bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complement deposition, C4d, on platelets is associated with vascular events in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Svenungsson Elisabet , Gustafsson Johanna T , Grosso Giorgia , Rossides Marios , Gunnarsson Iva , Jensen-Urstad Kerstin , Larsson Anders , Ekdahl Kristina N , Nilsson Bo , Bengtsson Anders A , Lood Christian 
Published: February 2020

AbstractObjectiveComplement components, including C4d, can be found on activated platelets, a process associated with vascular disease in SLE. We investigated whether platelet C4d (PC4d) adds additional value to traditional and known lupus-associated risk factors when identifying SLE patients with vascular disease.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 308 well-characterized SLE patients and 308 matched general population controls. PC4d deposition was analysed using flow cytometry. Values &gt;95% of controls were considered as PC4d positive (+). aPL were determined by Luminex, and the LA test was performed by DRVVT. History of vascular disease (composite and as separate outcomes) was defined at inclusion.ResultsSLE patients had increased PC4d deposition as compared with population controls (50 vs 5%, P &lt; 0.0001). PC4d+ positively associated with any vascular events, and separately with venous and cerebrovascular events, and also with all investigated aPL profiles. The association for any vascular event remained statistically significant after adjustment for traditional and SLE-associated risk factors (odds ratio: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.3, 4.3, P = 0.008). Compared with patients negative for both PC4d and LA, patients with double positivity were more likely to have vascular disease (odds ratio: 12.3, 95% CI: 5.4, 29.3; attributable proportion due to interaction 0.8, 95% CI: 0.4, 1.1)ConclusionPC4d+ is associated with vascular events in SLE, independently of traditional and SLE-associated risk factors. Concurrent presence of PC4d and LA seem to interact to further increase the odds for vascular events. Prospective studies should examine whether the aPL/PC4d combination can improve prediction of vascular events in SLE and/or APS.
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Authors: Bellomo Tamara L. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract:Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) prevents the pancreas from making enough of the exocrine pancreatic enzymes that help the body digest food. EPI can be challenging to recognize and diagnose because many of its signs and symptoms overlap with other gastrointestinal disorders. This article offers practical advice to nurses for patient assessment and nursing interventions.
Changes in hot flash experiences and related factors in women with breast cancer
Authors: Li Chia-Ying , Lin Yung-Chang , Yang Tsui-Yun , Chen Shin-Cheh , Chang Hsien-Kun , Shen Wen-Chi , Chen Mei-Ling 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Objective:
Taiwanese women are younger than women in western countries when diagnosed with breast cancer, and many of them are still menstruating. One of many distressing side effects reported by premenopausal women treated for breast cancer are hot flashes (HFs). The purposes of this study were to identify: (1) the trajectories of hot flash (HF) occurrence, frequency, and interference and (2) potential factors associated with HF changes.

Methods:
Peri- or premenopausal women newly diagnosed with breast cancer scheduled to receive chemotherapy and hormonal therapy were enrolled. HF frequency, HF interference, and other symptoms were measured six times from prechemotherapy to 24 months after chemotherapy. Data were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling.

Results:
A total of 90 women were eligible for the study. The prechemotherapy occurrence rate of HFs was 7.9%, but rapidly increased to 42.5% immediately after chemotherapy. The change curve of HF frequency and interference appeared quadratic, increasing first and slightly decreasing later. At any time point, increased body mass index (BMI) was associated with both higher HF frequency (P = 0.020) and HF interference (P = 0.002), whereas anxiety (P < 0.001) and loss of sexual desire (P = 0.038) were associated with higher HF interference. Six months after completing chemotherapy, premenopausal women reported significantly higher HF frequency than perimenopausal women (P = 0.041).

Conclusion:
A significant proportion of pre- and perimenopausal women experienced HFs after receiving breast cancer treatment. Our findings on HF trajectories can educate patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Special attention should be paid to those with increased body mass index changes and those still regularly menstruating.
MsFLASH network vaginal health trial: absence of evidence is NOT evidence of absence
Authors: Lukas Vanessa A. , Simon James A. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Approximately 50% of postmenopausal women experience vulvovaginal symptoms associated with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). GSM is a chronic and progressive condition with a well-defined treatment algorithm. Analysis of the MsFLASH Vaginal Health Trial data produced two main conclusions, which were that prescribed vaginal 10 μg estradiol tablet and over-the-counter (OTC) vaginal moisturizer did not provide additional benefit over placebo vaginal tablet and placebo gel in reducing postmenopausal vulvovaginal symptoms; or increasing the proportions of women reporting sexual activity or improving pain scores with sexual activity. These treatment conclusions are contrary to all prior robust clinical trial data for dyspareunia and vaginal dryness, and not in line with the good clinical practice for GSM management presented by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, The North American Menopause Society, and the Endocrine Society. Overall, the flaws of the MsFLASH Vaginal Health Trial were to incorrectly identify the therapeutic outcomes of most interest using metrics that exhibit high degrees of placebo bias; and to utilize low statistical power with which to appreciate any significant differences between groups.
Regression of Keratoconus After Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Authors: Greenberg Jeremy R. , McCormick Gregory J. 
Published: February 2020

Purpose:
To report a case of regression of keratoconus by corneal topography after gastric sleeve surgery.

Methods:
Case report.

Results:
A patient with a history of bilateral progressive keratoconus was observed before and after bariatric surgery for morbid obesity. His left eye had a history of penetrating keratoplasty for advanced keratoconus, and his right eye had active progression of keratoconus in the years before sleeve gastrectomy. After the surgery, the right eye showed significant corneal flattening over a period of 2 years. This was especially pronounced at the apex of the cone (∼5 D). The patient's best spectacle-corrected visual acuity also improved along with management of his obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions:
This is the first report of regression of keratoconus after bariatric surgery.
Update on the management of acute liver failure
Authors: Jayalakshmi Vadivukkarasi T. , Bernal William 
Published: February 2020

Purpose of review
The aim of this article is to provide the reader with an overview of established standards of care and to summarize important newer research findings in acute liver failure (ALF).

Recent findings
New international guidelines are now in place with recommendations for medical care and nutritional support. Large-scale retrospective studies have confirmed the low level of bleeding complications observed, despite apparently severe coagulopathy on standard laboratory testing, and the improved survival seen with continuous rather than intermittent forms of renal replacement therapy. Advances in neurologic support include confirmation of the efficacy of control of hyperammonaemia using continuous haemofiltration, and of the utility of transcranial Doppler ultrasound as a screening modality for detection of cerebral oedema. Improvements in outcomes with medical treatment for some causes of ALF have resulted in need for new means of identification of patients who will benefit from liver transplantation.

Summary
Best practice in the care of patients with ALF continues to evolve with ongoing improvement in survival. Survival in these patients is expected to improve further with refinement of medical supportive care and more accurate identification of transplant candidacy.
Eyeing up the injured brain: automated pupillometry and optic nerve sheath diameter
Authors: Romagnosi Federico , Bongiovanni Filippo , Oddo Mauro 
Published: February 2020

Purpose of review
Multimodal monitoring has emerged as a novel paradigm of care in acute brain injury, and in this context the value of noninvasive devices is increasingly under scrutiny. This narrative review summarizes recent clinical investigation focused on the role of automated infrared pupillometry (AIP) and optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) ultrasound as novel techniques to monitor and manage neurocritical care patients.

Recent findings
AIP provides a quantitative measurement of the pupillary light reflex that is more precise and reliable than the traditional examination of the pupillary light reflex using manual flashlight lamps. AIP helps detect raised intracranial pressure (ICP) and brain herniation in patients with intracranial mass lesions. Using an automatically computed scalar index – the neurological pupil index – AIP has great accuracy to predict poor neurological outcome in patients in coma after cardiac arrest. Recent data indicate that ONSD may diagnose intracranial hypertension with better accuracy than other ultrasound-based methods.

Summary
Noninvasive AIP and ONSD appear useful complements to multimodality monitoring of acute brain injury, in particular in patients at risk of elevated ICP and for early neuroprognostication following cardiac arrest.
Risk stratification for multidrug-resistant bacteria in patients with skin and soft tissue infection
Authors: Barbier François , Timsit Jean-François 
Published: February 2020

Purpose of review
This article summarizes the available evidence enabling a stratification of risk for multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) in patients with skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI).

Recent findings
MDRB are increasingly reported in both healthcare-associated (HCA) and community-acquired (CA)-SSTI, including in patients with life-threatening presentations for whom early initiation of adequate antimicrobial therapy is pivotal to improve outcomes. Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is now endemic in several geographical areas and may cause outbreaks in frail populations or other at-risk clusters. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other nonfermenting Gram-negative pathogens are involved in CA-SSTI on an occasional basis, especially in patients with chronic wounds or recent antimicrobial exposure. The burden of HCA-SSTI because of MRSA, MR P. aeruginosa, MR Acinetobacter baumannii, extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales and vancomycin-resistant enterococci is amplifying in endemic settings. Severe comorbidities, prolonged hospitalization, invasive procedures, prior colonization or infection and antimicrobial exposure stand as the main risk factors for these conditions. Worryingly, carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales are emerging as causative pathogens in HCA-SSTI.

Summary
The choice of empirical agents depends on the type and location of SSTI, place of onset, initial severity and whether the patient presents or not with risk factors for MDRB, with local epidemiology and prior antimicrobial use being among the main features to consider.
Managing urban flood resilience through the English planning system: insights from the ‘SuDS-face’
Authors: Potter Karen , Vilcan Tudor 
Published: February 2020

In academic and professional circles, ‘resilience thinking’ has emerged as the dominant paradigm in flood risk management, which emphasizes the need to plan and design cities that can absorb water and replicate natural processes more closely. In this paper, we explore how planners in England are expected to respond to the resilience agenda against the realities in practice, zoning in on the delivery of sustainable (urban) drainage systems (SuDS). Our exploration highlights that, while SuDS are being implemented, they are largely characterized by a ‘bog standard’ design. We found that there are three main institutional factors that are constraining the implementation of SuDS: the lack of legislative backing, the power afforded to private commercial interests in the neoliberalized planning process, compounded by the severe lack of resources in local authorities. What is missing at the moment is SuDS process and design that is flexible, integrated, collaborative and innovative. There are clear implications that, without the necessary institutional support, resilience thinking will remain largely aspirational, and professionals will struggle to gain traction and translate the larger flood resilience policy agenda into England's future climate-resilient places.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Urban flood resilience’.
Expression quantitative trait methylation analysis reveals methylomic associations with gene expression in childhood asthma
Authors: Kim Soyeon , Forno Erick , Zhang Rong , Yan Qi , Boutaoui Nadia , Acosta-Pérez Edna , Canino Glorisa , Chen Wei , Celedón Juan C. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractNasal airway epithelial methylation profiles have been associated with asthma, but the effects of such profiles on expression of distant cis-genes are largely unknown. We identified 16,867 significant methylation-gene expression pairs in nasal epithelium from Puerto Rican children and adolescents (with and without asthma) in an expression quantitative trait methylation (eQTM) analysis of cis-genes located within 1 Mb of the methylation probes tested. Most eQTM methylation probes were distant from their target genes, and more likely located in enhancer regions of their target genes in lung tissue than control probes. The top 500 eQTM genes were enriched in pathways for immune processes and epithelial integrity, and also more likely to be differentially expressed in atopic asthma. Moreover, we identified 5,934 paths through which methylation probes could affect atopic asthma through gene expression. Our findings suggest that distant epigenetic regulation of gene expression in airway epithelium plays a role in atopic asthma.
Long-term single-cell imaging and simulations of microtubules reveal driving forces for wall pattering during proto-xylem development
Authors: Schneider René , van ’t Klooster Kris , Picard Kelsey , van der Gucht Jasper , Demura Taku , Janson Marcel , Sampathkumar Arun , Deinum Eva E. , Ketelaar Tijs , Persson Staffan 
Published: February 2020

ABSTRACTPlants are the tallest organisms on Earth; a feature sustained by solute-transporting xylem vessels in the plant vasculature. The xylem vessels are supported by strong cell walls that are assembled in intricate patterns. Cortical microtubules direct wall deposition and need to rapidly re-organize during xylem cell development. We established long-term live-cell imaging of singleArabidopsiscells undergoing proto-xylem trans-differentiation, resulting in spiral wall patterns, to investigate the microtubule re-organization. The initial disperse microtubule array rapidly readjusted into well-defined microtubule bands, which required local de-stabilization of individual microtubules in band-interspersing gap regions. Using extensive microtubule simulations, we could recapitulate the processin silicoand found that local recruitment of microtubule-bound nucleation is critical for pattern formation, which we confirmedin vivo. Our simulations further indicated that the initial microtubule alignment impact microtubule band patterning. We confirmed this prediction usingkataninmutants, which have microtubule organization defects, and uncovered active KATANIN recruitment to the forming microtubule bands. Our combination of quantitative microscopy and modelling outlines a framework towards a comprehensive understanding of microtubule re-organization during wall pattern formation.
Autophagic degradation of the Cucumber mosaic virus virulence factor 2b balances antiviral RNA silencing with proviral plant fitness and virus seed transmission
Authors: Shukla Aayushi , Hoffmann Gesa , López-González Silvia , Hofius Daniel , Hafrén Anders 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAutophagy is a conserved intracellular degradation pathway that has recently emerged as an integral part of plant responses to virus infection. The elucidated mechanisms of autophagy range from the selective degradation of viral components to a more general attenuation of disease symptoms. In addition, several viruses are able to manipulate the autophagy machinery and counteract autophagy-dependent resistance. Despite these findings, the complex interplay of autophagy activities, viral pathogenicity factors, and host defence pathways in disease development remains poorly understood. In the current study, we analysed the interaction between autophagy and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) inArabidopsis thaliana. We show that autophagy is induced during CMV infection and promotes the turnover of the major CMV virulence protein and RNA silencing suppressor 2b. Intriguingly, 2b itself dampens plant autophagy. In accordance with 2b degradation, we found that autophagy provides resistance against CMV by reducing viral RNA accumulation in an RNA silencing-dependent manner. Moreover, autophagy and RNA silencing pathways contribute to plant longevity and fecundity of CMV infected plants in an additive manner, uncoupling it from resistance. In addition to reduced fecundity, autophagy-deficient plants also failed to support seed transmission of the virus. We propose that autophagy attenuates CMV virulence via 2b degradation and thereby increases both plant and virus fitness with a trade-off penalty arising from increased RNA silencing-mediated resistance.Author summaryThe capacity of plants to fight pathogenic viruses in order to survive and minimize damage relies on profound cellular reprogramming events. These include the synthesis of new as well as the degradation of pre-existing cellular components, together shifting cellular homeostasis towards a better tolerance of disease and fortification of antiviral defence mechanisms. Autophagy is a prominent and highly conserved cellular degradation pathway that supports plant stress resilience. Autophagy functions vary broadly and range from rather unspecific renewal of cytoplasm to highly selective degradation of a wide collection of specific substrates. Autophagy is well established to be involved during virus infections in animals, and its importance has also recently emerged in virus diseases of plants. However, we are still far from a comprehensive understanding of the complexity of autophagy activities in host-virus interactions and how autophagy pathway engineering could be applied against viruses. Here, we have analyzed one of the traditional model plant viruses, Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), and its interactions with autophagy. Our study revealed that autophagy is tightly integrated into CMV disease, influencing processes from plant health to CMV epidemiology.
Large Freshwater Phages with the Potential to Augment Aerobic Methane Oxidation
Authors: Chen Lin-Xing , Méheust Raphaël , Crits-Christoph Alexander , McMahon Katherine D. , Nelson Tara Colenbrander , Warren Lesley A. , Banfield Jillian F. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThere is growing evidence that phages with unusually large genomes are common across various natural and human microbiomes, but little is known about their genetic inventories or potential ecosystem impacts. Here, we reconstructed large phage genomes from freshwater lakes known to contain bacteria that oxidize methane. Twenty-two manually curated genomes (18 are complete) ranging from 159 to 527 kbp in length were found to encode thepmoCgene, an enzymatically critical subunit of the particulate methane monooxygenase, the predominant methane oxidation catalyst in nature. The phage-associated PmoC show high similarity (> 90%) and affiliate phylogenetically with those of coexisting bacterial methanotrophs, and their abundance patterns correlate with the abundances of these bacteria, supporting host-phage relationships. We suggest that phage PmoC has similar functions to additional copies of PmoC encoded in bacterial genomes, thus contribute to growth on methane. Transcriptomics data from one system showed that the phage-associatedpmoCgenes are actively expressedin situ. Augmentation of bacterial methane oxidation by pmoC-phages during infection could modulate the efflux of this powerful greenhouse gas into the environment.
Cognitive performance in children and adolescents at high-risk for obsessive-compulsive disorder
Authors: Bernardes Elisa Teixeira , Cappi Carolina , de Marco e Souza Marina , Hoexter Marcelo Queiroz , Chacon Priscila , Requena Guaraci , Miguel Euripedes Constantino , Shavitt Roseli Gedanke , Polanczyk Guilherme Vanoni , Batistuzzo Marcelo Camargo 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundCognitive performance has been studied in subclinical obsessive-compulsive (OC) adults and in adults relatives of OCD patients. Meanwhile, no study has been conducted with children under the same conditions. Across a sample with 49 participants, we investigated whether children and adolescents at high-risk (HR) for OCD (n=18) would present an impaired performance on neurocognitive domains compared to healthy controls (HC, n=31), especially in visuoconstructive ability, executive functions, and intellectual efficiency, functions previously associated with OCD.MethodsFor the HR group, we considered the first-degree children relatives of patients with OCD that present obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS), but do not meet diagnostic criteria for OCD. Child psychiatric diagnoses were assessed by the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS-PL) by experienced and trained psychologists and OCS were measured by Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS).ResultsAlthough we did not find differences in the domains previously hypothesized, a Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) revealed impairments in processing speed in HR group (p=0.019; F=3.115), and at-test identified a higher IQ discrepancy in HR group when compared to HC (p=0.030;t=-2.239), and a discrepancy in verbal and non-verbal abilities as in the memory and working memory tasks.ConclusionsOur results suggest that differences in motor and processing speed and in IQ discrepancy are already present and were identified in a non-clinical sample of HR subjects. Further studies should investigate neurocognitive domains as possible predictors of pediatric OCD.