le Jennifer , Lodise Thomas P. , Levine Donald P. , Bradley John S. , Liu Catherine , Mueller Bruce A. , Pai Manjunath P. , Wong‐Beringer Annie , Rotschafer John C. , Rodvold Keith A. , Maples Holly D. , Lomaestro Benjamin M. 
Published: March 2020

BackgroundRecent vancomycin PK/PD and toxicodynamic studies enable a reassessment of the current dosing and monitoring guideline in an attempt to further optimize the efficacy and safety of vancomycin therapy. The area‐under‐the‐curve to minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC/MIC) has been identified as the most appropriate pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) target for vancomycin. The 2009 vancomycin consenus guidelines recommended specific trough concentrations as a surrogate marker for AUC/MIC. However, more recent toxicodynamic studies have reported an increase in nephrotoxicity associated with trough monitoring.Methods and ResultsThis is the executive summary of the new vancomycin consensus guidelines for dosing and monitoring vancomycin therapy and was developed by the American Society of Health‐Systems Pharmacists, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists vancomycin consensus guidelines committee.ConclusionsThe recommendations provided in this document are intended to assist the clinician in optimizing vancomycin for the treatment of invasive MRSA infections in adult and pediatric patients. An AUC/MIC by broth microdilution (BMD) ratio of 400 to 600 (assuming MICBMD of 1 mg/L) should be advocated as the target to achieve clinical efficacy while improving patient safety for patients with serious MRSA infections. In such cases, AUC‐guided dosing and monitoring is the most accurate and optimal way to manage vancomycin therapy.
In vitro antimicrobial effects and mechanism of air plasma‐activated water on Staphylococcus aureus biofilm
Authors: Xu Zimu , Zhou Xiaoxia , Yang Weishu , Zhang Yudi , Ye Zhengxin , Hu Shuheng , Ye Chaobin , Li Yunxia , Lan Yan , Shen Jie , Ye Xiaodong , Yang Fan , Cheng Cheng 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe deactivation effects and mechanism of plasma‐activated water (PAW) against Staphylococcus aureus biofilm and the inhibitory effect on the biofilm regrowth capacity for the surviving S. aureus post PAW treatment were investigated in vitro. Systematic measurements on bacterial cultivability, metabolic capacity, membrane integrity and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration under two different experimental categories were carried out after PAW treatment. Considerable deactivation effects were discovered on biofilm S. aureus on both prolonging the PAW inducement or treatment time. The rising concentration of intracellular ROS and the PAW‐contained RS might exert synergistic effects in deactivating the biofilm S. aureus. Moreover, the biomass, bacterial cultivability and metabolic capacity of the regrown S. aureus biofilm all significantly declined along with the increasing PAW inducement or treatment time. Therefore, except for the short‐term rapid inactivation effects on the biofilm, the PAW treatment could also exert long‐term inhibitory effects on the regeneration of S. aureus biofilm.
Respiratory viruses: What is their role in acute exacerbations in children with cystic fibrosis?
Authors: Hizal Mina , Yalcin Ebru , Alp Alpaslan , Ozden Meltem , Karakaya Jale , Eryilmaz Polat Sanem  , Tugcu Gokcen , Dogru Deniz , Ozcelik Ugur , Kiper Nural 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundRespiratory viruses (RVs) are frequently present in the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) during pulmonary exacerbations (PEx).Method and ObjectivesThis prospective, longitudinal study was performed to examine the role of RVs in acute exacerbations in children with CF. Sputum samples or additional midturbinate swabs were tested from all children using a polymerase chain reaction panel. The primary aims of the study were to determine the prevalence and etiologic role of RVs in exacerbations of CF and to compare changes with RV‐positive and RV‐negative infections. The secondary aims were to determine the predictive factors for RV‐related exacerbations.ResultsFrom 50 patients with PEx, 23 (48.9%) sputum samples were virus‐positive. With a combination of sputum and swab, viral positivity increased to 56%. The virus‐positive group presented more frequently with hypoxia (oxygen saturation <93%) than the virus‐negative group (P = .048). Virus‐positive exacerbations were not associated with an increase in colonization rates or greater lung function decline over 12 months.ConclusionsRVs frequently present during PEx of CF. However, predicting viral infections is difficult in this group. Only the presence of hypoxia may raise the suspicion of an accompanying viral agent. The combination of sputum and nasal swab samples increases the diagnostic yield in viral infections of CF. Despite their high frequency, the presence of RVs had no impact on clinical outcomes, such as a decline in lung function and increased colonization rates.