bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative evaluation of intraspecific genetic diversity in a natural fish population using environmental DNA analysis
Authors: Tsuji Satsuki , Shibata Naoki , Sawada Hayato , Ushio Masayuki 
Published: May 2020

AbstractRecent advances in environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis using high‐throughput sequencing (HTS) enable evaluation of intraspecific genetic diversity in a population. As the intraspecific genetic diversity provides invaluable information for wildlife conservation and management, there is an increasing demand to apply eDNA analysis to population genetics and the phylogeography by quantitative evaluation of intraspecific diversity. However, quantitative evaluations of intraspecific genetic diversity using eDNA is not straightforward because the number of eDNA sequence reads obtained by HTS may not be an index of the quantity of eDNA. In this study, to quantitatively evaluate genetic diversity using eDNA analysis, we applied a quantitative eDNA metabarcoding method using the internal standard DNAs. We targeted Ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis) and added internal standard DNAs with known copy numbers to each eDNA sample obtained from three rivers during the library preparation process. The sequence reads of each Ayu haplotype were successfully converted to DNA copy numbers based on the relationship between the copy numbers and sequence reads of the internal standard DNAs. In all rivers, the calculated copy number of each haplotype showed a significant positive correlation with the haplotype frequency estimated by a capture‐based survey. Furthermore, estimates of genetic indicators such as nucleotide diversity based on the eDNA copy numbers were comparable with those estimated based on a capture‐based study. Our results demonstrate that eDNA analysis with internal standard DNAs enables reasonable quantification of intraspecific genetic diversity, and this method could thus be a promising tool in the field of population genetics and phylogeography.
Isolation and characterization of potentially pathogenic Vibrio species in a temperate, higher latitude hotspot
Authors: Ford Charlotte L. , Powell Andy , Lau Dawn Yan Lam , Turner Andrew D. , Dhanji‐Rapkova Monika , Martinez‐Urtaza Jaime , Baker‐Austin Craig 
Published: May 2020

SummaryThe recent emergence of Vibrio infections at high latitudes represents a clear human health risk attributable to climate change. Here, we investigate the population dynamics of three Vibrio species: Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio cholerae within a British coastal estuarine site, with contrasting salinity and temperature regimes during an intense heatwave event. Water samples were collected weekly through the summer of 2018 and 2019 and filtered using membrane filtration and subsequently grown on selective media. Suspected vibrios were confirmed using a conventional species‐specific PCR assay and further analysed for potential pathogenic markers. Results showed that Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio cholerae were present at high concentrations throughout both years, with their populations at substantially greater abundances corresponding to conditions of higher water temperatures during the heatwave of 2018 and at lower salinity sites, which is comparable to the results of previous studies. A subset of strains isolated during the extreme heatwave event in 2018 (46 Vibrio parahaemolyticus, 11 Vibrio cholerae and 4 Vibrio vulnificus) were genomically sequenced. Analysis of these 63 sequenced strains revealed a broad phenotypic and genomic diversity of strains circulating in the environment. An analysis of pathogenicity attributes identified a broad array of virulence genes across all three species, including a variety of genes associated with human disease. This study highlights the importance of the need for an increased Vibrio spp. surveillance system in temperate regions and the potential impact warming events such as heatwaves may have on the abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the environment.
Do local social norms affect investors’ involvement in social activism? Revisiting the case of US institutional investors
Authors: Cahan Steven F. , Chen Chen , Chen Li 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPrior evidence suggests that, in contrast to European investors, local norms related to environmental and social (E&S) beliefs do not affect the willingness of US institutional investors to push for E&S improvements in US firms. We revisit this issue except, instead of measuring E&S social norms at the country level, we allow E&S social norms to vary between states. We find that the shareholdings of non‐local US institutional investors from states with strong E&S social norms are positively related to E&S‐related shareholder activism, indicating that local E&S social norms do matter for US institutional investors.
Job satisfaction of rural medical interns: A qualitative study
Authors: Isaacs Anton N. , Raymond Anita , Jacob Angela , Hawkings Philippa 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo study reasons for job satisfaction and dissatisfaction among interns.DesignUsing a qualitative methodology, one‐to‐one interviews were conducted with interns.SettingThe study was based at a Victorian Rural Intern Training program.ParticipantsTwelve interns from the program were interviewed during their final rotation.Main outcome measuresReasons for job satisfaction and dissatisfaction among rural interns.ResultsReasons for job satisfaction included feeling supported in the workplace as well as getting quality supervision, teaching and clinical exposure. Reasons for job dissatisfaction included poor access to administration, unduly stressful working situations, lack of support for mental health and well‐being, and poorly organised teaching sessions.ConclusionThe internship experience, together with the people they are influenced by, can determine a doctor’s future career pathway. It is therefore vital for internship coordinators and hospital managers to facilitate a positive internship experience. The findings have implications for human resource management policy and practice in rural hospitals.
Coagulation in liver surgery: an observational haemostatic profile and thromboelastography study
Authors: Oo June , Allen Megan , Loveday Benjamin P. T. , Lee Nora , Knowles Brett , Riedel Bernhard , Burbury Kate , Thomson Benjamin 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundInternational normalized ratio (INR) is used as a marker of the haemostatic status following liver resection. However, the impact of liver resection on haemostasis is complex and beyond what can be measured by INR. This study aimed to prospectively assess haemostatic profile following liver resection and determine if INR measurement can safely guide post‐operative thromboprophylaxis.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, patients undergoing liver resection had coagulation parameters (International normalised ratio (INR), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, d‐dimer, von Willebrand factor antigen, procoagulant activity of phospholipids and clotting factors II, VII, VIIIc, IX and X) and thromboelastogram parameters assessed perioperatively. Clinical follow‐up assessed for thromboembolism and haemorrhage.ResultsIn the 41 patients included, INR was significantly (P < 0.0001) elevated post‐operatively, and INR >1.5 was observed in seven of 41 (17.1%) on post‐operative day 1 and one of 41 (2.4%) patients on post‐operative day 3, respectively. Factor VII levels showed transient reduction but other factors, especially factors II and X, remained within normal range following liver resection. Thromboelastogram parameters remained normal or supranormal for all patients at all time points. One incident of post‐hepatectomy haemorrhage occurred, despite a normal coagulation profile. Two patients suffered late pulmonary embolic episodes.ConclusionPost liver resection haemostasis is complex and poorly reflected by INR, which should not guide initiation of chemical thromboprophylaxis in the immediate post‐operative period.
Management of pyogenic liver abscess: a South Australian experience
Authors: McNeil Thomas , Daniel Santhosh , Gordon David L. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundThere have been declining mortality rates associated with pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) in recent decades due to improvements in percutaneous drainage techniques, access to imaging and improvements in supportive care. The aim of this study was to analyse the aetiology, management and outcome of PLA at a tertiary hospital in Adelaide.MethodsData was collected retrospectively from 80 patients who were admitted with a PLA between 2011 and 2018. The data points covered demographic variables, presumed aetiology, microbiology results, abscess imaging characteristics, interventions, antibiotic treatment, complications and mortality.ResultsThe majority of patients were Caucasian (86%) and the most common predisposing conditions were biliary tract disease (39%), intra‐abdominal infection (20%) and diabetes (18%).Escherichia coli(21%),Klebsiellaspecies (18%),Streptococcus anginosusgroup (14%) and anaerobes (18%) were the most frequent pathogens isolated. Fifty‐one percent of patients were bacteraemic. Percutaneous catheter insertion (45%) was the most common form of drainage followed by percutaneous aspiration (13%), surgery (11%) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (6%), while 25% of patients did not undergo any form of drainage. Twenty‐four patients (30%) suffered a complication with the highest proportion occurring in the medically managed group. The overall mortality rate was 9% with only 1% mortality rate attributable to PLA.ConclusionThis study demonstrates a continued preference for percutaneous drainage techniques over surgery in the management of PLA. A significant proportion of patients did not undergo abscess drainage and the risk of subsequent complications appeared to concentrate in this group, although the mortality rate from PLA was low.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: prevalence of prior and concurrent Barrett's oesophagus in oesophageal adenocarcinoma patients
Authors: Tan Mimi C. , Mansour Nabil , White Donna L. , Sisson Amy , El‐Serag Hashem B. , Thrift Aaron P. 
Published: May 2020

SummaryBackgroundThe proportions of patients with oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) diagnosed by Barrett's oesophagus surveillance or with pre‐existing Barrett's oesophagus are unclear.AimTo estimate the prevalence of prior and concurrent Barrett's oesophagus diagnosis among patients with OAC or oesophagogastric junction adenocarcinomas (OGJAC).MethodsWe searched PubMed and Embase to identify studies published 1966‐1/8/2020 that examined the prevalence of prior (≥6 months) or concurrent Barrett's diagnosis (at cancer diagnosis) among OAC and OGJAC patients. Random effects models estimated overall and stratified pooled prevalence rates.ResultsA total of 69 studies, including 33 002 OAC patients (53 studies) and 2712 patients with OGJAC (28 studies) were included. The pooled prevalence of prior Barrett's oesophagus diagnosis in OAC was 11.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.4%‐15.6%). The prevalence of prior Barrett's oesophagus diagnosis was higher in single‐centre resection studies (16.0%, 95% CI 8.7%‐24.9%) than population‐based cancer registry studies (8.4%, 95% CI 5.5%‐11.9%). The prevalence of concurrent Barrett's oesophagus in OAC was 56.6% (95% CI 48.5%‐64.6%). Studies with 100% early stage OAC had higher prevalence of concurrent Barrett's oesophagus (91.3%, 95% CI 82.4%‐97.6%) than studies with <50% early OAC (39.7%, 95% CI 33.7%‐45.9%). In OGJAC, the prevalence of prior and concurrent Barrett's oesophagus was 23.2% (95% CI 7.5%‐44.0%) and 26.3% (95% CI 17.8%‐35.7%), respectively.ConclusionsMost patients with OAC have Barrett's oesophagus. Our meta‐analysis found ~12% of OAC patients had prior Barrett's diagnosis, but concurrent Barrett's oesophagus was found in ~57% at the time of OAC diagnosis. This represents a considerable missed opportunity for Barrett's oesophagus screening.
A case of diaphragmatic hernia incarceration after a heart transplant operation
Authors: Sasaki Masaru , Takahashi Tsuyoshi , Funaki Soichiro , Tanaka Koji , Miyazaki Yasuhiro , Ose Naoko , Makino Tomoki , Kurokawa Yukinori , Yamasaki Makoto , Nakajima Kiyokazu , Shintani Yasushi , Mori Masaki , Doki Yuichiro 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe report a case of a diaphragmatic hernia after a heart transplant operation. A 43‐year‐old woman, who underwent orthotropic heart transplantation for hypertrophic cadiomyopathy two year earlier, presented with vomiting and epigastric pain. A computed tomography scan showed that the stomach and transverse colon were dislocated in the left thoracic cavity. We diagnosed left diaphragmatic hernia incarceration and performed laparoscopic repair of the diaphragmatic hernia. A 12 × 8 cm diaphragmatic defect was found intraoperatively on the ventrolateral aspect of the left diaphragm, and the stomach with volvulus had herniated into the thorax through the defect. The hernia was considered to be iatrogenic. The diaphragmatic defect was large, and the diaphragm was thinning. We closed the defect by mesh repair. Laparoscopic mesh repair of the diaphragmatic hernia could be performed safely and with minimal invasiveness.
SIRT1/IGFBPrP1/TGF β1 axis involved in cucurbitacin B ameliorating concanavalin A‐induced mice liver fibrosis
Authors: Yang Li , Ao Qinfang , Zhong Qingmei , Li Wen , Li Wenhong 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe present study investigated the improving effect of cucurbitacin B on liver fibrosis induced by concanavalin A in mice and explored its possible mechanism. AST, ALT and TB were detected by kits. ELISA was performed to detect the levels of IL 5, IL 6, IL 13 and TNF‐α in serum. Haematoxylin‐eosin (HE) staining and Masson's trichrome staining were used to evaluate pathological changes. Western blotting was performed to observe expression levels of sirtuin (SIRT) 1, insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐related protein 1 (IGFBPrP1) and TGF β1. The activity of SIRT 1 also was detected. Results showed that cucurbitacin B could effectively improve the abnormal liver function, inhibit liver fibrosis and suppress releases of inflammatory factors in mice induced by concanavalin A. Furthermore, cucurbitacin B could down‐regulate the expressions of TGF β1 and IGFBPrP1, increase the expression and activity of SIRT 1. Interestingly, when SIRT1 activity was inhibited by EX 527, a selective inhibitor of SIRT 1, the preventive effect of cucurbitacin B was significantly attenuated. Taken together, the above results showed that cucurbitacin B could significantly suppress releases of inflammatory cytokines and improve liver fibrosis induced by concanavalin A in mice, and those may be achieved through SIRT1/IGFBPrP1/TGF β1 axis.
Quantile regression for survival data with covariates subject to detection limits
Authors: Yu Tonghui , Xiang Liming , Wang Huixia Judy 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWith advances in biomedical research, biomarkers are becoming increasingly important prognostic factors for predicting overall survival, while the measurement of biomarkers is often censored due to instruments' lower limits of detection. This leads to two types of censoring: random censoring in overall survival outcomes and fixed censoring in biomarker covariates, posing new challenges in statistical modeling and inference. Existing methods for analyzing such data focus primarily on linear regression ignoring censored responses or semiparametric accelerated failure time models with covariates under detection limits (DL). In this paper, we propose a quantile regression for survival data with covariates subject to DL. Comparing to existing methods, the proposed approach provides a more versatile tool for modeling the distribution of survival outcomes by allowing covariate effects to vary across conditional quantiles of the survival time and requiring no parametric distribution assumptions for outcome data. To estimate the quantile process of regression coefficients, we develop a novel multiple imputation approach based on another quantile regression for covariates under DL, avoiding stringent parametric restrictions on censored covariates as often assumed in the literature. Under regularity conditions, we show that the estimation procedure yields uniformly consistent and asymptotically normal estimators. Simulation results demonstrate the satisfactory finite‐sample performance of the method. We also apply our method to the motivating data from a study of genetic and inflammatory markers of Sepsis.
Delayed‐phase thrombocytopenia in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19)
Authors: Chen Wanxin , Li Ziping , Yang Bohan , Wang Ping , Zhou Qiong , Zhang Zhiguo , Zhu Jianhua , Chen Xuexing , Yang Peng , Zhou Hao 
Published: May 2020

SummaryCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) can affect the haematopoietic system. Thrombocytopenia at admission was prevalent, while late‐phase or delayed‐phase thrombocytopenia (occurred 14 days after symptom onset) is rare. This retrospective, single‐centre study screened 450 COVID‐19 patients and enrolled 271 patients at the Union Hospital, Wuhan, China, from January 25 to March 9, 2020. COVID‐19‐associated delayed‐phase thrombocytopenia occurred in 11·8% of enrolling patients. The delayed‐phase thrombocytopenia in COVID‐19 is prone to develop in elderly patients or patients with low lymphocyte count on admission. The delayed‐phase thrombocytopenia is significantly associated with increased length of hospital stay and higher mortality rate. Delayed‐phase nadir platelet counts demonstrated a significantly negative correlation with B cell percentages. We also provided and described bone marrow aspiration pathology of three patients with delayed‐phase thrombocytopenia, showing impaired maturation of megakaryocytes. We speculated that immune‐mediated platelet destruction might account for the delayed‐phase thrombocytopenia in a group of patients. In addition, clinicians need to pay attention to the delayed‐phase thrombocytopenia especially at 3–4 weeks after symptom onset.
The interplay between local and landscape scales on the density of pond‐dwelling anurans in subtropical grasslands
Authors: Iop Samanta , Gomes dos Santos Tiago , Zanini Cechin Sonia , Vélez‐Martin Eduardo , D. Pillar Valério , Inácio Prado Paulo 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe investigated the role of local and landscape environmental variables on anurans density classified as habitat specialists and generalists in grassland landscapes, known as South Brazilian grasslands (SBG). In this region, we surveyed 187 ponds distributed over 40 landscape sampling units. For each pond, 31 local environmental variables were measured. Each landscape sampling unit was embedded within a larger regional sampling unit with different landscape properties. For each landscape and regional sampling units, 16 landscape metrics were extracted from a land cover and use map. We recorded 35 species, eleven of which are specialists in the SBG. The specialists were affected by 11 local and 2 landscape environmental variables, while generalists were affected by 14 local and one landscape environmental variable. Thus, specialists and generalists presented different relationships with local and landscape variables, but in general local variables had a greater influence on the density of anurans than the landscape variables. However, the landscape indirectly influenced local variables because higher quality ponds were in landscapes with higher percentages of natural habitat. In conclusion, reproductive sites with higher local quality and located within landscapes with higher percentages of natural grasslands are essential to conserve anurans in this habitat. Effective conservation of such sites would benefit from further studies that assess effects of land use and biotic integrity of ponds, which can help to determine (a) the relative effects of local habitat quality of ponds and (b) the effectiveness of protecting ponds and their local surroundings for anuran conservation in SBG.Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.
Do economic integration agreements affect trade predictability? A group effect analysis
Authors: Figueiredo Erik , Lima Luiz Renato 
Published: May 2020

AbstractRecent theoretical findings in the trade literature suggest that economic integration agreements (EIAs) not only increase the level of trade but also make it more stable and predictable. This paper proposes a Hausman–Taylor quantile regression approach to identify the causal effect of EIA membership on trade predictability. The proposed methodology accounts for group effects in the gravity equation and is computationally efficient. Our results corroborate the theoretical findings that EIAs make trade more stable and predictable and this conclusion is even stronger for deeper EIAs.
Onset of occupational hand eczema among healthcare workers during the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic: Comparing a single surgical site with a COVID‐19 intensive care unit
Authors: Guertler Anne , Moellhoff Nicholas , Schenck Thilo L. , Hagen Christine S. , Kendziora Benjamin , Giunta Riccardo E. , French Lars E. , Reinholz Markus 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundAs a result of the COVID‐19 outbreak, hygiene regulations have been revised and hand sanitation has been intensified.ObjectiveTo investigate the onset of hand eczema during the COVID‐19 pandemic in healthcare workers (HCWs) directly involved in intensive care of COVID‐19 patients and HCWs without direct contact with COVID‐19 patients. Hereby, we aim at increasing awareness about occupational hand eczema and preventive measures that can be adopted.MethodA survey was distributed amongst 114 HCWs at a single surgical centre and at a COVID‐19 intensive care unit of the university hospital Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Germany. Participants were questioned about the daily frequency of hand hygiene prior to and during the pandemic. Participants self‐reported the onset of hand eczema and associated symptoms.ResultsOur study revealed a significant increase in hand washing, disinfection, and use of hand cream across all participants (P‐value <.001), regardless of having direct contact with COVID‐19 patients. A high prevalence of symptoms associated with acute hand dermatitis of 90.4% was found across all HCWs, whereas hand eczema itself was underreported (14.9%).ConclusionThe increase in hand sanitation during the COVID‐19 pandemic impairs the skin of the hands across all HCWs, independent of direct intensive care of affected patients.
Increase in concentration of patch test allergen reduces patch test occlusion time to 12 hours without affecting patch test reactivity in patients with parthenium dermatitis
Authors: Verma Kaushal K. , Saginatham Himabindu , Sethuraman Gomathy , Bhari Neetu , Kalaivani M. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundPatch testing is the standard method to diagnose contact allergy. Patches are applied for 48 hours, which is inconvenient to patients in tropical weather. Therefore, we evaluated different patch test occlusion times with increased concentrations of an allergen to determine if occlusion time can be reduced without compromising patch test reactivity.MethodsPatch test positive patients with parthenium dermatitis were enrolled and patch tested using five different concentrations (10%, 4%, 2%, 1%, and 0.5%) of parthenium extract. The patches were applied in triplicate. The first set was removed after 12 hours, whereas the second and third sets were removed after 24 and 48 hours, respectively. Readings were performed at 24, 48, and 96 hours.ResultsFifty patients with parthenium dermatitis were included. The positive patch test reaction rates were comparable in all three sets at 24‐ and 48‐hour readings irrespective of the occlusion time. All were positive, with 10%, 4%, and 2% concentrations at 96‐hour reading with an occlusion time of 12 hours.ConclusionAn occlusion time of 12 hours seems adequate to elicit positive patch test reaction at a 96‐hour reading if the concentration of patch test allergen can be increased, that is, from 1% to 2% in these patients.