bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Respiratory Syncytial Virus–Associated Hospitalizations Among Adults With Chronic Medical Conditions
Authors: Prasad Namrata , Walker Tiffany A , Waite Ben , Wood Tim , Trenholme Adrian A , Baker Michael G , McArthur Colin , Wong Conroy A , Grant Cameron C , Huang Q Sue , Newbern E Claire 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Background
In contrast with respiratory disease caused by influenza, information on the risk of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease among adults with chronic medical conditions (CMCs) is limited.

Methods
We linked population-based surveillance of acute respiratory illness hospitalizations to national administrative data to estimate seasonal RSV hospitalization rates among adults aged 18–80 years with the following preexisting CMCs: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, congestive heart failure (CHF), coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), diabetes mellitus (DM), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Age- and ethnicity-adjusted rates stratified by age group were estimated.

Results
Among 883 999 adult residents aged 18–80 years, 281 RSV-positive hospitalizations were detected during 2012–2015 winter seasons. Across all ages, RSV hospitalization rates were significantly higher among adults with COPD, asthma, CHF, and CAD compared with those without each corresponding condition. RSV hospitalization rates were significantly higher among adults with ESRD aged 50–64 years and adults with DM aged 18–49 years and 65–80 years compared with adults in each age group without these conditions. No increased risk was seen for adults with CVA. The CMC with the highest risk of RSV hospitalization was CHF (incidence rate ratio [IRR] range, 4.6–36.5 across age strata) and COPD (IRR range, 9.6–9.7). Among RSV-positive adults, CHF and COPD were independently associated with increased length of hospital stay.

Conclusions
Adults with specific CMCs are at increased risk of RSV hospitalizations. Age affects this relationship for some CMCs. Such populations maybe relevant for future RSV prevention strategies.
Haemophilus influenzaeSerotype a (Hia) Carriage in a Small Alaska Community After a Cluster of Invasive Hia Disease, 2018
Authors: Nolen Leisha D , Tiffany Amanda , DeByle Carolynn , Bruden Dana , Thompson Gail , Reasonover Alisa , Hurlburt Debby , Mosites Emily , Simons Brenna C , Klejka Joe , Castrodale Louisa , McLaughlin Joseph , Bruce Michael G 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundBetween May and July 2018, 4 Haemophilus influenzae serotype a (Hia) infections occurred in a remote Alaska community. We performed a public health response to prevent further illness and understand Hia carriage.MethodsWe collected oropharyngeal samples community-wide to evaluate baseline carriage. Risk factors were evaluated by interview. We offered prophylactic rifampin to individuals in contact with invasive Hia patients (contacts) and to all children aged &lt;10 years. Oropharyngeal samples were collected again 8 weeks after rifampin distribution. Samples were tested using real-time polymerase chain reaction and culture.ResultsAt baseline, 4 of 27 (14.8%) contacts and 7 of 364 (1.9%) noncontacts (P &lt; .01) carried Hia. Contacts aged &lt;10 years were more likely to carry Hia at any timepoint (11/18 [61%]) compared to contacts aged ≥10 years (3/34 [8.8%]), noncontacts aged &lt;10 years (2/139 [1.4%]), and noncontacts ≥10 years (6/276 [2.2%]) (P &lt; .001 for all). Hia carriers were clustered in 9 households (7% of total households). At the household level, carriage was associated with households with ≥1 contact (prevalence ratio [PR], 5.6 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.3–21.6]), crowding (PR, 7.7 [95% CI, 1.1–199.5]), and ≥3 tobacco users (PR, 5.0 [95% CI, 1.2–19.6]). Elevated carriage prevalence persisted in contacts compared to noncontacts 8 weeks after rifampin distribution (6/25 [24%] contacts, 2/114 [1.8%] noncontacts; P &lt; .001).ConclusionsHia carriage prevalence was significantly higher among contacts than noncontacts. Rifampin prophylaxis did not result in a reduction of Hia carriage prevalence in this community.
Stretch-induced sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium leak is causatively associated with atrial fibrillation in pressure-overloaded hearts
Authors: Zhang Yi , Qi Ying , Li Jing-Jing , He Wen-Jin , Gao Xiao-Hang , Zhang Yu , Sun Xia , Tong Jie , Zhang Jianbao , Deng Xiu-Ling , Du Xiao-Jun , Xie Wenjun 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Aims
Despite numerous reports documenting an important role of hypertension in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF), the detailed mechanism underlying the pathological process remains incompletely understood. Here, we aim to test the hypothesis that diastolic sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ leak in atrial myocytes, induced by mechanical stretch due to elevated pressure in the left atrium (LA), plays an essential role in the AF development in pressure-overloaded hearts.

Methods and results
Isolated mouse atrial myocytes subjected to acute axial stretch displayed an immediate elevation of SR Ca2+ leak. Using a mouse model of transverse aortic constriction (TAC), the relation between stretch, SR Ca2+ leak, and AF susceptibility was further tested. At 36 h post-TAC, SR Ca2+ leak in cardiomyocytes from the LA (with haemodynamic stress), but not right atrium (without haemodynamic stress), significantly increased, which was further elevated at 4 weeks post-TAC. Accordingly, AF susceptibility to atrial burst pacing in the 4-week TAC mice were also significantly increased, which was unaffected by inhibition of atrial fibrosis or inflammation via deletion of galectin-3. Western blotting revealed that type 2 ryanodine receptor (RyR2) in left atrial myocytes of TAC mice was oxidized due to activation and up-regulation of Nox2 and Nox4. Direct rescue of dysfunctional RyR2 with dantrolene or rycal S107 reduced diastolic SR Ca2+ leak in left atrial myocytes and prevented atrial burst pacing stimulated AF.

Conclusion
Our study demonstrated for the first time the increased SR Ca2+ leak mediated by enhanced oxidative stress in left atrial myocytes that is causatively associated with higher AF susceptibility in pressure-overloaded hearts.
Identification of Environmental Risk Factors Associated With the Development of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: van der Sloot Kimberley W J , Weersma Rinse K , Alizadeh Behrooz Z , Dijkstra Gerard 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackground and AimsMultiple genetic and environmental factors are involved in the aetiology of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] including Crohn’s disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC], but data on these exposome factors are difficult to identify. Several exposome factors such as smoking have been shown to be involved; as for other environmental factors, eg stress, results have been conflicting.MethodsWe performed a case-control study including 674 IBD patients of the 1000IBD cohort, frequency-matched based on sex and age with 1348 controls from the population-based Lifelines Cohort Study. Exposome data were obtained using the validated Groningen IBD Environmental Questionnaire [GIEQ], capturing exposome factors through different stages of life using 844 items, of which 454 were applicable to study the role of 93 exposome factors in disease aetiology. Logistic regression [LR] modelling with Bonferroni correction for multiple testing was applied to estimate the multivariable-adjusted effect of each exposome factor.ResultsFor IBD, we identified four novel factors: stressful life events (CD odds ratio [OR] 2.61/UC OR 2.92), high perceived stress [2.29/2.67], alcohol use [0.40/0.43], and bronchial hyper-reactivity [3.04/2.36]. Four novel factors were associated with only CD: prenatal smoke exposure [1.89], having a bed partner [0.53], allergies [2.66], and cow’s milk hypersensitivity [5.87]; and two solely with UC: carpet flooring [0.57] and neuroticism [1.32]. Nine factors were replicated.ConclusionsIn this study we identified 10 novel, and replicated nine previously reported, exposome factors associated with IBD. Identifying these factors is important for both understanding disease aetiology and future prevention strategies to decrease the development of IBD in genetically susceptible persons.
Organizing Internationally: Georges Abi-Saab, the Congo Crisis and the Decolonization of the United Nations
Authors: Özsu Umut 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Why and how have ‘Third World’ international lawyers engaged with the law of international organizations? This article considers Georges Abi-Saab’s 1978 work The United Nations Operation in the Congo 1960–1964, an important but largely forgotten intervention in debates about the power and authority of the United Nations (UN) at the height of the post-World War II wave of decolonization. Fusing careful analysis of the legal rules and instruments that underwrote UN operations during the Congo crisis with a narrative reconstruction of the accompanying political and diplomatic negotiations, Abi-Saab’s book examines the organization’s involvement in the conflict following Congo’s formal independence from Belgium in June 1960, both during and after Dag Hammarskjöld’s tenure as UN Secretary-General. This article takes up Abi-Saab’s account of Hammarskjöld’s role in, and management of, the crisis. It demonstrates that Abi-Saab understood the Secretary-General’s office to be not only hedged in by significant ‘constitutional’ constraints on publicly justifiable action but also uniquely equipped to coordinate competing interests and facilitate collective action. It also demonstrates that this dual understanding of the Secretary-General – both ‘legalistic’ and overtly ‘political’ – informed Abi-Saab’s commitment to developing international law in and through international organizations.
Oxyresveratrol promotes biofilm formation, cell attachment and aggregation of Streptococcus gordonii in the presence of sucrose
Authors: Wu Jiayi , Yang Qiyuan , Jiang Xiaoge , Fan Yu , Zhang Yuheng , Huang Ruijie 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACT
Streptococcus gordonii is a commensal colonizer of oral cavity that initiates the formation of dental plaque. Oxyresveratrol is a natural purification from plants with antibacterial effects on various oral bacteria including Streptococcus mutans. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of oxyresveratrol on S. gordonii. The basic viability, biofilm formation and cell aggregation of S. gordonii treated with oxyresveratrol were investigated. Oxyresveratrol dose-dependently inhibited the growth of S. gordonii in the absence of sucrose. However, in the presence of sucrose, it promoted biofilm formation under MIC. Both the biofilm formation and extracellular polysaccharides synthesis reached the maximum level at ½ MIC (250 μg/mL) oxyresveratrol. The gene expressions of abpA, abpB, scaA, gtfG, hsa, cshA, cshB, ccpA, srtA and sspB were upregulated when treated with 62.5 and 125 μg/mL oxyresveratrol. A total eight of the ten genes were significantly upregulated at 250 μg/mL oxyresveratrol except abpB and sspB, which were downregulated at 250 μg/mL without significance. In conclusion, oxyresveratrol has dual-effects on S. gordonii. Considering its specific biofilm suppressive effect on S. mutans, it might be a candidate for bacterial interspecies modulator applied in caries prevention.
Evaluation of the fermentative capacity of an indigenous Hanseniaspora sp. strain isolated from Lebanese apples for cider production
Authors: AL Daccache Marina , Salameh Dominique , Chamy Laure E L , Koubaa Mohamed , Maroun Richard G , Vorobiev Eugène , Louka Nicolas 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
The present work studied the fermentative potential and carbon metabolism of an indigenous yeast isolated from Lebanese apples for cider production. The indigenous yeast strain was isolated from a spontaneous fermented juice of the Lebanese apple variety ‘Ace spur’. The sequencing of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) domain of rRNA identified the isolated yeast strain as a member of the Hanseniaspora genus. These results suggest an intragenomic ITS sequence heterogeneity in the isolated yeast strain specifically in its ITS1 domain. The different investigations on the yeast carbon metabolism revealed that the isolated yeast is ‘Crabtree positive’ and can produce and accumulate ethanol from the first hours of fermentation. Thus, our findings highlight the possibility of using the isolated indigenous Hanseniaspora strain as a sole fermentative agent during cider production.
Exposure of human fallopian tube epithelium to elevated testosterone results in alteration of cilia gene expression and beating
Authors: Jackson-Bey Tia , Colina José , Isenberg Brett C , Coppeta Jonathan , Urbanek Margrit , Kim J Julie , Woodruff Teresa K , Burdette Joanna E , Russo Angela 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

STUDY QUESTION
How does exposure to a testosterone rich environment affect the function and gene expression of human fallopian tube epithelium (hFTE)?

SUMMARY ANSWER
Elevated testosterone level alters several gene transcripts that regulate cilia expression and negatively impacts the rate of cilia beating.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
The presence of estrogen in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle increases the human fallopian tube ciliary beating frequency. The luteal phase, triggered by ovulation and increasing progesterone, is marked by a decrease in ciliary beating. Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) may have twice the serum level of testosterone than ovulatory women. To date, the effect of elevated androgens on the function of the human fallopian tube is not well-understood. We chose to examine the impact of elevated testosterone on hFTE.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
A prospective basic science study of human fallopian tube specimens from reproductive-aged women undergoing benign gynecologic surgery was performed. Fallopian tube removal at a large US academic center was collected and provided to us to continue with epithelium isolation and culturing. A total of 12 patients were analyzed in the study.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
Fallopian tube epithelium was isolated and exposed to two different conditions: normal with low testosterone concentration of 0.8 nM and PCOS-like, with high testosterone concentration of 2 nM. The study was conducted in both static and dynamic conditions in microfluidic devices for a total of 14 days, after which the tissue was collected for processing including RNA extraction, quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. After the first 7 days of each experiment, a sample of tissue from each condition was imaged to quantify cilia beating frequency.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
hFTE exposed to the 2 nM testosterone displayed slower cilia beating, inhibited estrogen signaling and decreased expression of the ciliary marker FOXJ1 when compared to stimulation with 0.8 nM testosterone.

LARGE SCALE DATA
N/A.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
The in vivo response to elevated testosterone may differ from in vitro studies. RNA amount was limited from tissue cultured in the microfluidic devices as compared to static culture.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
Understanding elevated testosterone in tubal function may explain an additional contribution to subfertility in women with PCOS and other hyper-androgen disorders, aside from oligo-ovulation. Furthermore, this adds to the body of literature of fallopian tube function using a microfluidic device.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
NIH grants: UH3 ES029073 and R01 CA240301. There are no competing interests.
Chris Freeman forging the evolution of evolutionary economics
Authors: Louçã Francisco 
Published: June 2020

AbstractEvery Schumpeterian is an evolutionary economist in his or her own way. Chris Freeman, whose 1995 essay is published in this issue of ICC, favored a rare combination of the Cambridge tradition, a Marxian view of inequalities and Schumpeter’s fascination with innovation as the driving force of capitalism. The article summarizes and discusses this combination and how Freeman generated a challenging agenda for contemporary economics, namely in the context of long wave analysis, the theme for his last book.
Acute Nicotine Treatment Alleviates LPS-Induced Impairment of Fear Memory Reconsolidation Through AMPK Activation and CRTC1 Upregulation in Hippocampus
Authors: Shu Hui , Wang Mengwei , Song Min , Sun Yanyun , Shen Xianzhi , Zhang Junfang , Jin Xinchun 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundFear memory is a fundamental capability for animals and humans to survive. Its impairment results in the disability to avoid danger. When memory is reactivated, a reconsolidation process, which can be disrupted by various stimuli, including inflammation, is required to become permanent. Nicotine has been shown to improve cognitive deficits induced by inflammation and other stimuli. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effect of nicotine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced impairment of fear memory reconsolidation and the underlying mechanism.MethodsStep-through inhibitory avoidance task was recruited to study fear memory of rat, i.p. LPS (0.5 mg/kg) treatment was used to induce inflammation, and western blot and immunostaining were applied to detect protein expression and distribution in medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.ResultsOur data showed that LPS induced fear memory reconsolidation impairment without affecting retrieval. In addition, LPS significantly increased inflammation factors tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1 beta and decreased CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 1 (CRTC1) expression and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation in hippocampus. More importantly, LPS significantly decreased CRTC1 expression and AMPK activation in neurons by activating microglia cells. Of note, either nicotine treatment or activation of AMPK by intracerebroventricular infusion of metformin reduced LPS-induced impairment of fear memory reconsolidation and ameliorated inflammation factor tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1 beta as well as the expression of CRTC1.ConclusionsIn conclusion, our results showed that acute nicotine treatment alleviates LPS-induced impairment of fear memory reconsolidation through activation of AMPK and upregulation of CRTC1 in hippocampus.
Optimal robustness of passive discrete-time systems
Authors: Mehrmann V , Van Dooren P 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
We study different representations of a given rational transfer function that represents a passive (or positive real) discrete-time system. When the system is subject to perturbations, passivity or stability may be lost. To make the system robust, we use the freedom in the representation to characterize and construct optimally robust representations in the sense that the distance to non-passivity is maximized with respect to an appropriate matrix norm. We link this construction to the solution set of certain linear matrix inequalities defining passivity of the transfer function. We present an algorithm to compute a nearly optimal representation using an eigenvalue optimization technique. We also briefly consider the problem of finding the nearest passive system to a given non-passive one.
Recent malignant testicular tumor trend in Japan, a country with an aging population: a large-scale study of 2012–2015 hospital-based cancer registry data
Authors: Kojo Kosuke , Kawai Koji , Kawahara Takashi , Kimura Tomokazu , Kandori Shuya , Nagumo Yoshiyuki , Nitta Satoshi , Kojima Takahiro , Okuyama Ayako , Higashi Takahiro , Nishiyama Hiroyuki 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Objective
Japan’s national database of hospital-based cancer registries is estimated to cover ~67% of all new cancer cases. Using this database, we analyzed the characteristics of the recently diagnosed testicular malignancy.

Methods
We obtained data for 6510 adult testicular malignancy patients diagnosed in 2012–2015. The distributions of patient ages, histological diagnoses and testicular germ cell tumor hospital care volumes were determined.

Results
The most common histology was seminoma (60.3% of all testicular malignancies), followed by non-seminoma (24.1%) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (13.1%). The median and mean ages of the testicular germ cell tumor patients were high at 38 and 39.8 years, respectively. The age distribution peaked at 30–40 years, followed by 40–50 years. Approximately 18% of testicular germ cell tumor patients were ≥50 years. The ages of the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients peaked at 70–80 years (mean 67.7 years). When the analysis was limited to the testicular germ cell tumor patients who received first-course cancer treatment at the participating hospitals, the number of high-volume hospitals with ≥20 testicular germ cell tumor care volume was limited to 61 (10.0% of the 605 hospitals that treated ≥1 testicular germ cell tumor patient). However, when the patients who changed hospitals during treatment or relapsed after treatment completion were analyzed together, the number of high-volume hospitals increased to 104 (17.0% of 612 hospitals).

Conclusion
The testicular germ cell tumor patients’ mean age was nearly 40 years. The proportions of older testicular germ cell tumor patients and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients were higher than previously thought. The reasons for this trend are unknown, but it is important to address the trend identified herein in a country with a super-aging population.
Management of Cancer and Health After the Clinic Visit: A Call to Action for Self-Management in Cancer Care
Authors: Howell Doris , Mayer Deborah K , Fielding Richard , Eicher Manuela , Verdonck-de Leeuw Irma M , Johansen Christoffer , Soto-Perez-de-Celis Enrique , Foster Claire , Chan Raymond , Alfano Catherine M , Hudson Shawna V , Jefford Michael , Lam Wendy W T , Loerzel Victoria , Pravettoni Gabriella , Rammant Elke , Schapira Lidia , Stein Kevin D , Koczwara Bogda ,   the Global Partners for Self-Management in Cancer
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Individuals with cancer and their families assume responsibility for management of cancer as an acute and chronic disease. Yet, cancer lags other chronic diseases in its provision of proactive self-management support in routine, everyday care leaving this population vulnerable to worse health status, long-term disability, and poorer survival. Enabling cancer patients to manage the medical and emotional consequences and lifestyle and work changes due to cancer and treatment is essential to optimizing health and recovery across the continuum of cancer. In this paper, the Global Partners on Self-Management in Cancer puts forth six priority areas for action: Action 1: Prepare patients and survivors for active involvement in care; Action 2: Shift the care culture to support patients as partners in cocreating health and embed self-management support in everyday health-care provider practices and in care pathways; Action 3: Prepare the workforce in the knowledge and skills necessary to enable patients in effective self-management and reach consensus on core curricula; Action 4: Establish and reach consensus on a patient-reported outcome system for measuring the effects of self-management support and performance accountability; Action 5: Advance the evidence and stimulate research on self-management and self-management support in cancer populations; Action 6: Expand reach and access to self-management support programs across care sectors and tailored to diversity of need and stimulation of research to advance knowledge. It is time for a revolution to better integrate self-management support as part of high-quality, person-centered support and precision medicine in cancer care to optimize health outcomes, accelerate recovery, and possibly improve survival.