bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Susceptibility of invasive Neisseria meningitidis strains isolated in Germany to azithromycin, an alternative agent for post-exposure prophylaxis
Authors: Krone Manuel , Lâm Thiên-Trí , Vogel Ulrich , Claus Heike 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Background
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for close contacts of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases is recommended in most countries to avoid secondary cases by eradicating supposed meningococcal colonization. Currently, rifampicin, ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone are recommended in many countries including Germany. Azithromycin has been shown to eradicate meningococcal colonization.

Objectives
To assess the azithromycin susceptibility of invasive Neisseria meningitidis isolates.

Methods
A subset of German invasive meningococcal isolates from 2006–18 was selected for this study. Azithromycin MIC was determined using broth microdilution and agar gradient diffusion.

Results
Azithromycin MICs as determined by broth microdilution ranged from &lt;0.003 to 2 mg/L (median 0.50 mg/L, Q75 1 mg/L). All isolates were susceptible to azithromycin according to the CLSI breakpoint (95% CI 0.0%–1.5%). There was no significant correlation between MICs determined by broth microdilution and agar gradient diffusion. Nevertheless, the two methods were consistent regarding the categorization of all isolates as susceptible.

Conclusions
Azithromycin is an eligible antibiotic for PEP of IMD close contacts. It is approved for adults as well as children and may even be used in pregnancy. Because of easier application and lower toxicity, it might be an alternative to rifampicin and ciprofloxacin, as we found no resistant isolates. Since a gonococcal gene associated with elevated azithromycin MICs has been reported in N. meningitidis, careful monitoring of the emergence of resistant strains is nevertheless necessary for meningococci. Lack of concordance of MICs between broth microdilution and agar gradient diffusion needs to be considered.
Cross-tolerance to Desiccation and Cold in Khapra Beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)
Authors: Shivananjappa Sunil , Laird Robert A , Floate Kevin D , Fields Paul G 
Published: December 2019

AbstractKhapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts, is unusual in two key respects. First, they are among the most cold hardy of stored-product insect pests even though they originate in hot and dry regions of the Indian subcontinent. Second, their larvae can enter into diapause to survive harsh environmental conditions. In the present study, we examined whether these two phenomena are related, i.e., due to cross-tolerance. Cross-tolerance is the tolerance to one ecological stress when induced by a separate stress. To investigate this, khapra beetle larvae were reared at different relative humidities (3, 28, 49, and 79%) in either nondiapausing or diapausing conditions. Then the cold tolerance of larvae was estimated by measuring mortality after different durations at −10°C. For nondiapausing larvae, relative humidity had little effect on cold tolerance with the lethal time to 50% mortality (LT50) occurring between 2 and 4 d. For diapausing larvae, cold tolerance increased with greater desiccation stress with LT50’s of 5, 7, 10, and 18 d at 79, 49, 28, and 3% RH, respectively. This suggests that the physiological mechanisms that protect diapausing larvae from desiccation may also increase cold tolerance, even though these insects may rarely be exposed to low temperatures.
EU General Court dismisses Piaggio’s appeal against Vespa decision
Authors: Cerri Alessandro , Mark Ben 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
General Court, T–219/18, Piaggio & C SpA v EUIPO and Zhejiang Zhongneng Industry Group Co. Ltd [2019] EU:T:2019:681 (24 September 2019)
The EU General Court has dismissed Piaggio's appeal against EUIPO's refusal of its application for a declaration of invalidity in respect of Zhejiang's registered Community design for its scooter.
Epidemic West Nile Virus Infection Rates and Endemic Population Dynamics Among South Dakota Mosquitoes: A 15-yr Study from the United States Northern Great Plains
Authors: Vincent Geoffrey P , Davis Justin K , Wittry Matthew J , Wimberly Michael C , Carlson Chris D , Patton Denise L , Hildreth Michael B 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMosquito surveillance has been conducted across South Dakota (SD) to record and track potential West Nile virus (WNV) vectors since 2004. During this time, communities from 29 counties collected nearly 5.5 million mosquitoes, providing data from over 60,000 unique trapping nights. The nuisance mosquito, Aedes vexans (Meigen) was the most abundant species in the state (39.9%), and most abundant in most regions. The WNV vector, Culex tarsalis Coquillett (Diptera: Culicidae), was the second most abundant species (20.5%), and 26 times more abundant than the other Culex species that also transmit WNV. However, geographic variation did exist between WNV vector species, as well as relative abundance of vector and nuisance mosquitoes. The abundance of Ae. vexans decreased from east to west in South Dakota, resulting in an increase in the relative abundance of Cx. tarsalis. Other species are reported in this study, with various relative abundances throughout the different regions of South Dakota. WNV infection rates of mosquitoes showed that Cx. tarsalis had the most positive sampling pools and the highest vector index of all the species tested. This study addressed the need for an updated summary of the predominant mosquito species present in the United States Northern Great Plain and provides infection rate data for WNV among these predominant species.
Weak lensing reveals a tight connection between dark matter halo mass and the distribution of stellar mass in massive galaxies
Authors: Huang Song , Leauthaud Alexie , Hearin Andrew , Behroozi Peter , Bradshaw Christopher , Ardila Felipe , Speagle Joshua , Tenneti Ananth , Bundy Kevin , Greene Jenny , Sifón Cristóbal , Bahcall Neta 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT
Using deep images from the Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) survey and taking advantage of its unprecedented weak lensing capabilities, we reveal a remarkably tight connection between the stellar mass distribution of massive central galaxies and their host dark matter halo mass. Massive galaxies with more extended stellar mass distributions tend to live in more massive dark matter haloes. We explain this connection with a phenomenological model that assumes, (1) a tight relation between the halo mass and the total stellar content in the halo, (2) that the fraction of in situ and ex situ mass at r &lt;10 kpc depends on halo mass. This model provides an excellent description of the stellar mass functions (SMFs) of total stellar mass ($M_{\star }^{\mathrm{max}}$) and stellar mass within inner 10 kpc ($M_{\star }^{10}$) and also reproduces the HSC weak lensing signals of massive galaxies with different stellar mass distributions. The best-fitting model shows that halo mass varies significantly at fixed total stellar mass (as much as 0.4 dex) with a clear dependence on $M_{\star }^{10}$. Our two-parameter $M_{\star }^{\mathrm{max}}$–$M_{\star }^{10}$ description provides a more accurate picture of the galaxy–halo connection at the high-mass end than the simple stellar–halo mass relation (SHMR) and opens a new window to connect the assembly history of haloes with those of central galaxies. The model also predicts that the ex situ component dominates the mass profiles of galaxies at r &lt; 10 kpc for log M⋆ ≥ 11.7. The code used for this paper is available online https://github.com/dr-guangtou/asap
Lizards from the Lost World: two new species and evolutionary relationships of the Pantepui highland Riolama (Gymnophthalmidae)
Authors: Recoder Renato , Prates Ivan , Marques-Souza Sergio , Camacho Agustín , Nunes Pedro M Sales , Dal Vechio Francisco , Ghellere José Mario , McDiarmid Roy W , Rodrigues Miguel Trefaut 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The Pantepui region of northern South America harbours an endemic fauna that differs dramatically from those of the surrounding lowland rainforests and savannas. A component of this unique fauna is Riolama, a poorly known genus of microteiid lizards with four described and two undescribed species restricted to tepui mountains. We here implement an integrative approach to formally describe the two unnamed species and investigate the phylogenetic relationships and timing of diversification in Riolama using a fossil-calibrated molecular approach. Our results suggest that diversification initiated in Riolama during the Oligocene (c. 28 Mya), thereby characterizing the genus as an ancient lineage. This supports the Plateau biogeographic hypothesis to explain the diversification of the Pantepui fauna. Our divergence time estimation analysis also provides an updated temporal framework for the diversification of the highly diverse Gymnophthalmidae clade.
Pharmacological inhibition of CSF1R by GW2580 reduces microglial proliferation and is protective against neuroinflammation and dopaminergic neurodegeneration
Authors: Neal Matthew L. , Fleming Sheila M. , Budge Kevin M. , Boyle Alexa M. , Kim Chunki , Alam Gelareh , Beier Eric E. , Wu Long‐Jun , Richardson Jason R. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIncreased pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels and proliferation of activated microglia have been found in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and animal models of PD, suggesting that targeting of the microglial inflammatory response may result in neuroprotection in PD. Microglial proliferation is regulated by many factors, but colony stimulating factor‐1 receptor (CSF1R) has emerged as a primary factor. Using data mining techniques on existing microarray data, we found that mRNA expression of the CSF1R ligand, CSF‐1, is increased in the brain of PD patients compared to controls. In two different neurotoxic mouse models of PD, acute MPTP and sub‐chronic LPS treatment, mRNA and protein levels of CSF1R and CSF‐1 were significantly increased. Treatment with the CSF1R inhibitor GW2580 significantly attenuated MPTP‐induced CSF1R activation and Iba1‐positive cell proliferation, without a reduction of the basal Iba1‐positive population in the substantia nigra. GW2580 treatment also significantly decreased mRNA levels of pro‐inflammatory factors, without alteration of anti‐inflammatory mediators, and significantly attenuated the MPTP‐induced loss of dopamine neurons and motor behavioral deficits. Importantly, these effects were observed in the absence of overt microglial depletion, suggesting that targeting CSF1R signaling may be a viable neuroprotective strategy in PD that disrupts pro‐inflammatory signaling, but maintains the beneficial effects of microglia.
Bacterial pore‐forming toxin pneumolysin: Cell membrane structure and microvesicle shedding capacity determines differential survival of immune cell types
Authors: Larpin Yu , Besançon Hervé , Iacovache Mircea‐Ioan , Babiychuk Victoriia S. , Babiychuk Eduard B. , Zuber Benoît , Draeger Annette , Köffel René 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBacterial infectious diseases can lead to death or to serious illnesses. These outcomes are partly the consequence of pore‐forming toxins, which are secreted by the pathogenic bacteria (eg, pneumolysin of Streptococcus pneumoniae). Pneumolysin binds to cholesterol within the plasma membrane of host cells and assembles to form trans‐membrane pores, which can lead to Ca2+ influx and cell death. Membrane repair mechanisms exist that limit the extent of damage. Immune cells which are essential to fight bacterial infections critically rely on survival mechanisms after detrimental pneumolysin attacks. This study investigated the susceptibility of different immune cell types to pneumolysin. As a model system, we used the lymphoid T‐cell line Jurkat, and myeloid cell lines U937 and THP‐1. We show that Jurkat T cells are highly susceptible to pneumolysin attack. In contrast, myeloid THP‐1 and U937 cells are less susceptible to pneumolysin. In line with these findings, human primary T cells are shown to be more susceptible to pneumolysin attack than monocytes. Differences in susceptibility to pneumolysin are due to (I) preferential binding of pneumolysin to Jurkat T cells and (II) cell type specific plasma membrane repair capacity. Myeloid cell survival is mostly dependent on Ca2+ induced expelling of damaged plasma membrane areas as microvesicles. Thus, in myeloid cells, first‐line defense cells in bacterial infections, a potent cellular repair machinery ensures cell survival after pneumolysin attack. In lymphoid cells, which are important at later stages of infections, less efficient repair mechanisms and enhanced toxin binding renders the cells more sensitive to pneumolysin.
Early Childhood Development Caregiver Training and Neurocognition of HIV-Exposed Ugandan Siblings
Authors: Boivin Michael J. , Augustinavicius Jura L. , Familiar-Lopez Itziar , Murray Sarah M. , Sikorskii Alla , Awadu Jorem , Nakasujja Noeline , Bass Judith K. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT:

Objective:
Early childhood development (ECD) programs can enhance neurocognitive development outcomes through caregiver training. This study explores whether school-age siblings benefited from a program provided to HIV-infected caregivers and their preschool-aged target children.

Methods:
Siblings of target 2- to 3-year-old children in ECD intervention households were evaluated at school age (5–12 years) on neurocognitive outcomes with the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC), computerized Test of Variables of Attention, Behavior Rating Inventory for Executive Function (BRIEF; parent), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder rating inventory (ADHD-R)-IV (parent). Households from 18 geographic clusters in eastern Uganda were randomized to individualized biweekly sessions of either (1) Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregivers (MISC) training emphasizing cognitive stimulation/enrichment or (2) health/nutrition/development [Uganda Community-Based Association For Women & Children Welfare (UCOBAC)] program. Siblings with baseline and at least 1 follow-up assessment (n = 216) were included in the analysis. Three repeated postbaseline measures of sibling neurocognitive outcomes were analyzed using the linear mixed-effects model while adjusting for socioeconomic status and behavioral outcome at baseline.

Results:
Siblings in the MISC arm had better performance on KABC sequential processing at 6 months (p = 0.02) and simultaneous processing at 12 months (p = 0.03). MISC mothers rated their children as having significantly more problems on the BRIEF and ADHD-RS-IV (p < 0.01) than UCOBAC mothers across all time points.

Conclusion:
Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregivers training resulted in some short-term neurocognitive benefits for school-aged siblings, but these differences were not sustained at 1-year follow-up. Exploring potential impacts of parenting programs on other children in the home is an important development for the field.
Erector Spinae Plane Block Decreases Pain and Opioid Consumption in Breast Surgery: Systematic Review
Authors: ElHawary Hassan , Abdelhamid Kenzy , Meng Fanyi , Janis Jeffrey E. 
Published: December 2019

Background:
Adequate control of acute postoperative pain is crucial in breast surgeries, as it is a significant factor in the development of persistent chronic pain. Inadequate postoperative pain control increases length of hospital stays and risk of severe complications. Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a novel regional block that has the ability to sufficiently block unilateral multidermatomal sensation from T1 to L3. By reviewing the literature on ESPB, this paper aimed to elucidate its efficacy in breast surgery analgesia and its role in addressing the opioid crisis in North America.

Methods:
PUBMED, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched for relevant articles according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Inclusion criteria included any articles that described ESPB in breast surgery. Exclusion criteria composed of articles that exclusively discussed other kinds of regional blocks.

Results:
Thirty-two articles including 6 randomized controlled trials were included in this review. ESPB demonstrated superior pain control and less opioid consumption compared with tumescent anesthesia or using no block. However, ESPB showed lower efficacy in pain control compared with pectoral nerve block. Patients experienced less nausea and vomiting and were overall more satisfied with ESPB compared with other pain control modalities. The vast majority of the studies reported the ease of ESPB administration, and only 1 case presented with a complication.

Conclusions:
ESPB is a promising form of regional anesthesia that can decrease postoperative pain and opioid consumption when used as part of multimodal pain analgesia for patients undergoing breast surgery.
Application of Dermal Skin Substitutes for Hand and Finger Palmar Soft Tissue Loss
Authors: Lucas Dominique , Di Rocco Damien , Müller Camillo T. , Jurjus Abdo R. , Raffoul Wassim , di Summa Pietro G. , Watfa William 
Published: December 2019

Summary:
Restoring function after traumatic defects of the palm is a reconstructive challenge, considering the need for flexible, elastic, and resistant skin. Dermal skin substitutes are biologically engineered materials composed of collagen and glycosaminoglycan, devoid of cellular structures. These biodegradable materials act as artificial dermis and stimulate neovascularization: they have been used for many years, mainly on the dorsal side of the hand and fingers, whereas the palmar side of the hand has been generally addressed by local flaps. In this study, we described our experience with dermal skin substitutes in two cases of palmar defects associated with exposed tendinous structures. Coverage of palmar defects in hand and fingers with dermal substitute and split thickness skin graft was performed on two patients. Both patients presented palmar-only loss of tissue (traumatic palmar amputation in the first patient and degloving-type injury in the second patient). Range of motion, functional outcomes, and satisfaction and aesthetical results were evaluated. The resulting skin showed good quality, thickness, pliability, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score. Additionally, the patients regained full range of motion and reported high satisfaction. The association of split thickness skin graft with dermal substitutes in palmar traumatic hand showed optimal functional and aesthetic outcomes. Although being more adapted to dorsal loss of substance, collagen-based dermal substitutes can also be useful reconstructive tools in palmar defects with exposed structures and could be used to a larger extent in the future.
Control of the Suborbital Cheek in Pediatric Patients: Working in the Deep Plane
Authors: Salibian Ara A. , Zide Barry M. 
Published: December 2019

Background:
Reconstruction of suborbital cheek and lower eyelid defects can be challenging in pediatric patients due to the need for lower eyelid support, lack of reliable local tissue, and difficulties of scar concealment. The deep-plane cervicofacial rotation-advancement flap is a useful technique for cheek reconstruction in adults; however, its utility in the pediatric population has not been described.

Methods:
Experience using the deep-plane Schrudde flap for large suborbital defects in pediatric patients is presented.

Results:
Safe flap elevation and successful reconstruction requires utilization of critical anatomic landmarks, a standardized sequence of dissection and appropriate fixation.
Rasch Analysis of the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs in the City of São Paulo
Authors: Claro Heloísa G. , Oliveira Márcia A. F. , Fernandes Ivan F. A. L. , Boska Gabriella de Andrade , dos Santos Nencis , Pinho Paula H. , Tarifa Rosana R. , Rojas Thais F. , Smith Douglas C. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Introduction
Approximately 5% of the global population used an illicit drug in 2013. Regarding licit drugs, alcohol is responsible for the occurrence of approximately 200 diseases, among them depression. In addition to health impairments, alcohol is also implicated in many acts of violence. This study aimed to measure the properties of the Rasch model of the Portuguese version of the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs-Short Screener based on evidence obtained during care for users of alcohol and other drugs.

Method
To collect the data, 128 interviews were held at the Psychosocial Care Center for Alcohol and Other Drugs in the state capital, during which the scale was applied.

Results
The Rasch model revealed that the subscales of the instrument were appropriate, with all items having mean infit and outfit values from 0.5 to 1.5, considered optimal for measurement. There was no evidence of differential performance for gender. Substance use and crime and violence items presented redundancy for severity measures.

Conclusion
Given the need for validated instruments for use in Brazil, it is encouraging that the Portuguese version of the scale was valid for the Rasch model. The results are consistent with studies using the other American, Brazilian, and Canadian versions of the instrument.
Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and its correlation with fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose metabolic parameters in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma submitted to 90Y-radioembolization
Authors: Filippi Luca , Di Costanzo Giovan Giuseppe , Tortora Raffaella , Pelle Giuseppe , Saltarelli Adelchi , Marino Marsilia Giuseppina , Cianni Roberto , Schillaci Orazio , Bagni Oreste 
Published: December 2019

Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and its relationship with several metabolic parameters obtained through PET in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) submitted to radioembolization with 90Y-microspheres (90Y-radioembolization).

Methods
Records of 20 subjects affected by ICC and submitted to 90Y-radioembolization were retrospectively evaluated. In all cases, pretreatment NLR was carried out and fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT was acquired with the calculation of the following metabolic parameters: maximum and mean standardized uptake value (SUVmax and SUVmean), metabolic total volume and total lesion glycolysis. After 90Y-radioembolization, all patients underwent regular imaging and laboratory follow-up.

Results
All patients presented 18F-FDG-avid hepatic tumors at pretreatment PET/CT examination. NLR significantly correlated with SUVmax (r = 0.64; P = 0.002) and SUVmean (r = 0.67; P = 0.001). After treatment with 90Y-microspheres, the mean OS resulted 12.5 ± 1.5 months. When the average pretreatment NLR value (i.e. 2.7) was used as a cutoff for patients’ stratification, subjects with low NLR (<2.7) had a significantly longer OS than those with high NLR (>2.7). At Cox regression analysis including bilirubin, age, the presence of extrahepatic disease, hepatitis C virus/hepatitis B virus status and PET-derived parameters, only NLR resulted to be a significant predictor of OS (P = 0.01; hazard ratio = 13.1, 95% confidence interval = 1.6–102.7).

Conclusion
NLR is correlated with SUVmax-mean values in ICC and resulted to be an easy available predictor of survival in patients submitted to treatment with 90Y-microspheres.