bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Community Pharmacy Medicare Part D Consultations: Plan-Switching Decisions and Chronic Medication Adherence
Authors: Murry Logan T. , Murry Rylan C. , Deng Huiwen , Viyyuri Brahmendra , Gerleman Brandon L. , Urmie Julie 
Published: February 2020

Objectives: (1)To compare Part D plan switching for users and nonusers of a pharmacy-led Medicare Part D consultation service and (2) to evaluate the effect of service use on chronic medication adherence. Methods: This was a longitudinal study, occurring in one independently owned community pharmacy in Iowa. Medicare Part D beneficiaries who used the service were compared to nonusers. Dispensing data were used to compare planswitching and the effect of service use on chronic medication adherence between service users and nonusers. Proportion of days covered (PDC) was used to evaluate medication adherence. Results: In the 2017 and 2018 plan year, 79 and 138 Medicare beneficiaries used the service, respectively. These individuals were compared to 849 Medicare beneficiaries and a random sample of 101 beneficiaries in respective years. The respective switching rates for service users in 2018 and 2019 plan year were 43% and 15.9%, compared to 4% switching rates in both years for nonusers. Using the Medicare Part D consultation yielded a statistically significant positive effect on switching in both plan years ( P values < .05) and a statistically significant positive effect on PDC between years ( P value <.05). Conclusion: The use of a pharmacist-led Medicare Part D consultation resulted in increased plan switching and improved chronic medication adherence.
Influence of Psychotropic Medications on Readmission Rates of Patients Receiving a Pharmacist Discharge Medication Reconciliation
Authors: Hefazi Elika , Boggie Danielle , Huynh Trina , Lee Kelly C. 
Published: February 2020

Background: Current literature suggests that patients with psychiatric disorders are at an increased risk for inpatient readmission. This study evaluated the impact of pharmacist-driven discharge medication reconcilliation (DMR) on readmission rates of patients discharged with one or more psychotropic medications. Methods: This study was a retrospective review of patients receiving a pharmacist-driven DMR. The primary outcome was to compare the prevalence of 30-day readmission rates among patients who had a pharmacist DMR between patients who had at least one psychotropic medication upon discharge versus those without psychotropic medications. Secondary objectives were to (1) compare the number of medication discrepancies and pharmacist interventions prior to discharge and (2) compare prevalence of medical comorbidities between patients who had at least one psychotropic medication upon discharge versus those without psychotropic medications. Results: A total of 151 subjects were included who had a DMR and either at least one psychotropic medication at discharge (n = 69) or no psychotropic medications at discharge (n = 82). The 30-day readmission rates were similar between both groups ( P = .609). The mean number of discrepancies ( P < .001) and number of pharmacist interventions ( P = .005) were significantly greater in patients who had at least one psychotropic medication upon discharge compared to those without psychotropic medication. Conclusions: The prevalence of 30-day readmissions was similar between the two groups; however, patients discharged with at least one psychotropic medication had a greater number of discrepancies requiring significantly more discharge interventions during a pharmacist DMR.
Hyperpigmentation due to imatinib: A rare case of cutaneous involvement
Authors: Rehman Hasan , Hakim Nausheen , Sugarman Ryan , Seetharamu Nagashree , Saif Muhammad W 
Published: February 2020

Case report Imatinib mesylate is a well-known tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, as well as a variety of other malignancies. Management and outcome: As use of this medication continues to grow, providers must be aware of potential side effects and management thereof. The toxicity profile of imatinib has been well characterized with most patients experiencing a grade 1 or 2 adverse event. These side effects are usually mild, and most patients can continue treatment without interruption. Around 30% of patients on imatinib experience skin toxicity, with 5% being high grade. This rash is typically hypopigmented, which is explained by imatinib’s effect on melanocytes. Discussion Although there have been several case reports describing hyperpigmentation of the oral mucosa or nails, very few have described skin hyperpigmentation. We previously reported the first two cases of imatinib-related squamous cell carcinoma in patients undergoing treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumors. In this paper, we present a case of a patient on imatinib for management of gastrointestinal stromal tumor who experienced extensive skin hyperpigmentation and review the literature.
Comparison of Functional and Radiological Outcomes of Tears Involving the Subscapularis: Isolated Subscapularis Versus Combined Anterosuperior Rotator Cuff Tears
Authors: Meshram Prashant , Rhee Sung-Min , Park Joo Hyun , Oh Joo Han 
Published: February 2020

Background: Few studies have compared the clinical and radiological characteristics and outcomes in isolated subscapularis (SSC) and combined anterosuperior (AS) rotator cuff tears (RCTs). Furthermore, risk factors for retear after SSC repair and the effect of preoperative fatty degeneration require further evaluation. Purpose: To compare the functional and radiological outcomes of isolated SSC with combined AS RCTs after arthroscopic repair and to determine the risk factors for SSC retear in these 2 groups. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Data from 30 patients in the isolated SSC group were compared with data from 110 patients in the combined AS group. All patients underwent primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repair between 2010 and 2016. Clinical outcomes were assessed through use of the visual analog scale for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, and Simple Shoulder Test at a mean follow-up of 26.7 months (range, 24-96 months). SSC tendon integrity was examined via magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography arthrogram, or ultrasonography at least 1 year after surgery. Results: The isolated SSC group had a greater proportion of males and the patients were younger compared with the combined AS group (both P < .050). The incidence of trauma was high but not significantly different between groups (56.7% vs 40.9%; P = .180). Clinical outcome measures and radiological outcomes in terms of retear were not statistically different between both groups (16.7% vs 8/5%; P = .337). The optimal cutoff values for the risk of SSC tendon retear in both groups were 19-mm retraction and 16-mm superoinferior dimension ( P = .048). Unfavorable preoperative fatty degeneration of the SSC muscle (grades 3 and 4) was a significant risk factor for retear (odds ratio, 9.8; P < .001). Conclusion: Isolated SSC and combined AS RCTs were comparable except for patient age and sex; both had a high incidence of traumatic history. The current data suggest that the risk factors for retear after SSC repair in RCTs involving the SSC were tear size greater than 19 mm of retraction and unfavorable fatty degeneration (grade 3 or higher) of the SSC muscle.
Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Is Equivalent to Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis at 1 Year: A Prospective, Randomized Trial
Authors: Anz Adam W. , Hubbard Ryan , Rendos Nicole K. , Everts Peter A. , Andrews James R. , Hackel Joshua G. 
Published: February 2020

Background: Approximately 47 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with arthritis. Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have been documented to alleviate symptoms related to knee osteoarthritis (OA) in randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Autologous bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMC) injections have also emerged as a treatment option for knee OA, with a limited clinical evidence base. Purpose: To compare the efficacy of BMC to PRP for the treatment of knee OA regarding pain and function at multiple time points up to 12 months after an injection. We hypothesized that BMC will be more effective in improving outcomes in patients with knee OA. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2 Methods: A total of 90 participants aged between 18 and 80 years with symptomatic knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grades 1-3) were randomized into 2 study groups: PRP and BMC. Both groups completed the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) questionnaires before and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after a single intra-articular injection of leukocyte-rich PRP or BMC. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in baseline IKDC or WOMAC scores between the 2 groups. All IKDC and WOMAC scores for both the PRP and BMC groups significantly improved from baseline to 1 month after the injection ( P < .001). These improvements were sustained for 12 months after the injection, with no difference between PRP and BMC at any time point. Conclusion: Both PRP and BMC were effective in improving patient-reported outcomes in patients with mild to moderate knee OA for at least 12 months; neither treatment provided a superior clinical benefit. Autologous PRP and BMC showed promising clinical potential as therapeutic agents for the treatment of OA, and while PRP has strong clinical evidence to support its efficacy, BMC has limited support. This study did not prove BMC to be superior to PRP, providing guidance to clinicians treating OA. It is possible that the results were affected by patients knowing that there was no control group. Registration: NCT03289416 ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).
Prevalence and Impact of Chronic Ankle Instability in Adolescent Athletes
Authors: Donovan Luke , Hetzel Scott , Laufenberg Craig R. , McGuine Timothy A. 
Published: February 2020

Background: The prevalence and impact of chronic ankle instability (CAI) in adolescent athletes are unknown. To better develop and justify prevention strategies of lateral ankle sprains and CAI, it is important to understand the origin and associated long-term impact of CAI within populations other than adults. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and impact of CAI on ankle function, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and physical activity in adolescent athletes. The hypothesis was that the presence of CAI will be commonly reported among adolescent athletes and that participants with CAI will have lower self-reported ankle function, HRQoL, and physical activity when compared with participants without CAI. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A cohort of 1002 healthy (able to fully participate) adolescent athletes (50.4% female; mean age, 15.6 ± 1.6 years) across 8 club sport facilities and high schools completed paper-and-pencil surveys to establish the presence of CAI (Identification of Functional Ankle Instability [IdFAI]) and estimate perceived ankle function (Foot and Ankle Ability Measure [FAAM]–Activities of Daily Living and FAAM-Sport), HRQoL (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 [PedsQL]), and physical activity (Hospital for Special Surgery Pediatric Functional Activity Brief Scale [HSS Pedi-FABS]). Results: The overall prevalence of CAI was 20.0%. Participants with unilateral CAI reported significantly lower ( P < .001) ankle function (FAAM-Sport: 87.0 ± 14.8) and HRQoL (total PedsQL: 89.8 ± 9.8) than participants who did not have CAI (FAAM-Sport: 97.7 ± 6.0; total PedsQL: 93.5 ± 9.1). Physical activity was not different between participants with and without CAI. Conclusion: The prevalence of CAI was high among adolescent athletes. The presence of CAI negatively affected ankle function and HRQoL in adolescent athletes. Given the high prevalence and negative impact of CAI in an adolescent population, strategies to prevent ankle injuries and maintain physical activity are needed to alleviate future long-term consequences associated with developing CAI. These strategies should be implemented as soon as sport participation begins, as it appears that the origin of CAI may occur before adulthood.
Design of Double-Shelled CuS Nanocages to Optimize Electrocatalytic Dynamic for Sensitive Detection of Ascorbic Acid
Authors: Yang Tong , Tian Liangliang , Zhou Enmin , Chen Daidong , Lei Yu 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAlthough transition metal sulfides have presented prospect in electrochemical sensing, their electrocatalytic performance still cannot meet the demands for practical applications due to the difficulties in mass transport and electron transfer. In this work, double-shelled CuS nanocages (2-CuS NCs) were prepared for enzyme-free ascorbic (AA) sensor through a Cu2O- templated method. The unique double-shelled hollow structure displayed large specific surface areas, ordered diffusion channels, increased volume occupying rate, and accelerated electron transfer rate, resulting in enhanced electrochemical dynamic. As a sensing electrode for AA, 2-CuS NCs modified glassy carbon electrode (2-CuS NCs/GCE) exhibited eminent electrocatalytic activity in terms of satisfying sensitivity (523.7 μA mM−1 cm−2), short response time (0.31 s), and low limit of detection (LOD, 0.15 μM). 2-CuS NCs look promising for analytical sensing of AA in electrochemical sensors thanks to its prominent electrocatalytic kinetics issued from double-shelled hollow porous structure.
Texas is not a human evolution desert! Presenting human evolution to the public through museum displays
Authors: Smith Shelley L. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractTexas is home to four of the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. As would be expected, several large universities in Texas, public and private, offer courses in which the topic of human evolution is covered. What might be more surprising to some, given the politics of the state, is that two major Texas public museums (the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas) display substantial human evolution content. Here I review content related to human evolution in five major science museums in Texas and explore the reasons for the differences among these museums. Among the most important factors are money, museum location, museum history and mission, and what can be called “intentionality.” Unsurprisingly, if we want to see more human evolution museum displays, we must convince museum administrators that adding this content is consistent with their mission and will attract more visitors. We (and our students) can, in addition, be more proactive in reaching out to our local museums.
Genome-wide identification of the context-dependent sRNA expression in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Ami Vimla Kany G. , Balasubramanian Rami , Hegde Shubhada R. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Tuberculosis remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Therefore, understanding the pathophysiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is imperative for developing new drugs. Post-transcriptional regulation plays a significant role in microbial adaptation to different growth conditions. While the proteins associated with gene expression regulation have been extensively studied in the pathogenic strain M. tuberculosis H37Rv, post-transcriptional regulation involving small RNAs (sRNAs) remains poorly understood.

Results
We developed a novel moving-window based approach to detect sRNA expression using RNA-Seq data. Overlaying ChIP-seq data of RNAP (RNA Polymerase) and NusA suggest that these putative sRNA coding regions are significantly bound by the transcription machinery. Besides capturing many experimentally validated sRNAs, we observe the context-dependent expression of novel sRNAs in the intergenic regions of M. tuberculosis genome. For example, ncRv11806 shows expression only in the stationary phase, suggesting its role in mycobacterial latency which is a key attribute to long term pathogenicity. Also, ncRv11875C showed expression in the iron-limited condition, which is prevalent inside the macrophages of the host cells.

Conclusion
The systems level analysis of sRNA highlights the condition-specific expression of sRNAs which might enable the pathogen survival by rewiring regulatory circuits.
Effects of iron on the growth, biofilm formation and virulence of Klebsiella pneumoniae causing liver abscess
Authors: Chen Tao , Dong Guofeng , Zhang Siqin , Zhang Xiucai , Zhao Yajie , Cao Jianming , Zhou Tieli , Wu Qing 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Klebsiella pneumoniae is considered the most clinically relevant species of Enterobacteriaceae, known to cause severe infections including liver abscesses. To the best of our knowledge, a large proportion of iron in the human body is accumulated and stored in the liver. We hypothesize that increased iron availability is an important factor driving liver abscess formation and we therefore aim to understand the effects of iron on K. pneumoniae causing liver abscesses.

Results
All tested K. pneumoniae clinical isolates, including those isolated from liver abscesses and other abdominal invasive infection sites, grew optimally when cultured in LB broth supplemented with 50 μM iron and exhibited the strongest biofilm formation ability under those conditions. Decreased growth and biofilm formation ability were observed in all tested strains when cultured with an iron chelator (P < 0.05). The infection model of G. mellonella larvae indicated the virulence of liver abscess-causing K. pneumoniae (2/3) cultured in LB broth with additional iron was significantly higher than those under iron-restricted conditions (P < 0.05). The relative expression levels of the four siderophore genes (iucB, iroB, irp1, entB) in K. pneumoniae strains isolated from liver abscesses cultured with additional iron were lower than those under iron-restricted conditions (P < 0.05).

Conclusions
It is suggested by our research that iron in the environment can promote growth, biofilm formation and enhance virulence of K. pneumoniae causing liver abscesses. A lower expression of siderophore genes correlates with increased virulence of liver abscess-causing K. pneumoniae. Further deeper evaluation of these phenomena is warranted.
PilG and PilH antagonistically control flagellum-dependent and pili-dependent motility in the phytopathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris
Authors: Qi Yan-Hua , Huang Li , Liu Guo-Fang , Leng Ming , Lu Guang-Tao 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe virulence of the plant pathogenXanthomonas campestrispv. campestris(Xcc) involves the coordinate expression of many virulence factors, including surface appendages flagellum and type IV pili, which are required for pathogenesis and the colonization of host tissues. Despite many insights gained on the structure and functions played by flagellum and pili in motility, biofilm formation, surface attachment and interactions with bacteriophages, we know little about how these appendages are regulated inXcc.ResultsHere we present evidence demonstrating the role of two single domain response regulators PilG and PilH in the antagonistic control of flagellum-dependent (swimming) and pili-dependent (swarming) motility. Using informative mutagenesis, we reveal PilG positively regulates swimming motility while and negatively regulating swarming motility. Conversely, PilH negatively regulates swimming behaviour while and positively regulating swarming motility. By transcriptome analyses (RNA-seq and RT-PCR) we confirm these observations as PilG is shown to upregulate many genes involved chemotaxis and flagellar biosynthesis but these similar genes were downregulated by PilH. Co-immunoprecipitation, bacterial two-hybrid and pull-down analyses showed that PilH and PilG were able to interact with district subsets of proteins that potentially account for their regulatory impact. Additionally, we present evidence, using mutagenesis that PilG and PilH are involved in other cellular processes, including chemotaxis and virulence.ConclusionsTaken together, we demonstrate that for the conditions tested PilG and PilH have inverse regulatory effects on flagellum-dependent and pili-dependent motility inXccand that this regulatory impact depends on these proteins influences on genes/proteins involved in flagellar biosynthesis and pilus assembly.
Identification of promoter elements in the Dolichospermum circinale AWQC131C saxitoxin gene cluster and the experimental analysis of their use for heterologous expression
Authors: D’Agostino Paul M. , Al-Sinawi Bakir , Mazmouz Rabia , Muenchhoff Julia , Neilan Brett A. , Moffitt Michelle C. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Dolichospermum circinale is a filamentous bloom-forming cyanobacterium responsible for biosynthesis of the paralytic shellfish toxins (PST), including saxitoxin. PSTs are neurotoxins and in their purified form are important analytical standards for monitoring the quality of water and seafood and biomedical research tools for studying neuronal sodium channels. More recently, PSTs have been recognised for their utility as local anaesthetics. Characterisation of the transcriptional elements within the saxitoxin (sxt) biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) is a first step towards accessing these molecules for biotechnology.

Results
In D. circinale AWQC131C the sxt BGC is transcribed from two bidirectional promoter regions encoding five individual promoters. These promoters were identified experimentally using 5′ RACE and their activity assessed via coupling to a lux reporter system in E. coli and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Transcription of the predicted drug/metabolite transporter (DMT) encoded by sxtPER was found to initiate from two promoters, PsxtPER1 and PsxtPER2. In E. coli, strong expression of lux from PsxtP, PsxtD and PsxtPER1 was observed while expression from Porf24 and PsxtPER2 was remarkably weaker. In contrast, heterologous expression in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 showed that expression of lux from PsxtP, PsxtPER1, and Porf24 promoters was statistically higher compared to the non-promoter control, while PsxtD showed poor activity under the described conditions.

Conclusions
Both of the heterologous hosts investigated in this study exhibited high expression levels from three of the five sxt promoters. These results indicate that the majority of the native sxt promoters appear active in different heterologous hosts, simplifying initial cloning efforts. Therefore, heterologous expression of the sxt BGC in either E. coli or Synechocystis could be a viable first option for producing PSTs for industrial or biomedical purposes.