bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Value of adjuvant chemotherapy and informed microscopic examination for occult gynecologic cancer detected upon risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy after chemotherapy for BRCA1/2-associated breast cancer: a case report
Authors: Kuji Shiho , Kondo Haruhiro , Ohara Tatsuru , Deura Imari , Tozawa-Ono Akiko , Migita Ohsuke , Kawamoto Hisanori , Tsugawa Koichiro , Chosokabe Motohiro , Koike Junki , Maeda Ichiro , Suzuki Nao 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
BRCA1/2 mutation carriers are at high risk for type II ovarian, fallopian tube or peritoneal cancer. Although risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy plays an important role in the prevention of these BRCA1/2-associated gynecological cancers, occult ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer is discovered upon risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy in 1–4% of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Notably, around 30% of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers who undergo risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy have undergone adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. We describe the discovery and treatment of occult cancer at the edge of the left fimbria in a BRCA1 mutation carrier who had, just a short time previously, undergone neoadjuvant paclitaxel plus carboplatin (TC) chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer. During subsequent risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy, a 5.5-mm nodule was observed at the edge of the left fimbria. Microscopic examination of the tumour tissue revealed high-grade serous carcinoma with degenerate tumour cells and fibrosis. Peritoneal fluid was negative for cancer cells. Two months later, hysterectomy, omentectomy and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy were performed. The final diagnosis was stage FIGO IA fallopian tube cancer. Adjuvant chemotherapy (TC administered every 3 weeks) was applied, and there has been no evidence of recurrence for 5 years. In applying gynecologic surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy, we followed the general recommendation for stage IA fallopian tube cancer. There is no standard strategy for the treatment of occult fallopian tube cancer detected after chemotherapy for BRCA1-associated triple-negative breast cancer. According to our experience in this case, we believe the clinical value of staging laparotomy in cases of a small occult BRCA1/2-associated gynecological cancer should be further investigated.
Prospective observational study estimating willingness-to-pay for breast cancer treatments through contingent valuation method in Japanese breast cancer patients (JCOG1709A)
Authors: Iwatani Tsuguo , Hara Fumikata , Shien Tadahiko , Sasaki Keita , Katayama Hiroshi , Fukuda Haruhiko , Shiroiwa Takeru , Iwata Hiroji 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
In April 2016, the Japanese government introduced health technology assessment as a response to rising medical expenses due to ‘medical innovation’. This study investigates how Japanese breast cancer patients who received treatment in Japan consider the financial value (willingness-to-pay; WTP) for their life and health by using the contingent valuation method (CVM) prospectively. First, 168 patients (84 primary breast cancer patients and 84 metastatic breast cancer patients) were pre-examined their WTP with dichotomous-choice method survey form. Next, 1,596 patients (798 primary breast cancer patients and 798 metastatic breast cancer patients) will be surveyed to their WTP for hypothetical scenarios in CVM. Based on our results, we will construct an evaluation axis from the patients’ viewpoint for the cost-effectiveness of clinical trials to establish standard treatments for breast cancer. We believe this research can contribute to create a meaningful healthcare system for patients, clinicians, industries, and healthcare policymakers.
Flower evolution in the presence of heterospecific gene flow and its contribution to lineage divergence
Authors: Orsucci Marion , Sicard Adrien 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe success of species depends on their ability to exploit ecological resources in order to optimize their reproduction. However, species are not usually found within single-species ecosystems but in complex communities. Because of their genetic relatedness, closely related lineages tend to cluster within the same ecosystem, rely on the same resources, and be phenotypically similar. In sympatry, they will therefore compete for the same resources and, in the case of flowering plants, exchange their genes through heterospecific pollen transfer. These interactions, nevertheless, pose significant challenges to species co-existence because they can lead to resource limitation and reproductive interference. In such cases, divergent selective pressures on floral traits will favour genotypes that isolate or desynchronize the reproduction of sympatric lineages. The resulting displacement of reproductive characters will, in turn, lead to pre-mating isolation and promote intraspecific divergence, thus initiating or reinforcing the speciation process. In this review, we discuss the current theoretical and empirical knowledge on the influence of heterospecific pollen transfer on flower evolution, highlighting its potential to uncover the ecological and genomic constraints shaping the speciation process.
MicroRNA-138 Regulates T-Cell Function by Targeting PD-1 in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus–Related Liver Diseases
Authors: Liu Wei , Zheng Xianzhao , Wang Jie , He Quanli , Li Junmin , Zhang Zengzeng , Liu Hongchun 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectiveT-cell exhaustion in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which results from upregulation of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), leads to persistent HBV infection and related disease progression. Therefore, agents targeting PD-1 may prove beneficial in the treatment of this condition. MicroRNA-138 (miR-138) possesses an anti-tumor ability in that it targets immune checkpoints, including PD-1. However, the function and underlying mechanisms of miR-138 in patients with HBV infection remains unclear.MethodsSpecimens were collected from healthy volunteers (n = 43) and patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB; n = 52), liver cirrhosis (LC; n = 26), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; n = 31); carriers of HBV who were asymptomatic (n = 51); and patients with CHB receiving antivirus treatment (n = 11). These specimens were then used to study the expression and relationship among miR-138, PD-1, and HBV DNA viral load. To investigate the role of miR-138 in regulating PD-1 expression and determine the effect of miR-138 in regulating T-cell function, a luciferase assay and a transfection assay were each performed with primary CD3+ T cells.ResultsWe found that PD-1 was upregulated and miR-138 was downregulated in patients with CHB, LC, and HCC. Correlations analysis revealed that PD-1 expression was positively correlated with HBV DNA viral load whereas miR-138 was negatively correlated. Luciferase assay results showed that miR-138 directly inhibited PD-1 expression by interacting with the 3’-untranslated region of PD-1. As a result of miR-138 overexpression in primary T cells, PD-1 in these T cells was downregulated and antivirus cytokines secreted by T cells were significantly upregulated. In addition, the expression levels of PD-1 and miR-138 were reversed in patients with CHB who received antivirus treatments.ConclusionResults showed that miR-138 can promote T-cell responses within patients with HBV infection by inducing a PD-1 blockade. Such an effect suggests that miR-138 may serve as a new therapeutic target for the treatment of HBV infection.
Flanking sequence preference modulates de novo DNA methylation in the mouse genome
Authors: Mallona Izaskun , Ilie Ioana Mariuca , Karemaker Ino Dominiek , Butz Stefan , Manzo Massimiliano , Caflisch Amedeo , Baubec Tuncay 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Mammalian de novo DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) are responsible for the establishment of cell-type-specific DNA methylation in healthy and diseased tissues. Through genome-wide analysis of de novo methylation activity in murine stem cells we uncover that DNMT3A prefers to methylate CpGs followed by cytosines or thymines, while DNMT3B predominantly methylates CpGs followed by guanines or adenines. These signatures are further observed at non-CpG sites, resembling methylation context observed in specialised cell types, including neurons and oocytes. We further show that these preferences result from structural differences in the catalytic domains of the two de novo DNMTs and are not a consequence of differential recruitment to the genome. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that, in case of human DNMT3A, the preference is due to favourable polar interactions between the flexible Arg836 side chain and the guanine that base-pairs with the cytosine following the CpG. By exchanging arginine to a lysine, the corresponding side chain in DNMT3B, the sequence preference is reversed, confirming the requirement for arginine at this position. This context-dependent enzymatic activity provides additional insights into the complex regulation of DNA methylation patterns.
Management of Bloodstream Infections in Left Ventricular Assist Device Recipients: To Suppress, or Not to Suppress?
Authors: Esquer Garrigos Zerelda , Jandhyala Deeksha , Vijayvargiya Prakhar , Castillo Almeida Natalia E , Gurram Pooja , Corsini Campioli Cristina G , Stulak John M , Rizza Stacey A , O’Horo John C , DeSimone Daniel C , Baddour Larry M , Sohail M Rizwan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundAscertaining involvement of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in a patient presenting with bloodstream infection (BSI) can be challenging, frequently leading to use of chronic antimicrobial suppressive (CAS) therapy. We aimed to assess the efficacy of CAS therapy to prevent relapse of BSI from LVAD and non-LVAD sources.MethodsWe retrospectively screened adults receiving LVAD support from 2010 through 2018, to identify cases of BSI. Bloodstream infection events were classified into LVAD-related, LVAD-associated, and non-LVAD BSIs.ResultsA total of 121 episodes of BSI were identified in 80 patients. Of these, 35 cases in the LVAD-related, 14 in the LVAD-associated, and 46 in the non-LVAD BSI groups completed the recommended initial course of therapy and were evaluated for CAS therapy. Chronic antimicrobial suppressive therapy was prescribed in most of the LVAD-related BSI cases (32 of 35, 91.4%) and 12 (37.5%) experienced relapse. Chronic antimicrobial suppressive therapy was not prescribed in a majority of non-LVAD BSI cases (33, 58.9%), and most (31, 93.9%) did not experience relapse. Chronic antimicrobial suppressive therapy was prescribed in 9 of 14 (64.2%) cases of LVAD-associated BSI and none experienced relapse. Of the 5 cases in this group that were managed without CAS, 2 had relapse.ConclusionsPatients presenting with LVAD-related BSI are at high risk of relapse. Consequently, CAS therapy may be a reasonable approach in the management of these cases. In contrast, routine use of CAS therapy may be unnecessary for non-LVAD BSIs.
On Christoph Deutschmann’s Disembedded Markets—Economic Theology and Global Capitalism, Abingdon and New York: Routledge, 2019
Authors: Jens Beckert 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
In this review symposium Jens Beckert, Greta Krippner and Elena Esposito discuss Christoph Deutschmann’s book Disembedded Markets—Economic Theology and Global Capitalism, Routledge 2019.
Development and validation of a highly sensitive and specific electrochemical assay to quantify anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies to facilitate pandemic surveillance and monitoring of vaccine response
Authors: Chiang Samantha H. , Tu Michael , Cheng Jordan , Wei Fang , Li Feng , Chia David , Garner Omai , Chandrasekaran Sukantha , Bender Richard , Strom Charles M. , Wong David T.W. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAmperial™ is a novel assay platform that uses immobilized antigen in a conductive polymer gel followed by an electrochemical detection. A highly specific and sensitive assay was developed to quantify levels of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in saliva. After establishing linearity and limit of detection we established a reference range of 5 standard deviations above the mean. There were no false positives in 667 consecutive saliva samples obtained prior to 2019. Saliva was obtained from 34 patients who had recovered from documented COVID-19 or had documented positive serologies. All of the patients with symptoms severe enough to seek medical attention had positive antibody tests and 88% overall had positive results.We obtained blinded paired saliva and plasma samples from 14 individuals. The plasma was analyzed using an EUA-FDA cleared ELISA kit and the saliva was analyzed by our Amperial™ assay. All 5 samples with negative plasma titers were negative in saliva testing. Eight of the 9 positive plasma samples were positive in saliva and 1 had borderline results. A CLIA validation was performed as a laboratory developed test in a high complexity laboratory.A quantitative non-invasive saliva based SARSCoV-2 antibody test was developed and validated with sufficient specificity to be useful for population-based monitoring and monitoring of individuals following vaccination.
Optimizing COVID-19 control with asymptomatic surveillance testing in a university environment
Authors: Brook Cara E. , Northrup Graham R. , Ehrenberg Alexander J. ,   the IGI SARS-CoV-2 Testing Consortium, Doudna Jennifer A. , Boots Mike 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe high proportion of transmission events derived from asymptomatic or presymptomatic infections make SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent in COVID-19, difficult to control through the traditional non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) of symptom-based isolation and contact tracing. As a consequence, many US universities developed asymptomatic surveillance testing labs, to augment NPIs and control outbreaks on campus throughout the 2020-2021 academic year (AY); several of those labs continue to support asymptomatic surveillance efforts on campus in AY2021-2022. At the height of the pandemic, we built a stochastic branching process model of COVID-19 dynamics at UC Berkeley to advise optimal control strategies in a university environment. Our model combines behavioral interventions in the form of group size limits to deter superspreading, symptom-based isolation, and contact tracing, with asymptomatic surveillance testing. We found that behavioral interventions offer a cost-effective means of epidemic control: group size limits of six or fewer greatly reduce superspreading, and rapid isolation of symptomatic infections can halt rising epidemics, depending on the frequency of asymptomatic transmission in the population. Surveillance testing can overcome uncertainty surrounding asymptomatic infections, with the most effective approaches prioritizing frequent testing with rapid turnaround time to isolation over test sensitivity. Importantly, contact tracing amplifies population-level impacts of all infection isolations, making even delayed interventions effective. Combination of behavior-based NPIs and asymptomatic surveillance also reduces variation in daily case counts to produce more predictable epidemics. Furthermore, targeted, intensive testing of a minority of high transmission risk individuals can effectively control the COVID-19 epidemic for the surrounding population. Even in some highly vaccinated university settings in AY2021-2022, asymptomatic surveillance testing offers an effective means of identifying breakthrough infections, halting onward transmission, and reducing total caseload. We offer this blueprint and easy-to-implement modeling tool to other academic or professional communities navigating optimal return-to-work strategies.
Prevalence of IgG antibodies against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 among healthcare workers in Tennessee during May and June, 2020
Authors: Rebeiro Peter F. , Levinson Kara J. , Jolly Lindsay , Kassens Elizabeth , Dizikes George J. , Steece Richard S. , Metzger David C. , Loos Matthew , Buchheit Ron , Duncan Lisa D. , Rolando Lori A. , Schmitz Jonathan , Hart Heather A. , Aronoff David M. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was low (<1%) in this large population of healthcare workers (HCWs) across the state of Tennessee (n=11,787) in May-June 2020. Among those with PCR results, 81.5% of PCR and antibody test results were concordant. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was higher among HCWs working in high-community-transmission regions and among younger workers.ImportanceThese results may be seen as a baseline assessment of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among HCWs in the American South during a period of growth, but not yet saturation, of infections among susceptible populations. In fact, this period of May-June 2020 was marked by the extension of renewed and sustained community-wide transmission after mandatory quarantine periods expired in several more populous regions of Tennessee. Where community transmission remains low, HCWs may still be able to effectively mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission, preserving resources for populations at high risk of severe disease, and these sorts of data help highlight such strategies.
Primate anterior insular cortex represents economic decision variables postulated by Prospect theory
Authors: Yang You-Ping , Li Xinjian , Stuphorn Veit 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn humans, risk attitude is highly context-dependent, varying with wealth levels or for different potential outcomes, such as gains or losses. These behavioral effects are well described by Prospect Theory, with the key assumption that humans represent the value of each available option asymmetrically as gain or loss relative to a reference point. However, it remains unknown how these computations are implemented at the neuronal level. Using a new token gambling task, we found that macaques, like humans, change their risk attitude across wealth levels and gain/loss contexts. Neurons in their anterior insular cortex (AIC) encode the ‘reference point’ (i.e. the current wealth level of the monkey) and the ‘asymmetric value function’ (i.e. option value signals are more sensitive to change in the loss than in the gain context) as postulated by Prospect Theory. In addition, changes in the activity of a subgroup of AIC neurons are correlated with the inter-trial fluctuations in choice and risk attitude. Taken together, we find that the role of primate AIC in risky decision-making is to monitor contextual information used to guide the animal’s willingness to accept risk.
Implementation of CYP2D6 copy-number imputation panel and frequency of key pharmacogenetic variants in Finnish individuals with a psychotic disorder
Authors: Häkkinen K. , Kiiski JI. , Lähteenvuo M. , Jukuri T. , Suokas K. , Niemi-Pynttäri J. , Kieseppä T. , Männynsalo T. , Wegelius A. , Haaki W. , Lahdensuo K. , Kajanne R. , Kaunisto MA. , Tuulio-Henriksson A. , Kampman O. , Hietala J. , Veijola J. , Lönnqvist J. , Isometsä E. , Paunio T. , Suvisaari J. , Kalso E. , Niemi M. , Tiihonen J. , Daly M. , Palotie A. , Ahola-Olli AV. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPurposeWe constructed a CYP2D6 copy-number imputation panel by combining copy-number information to GWAS chip data. In addition, we report frequencies of key pharmacogenetic variants in individuals with a psychotic disorder from the genetically bottle-necked population of Finland.MethodsWe combined GWAS chip and CYP2D6 copy-number variation (CNV) data from the Breast Cancer Pain Genetics study (BrePainGen) to construct an imputation panel (N=902) for CYP2D6 CNV. The resulting data set was used as a CYP2D6 CNV imputation panel in 9,262 non-related individuals passing genotype data quality control procedures. The panel performance was evaluated by genotyping the CNV from a subset (N=297) of SUPER-Finland participants.ResultsCYP2D6 CNV was imputed correctly in 272 (92%) individuals. Sensitivity and specificity for detecting a duplication were 0.986 and 0.946, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for detecting a deletion using imputation were 0.886 and 0.966, respectively. Based on imputation, the frequency of a CYP2D6 duplication and deletion in the whole SUPER-Finland sample with 9,262 non-related individuals passing quality control were 8.5% and 2.7%, respectively. We confirm the higher frequency of CYP2D6 ultrarapid metabolizers in Finland compared with non-Finnish Europeans. Additionally, we confirm a 21-fold enrichment of the UGT1A1 decreased function variant rs4148323 (also known as 211G>A, G71R or UGT1A1*6) in Finland compared with non-Finnish Europeans. Similarly, the NUDT15 variant rs116855232 was highly enriched in Finland.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that imputation of CYP2D6 CNV is possible. The methodology is not accurate enough to be used in clinical decision making, but it enables studying CYP2D6 in large biobanks with genome-wide data. In addition, it allows for researchers to recontact patients with certain pharmacogenetic variations through biobanks. We show that bottle-necked populations may have pharmacogenetically important variants with allele frequencies very different from the main ancestral group. Future studies should assess whether these differences are large enough to cause clinically significant changes in trial results across different ancestral groups.
Intra-host evolution during SARS-CoV-2 persistent infection
Authors: Voloch Carolina M , da Silva F Ronaldo , de Almeida Luiz G P , Brustolini Otavio J. , Cardoso Cynthia C , Gerber Alexandra L , Guimarães Ana Paula de C , Leitão Isabela de Carvalho , Mariani Diana , Ota Victor Akira ,   Covid19-UFRJ Workgroup,   LNCC-Workgroup, Lima Cristiano X , Teixeira Mauro M , Dias Ana Carolina F , Galliez Rafael Mello , Faffe Débora Souza , Pôrto Luís Cristóvão , Aguiar Renato S , Castiñeira Terezinha M P P , Ferreira Orlando C. , Tanuri Amilcar , de Vasconcelos Ana Tereza R 
Published: November 2020

AbstractProlonged infection of SARS-CoV-2 represents a challenge to the development of effective public health policies to control the COVID-19 pandemic. The reason why some people have persistent infection and how the virus survives for so long are still not fully understood. For this reason, we aimed to investigate the intra-host evolution of SARS-CoV-2 during persistent infection. Thirty-three patients who remained RT-PCR positive in the nasopharynx for at least 16 days were included in this study. Complete SARS-CoV-2 sequences were obtained for each patient at two time points. Phylogenetic, populational, and computational analysis of viral sequences confirmed persistent infection with evidence for a transmission cluster in health care professionals that shared the same workplace. A high number of missense variants targeting crucial structural and non-structural proteins such as Spike and Helicase was found. Interestingly, longitudinal acquisition of substitutions in Spike protein mapped many SARS-CoV-2 predicted T cell epitopes. Furthermore, the mutational profiles observed were suggestive of RNA editing enzyme activities, indicating innate immune mechanisms of the host cell. Viral quasispecies analysis corroborates persistent infection mainly by increasing richness and nucleotide diversity over time. Altogether, our findings highlight a dynamic and complex landscape of host and pathogen interaction during persistent infection suggesting that the host’s innate immunity shapes the increase of intra-host diversity with possible implications for therapeutic strategies and public health decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic.