bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification and distribution of gene clusters required for synthesis of sphingolipid metabolism inhibitors in diverse species of the filamentous fungus Fusarium
Authors: Kim Hye-Seon , Lohmar Jessica M. , Busman Mark , Brown Daren W. , Naumann Todd A. , Divon Hege H. , Lysøe Erik , Uhlig Silvio , Proctor Robert H. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundSphingolipids are structural components and signaling molecules in eukaryotic membranes, and many organisms produce compounds that inhibit sphingolipid metabolism. Some of the inhibitors are structurally similar to the sphingolipid biosynthetic intermediate sphinganine and are referred to as sphinganine-analog metabolites (SAMs). The mycotoxins fumonisins, which are frequent contaminants in maize, are one family of SAMs. Due to food and feed safety concerns, fumonisin biosynthesis has been investigated extensively, including characterization of the fumonisin biosynthetic gene cluster in the agriculturally important fungiAspergillusandFusarium. Production of several other SAMs has also been reported in fungi, but there is almost no information on their biosynthesis. There is also little information on how widely SAM production occurs in fungi or on the extent of structural variation of fungal SAMs.ResultsUsing fumonisin biosynthesis as a model, we predicted that SAM biosynthetic gene clusters in fungi should include a polyketide synthase (PKS), an aminotransferase and a dehydrogenase gene. Surveys of genome sequences identified five putative clusters with this three-gene combination in 92 of 186Fusariumspecies examined. Collectively, the putative SAM clusters were distributed widely but discontinuously among the species. We propose that the SAM5 cluster confers production of a previously reportedFusariumSAM, 2-amino-14,16-dimethyloctadecan-3-ol (AOD), based on the occurrence of AOD production only in species with the cluster and on deletion analysis of the SAM5 cluster PKS gene. We also identified SAM clusters in 24 species of other fungal genera, and propose that one of the clusters confers production of sphingofungin, a previously reportedAspergillusSAM.ConclusionOur results provide a genomics approach to identify novel SAM biosynthetic gene clusters in fungi, which should in turn contribute to identification of novel SAMs with applications in medicine and other fields. Information about novel SAMs could also provide insights into the role of SAMs in the ecology of fungi. Such insights have potential to contribute to strategies to reduce fumonisin contamination in crops and to control crop diseases caused by SAM-producing fungi.
Breeding history and candidate genes responsible for black skin of Xichuan black-bone chicken
Authors: Li Donghua , Sun Guirong , Zhang Meng , Cao Yanfang , Zhang Chenxi , Fu Yawei , Li Fang , Li Guoxi , Jiang Ruirui , Han Ruili , Li Zhuanjian , Wang Yanbin , Tian Yadong , Liu Xiaojun , Li Wenting , Kang Xiangtao 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundDomesticated chickens have a wide variety of phenotypes, in contrast with their wild progenitors. Unlike other chicken breeds, Xichuan black-bone chickens have blue-shelled eggs, and black meat, beaks, skin, bones, and legs. The breeding history and the economically important traits of this breed have not yet been explored at the genomic level. We therefore used whole genome resequencing to analyze the breeding history of the Xichuan black-bone chickens and to identify genes responsible for its unique phenotype.ResultsPrincipal component and population structure analysis showed that Xichuan black-bone chicken is in a distinct clade apart from eight other breeds. Linkage disequilibrium analysis showed that the selection intensity of Xichuan black-bone chickens is higher than for other chicken breeds. The estimated time of divergence between the Xichuan black-bone chickens and other breeds is 2.89 ka years ago.Fstanalysis identified a selective sweep that contains genes related to melanogenesis. This region is probably associated with the black skin of the Xichuan black-bone chickens and may be the product of long-term artificial selection. A combined analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data suggests that the candidate gene related to the black-bone trait,EDN3, might interact with the upstream ncRNALOC101747896to generate black skin color during melanogenesis.ConclusionsThese findings help explain the unique genetic and phenotypic characteristics of Xichuan black-bone chickens, and provide basic research data for studying melanin deposition in animals.
Adverse clinical events caused by pacemaker battery depletion: two case reports
Authors: Liu Junpeng , Wen Li , Yao Simin , Zheng Peipei , Zhao Shuang , Yang Jiefu 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
The clinical symptoms and adverse events caused by pacemaker battery depletion are not uncommon, but it is easy to miss or misdiagnose them clinically. To raise the level of awareness towards this clinical situation, we report two cases.

Case presentation
We described two cases of pacemaker battery depletion. Case 1 was an 83-year-old male manifesting chest pain and dyspnea. Automatic reprogramming after pacemaker battery depletion resulted in pacemaker syndrome. While case 2 was an 80-year-old female with complete atrioventricular heart block and torsade de pointes, due to complete depletion of pacemaker battery. In addition, we introduce a method that can easily identify the depletion of the pacemaker battery, which has clinical promotion value of a certain degree.

Conclusions
Those cases emphasize that serious morbidity can arise from pacemaker battery depletion, even in the early stages. Therefore, early detection and diagnosis is especially important.
Cultural adoption, and validation of the Persian version of the coronary artery disease education questionnaire (CADE-Q): a second-order confirmatory factor analysis
Authors: Marofi Zahra , Bandari Razieh , Heravi-Karimooi Majideh , Rejeh Nahid , Montazeri Ali 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Evaluating knowledge in patients with coronary artery disease requires a specific measure. The aim of the present study was to translate and evaluate the CADE-Q in patients with coronary artery disease in Iran.

Methods
Forward-backward procedure was applied to translate the questionnaire from English into Persian. Then a cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate psychometric properties of the questionnaire. A sample of patients with coronary artery disease attending to cardiac departments of teaching hospitals affiliated to medical universities in Tehran, Iran completed the 19-item CADE-Q from April to December 2017. Structural validity of CADE-Q was assessed using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Reliability was examined using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Stability was evaluated by estimation intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results
In all 500 patients participated in the study. The mean age of patients was 53.63. (SD = 14.36) years, and 57% were male. The results obtained from the exploratory factor analysis showed a four factor solution (lifestyle habits and exercise, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment, signals & symptoms and medicine) that jointly explained 48.9% of the total variance observed. However, the second-order confirmatory factor analysis supported the three-factor solution while convergent and divergent validity were not confirmed. Finally, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.84 ranging from 0.50 to 0.82 was obtained for the scale and its subscales. In addition, the ICC value of 0.88 showed satisfactory stability for the questionnaire.

Conclusion
The Coronary Artery Disease Education Questionnaire was found to be a multidimensional instrument. The results confirmed the factor structure of the questionnaire with a second-order analysis. Since the convergent and divergent validity of the scale were not confirmed, further assessment is essential to establish fitness of the questionnaire in Iran.
COVID-19 prevalence estimation by random sampling in population - optimal sample pooling under varying assumptions about true prevalence
Authors: Brynildsrud Ola 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases divided by population size is used as a coarse measurement for the burden of disease in a population. However, this fraction depends heavily on the sampling intensity and the various test criteria used in different jurisdictions, and many sources indicate that a large fraction of cases tend to go undetected.

Methods
Estimates of the true prevalence of COVID-19 in a population can be made by random sampling and pooling of RT-PCR tests. Here I use simulations to explore how experiment sample size and degrees of sample pooling impact precision of prevalence estimates and potential for minimizing the total number of tests required to get individual-level diagnostic results.

Results
Sample pooling can greatly reduce the total number of tests required for prevalence estimation. In low-prevalence populations, it is theoretically possible to pool hundreds of samples with only marginal loss of precision. Even when the true prevalence is as high as 10% it can be appropriate to pool up to 15 samples. Sample pooling can be particularly beneficial when the test has imperfect specificity by providing more accurate estimates of the prevalence than an equal number of individual-level tests.

Conclusion
Sample pooling should be considered in COVID-19 prevalence estimation efforts.
Colon perforation due to cytomegalovirus infection in a patient with idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome: a case report
Authors: Luo Bin , Deng Chengxin , Hou Tieying , Xu Fangping , Liao Qianchao , Li Yong , Wang Junjiang 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a very rare disease and usually treated with corticosteroids. Gastrointestinal (GI) cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is also rare but frequent in patients with immunocompromised status. These two related diseases present with similar manifestations, and may result in a life-threatening complication: perforation. However, the treatment strategies differ greatly. Here, we report a case of colon perforation due to cytomegalovirus infection in a patient with idiopathic HES.

Case presentation
A 41-year-old man with a history of HES was transferred to our hospital due to an acute onset of abdominal pain. During the treatment course of HES, this patient received CMV-DNA test with a result of < 2000 copies/ml. Computed tomography (CT) suggested colon perforation. An emergency surgery was performed immediately. Pathological diagnosis revealed CMV infection and infiltration of eosinophils. This patient received both anti-CMV therapy and immunosuppression therapy. Subsequently, the patient recovered and was discharged 25 days after the operation.

Conclusion
During the course of HES treatment, CMV infection should be reconsidered if digestive symptoms relapse.
Bile pigment in small-bowel water content may reflect bowel habits: a retrospective analysis of a capsule endoscopy imaging series
Authors: Aoyama Taiki , Fukumoto Akira , Shigita Kenjiro , Asayama Naoki , Mukai Shinichi , Nagata Shinji 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundPigmented bile salts darken the small-bowel lumen and are present with bile acid, which is involved in the development of bowel habits. The small-bowel water content (SBWC) in the ileum could represent the colonic environment, but no studies have focused on this feature. However, measurement of crude SBWC can be challenging because of the technical difficulty of the endoscopic approach without preparation. Our aim was to evaluate optically active bile pigments in the SBWC of patients with abnormal bowel habits using capsule endoscopy (CE) to investigate the impact of bile acid on bowel habits.MethodsThe study population included 37 constipated patients, 20 patients with diarrhea, and 77 patients with normal bowel habits who underwent CE between January 2015 and May 2018. Patients with secondary abnormal bowel habits were excluded. In addition to conventional imaging, we used flexible spectral imaging color enhancement (FICE) setting 1 imaging, in which the effects of bile pigments on color are suppressed. Intergroup color differences of SBWC in the ileum (ΔE) were evaluated from conventional and FICE setting 1 images. Color values were assessed using the CIE L*a*b* color space. Differences in SBWC lightness (black to white, range 0–100) were also evaluated.ResultsThe ΔE values from the comparison of conventional images between patients with constipation and with normal bowel habits and between patients with diarrhea and with normal bowel habits were 12.4 and 11.2, respectively. These values decreased to 4.4 and 3.3, respectively, when FICE setting 1 images were evaluated. Patients with constipation and diarrhea had significantly brighter (34.4 versus 27.6,P < .0001) and darker (19.6 versus 27.6,P < .0001) SBWC lightness, respectively, than patients with normal bowel habits. The FICE setting 1 images did not reveal significant differences in SBWC lightness between those with constipation and with normal bowel habits (44.1 versus 43.5,P = .83) or between those with diarrhea and with normal bowel habits (39.1 versus 43.5,P = .20).ConclusionsDifferences in SBWC color and darkness in the ileum appear to be attributable to bile pigments. Therefore, bile pigments in SBWC may reflect bowel habits.
Unusual presentation of fatal disseminated varicella zoster virus infection in a patient with lupus nephritis: a case report
Authors: Vassia Veronica , Croce Alessandro , Ravanini Paolo , Leutner Monica , Saglietti Chiara , Fangazio Stefano , Quaglia Marco , Smirne Carlo 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
The risk of life-threatening complications, such as visceral disseminated varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection, is greater in immunosuppressed individuals, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

Case presentation
Here, a case is reported of a Caucasian woman diagnosed with lupus nephritis and anti-phospholipid syndrome, who was subjected to mycophenolate mofetil and high-dose steroid remission-induction therapy. Two months later she developed abdominal pain followed by a fatal rapid multi-organ failure. As no typical skin rashes were evident, death was initially attributed to catastrophic anti-phospholipid syndrome. However, autopsy and virological examinations on archival material revealed a disseminated VZV infection.

Conclusions
Overall, this case highlights the importance of having a high clinical suspicion of fatal VZV infections in heavily immunosuppressed SLE patients even when typical signs and symptoms are lacking.
Magnitude of screening for gestational diabetes mellitus in an urban setting in Tanzania; a cross-sectional analytic study
Authors: Mukuve Akampa , Noorani Mariam , Sendagire Ibrahim , Mgonja Miriam 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundMedical screening detects risk factors for disease or presence of disease in otherwise well persons in order to intervene early and reduce morbidity and mortality. During antenatal care (ANC) it is important to detect conditions that complicate pregnancy, like gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Despite international and local guidelines recommending screening for GDM during ANC, there is evidence to suggest that the practice was not being carried out adequately. A major challenge may be lack of consensus on uniform GDM screening and diagnostic guidelines internationally and locally.The primary objective was to determine the magnitude of screening for GDM among women receiving ANC at the Aga Khan Hospital, Dar es Salaam and Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam. Secondary objectives were: to determine the methods used by health practitioners to screen for GDM, to determine the magnitude of undiagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus among women attending ANC and factors associated with screening for GDM among these women.MethodsA cross-sectional analytical study was done. Data collection was done using pre-tested questionnaires and reviewing antenatal care records. The proportion of women attending ANC who were screened for GDM was determined. The 75 g Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) was offered to women who had not been screened after education and consent.ResultsOnly 107 out of 358 (29.9%) had been offered some form of GDM screening. Tests used for GDM screening were random blood sugar (56.8%), fasting blood sugar (32.8%), HbA1C (6%) and 75 g OGTT (3.4%). The uptake of the OGTT was 27%. Of these women the prevalence of GDM was 27.9%. Factors associated with screening for GDM were history of big baby, history of pregnancy induced hypertension and participant awareness of GDM (allp: < 0.05).ConclusionsScreening for GDM among women attending ANC was lower than the World Health Organization target. Efforts should be directed towards promoting GDM screening, increasing awareness about GDM and developing more effective screening methods.
Neuropathy, claw toes, intrinsic muscle volume, and plantar aponeurosis thickness in diabetic feet
Authors: Kimura Tadashi , Thorhauer Eric D. , Kindig Matthew W. , Shofer Jane B. , Sangeorzan Bruce J. , Ledoux William R. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
The objective of this study was to explore the relationships between claw toe deformity, peripheral neuropathy, intrinsic muscle volume, and plantar aponeurosis thickness using computed tomography (CT) images of diabetic feet in a cross-sectional analysis.

Methods
Forty randomly-selected subjects with type 2 diabetes were selected for each of the following four groups (n = 10 per group): 1) peripheral neuropathy with claw toes, 2) peripheral neuropathy without claw toes, 3) non-neuropathic with claw toes, and 4) non-neuropathic without claw toes. The intrinsic muscles of the foot were segmented from processed CT images. Plantar aponeurosis thickness was measured in the reformatted sagittal plane at 20% of the distance from the most inferior point of the calcaneus to the most inferior point of the second metatarsal. Five measurement sites in the medial-lateral direction were utilized to fully characterize the plantar aponeurosis thickness. A linear mixed-effects analysis on the effects of peripheral neuropathy and claw toe deformity on plantar aponeurosis thickness and intrinsic muscle volume was performed.

Results
Subjects with concurrent neuropathy and claw toes had thicker mean plantar aponeurosis (p < 0.006) and may have had less mean intrinsic muscle volume (p = 0.083) than the other 3 groups. The effects of neuropathy and claw toes on aponeurosis thickness were synergistic rather than additive. A similar pattern may exist for intrinsic muscle volume, but results were not as conclusive. A negative correlation was observed between plantar aponeurosis thickness and intrinsic muscle volume (R2 = 0.323, p < 0.001).

Conclusions
Subjects with concurrent neuropathy and claw toe deformity were associated with the smallest intrinsic foot muscle volumes and the thickest plantar aponeuroses. Intrinsic muscle atrophy and plantar aponeurosis thickening may be related to the development of claw toes in the presence of neuropathy.
Marital status, an independent predictor for survival of gastric neuroendocrine neoplasm patients: a SEER database analysis
Authors: Zhou Yu-Jie , Lu Xiao-Fan , Zheng Kenneth I. , Wang Qi-Wen , Chen Jin-Nan , Zhang Qing-Wei , Yan Fang-Rong , Li Xiao-Bo 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Marital status proves to be an independent prognostic factor in a variety of cancers. However, its prognostic impact on gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (G-NEN) has not been investigated.

Methods
We identified 3947 G-NEN patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Meanwhile, propensity scores for marital status were used to match 506 unmarried patients with 506 married patients. We used Kaplan–Meier method and multivariate Cox regression to analyse the association between marital status and the overall survival (OS) and G-NEN cause-specific survival (CSS) before matching and after matching.

Results
Married patients enjoyed better OS and CSS, compared with divorced/separated, single, and widowed patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that unmarried status was associated with higher mortality hazards for both OS and CSS among G-NEN patients. Additionally, widowed individuals had the highest risks of overall (adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 1.56, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.35–1.81, P < 0.001) and cancer-specific mortality (adjusted HR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.05–1.68, P = 0.02) compared to other unmarried groups in both males and females. Furthermore, unmarried status remained an independent prognostic and risk factor for both OS (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.19–1.90, P = 0.001) and CSS (HR 1.50, 95% CI 1.10–2.05, P = 0.01) in 1:1 propensity score-matched analysis.

Conclusion
Marital status was an independent prognostic factor for G-NEN. Meanwhile, widowed patients with G-NEN had the highest risk of death compared with single, married, and divorced/separated patients.
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, serious mental illness, and delivery-related health outcomes, United States, 2006–2015
Authors: McKee Kimberly , Admon Lindsay K. , Winkelman Tyler N. A. , Muzik Maria , Hall Stephanie , Dalton Vanessa K. , Zivin Kara 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
National estimates of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD) and serious mental illness (SMI) among delivering women over time, as well as associated outcomes and costs, are lacking. The prevalence of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and serious mental illness from 2006 to 2015 were estimated as well as associated risk of adverse obstetric outcomes, including severe maternal morbidity and mortality (SMMM), and delivery costs.

Methods
The study was a serial, cross-sectional analysis of National Inpatient Sample data. The prevalence of PMAD and SMI was estimated among delivering women as well as obstetric outcomes, healthcare utilization, and delivery costs using adjusted weighted logistic with predictive margins and generalized linear regression models, respectively.

Results
The study included an estimated 39,025,974 delivery hospitalizations from 2006 to 2015 in the U.S. PMAD increased from 18.4 (95% CI 16.4–20.0) to 40.4 (95% CI 39.3–41.6) per 1000 deliveries. SMI also increased among delivering women over time, from 4.2 (95% CI 3.9–4.6) to 8.1 (95% CI 7.9–8.4) per 1000 deliveries. Medicaid covered 72% (95% CI 71.2–72.9) of deliveries complicated by SMI compared to 44% (95% CI 43.1–45.0) and 43.5% (95% CI 42.5–44.5) among PMAD and all other deliveries, respectively. Women with PMAD and SMI experienced higher incidence of SMMM, and increased hospital transfers, lengths of stay, and delivery-related costs compared to other deliveries (P < .001 for all).

Conclusion
Over the past decade, the prevalence of both PMAD and SMI among delivering women increased substantially across the United States, and affected women had more adverse obstetric outcomes and delivery-related costs compared to other deliveries.