bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of the Epilepsy Surgery Satisfaction Questionnaire (ESSQ‐19)
Authors: Wiebe Samuel , Wahby Sandra , Lawal Oluwaseyi A. , Sajobi Tolulope T. , Keezer Mark R. , Nguyen Dang K. , Malmgren Kristina , Tellez‐Zenteno Jose , Atkinson Mark J. , Hader Walter J. , Josephson Colin B. , Macrodimitris Sophia , Patten Scott B. , Pillay Neelan , Sharma Ruby , Singh Shaily , Starreveld Yves 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveNo validated tools exist to assess satisfaction with epilepsy surgery. We aimed to develop and validate a new measure of patient satisfaction with epilepsy surgery, the 19‐item Epilepsy Surgery Satisfaction Questionnaire (ESSQ‐19).MethodsAn initial 31‐item measure was developed based on literature review, patient focus groups, thematic analysis, and Delphi panels. The questionnaire was administered twice, 4‐6 weeks apart, to 229 adults (≥18 years old) who underwent epilepsy surgery ≥1 year earlier, at three centers in Canada and one in Sweden. Participants also completed seven validated questionnaires to assess construct validity. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) assessed the factorial structure of the questionnaire. Cronbach alpha and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) assessed the internal consistency and test‐retest reliability of the ESSQ‐19. Spearman and polyserial correlations assessed construct validity.ResultsMedian age of participants and time since surgery were 42 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 32‐54) and 5 years (IQR = 2‐8.75), respectively. EFA and CFA yielded 18 items that segregated into four domains (mean score [SD]), namely, seizure control (76.4 [25]), psychosocial functioning (67.3 [26]), surgical complications (84 [22]), and recovery from surgery (73 [24]), one global satisfaction item, and a summary global score (74 [21]). The domain and summary scores demonstrated good to excellent internal reliability (Cronbach ⍺ range = .84‐.95) and test‐retest reliability (ICC range = 0.71‐0.85). Construct validity was supported by predicted correlations with other instruments.SignificanceThe ESSQ‐19 is a new, valid, and reliable measure of patient satisfaction with epilepsy surgery that can be used in clinical and research settings.
Circadian/multidien Molecular Oscillations and Rhythmicity of Epilepsy (MORE)
Authors: Bernard Christophe 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe occurrence of seizures at specific times of the day has been consistently observed for centuries in individuals with epilepsy. Electrophysiological recordings provide evidence that seizures have a higher probability of occurring at a given time during the night and day cycle in individuals with epilepsy here referred to as the seizure rush hour. Which mechanisms underlie such circadian rhythmicity of seizures? Why don't they occur every day at the same time? Which mechanisms may underlie their occurrence outside the rush hour? In this commentary, I present a hypothesis: MORE – Molecular Oscillations and Rhythmicity of Epilepsy, a conceptual framework to study and understand the mechanisms underlying the circadian rhythmicity of seizures and their probabilistic nature. The core of the hypothesis is the existence of ~24‐hour oscillations of gene and protein expression throughout the body in different cells and organs. The orchestrated molecular oscillations control the rhythmicity of numerous body events, such as feeding and sleep. The concept developed here is that molecular oscillations may favor seizure genesis at preferred times, generating the condition for a seizure rush hour. However, the condition is not sufficient, as other factors are necessary for a seizure to occur. Studying these molecular oscillations may help us understand seizure genesis mechanisms and find new therapeutic targets and predictive biomarkers. The MORE hypothesis can be generalized to comorbidities and the slower multidien (week/month period) rhythmicity of seizures, a phenomenon addressed in another article in this issue of Epilepsia.
Validation of a model to predict electroencephalographic seizures in critically ill children
Authors: Fung France W. , Parikh Darshana S. , Jacobwitz Marin , Vala Lisa , Donnelly Maureen , Wang Zi , Xiao Rui , Topjian Alexis A. , Abend Nicholas S. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveElectroencephalographic seizures (ESs) are common in encephalopathic critically ill children, but identification requires extensive resources for continuous electroencephalographic monitoring (CEEG). In a previous study, we developed a clinical prediction rule using three clinical variables (age, acute encephalopathy category, clinically evident seizure[s] prior to CEEG initiation) and two electroencephalographic (EEG) variables (EEG background category and interictal discharges within the first 30 minutes of EEG) to identify patients at high risk for ESs for whom CEEG might be essential. In the current study, we aimed to validate the ES prediction model using an independent cohort.MethodsThe prospectively acquired validation cohort consisted of 314 consecutive critically ill children treated in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of a quaternary care referral hospital with acute encephalopathy undergoing clinically indicated CEEG. We calculated test characteristics using the previously developed prediction model in the validation cohort. As in the generation cohort study, we selected a 0.10 cutpoint to emphasize sensitivity.ResultsThe incidence of ESs in the validation cohort was 22%. The generation and validation cohorts were alike in most clinical and EEG characteristics. The ES prediction model was well calibrated and well discriminating in the validation cohort. The model had a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 37%, positive predictive value of 28%, and negative predictive value of 93%. If applied, the model would limit 31% of patients from undergoing CEEG while failing to identify 10% of patients with ESs. The model had similar performance characteristics in the generation and validation cohorts.SignificanceA model employing five readily available clinical and EEG variables performed well when validated in a new consecutive cohort. Implementation would substantially reduce CEEG utilization, although some patients with ESs would not be identified. This model may serve a critical role in targeting limited CEEG resources to critically ill children at highest risk for ESs.
Persistent panmixia despite extreme habitat loss and population decline in the threatened tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor)
Authors: Barr Kelly , Beichman Annabel C. , Kalhori Pooneh , Rajbhandary Jasmine , Bay Rachael A. , Ruegg Kristen , Smith Thomas B. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHabitat loss and alteration has driven many species into decline, often to the point of requiring protection and intervention to avert extinction. Genomic data provide the opportunity to inform conservation and recovery efforts with details about vital evolutionary processes with a resolution far beyond that of traditional genetic approaches. The tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) has suffered severe losses during the previous century largely due to anthropogenic impacts on their habitat. Using a dataset composed of a whole genome paired with reduced representation libraries (RAD‐Seq) from samples collected across the species’ range, we find evidence for panmixia using multiple methods, including PCA (no geographic clustering), admixture analyses (ADMIXTURE and TESS conclude K = 1), and comparisons of genetic differentiation (average FST = 0.029). Demographic modeling approaches recovered an ancient decline that had a strong impact on genetic diversity but did not detect any effect from the known recent decline. We also did not detect any evidence for selection, and hence adaptive variation, at any site, either geographic or genomic. These results indicate that species continues to have high vagility across its range despite population decline and habitat loss and should be managed as a single unit.
From pools to flow: The PROMISE framework for new insights on soil carbon cycling in a changing world
Authors: Waring Bonnie G. , Sulman Benjamin N. , Reed Sasha , Smith A. Peyton , Averill Colin , Creamer Courtney A. , Cusack Daniela F. , Hall Steven J. , Jastrow Julie D. , Jilling Andrea , Kemner Kenneth M. , Kleber Markus , Liu Xiao‐Jun Allen , Pett‐Ridge Jennifer , Schulz Marjorie 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSoils represent the largest terrestrial reservoir of organic carbon, and the balance between soil organic carbon (SOC) formation and loss will drive powerful carbon‐climate feedbacks over the coming century. To date, efforts to predict SOC dynamics have rested on pool‐based models, which assume classes of SOC with internally homogenous physicochemical properties. However, emerging evidence suggests that soil carbon turnover is not dominantly controlled by the chemistry of carbon inputs, but rather by restrictions on microbial access to organic matter in the spatially heterogeneous soil environment. The dynamic processes that control the physicochemical protection of carbon translate poorly to pool‐based SOC models; as a result, we are challenged to mechanistically predict how environmental change will impact movement of carbon between soils and the atmosphere. Here, we propose a novel conceptual framework to explore controls on belowground carbon cycling: Probabilistic Representation of Organic Matter Interactions within the Soil Environment (PROMISE). In contrast to traditional model frameworks, PROMISE does not attempt to define carbon pools united by common thermodynamic or functional attributes. Rather, the PROMISE concept considers how SOC cycling rates are governed by the stochastic processes that influence the proximity between microbial decomposers and organic matter, with emphasis on their physical location in the soil matrix. We illustrate the applications of this framework with a new biogeochemical simulation model that traces the fate of individual carbon atoms as they interact with their environment, undergoing biochemical transformations and moving through the soil pore space. We also discuss how the PROMISE framework reshapes dialogue around issues related to SOC management in a changing world. We intend the PROMISE framework to spur the development of new hypotheses, analytical tools, and model structures across disciplines that will illuminate mechanistic controls on the flow of carbon between plant, soil, and atmospheric pools.
Generation of metabolically functional hepatocyte‐like cells from dedifferentiated fat cells by Foxa2, Hnf4a and Sall1 transduction
Authors: Hagiwara Reiko , Oki Yoshinao , Matsumaru Takashi , Ibayashi Shiho , Kano Koichiro 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMature adipocyte‐derived dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells have been identified to possess similar multipotency to mesenchymal stem cells, but a method for converting DFAT cells into hepatocytes was previously unknown. Here, using comprehensive analysis of gene expression profiles, we have extracted three transcription factors, namely Foxa2, Hnf4a and Sall1 (FHS), that can convert DFAT cells into hepatocytes. Hepatogenic induction has converted FHS‐infected DFAT cells into an epithelial‐like morphological state and promoted the expression of hepatocyte‐specific features. Furthermore, the DFAT‐derived hepatocyte‐like (D‐Hep) cells catalyzed the detoxification of several compounds. These results indicate that the transduction of DFAT cells with three genes, which were extracted by comprehensive gene expression analysis, efficiently generated D‐Hep cells with detoxification abilities similar to those of primary hepatocytes. Thus, D‐Hep cells may be useful as a new cell source for surrogate hepatocytes and may be applied to drug discovery studies, such as hepatotoxicity screening and drug metabolism tests.
The interprovincial slave trade from Rio de Janeiro, 1809–1833: An analysis of the Brazilian Institute of Applied Economic Research database
Authors: Cosby Katherine , Domingues da Silva Daniel B. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn the 19th century, Rio de Janeiro emerged as the largest slaving port in the Americas. Every year, ships, mainly from Brazil and Portugal, poured thousands of enslaved Africans in that port. But what happened to them after they disembarked? This paper examines a database of passports and other sources compiled by the Brazilian Institute of Applied Economic Research to address that question. It also discusses the challenges and methods of adjusting the database to an ongoing project focused on the intracontinental slave trade in the Americas from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The paper shows that, although Rio de Janeiro was the final destination for many slaves disembarked there, a significant proportion of them was re‐exported into the interprovincial traffic, to regions as distant as Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Rio Grande do Sul.
Clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and fluorescence in‐situ hybridisation features of early subungual melanoma: an analysis of 65 cases
Authors: Ren Min , Ren Jing , Cai Xu , Shen Xu‐Xia , Kong Jin‐Cheng , Dai Bo , Kong Yun‐Yi 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAimsVery limited data are available concerning the clinicopathological and molecular features of early subungual melanoma (SM), especially with regard to the Asian population. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical, histological, immunohistochemical and chromosomal features of early SM.Methods and resultsFifty‐two in‐situ and 13 thin (Breslow thickness ≤1.0 mm) SM cases were retrospectively reviewed. All patients presented with longitudinal melanonychia involving a single digit, and the thumb was the most affected digit (35 of 65, 53.8%). Microscopically, most cases showed small to medium nuclear enlargement (58 of 65) and mild to moderate nuclear atypia (57 of 65). Hyperchromatism and irregular contours of nuclei were persistent features in all cases. The variation of melanocyte count (the number of melanocytes per mm dermal‐epithelial junction) ranged from 31 to 255. Intra‐epithelial mitoses were identified in 34 cases (52.3%). Statistically, features of in‐situ lesions including higher melanocyte count (>70), presence of multinucleated melanocytes, inflammatory infiltrate and cutaneous adnexal extension, were associated with early invasion. Melan‐A, human melanoma B (HMB)45, mouse monoclonal melanoma antibody (PNL2) and SOX10 antibodies (>95.0%) showed superior diagnostic sensitivity to S‐100 protein (83.1%). Fluorescence in‐situ hybridisation (FISH) results were positive in 15 of 23 successfully analysed cases.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this is the largest single‐institution study of early SM in an Asian population, and the largest cohort tested by FISH. Early SM mainly showed small to medium nuclear enlargement and mild to moderate nuclear atypia. High melanocyte count, hyperchromatism and irregular contours of nuclei and intra‐epithelial mitoses are crucial diagnostic parameters. Immunohistochemistry, especially SOX10 staining, and FISH analysis are valuable in the diagnosis of SM.
Infants' discrimination of consonant contrasts in the presence and absence of talker variability
Authors: Quam Carolyn , Clough Lauren , Knight Sara , Gerken LouAnn 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTo learn speech‐sound categories, infants must identify the acoustic dimensions that differentiate categories and selectively attend to them as opposed to irrelevant dimensions. Variability on irrelevant acoustic dimensions can aid formation of robust categories in infants through adults in tasks such as word learning (e.g., Rost and McMurray, 2009) or speech‐sound learning (e.g., Lively et al., 1993). At the same time, variability sometimes overwhelms learners, interfering with learning and processing. Two prior studies (Kuhl & Miller, 1982; Jusczyk, Pisoni, & Mullennix, 1992) found that irrelevant variability sometimes impaired early sound discrimination. We asked whether variability would impair or facilitate discrimination for older infants, comparing 7.5‐month‐old infants' discrimination of an early acquired native contrast, /p/ vs. /b/ (in the word forms /pIm/ vs. /bIm/), in Experiment 1, with an acoustically subtle, non‐native contrast, /n/ vs. /ŋ/ (in /nIm/ vs. /ŋIm/), in Experiment 2. Words were spoken by one or four talkers. Infants discriminated the native but not the non‐native contrast, and there were no significant effects of talker condition. We discuss implications for theories of phonological learning and avenues for future research.
Growth of thin film ferroelectric PZT, PHT, and antiferroelectric PHO from atomic layer deposition precursors
Authors: Strnad Nicholas A. , Hanrahan Brendan M. , Potrepka Daniel M. , Pulskamp Jeffrey S. , Phaneuf Raymond J. , Polcawich Ronald G. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe present a conformal method of growing ferroelectric lead hafnate‐titanate (PbHfxTi1−xO3, PHT) and lead zirconate‐titanate (PbZrxTi1−xO3, PZT) using atomic layer deposition (ALD) precursors. The 4+ cation precursors consist of tetrakis dimethylamino titanium (TDMAT), tetrakis dimethylamino zirconium (TDMAZ) and tetrakis dimethyl amino hafnium (TDMAH) for Ti, Zr, and Hf, respectively. The Pb (2+) precursor was Lead bis(3‐N,N‐dimethyl‐2‐methyl‐2‐propanoxide) [Pb(DMAMP)2]. PZT was limited to lead titanate (PTO)‐rich compositions, where x <0.25 for PbZrxTi1−xO3, and exhibited a remnant polarization of 26‐27 µC/cm2 with a coercive field between 150 and 170 kV/cm. The 3D‐structure coating capability of PZT was demonstrated by deposition on micromachined trench sidewalls 45 µm deep. We fabricated Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) cantilever arrays with PZT thin films grown using the present method and demonstrated piezoelectric actuation. Alternatively, PHT was deposited with Ti and Hf compositions within ±1 at.% of the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). The PHT exhibited a remanent polarization of 7.0‐8.7 µC/cm2 with a coercive field between 84‐100 kV/cm. We applied the same Pb and Hf precursors from the PHT process to grow antiferroelectric lead‐hafnate (PHO), which showed the characteristic electric field‐induced ferroelectric phase transition at approximately ±280 kV/cm and a maximum polarization of approximately ±32.8 µC/cm2.
Zinc Finger Protein ZBTB20 protects against cardiac remodelling post‐myocardial infarction via ROS‐TNFα/ASK1/JNK pathway regulation
Authors: Li Fangfang , Yang Yiming , Xue Chuanyou , Tan Mengtong , Xu Lu , Gao Jianbo , Xu Luhong , Zong Jing , Qian Wenhao 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis study aims to determine the efficacy of Zinc finger protein ZBTB20 in treatment of post‐infarction cardiac remodelling. For this purpose, left anterior descending (LAD) ligation was operated on mice to induce myocardial infarction (MI) with sham control group as contrast and adeno‐associated virus (AAV9) system was used to deliver ZBTB20 to mouse heart by myocardial injection with vehicle‐injected control group as contrast two weeks before MI surgery. Then four weeks after MI, vehicle‐treated mice with left ventricular (LV) remodelling underwent deterioration of cardiac function, with symptoms of hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis, inflammation and apoptosis. The vehicle‐injected mice also showed increase of infarct size and decrease of survival rate. Meanwhile, the ZBTB20‐overexpressed mice displayed improvement after MI. Moreover, the anti‐apoptosis effect of ZBTB20 was further confirmed in H9c2 cells subjected to hypoxia in vitro. Further study suggested that ZBTB20 exerts cardioprotection by inhibiting tumour necrosis factor α/apoptosis signal‐regulating kinase 1 (ASK1)/c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2) signalling, which was confirmed by shRNA‐JNK adenoviruses transfection or a JNK activator in vitro as well as ASK1 overexpression in vivo. In summary, our data suggest that ZBTB20 could alleviate cardiac remodelling post‐MI. Thus, administration of ZBTB20 can be considered as a promising treatment strategy for heart failure post‐MI.Significance Statement: ZBTB20 could alleviate cardiac remodelling post‐MI via inhibition of ASK1/JNK1/2 signalling.
Microeukaryotic Communities Associated With the Seagrass Zostera marina Are Spatially Structured
Authors: Trevizan Segovia Bianca , Sanders‐Smith Rhea , Adamczyk Emily M. , Forbes Coreen , Hessing‐Lewis Margot , O’Connor Mary I. , Parfrey Laura Wegener 
Published: October 2020

AbstractEpibiotic microorganisms link seagrass productivity to higher trophic levels, but little is known about the processes structuring these communities, and which taxa consistently associate with seagrass. We investigated epibiotic microeukaryotes on seagrass (Zostera marina) leaves, substrates, and planktonic microeukaryotes in ten meadows in the Northeast Pacific. Seagrass epibiotic communities are distinct from planktonic and substrate communities. We found sixteen core microeukaryotes, including dinoflagellates, diatoms, and saprotrophic stramenopiles. Some likely use seagrass leaves as a substrate, others for grazing, or they may be saprotrophic organisms involved in seagrass decomposition or parasites; their relatives have been previously reported from marine sediments and in association with other hosts such as seaweeds. Core microeukaryotes were spatially structured, and none were ubiquitous across meadows. Seagrass epibiota were more spatially structured than planktonic communities, mostly due to spatial distance and changes in abiotic conditions across space. Seawater communities were relatively more similar in composition across sites and more influenced by the environmental component, but more variable over time. Core and transient taxa were both mostly structured by spatial distance and the abiotic environment, with little effect of host attributes, further indicating that those core taxa would not show a strong specific association with Z. marina.
Increased odds ratio for COVID‐19 in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis
Authors: Katz Joseph , Yue Sijia 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe ACE2 receptor, the binding sites for the COVID‐19, is expressed abundantly in the oral cavity, raising the question of whether the mouth is a target for the virus in addition to organs such as kidneys and lungs. Recently, a flurry of individual case reports on oral manifestation of COVID‐19 including ulceration, blistering lesions, and stomatitis were published. However, it is not clear whether the oral presentations that are not unique to the virus are indeed related to the virus and appear at a higher prevalence than in the general population. We used the i2b2 platform of hospital patient's registry to determine the odds ratio for COVID‐19 in patients that were diagnosed with recurrent aphthous stomatitis, an entity restricted to the oral cavity. The overall odds ratio for COVID‐19 in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis before adjustments was 14 and after adjustment for gender, race, and age was 13.9, 6.5, and 2.93, respectively. The odds ratio remained increased after adjustments of the comorbidities such as respiratory disease, endocrine disease, obesity, diabetes, circulatory disease, and smoking and was 3.66, 7.46, 4.6, 10.54, 7.37, and 7.52, respectively. When adjusted for recurrent aphthous stomatitis, the respiratory disease had an odd ratio of 8.56 to be associated with COVID‐19. African American race and age‐group 18‐34 were additional significant risk factors. The present study has demonstrated a significant association between COVID‐19 and RAS; however, additional longitudinal and laboratory studies are necessary to establish a cause and effect relationship between these 2 conditions.