bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in vaginal swabs of women with acute SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: a prospective study
Authors: Schwartz A , Yogev Y , Zilberman A , Alpern S , Many A , Yousovich R , Gamzu R 
Published: October 2020

ObjectiveTo determine whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is present in the vaginal secretions of both reproductive‐aged and postmenopausal women during acute SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.DesignProspective study.SettingA single tertiary, university‐affiliated medical centre in Israel. Time period, 1 June 2020 through to 31 July 2020.PopulationWomen who were hospitalised in a single tertiary medical centre, who were diagnosed with acute SARS‐CoV‐2 infection by a nasopharyngeal RT‐PCR test.MethodsWomen were diagnosed with acute SARS‐CoV‐2 infection by a nasopharyngeal RT‐PCR test. Vaginal RT‐PCR swabs were obtained from all study participants after a proper cleansing of the perineum.Main outcome measuresDetection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in vaginal RT‐PCR swabs.ResultsVaginal and nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained from 35 women, aged 21–93 years. Twenty‐one women (60%) were in their reproductive years, of whom, five were in their third trimester of pregnancy. Most of the participants (57%) were healthy without any underlying medical conditions. Of the 35 patients sampled, 2 (5.7%) had a positive vaginal RT‐PCR for SARS‐CoV‐2, one was premenopausal and the other was a postmenopausal woman. Both women had mild disease.ConclusionOur findings contradict most previous reports, which did not detect the presence of viral colonisation in the vagina. Although passage through the birth canal exposes neonates to the vaginal polymicrobial flora, an acquisition of pathogens does not necessarily mandate neonatal infection or clinical disease. Nevertheless, when delivering the infant of a woman with acute SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, a clinician should consider the possibility of vaginal colonisation, even if it is uncommon.Tweetable abstractWhen delivering the infant of a woman with acute SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, a clinician should consider the possibility of vaginal colonisation.
Somatotropic‐Testicular Axis: A crosstalk between GH/IGF‐I and gonadal hormones during development, transition, and adult age
Authors: Tenuta Marta , Carlomagno Francesco , Cangiano Biagio , Kanakis George , Pozza Carlotta , Sbardella Emilia , Isidori Andrea M. , Krausz Csilla , Gianfrilli Daniele 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal (HPG) and hypothalamic‐pituitary‐somatotropic (HPS) axes are strongly interconnected. Interactions between these axes are complex and poorly understood. These interactions are characterized by redundancies in reciprocal influences at each level of regulation and the combination of endocrine and paracrine effects that change during development.ObjectivesTo comprehensively review the crosstalk between the HPG and HPS axes and related pathological and clinical aspects during various life stages of male subjects.Materials and methodsA thorough search of publications available in PubMed was performed using proper keywords.ResultsMolecular studies confirmed the expressions of growth hormone (GH) and insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) receptors on the HPG axis and reproductive organs, indicating a possible interaction between HPS and HPG axes at various levels. Insulin growth factors participate in sexual differentiation during fetal development, indicating that normal HPS axis activity is required for proper testicular development. IGF‐I contributes to correct testicular position during minipuberty, determines linear growth during childhood, and promotes puberty onset and pace through gonadotropin‐releasing hormone activation. IGF‐I levels are high during transition age, even when linear growth is almost complete, suggesting its role in reproductive tract maturation. Patients with GH deficiency (GHD) and insensitivity (GHI) exhibit delayed puberty and impaired genital development; replacement therapy in such patients induces proper pubertal development. In adults, few studies have suggested that lower IGF‐I levels are associated with impaired sperm parameters.Discussion and conclusionThe role of GH‐IGF‐I in testicular development remains largely unexplored. However, it is important to evaluate gonadic development in children with GHD. Additionally, HPS axis function should be evaluated in children with urogenital malformation or gonadal development alterations. Correct diagnosis and prompt therapeutic intervention are needed for healthy puberty, attainment of complete gonadal development during transition age, and fertility potential in adulthood.
Serum amylase elevation following pancreatoduodenectomy with pancreatogastrostomy is strongly associated with major complications
Authors: Zimmitti Giuseppe , Langella Serena , Sega Valentina , Manzoni Alberto , Bogoni Selene , Russolillo Nadia , Ferrero Alessandro , Rosso Edoardo 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundRecent reports suggest that, following pancreatic resection, serum amylase elevation (SAE) may be a surrogate indicator of post‐operative acute pancreatitis (PAP) and predict post‐operative pancreatic fistula (POPF). However, POPF may not account for the majority of complications when pancreatoenteric continuity is restored by pancreatogastrostomy. We aimed to evaluate, among patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy with pancreatogastrostomy, the correlation between SAE, radiological changes consistent with PAP and types of post‐operative complications overall and specific for pancreatic surgery.MethodsPerioperative data from 102 patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy with pancreatogastrostomy at two Italian hospitals (January 2015–January 2017) were retrospectively analysed. SAE was defined as serum amylase more than three times the normal concentration at post‐operative day 1. Post‐operative abdominal computed tomography scan was routinely performed and retrospectively and blindly re‐assessed for findings consistent with PAP.ResultsAmong 102 study patients, overall and major complications and mortality occurred in 68% and 24% and 3% of cases, respectively. POPF and post‐pancreatectomy haemorrhage (PPH) occurred in 12% and 21%, respectively. In 75% of patients developing PPH, it occurred in the absence of POPF. SAE occurred in 36 patients who, compared to 66 non‐SAE patients, more frequently showed computed tomography scan findings consistent with pancreatic stump inflammation (P = 0.002), confirming association between SAE and PAP. SAE was independently associated with the occurrence of major complications, POPF and PPH (hazard ratio (HR) 3.27, P = 0.032; HR 3.94, P = 0.012; HR 12.26, P = 0.002).ConclusionSAE can be considered a valid surrogate of PAP and is strongly associated with a higher rate of post‐operative major complications, both overall and specific for pancreatic resection.
Breast reconstruction in South Western Sydney
Authors: Karimi Neda , Descallar Joseph , Girgis Afaf , Soon Patsy S. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe rates of breast reconstruction in Australian patients of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds are currently unknown. This retrospective study determined the rate of breast reconstruction in women who had mastectomy as treatment for breast cancer at public hospitals in South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) – a culturally diverse health district in New South Wales, Australia – and compared the rate of reconstruction in the CALD and non‐CALD populations.MethodsThe demographic and clinical data of all female patients who had mastectomy with or without reconstruction for treatment of breast cancer at the five public hospitals in SWSLHD between January 2006 and December 2015 were obtained from the clinical information department of each hospital and from electronic medical records.ResultsThe average rate of reconstruction in SWSLHD was 9.4% for 2006–2015. Although the reconstruction rate was higher among English‐speaking women (9.9%) compared to women from a CALD background (8.6%), the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.57). The type (autologous versus implant) and timing (immediate versus delayed) of reconstruction did not differ between groups (P = 0.19 and P = 0.22, respectively). The Index of Relative Socio‐Economic Disadvantage was not significantly associated with reconstruction (P = 0.74). However, younger patients were more likely to have reconstruction (P < 0.0001) and patients with adjuvant therapy were more likely to have a delayed reconstruction (P = 0.01).ConclusionThis study found a low breast reconstruction rate in public hospitals in SWSLHD. The reconstruction rate did not differ between CALD or English‐speaking patients, or between patients from diverse socio‐economic backgrounds.
Consent for spine surgery: an observational study
Authors: Li Ching Ng Angela , McRobb Lucinda S. , White Sarah J. , Cartmill John A. , Cyna Allan M. , Seex Kevin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe tension between the ideal of informed consent and the reality of the process is under‐investigated in spine surgery. Guidelines around consent imply a logical, plain‐speaking process with a clear endpoint, agreement and signature yet surgeons' surveys and patient interviews suggest that surgeons' explanation is anecdotally variable and patient understanding remains poor. To obtain a more authentic reflection of practice, spine surgeons obtaining ‘informed consent’ for non‐instrumented spine surgery were studied via video recording and risk/benefit discussions were analysed.MethodsA prospective observational study was conducted at a single neurosurgical institution. Twelve video recordings involving six surgeons obtaining an informed consent for non‐instrumented spine surgery were transcribed verbatim and blindly analysed using descriptive quantification and linguistic ethnography.ResultsTen (83%) consultations discussed surgical benefit but less than half (41%) quantified the likelihood of benefit from surgery. The most discussed risks were nerve damage or paralysis (92%), bleeding (92%), infection (92%), cerebrospinal fluid leak (83%) and bowel and bladder dysfunction (75%). Surgeons commonly used a quantitative statement of risk (58%) but only half of the risks were explained in words patients were likely to understand.ConclusionsThis study highlights inconsistencies in the way spine surgeons explain risks and obtain informed consent for ‘simple’ spine procedures in a real‐world setting. There are wide disparities in the provision of informed consent, which may be encountered in other surgical fields. Direct observation and qualitative analysis can provide insights into the limitations of current informed consent practice and help guide future practice.
Interleukin‐1 receptor‐associated kinase‐4 gene variation may increase post‐bronchiolitis asthma risk
Authors: Korppi Matti , Teräsjärvi Johanna , Lauhkonen Eero , Törmänen Sari , He Qiushui , Nuolivirta Kirsi 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAimEvidence based on studies of the encoding genes suggests that interleukin‐1 receptor‐associated kinase‐4 (IRAK4) plays a role in childhood asthma and allergy. Our aim was to evaluate the associations of six IRAK4 gene polymorphisms with presence of asthma and allergic rhinitis and use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) for asthma at 5‐7 and 11‐13 years of ages after hospitalisation for bronchiolitis at younger than 6 months of age.MethodsIRAK4 rs4251513, rs4251520, rs4251522, rs4251578, rs79154645 and rs13852554 polymorphisms were determined in 141 former bronchiolitis patients prospectively followed up until 5‐7 and in 125 children until 11‐13 years of age.ResultsThe homozygous variant IRAK4 rs4251513 genotype was associated with the presence of asthma and allergic rhinitis and use of ICSs at 5‐7 and 11‐13 years of ages in univariate analyses. Statistical significance remained for the presence of asthma and use of ICSs but was lost in the case of allergic rhinitis in multivariate analyses. The adjusted odds ratios were 3.48 and 4.16 for asthma and 5.22 and 14.00 for ICS use at these two ages.ConclusionThe homozygous variant IRAK4 rs4251513 genotype was constantly associated with post‐bronchiolitis asthma and asthma medication in school‐aged children.
Is Passive Sport Engagement Positively Associated with Happiness?
Authors: Lera‐López Fernando , Ollo‐López Andrea , Sánchez‐Santos José Manuel 
Published: October 2020

BackgroundPrevious empirical evidence has shown the positive relationship between happiness or subjective well‐being (SWB) and sport participation. Nevertheless, passive sport participation has traditionally been ignored as a correlate with happiness.MethodsBased on a sample of 1,632 Spanish people, one ordered probit model and three extended ordered probit models with an ordinal endogenous covariate technique and robust standard errors were applied.ResultsWe find that different forms of passive sport participation—such as frequency of attending sporting events and a set of other forms of passive sports participation such as watching sports on TV, listening to sports programmes, reading sports news, and talking to others about sports—are positively associated with happiness.ConclusionsThe results indicate that passive sport participation generally appears to have a closer relationship with individual happiness than active sport participation and emphasise the role played by some forms of sport participation as a source of relational goods. This current research extends the field’s understanding of sport participation and happiness, including passive participation, and the relevance of social interactions to account for this association. Finally, the relational aspect of different forms of sport participation offers new implications for the analysis of sport engagement and happiness.
Robust methods to correct for measurement error when evaluating a surrogate marker
Authors: Parast Layla , Garcia Tanya P. , Prentice Ross L. , Carroll Raymond J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe identification of valid surrogate markers of disease or disease progression has the potential to decrease the length and costs of future studies. Most available methods that assess the value of a surrogate marker ignore the fact that surrogates are often measured with error. Failing to adjust for measurement error can erroneously identify a useful surrogate marker as not useful or vice versa. We investigate and propose robust methods to correct for the effect of measurement error when evaluating a surrogate marker using multiple estimators developed for parametric and nonparametric estimates of the proportion of treatment effect explained by the surrogate marker. In addition, we quantify the attenuation bias induced by measurement error and develop inference procedures to allow for variance and confidence interval estimation. Through a simulation study, we show that our proposed estimators correct for measurement error in the surrogate marker and that our inference procedures perform well in finite samples. We illustrate these methods by examining a potential surrogate marker that is measured with error, hemoglobin A1c, using data from the Diabetes Prevention Program clinical trial.
The influence of mantle flow on intracontinental basins: Three examples from Australia
Authors: Young Alexander , Flament Nicolas , Hall Lisa , Merdith Andrew 
Published: October 2020

AbstractDuring the Paleozoic, sedimentary basins developed within Gondwana without evolving to diverging plate boundaries. Such intracontinental basins present long subsidence histories with multiple phases of accelerated subsidence that are not always easily explained by far‐field tectonic forces, and may be driven by processes other than rifting and thermal subsidence. Here we investigate the subsidence of Paleozoic Australian intracontinental basins by comparing one‐dimensional backstripped tectonic subsidence histories from the western Australian Canning and Southern Carnarvon Basins and the central Australian Cooper Basin to forward subsidence models for pure shear lithospheric thinning. We make the hypothesis that differences between observed and model subsidence may be explained by mantle‐flow driven topography, in addition to tectonic forces. To test this hypothesis, we compute dynamic topography from the first geodynamic models of mantle flow spanning the entire Phanerozoic Eon, and we analyse the relationship between dynamic topography and anomalous basin subsidence to dynamic topography and mantle flow. Although reconstructions of mantle flow in deep geological times are uncertain, our results suggest that long‐wavelength dynamic topography could explain aspects of the complex tectonic histories intracontinental basins. In the presented reconstruction of mantle flow, topographic rebound following the sinking of a Cambrian aged slab resulted in a minor phase of dynamic uplift in the Cooper Basin in middle Permian times. Throughout Carboniferous‐Triassic times Australia was positioned above a mantle upwelling driven by a hot structure at the base of the mantle. Structural uplift in the Canning and Southern Carnarvon basins during the Triassic‐Jurassic interval was augmented by dynamic uplift produced by that large‐scale upwelling, and possibly augmented by a focused active mantle plume during the Permo‐Triassic. In Late Jurassic‐Cretaceous times, Australia drifted east away from the mantle upwelling, resulting in a period of subsidence in the Canning and Southern Carnarvon basins. During the Cretaceous the Cooper Basin moved over a downwelling produced by long‐lived subduction along the east Australian margin, resulting in a period of accelerated subsidence.
How should a clever baboon choose and move rocks?
Authors: Maré Celesté , Landman Marietjie , Kerley Graham I. H. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractChacma baboons (Papio ursinus) intentionally overturn rocks to feed on the invertebrates beneath. However, baboons do not move all the rocks they encounter, with this presumably reflecting cost–benefit (or effort–reward) trade‐offs in their foraging behavior. We ask, how do “clever baboons” choose rock sizes and shapes and move these rocks? Using optimal foraging theory, we predicted that baboons would prefer to move medium‐sized rocks, a trade‐off between moving larger rocks that might require more effort to move, and smaller rocks that likely do not provide enough prey (the reward) to make the effort worthwhile. We also expected baboons to prefer rounded rocks as these will require less energy to move by rolling (rather than being flipped as for flat rocks) and that the effort of rock movement might be offset by moving rocks along the shortest axis. We show that baboons have clear preferences for specific rock sizes (medium‐sized) and shapes (angular and flat when these were medium‐sized), and the way in which rocks are moved (along the shortest axis). Prey occurred infrequently under rocks. The low predictability of prey beneath rocks suggests that such prey, when encountered, is of considerable value to baboons for them to expend the search effort, and also explains the extensive nature of rock movement by baboons in the landscape. Our study provides a novel application of the optimal foraging theory concept and has important implications for understanding and predicting how animals choose to move rocks.
Different subsets of haematopoietic cells and immune cells in bone marrow between young and older donors
Authors: Yao W-L , Wen Q , Zhao H-Y , Tang S-Q , Zhang Y-Y , Wang Y , Xu L-P , Zhang X-H , Huang X-J , Kong Y 
Published: October 2020

Summary
Young donors are reported to be associated with better transplant outcomes than older donors in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), but the mechanism is still unclear. The current study compared the different subsets of haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and their progenitors as well as immune cells in bone marrow (BM) between young and older donors. The frequencies of HSCs, multipotent progenitors (MPPs) and myeloid progenitors, including common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) and megakaryocyte–erythroid progenitors (MEPs), were decreased, whereas those of lymphoid progenitors, including multi-potent lymphoid progenitors (MLPs) and common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs), were increased in the BM of young donors compared with in that of older donors. Lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were observed in BM HSCs and six progenitor lines in young donors. Furthermore, young donors demonstrated higher frequencies of naive T cells and immune suppressor cells, such as alternative macrophages (M2) and lower frequencies of memory T cells and immune effectors, including T helper-1 and T cytotoxic-1 cells, in BM than older donors. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that donor age was independently correlated with BM HSC frequency. Although further validation is required, our results suggest that the differences in the frequency and immune differentiation potential of HSCs in BM between young donors and older donors may partly explain the different outcomes of allo-HSCT.
microRNA exchange via extracellular vesicles in cancer
Authors: Vu Luyen Tien , Gong Jinhua , Pham Thach Tuan , Kim Yeokyeong , Le Minh T. N. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCells utilize different means of inter‐cellular communication to function properly. Here, we review the crosstalk between cancer cells and their surrounding environment through microRNA (miRNA)‐containing extracellular vesicles (EVs). The current findings suggest that the export of miRNAs and uptake of miRNA‐containing EVs might be an active process. As post‐transcriptional regulators of gene expression, cancer‐derived miRNAs that are taken up by normal cells can change the translational profile of the recipient cell towards a transformed proteome. Stromal cells can also deliver miRNAs via EVs to cancer cells to support tumour growth and cancer progression. Therefore, gaining a better understanding of EV‐mediated inter‐cellular communication in the tumour microenvironment might lead to the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
High collocation of sand lance and protected top predators: Implications for conservation and management
Authors: Silva Tammy L. , Wiley David N. , Thompson Michael A. , Hong Peter , Kaufman Les , Suca Justin J. , Llopiz Joel K. , Baumann Hannes , Fay Gavin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSpatial relationships between predators and prey provide critical information for understanding and predicting climate‐induced shifts in ecosystem dynamics and mitigating human impacts. We used Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary as a case study to investigate spatial overlap among sand lance (Ammodytes dubius), a key forage fish species, and two protected predators: humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and great shearwaters (Ardenna gravis). We conducted 6 years (2013–2018) of standardized surveys and quantified spatial overlap using the global index of collocation. Results showed strong, consistent collocation among species across seasons and years, suggesting that humpback whales and great shearwater distributions are tightly linked to sand lance. We propose that identifying sand lance habitats may indicate areas where humpbacks and shearwaters aggregate and are particularly vulnerable to human activities. Understanding how sand lance influence predator distributions can inform species protection and sanctuary management under present and future scenarios.