bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implications of HIV Self-Testing for Other Sexually Transmissible Infection Testing and Broader Sexual Health Needs: A Mixed-Methods Study of Gay and Bisexual Men in Australia
Authors: Leitinger David , Ryan Kathleen , Wilkinson Anna Lee , Pedrana Alisa , Hellard Margaret , Stoové Mark 
Published: October 2020

Background
Although HIV self-tests can support frequent HIV testing, their impact on attending clinics for other sexually transmissible infection (STI) testing and sexual health care is largely unknown. We explored intentions to use HIV self-tests and how this might affect patterns of attending sexual health services among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) in Victoria, Australia.

Methods
Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men self-completed an online survey between March 10 and June 10, 2019. Among GBM reporting lifetime HIV testing and intentions to self-test at least once annually, we used logistic regression to identify correlates of intending to replace clinic-based HIV testing with self-tests. Qualitative interviews with purposively selected survey participants undertaken between May and June 2019 explored the implications of self-testing on clinic-based sexual health care.

Results
Of the 279 survey participants, 79 (29%) reported they would replace most or all clinic-based HIV tests with self-tests, with longer time since last testing for HIV and younger age associated with reporting this outcome in the multivariate analysis. Qualitative interviews revealed different perceived roles for self-tests and clinic-based testing, and the importance of integrating HIV self-tests within broader sexual health routines.

Conclusions
Although GBM see a distinct role for HIV self-testing, its rollout will likely result in missed opportunities for clinic-based STI testing and education for some GBM, particularly among younger and less-recently tested GBM. Convenient, non–clinic-based approaches to STI testing are needed alongside support platforms to maximize the benefits of HIV self-testing within comprehensive sexual health routines.
Surgical and Neurological Outcome of Minimally Invasive Thymectomy in Patients With Myasthenia Gravis: An Experience of 100 Cases Over 6 Years at a Tertiary Care Center in North India
Authors: Parshad Rajinder , Verma Eshan , Suhani Suhani , Goyal Vinay , Bhatia Rohit , Sharma Raju , Datta Gupta Siddhartha 
Published: October 2020

Background:
Minimally invasive thymectomy (MIT) is emerging as an effective alternative to open thymectomy in the management of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). The primary objective of our study is to assess the surgical and neurological outcome of MIT in patients with MG.

Materials and Methods:
It is a retrospective evaluation of prospectively collected data of 100 patients with MG, who underwent MIT from April 2012 to January 2018 at a tertiary care center in India. Surgical outcome was assessed for success of minimal invasive approach, conversion, perioperative morbidity, and postoperative hospital course. Neurological outcome was assessed, after at least 1 year of follow-up, according to Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America postintervention status. Factors predicting complete stable remission (CSR) were evaluated.

Results:
MIT was successfully performed in 98% patients with 2% conversion. There was no mortality. Overall, 10% of patients had perioperative morbidity with 5% having exacerbation of neurological symptoms. Two of these needed postoperative ventilation, whereas 3 recovered on conservative treatment. Median operative time and hospital stay were 140 minutes and 3 days, respectively. At a median follow-up of 47 months, CSR was seen in 20% with improvement in 73.3%. Overall, 63% patients were taken off steroids and patients requiring 3 drugs decreased by 70.7%. There was significant reduction in the dosage of pyridostigmine (P<0.001), prednisolone (P<0.001), and azathioprine (P=0.002) after thymectomy. Milder disease (Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America class 1 and 2) predicted CSR on multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:
MIT is a safe and effective procedure that leads to improvement in neurological status with significant reduction in number and dosage of medications after thymectomy. Mild disease predicts CSR.
Word detection in individual subjects is difficult to probe with fast periodic visual stimulation
Authors: Barnes Lydia , Petit Selene , Badcock Nicholas , Whyte Christopher , Woolgar Alexandra 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMeasuring cognition in single subjects presents unique challenges. Yet individually sensitive measurements offer extraordinary opportunities, from informing theoretical models to enabling truly individualised clinical assessment. Here, we test the robustness of fast, periodic, visual stimulation (FPVS), an emerging method proposed to elicit detectable responses to written words in the electroencephalogram (EEG) of individual subjects. The method is non-invasive, passive, and requires only a few minutes of testing, making it a potentially powerful tool to test comprehension in those who do not speak or who struggle with long testing procedures. In an initial study, Lochy et al. (2015) used FPVS to detect word processing in 8 out of 10 fluent French readers. Here, we attempted to replicate their study in a new sample of ten fluent English readers. Participants viewed rapid streams of pseudo-words with words embedded at regular intervals, while we recorded their EEG. Based on Lochy et al., we expected that words would elicit a steady-state response at the word-presentation frequency (2 Hz) over parieto-occipital electrode sites. However, across 40 datasets (10 participants, two conditions, and two regions of interest - ROIs), only four datasets met the criteria for a unique response to words. This corresponds to a 10% detection rate. We conclude that FPVS should be developed further before it can serve as an individually-sensitive measure of written word processing.
The evolution of two distinct strategies of moth flight
Authors: Aiello Brett R. , Sikandar Usama Bin , Minoguchi Hajime , Bhinderwala Burhanuddin , Hamilton Chris A. , Kawahara Akito Y. , Sponberg Simon 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAcross insects, wing shape and size have undergone dramatic divergence even in closely related sister groups, but we do not yet know morphology changes in tandem with kinematics to support body weight within available aerodynamic power and how the specific force production patterns are linked to changes in behavior. Hawkmoths and wild silkmoths are two such diverse sister families with divergent wing morphology. Using 3d kinematics and quasi-steady aerodynamic modeling, we compare the aerodynamics and the contributions of wing shape, size, and kinematics in 10 moth species. We find that wing movement also diverges between the clades and underlies two distinct strategies for flight. Hawkmoths use wing kinematics, especially high frequencies, to enhance force, but wing morphologies that reduces power. Silkmoths use wing morphology to enhance force, and high amplitude wingstrokes to reduce power. Both strategies converge on similar aerodynamic power and can support similar body mass ranges, but their within-wingstroke force profiles are quite different and linked to the hovering flight of hawkmoths and the bobbing flight of silkmoths. These two groups of moths each fly more like other, distantly related insects than they do each other, demonstrating the convergence and diversity of flapping flight evolution.
SARS-CoV-2 desensitizes host cells to interferon through inhibition of the JAK-STAT pathway
Authors: Chen Da-Yuan , Khan Nazimuddin , Close Brianna J. , Goel Raghuveera K. , Blum Benjamin , Tavares Alexander H. , Kenney Devin , Conway Hasahn L. , Ewoldt Jourdan K. , Kapell Sebastian , Chitalia Vipul C. , Crossland Nicholas A. , Chen Christopher S. , Kotton Darrell N. , Baker Susan C. , Connor John H. , Douam Florian , Emili Andrew , Saeed Mohsan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 can infect multiple organs, including lung, intestine, kidney, heart, liver, and brain. The molecular details of how the virus navigates through diverse cellular environments and establishes replication are poorly defined. Here, we performed global proteomic analysis of the virus-host interface in a newly established panel of phenotypically diverse, SARS-CoV-2-infectable human cell lines representing different body organs. This revealed universal inhibition of interferon signaling across cell types following SARS-CoV-2 infection. We performed systematic analyses of the JAK-STAT pathway in a broad range of cellular systems, including immortalized cell lines and primary-like cardiomyocytes, and found that several pathway components were targeted by SARS-CoV-2 leading to cellular desensitization to interferon. These findings indicate that the suppression of interferon signaling is a mechanism widely used by SARS-CoV-2 in diverse tissues to evade antiviral innate immunity, and that targeting the viral mediators of immune evasion may help block virus replication in patients with COVID-19.
Multiomics study of a heterotardigrade,Echinisicus testudo, suggests convergent evolution of anhydrobiosis-related proteins in Tardigrada
Authors: Murai Yumi , Yagi-Utsumi Maho , Fujiwara Masayuki , Tomita Masaru , Kato Koichi , Arakawa Kazuharu 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMany limno-terrestrial tardigrades can enter an ametabolic state upon desiccation, in which the animals can withstand extreme environments. To date, studies of the molecular mechanism have predominantly investigated the class Eutardigrada, and that in the Heterotardigrada, remains elusive. To this end, we report a multiomics study of the heterotardigradeEchiniscus testudo, which is one of the most desiccation-tolerant species. None of the previously identified tardigrade-specific anhydrobiosis-related genes was conserved, while the loss and expansion of existing pathways were partly shared. Furthermore, we identified two families of novel abundant heat-soluble proteins and the proteins exhibited structural changes from random coil to α-helix as the water content decreasedin vitro. These characteristics are analogous to those of anhydrobiosis-related protein in eutardigrades, while there is no conservation at the sequence level. Our results suggest that Heterotardigrada have partly shared but distinct anhydrobiosis machinery compared with Eutardigrada, possibly due to convergent evolution within Tardigrada.
Differential sensitivity to hypoxia enables shape-based classification of sickle cell disease and trait blood samples
Authors: D’Costa Claudy , Sharma Oshin , Manna Riddha , Singh Minakshi , Samrat  , Singh Srushti , Mahto Anish , Govil Pratiksha , Satti Sampath , Mehendale Ninad , Italia Yazdi , Paul Debjani 
Published: October 2020

AbstractDifferentiating between homozygous (disease) and heterozygous (trait) sickle cell patients is the key to ensuring appropriate long-term disease management. Well-equipped labs needed to perform confirmatory diagnostic tests are not available in endemic areas of most low- and medium-income countries. As a consequence of hemoglobin polymerization, red blood cells (RBCs) become sickle shaped and stiff under hypoxic conditions in sickle cell anemia patients. A simple test such as microscopy, using RBC shape as a biophysical marker, cannot conclusively differentiate between homozygous (disease) and heterozygous (trait) sickle blood. Here, we establish a new paradigm of microscopic diagnosis of sickle cell disease by exploiting differential polymerization of hemoglobin in disease and trait RBCs under controlled, chemically-induced hypoxia in a microfluidic chip. We use a portable smartphone microscope to compare the RBC shape distributions in blood treated with high and low concentrations of the hypoxia-inducing agent to correctly identify 35 blood samples as healthy, sickle cell disease or trait. Finally, we demonstrate our test in remote field locations to enable fast and confirmed diagnosis of sickle cell anemia in resource-limited areas.
The highly evolvable nature of the antibiotic efflux protein TolC limits use of phages and bacterial toxins as antibacterial agents
Authors: Tamer Yusuf Talha , Gaszek Ilona , Rodrigues Marinelle , Coskun Fatma Sevde , Farid Michael , Koh Andrew Y. , Russ William , Toprak Erdal 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBacteriophages and bacterial toxins are promising antibacterial agents to treat infections caused by multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria. In fact, bacteriophages have recently been successfully used to treat life-threatening infections caused by MDR bacteria [1–3]. One potential problem with using these antibacterial agents is the evolution of resistance against them in the long term. Here, we studied the fitness landscape of theEscherichia coliTolC protein, an outer membrane protein that is exploited by a pore forming toxin called colicin E1 and by TLS-phage [4, 5]. By systematically assessing the distribution of fitness effects (DFEs) of ~9,000 single amino acid replacements in TolC using either positive (antibiotics and bile salts) or negative (colicin E1 and TLS-phage) selection pressures, we quantified evolvability of the TolC. We demonstrated that the TolC is highly optimized for the efflux of antibiotics and bile salts. In contrast, under colicin E1 and TLS phage selection, TolC sequence is very sensitive to mutation. Our findings suggest that TolC is a highly evolvable target limiting the potential clinical use of bacteriophages and bacterial toxins.
Magnitude and kinetics of T cell and antibody responses during H1N1pdm09 infection in outbred and inbred Babraham pigs
Authors: Edmans Matthew , McNee Adam , Porter Emily , Vatzia Eleni , Paudyal Basu , Martini Veronica , Gubbins Simon , Francis Ore , Harley Ross , Thomas Amy , Burt Rachel , Morgan Sophie , Fuller Anna , Sewell Andrew ,   sLoLA Influenza Dynamics consortium, Charleston Bryan , Bailey Mick , Tchilian Elma 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe have used the pig, a large natural host animal for influenza with many physiological similarities to humans, to characterize αβ, γδ T cell and antibody (Ab) immune responses to the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus infection. We evaluated the kinetic of virus infection and associated response in inbred Babraham pigs with identical MHC (Swine Leucocyte Antigen) and compared them to commercial outbred animals. High level of nasal virus shedding continued up to day 4-5 post infection followed by a steep decline and clearance of virus by day 9. Adaptive T cell and Ab responses were detectable from day 5-6 post infection reaching a peak at 9-14 days. γδ cells produced cytokinesex vivoat day 2 post infection, while virus specific IFNγ producing γδ T cells were detected from day 7 post infection. Analysis of NP tetramer specific and virus specific CD8 and CD4 T cells in blood, lung, lung draining lymph nodes and broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) showed clear differences in cytokine production between these tissues. BAL contained the most highly activated CD8, CD4 and γδ cells producing large amounts of cytokines, which likely contribute to elimination of virus. The weak response in blood did not reflect the powerful local lung immune responses. The immune response in the Babraham pig following H1N1pdm09 influenza infection was comparable to that of outbred animals. The ability to utilize these two swine models together will provide unparalleled power to analyse immune responses to influenza.
Vertical-junction Photodiodes for Smaller Pixels in Retinal Prostheses
Authors: Huang Tiffany W , Kamins Theodore I , Chen Zhijie Charles , Wang Bing-Yi , Bhuckory Mohajeet , Galambos Ludwig , Ho Elton , Ling Tong , Afshar Sean , Shin Andrew , Zuckerman Valentina , Harris James S , Mathieson Keith , Palanker Daniel 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo restore central vision in patients with atrophic age-related macular degeneration, we replace the lost photoreceptors with photovoltaic pixels, which convert light into current and stimulate the secondary retinal neurons. Clinical trials demonstrated prosthetic acuity closely matching the sampling limit of the 100 μm pixels, and hence smaller pixels are required for improving visual acuity. However, with smaller flat bipolar pixels, the electric field penetration depth and the photodiode responsivity significantly decrease, making the device inefficient. Smaller pixels may be enabled (1) by increasing the diode responsivity using vertical p-n junctions and (2) by directing the electric field vertically using 3-D electrodes. Here, we demonstrate such novel photodiodes and test the retinal stimulation in a vertical electric field.ApproachArrays of silicon photodiodes of 55, 40, 30, and 20 μm in width, with vertical p-n junctions, were fabricated. The electric field in the retina was directed vertically by a common return electrode at the edge of the devices. Optical and electronic performance of the diodes was characterized in-vitro, and retinal stimulation threshold measured by recording the visually evoked potentials (VEPs) in rats with retinal degeneration.Main resultsThe photodiodes exhibited sufficiently low dark current (<10 pA) and responsivity at 880 nm wavelength as high as 0.51 A/W, with 85% internal quantum efficiency, independent of pixel size. Field mapping in saline demonstrated uniformity of the pixel performance in the array. The full-field stimulation threshold was as low as 0.057±0.029 mW/mm2with 10 ms pulses, independent of pixel size.SignificancePhotodiodes with vertical p-n junctions demonstrated excellent charge collection efficiency independent of pixel size, down to 20 μm. Vertically-oriented electric field provides a stimulation threshold that is independent of pixel size. These results are the first steps in validation of the feasibility of scaling down the photovoltaic pixels for subretinal stimulation.
Engineering Gac/Rsm signaling cascade for optogenetic induction of pathogenicity switch inPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Cheng Xinyi , Pu Lu , Fu Shengwei , Xia Aiguo , Huang Shuqiang , Ni Lei , Xing Xiaochen , Yang Shuai , Jin Fan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBacterial pathogens operate by tightly controlling the pathogenicity to facilitate invasion and survival in host. While small molecule inducers can be designed to modulate pathogenicity to perform studies of pathogen-host interaction, these approaches, due to the diffusion property of chemicals, may have unintended, or pleiotropic effects that can impose limitations on their use. By contrast, light provides superior spatial and temporal resolution. Here, using optogenetics we reengineered GacS of the opportunistic pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosa, signal transduction protein of the global Gac/Rsm cascade which is of central importance for regulation of infection factors. The resultant protein YGS24 displayed significant light-dependent activity of GacS kinases inPseudomonas aeruginosa. When introduced inCaenorhabditis eleganshost systems, YGS24 stimulated the pathogenicity of PAO1 in BHI and of PA14 in SK medium progressively upon blue-light exposure. This optogenetic system provides an accessible way to spatiotemporally control bacterial pathogenicity in defined host even specific tissues to develop new pathogenesis systems, which may in turn expedite development of innovative therapeutics.
Longitudinal ultrasonic dimensions and parametric solid models of the gravid uterus and cervix
Authors: Louwagie Erin , Carlson Lindsey , Over Veronica , Mao Lu , Fang Shuyang , Westervelt Andrea , Vink Joy , Hall Timothy , Feltovich Helen , Myers Kristin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTissue mechanics is central to pregnancy, during which maternal anatomic structures undergo continuous remodeling to serve a dual function to first protect the fetus in utero while it develops and then facilitate its passage out. In this study of normal pregnancy using biomechanical solid modeling, we used standard clinical ultrasound images to obtain measurements of structural dimensions of the gravid uterus and cervix throughout gestation. 2-dimensional ultrasound images were acquired from the uterus and cervix in 30 pregnant subjects in supine and standing positions at four time points during pregnancy (8-14, 14-16, 22-24, and 32-34 weeks). Offline, three observers independently measured from the images of multiple anatomic regions. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate inter-observer variance, as well as effect of gestational age, gravity, and parity on maternal geometry. A parametric solid model developed in the Solidworks computer aided design (CAD) software was used to convert ultrasonic measurements to a 3-dimensional solid computer model, from which estimates of uterine and cervical volumes were made. This parametric model was compared against previous 3-dimensional solid models derived from magnetic resonance frequency images in pregnancy. In brief, we found several anatomic measurements easily derived from standard clinical imaging are reproducible and reliable, and provide sufficient information to allow biomechanical solid modeling. This structural dataset is the first, to our knowledge, to provide key variables to enable future computational calculations of tissue stress and stretch in pregnancy, making it possible to characterize the biomechanical milieu of normal pregnancy. This vital dataset will be the foundation to understand how the uterus and cervix malfunction in pregnancy leading to adverse perinatal outcomes.
Transcriptome analysis reveals the main metabolic pathway of c-GMP induced by salt stress in tomato seedlings
Authors: Zhu Xiaolin , Su Meifei , Wei Xiaohong , Long Yu , Wang Baoqiang , Wang Xian 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTomato is a model crop, as well as important food worldwide. In the arid areas, aggravation of soil salinity has become the primary problem that threatens the high yield in tomato production. As a second messenger substance, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (c-GMP) plays an indispensable role in plant response to salt stress through regulating cell processes to promote plant growth and development. However, this mechanism has not been fully explored in tomato seedlings. In this experiment, the tomato seeds were cultured in distilled water (CK), 20 μM c-GMP (T1), 50 mM NaCl (T2), 20 μM c-GMP + 50 mM NaCl (T3). The results show that 20 μM c-GMP effectively alleviated the inhibition of 50 mM NaCl on tomato growth and development, inducing the expression of 1580 DEGs. 95 DEGs were up-regulated and 442 DEGs were down-regulated (CK vs T1), whereas in the T2 vs T3 comparison 271 DEGs were up-regulated and 772 DEGs were down-regulated. Based on KEGG analysis, the majority of DEGs were involved in metabolism; exogenous c-GMP induced significant enrichment of pathways associated with carbohydrates, phenylpropanoids and fatty acid metabolism. MostPMEs, acCoA, PAL, PODs, FADs, andADwere up-regulated, andGAPDHs, PL, PG, BXL4, andβ-Gwere down-regulated, which reduced susceptibility of tomato seedlings to salt and promoted their salt adaptation. The application of c-GMP promoted soluble sugar, flavonoids and lignin content, reduced accumulation of MDA, and enhanced the activity of POD. Thus, our results provide insights into the molecular mechanisms associated with salt tolerance of tomato seedlings.