bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Why did EFSA not reduce its ADI for aspartame or recommend its use should no longer be permitted?
Authors: Millstone Erik Paul , Dawson Elisabeth 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
On behalf of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Kass and Lodi recently published a letter purporting to ‘refute’ our July 2019 analysis of EFSA’s December 2013 assessment of the risks of aspartame. We had previously claimed inter alia that the EFSA panel had evaluated studies that had indicated that aspartame might be harmful far more sceptically than those that had not indicated harm. We reported that EFSA had deemed every one of 73 studies suggesting harm to have been unreliable. Kass and Lodi provided a tabulation with figures that differed from ours in every detail. This commentary shows that, while Kass and Lodi provided a response to our analysis, they have not come close to refuting it. Our analysis provided detailed characterisations of each of the studies and how the panel interpreted them, but Kass and Lodi provide no corresponding information at all. Kass and Lodi claim that EFSA deemed 21 of 35 studies that had indicated possible harm to have been reliable. But if that is so, we now ask: why did the EFSA panel not recommend that aspartame should be banned, or at least tightly restricted?
Incidence and risk factors of postdural puncture headache: prospective cohort study design
Authors: Weji Bedilu Girma , Obsa Mohammed Suleiman , Melese Kidest Getu , Azeze Gedion Asnake 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Postdural puncture headache is one of the complications following spinal anesthesia and accidental dural puncture. Several modifiable risk factors contribute to the development of headache after lumbar puncture, which includes needle size, needle design, direction of the bevel, and number of lumbar puncture attempts. This study aimed to assess the incidence and risk of postdural puncture headache.

Methods
This prospective cohort study design was conducted using a consecutive sampling method. Regular supervision and follow-up were performed. Data were entered into Epi info version 7 software and transported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. The odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were computed. The findings of the study were reported using tables, figures, and narrations. Variables that were found to be candidates (p value < 0.25) on binary logistic regression entered into a multiple logistic regression analysis to identify independent predictors of postdural puncture headache.

Results
One hundred fifty eligible study participants were included in our study, of which 28.7% had developed postdural puncture headache. This study found that needle size, number of cerebrospinal fluid drops, and multiple attempts were significant independent predictors of postdural puncture headache (p < 0.05). In addition, twenty-five needles were identified as the strongest preoperative independent predictor of postdural puncture headache (AOR = 4.150, CI = 1.433–12.021)

Conclusions
A recent study revealed that a small spinal needle was much better than a large cutting spinal needle regarding the frequency of postdural puncture headache. In addition, frequent attempts during lumbar puncture and increased cerebrospinal fluid leakage were associated with the events. In view of this, we recommend the use of a small spinal needle to avoid more leakage of cerebrospinal fluid and multiple attempts at spinal anesthesia and lumbar puncture.
The carbapenem resistance gene blaOXA-23 is disseminated by a conjugative plasmid containing the novel transposon Tn6681 in Acinetobacter johnsonii M19
Authors: Zong Gongli , Zhong Chuanqing , Fu Jiafang , Zhang Yu , Zhang Peipei , Zhang Wenchi , Xu Yan , Cao Guangxiang , Zhang Rongzhen 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter species have caused great difficulties in clinical therapy in the worldwide. Here we describe an Acinetobacter johnsonii M19 with a novel blaOXA-23 containing transposon Tn6681 on the conjugative plasmid pFM-M19 and the ability to transferand carbapenem resistance.

Methods
A. johnsonii M19 was isolated under selection with 8 mg/L meropenem from hospital sewage, and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for the representative carbapenems imipenem, meropenem and ertapenem were determined. The genome of A. johnsonii M19 was sequenced by PacBio RS II and Illumina HiSeq 4000 platforms. A homologous model of OXA-23 was generated, and molecular docking models with imipenem, meropenem and ertapenem were constructed by Discovery Studio 2.0. Type IV secretion system and conjugation elements were identified by the Pathosystems Resource Integration Center (PATRIC) server and the oriTfinder. Mating experiments were performed to evaluate transfer of OXA-23 to Escherichia coli 25DN.

Results
MICs of A. johnsonii M19 for imipenem, meropenem and ertapenem were 128 mg/L, 48 mg/L and 24 mg/L, respectively. Genome sequencing identified plasmid pFM-M19, which harbours the carbapenem resistance gene blaOXA-23 within the novel transposon Tn6681. Molecular docking analysis indicated that the elongated hydrophobic tunnel of OXA-23 provides a hydrophobic environment and that Lys-216, Thr-217, Met-221 and Arg-259 were the conserved amino acids bound to imipenem, meropenem and ertapenem. Furthermore, pFM-M19 could transfer blaOXA-23 to E. coli 25DN by conjugation, resulting in carbapenem-resistant transconjugants.

Conclusions
Our investigation showed that A. johnsonii M19 is a source and disseminator of blaOXA-23 and carbapenem resistance. The ability to transfer blaOXA-23 to other species by the conjugative plasmid pFM-M19 raises the risk of spread of carbapenem resistance.

Graphic abstract
The carbapenem resistance gene blaOXA-23 is disseminated by a conjugative plasmid containing the novel transposon Tn6681 in Acinetobacter johnsonii M19.
Carriership of two copies of C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat intermediate-length alleles is a risk factor for ALS in the Finnish population
Authors: Kaivola Karri , Salmi Samuli J. , Jansson Lilja , Launes Jyrki , Hokkanen Laura , Niemi Anna-Kaisa , Majamaa Kari , Lahti Jari , Eriksson Johan G. , Strandberg Timo , Laaksovirta Hannu , Tienari Pentti J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe hexanucleotide repeat expansion in intron 1 of the C9orf72 gene causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia. In addition to the effects of the pathogenic expansion, a role of intermediate-length alleles has been suggested in ALS, corticobasal degeneration and Parkinson’s disease. Due to the rarity of intermediate-length alleles with over 20 repeats and the geographical variability in their frequency, large studies that account for population stratification are needed to elucidate their effects. To this aim, we used repeat-primed PCR and confirmatory PCR assays to determine the C9orf72 repeat allele lengths in 705 ALS patients and 3958 controls from Finland. After exclusion of expansion carriers (25.5% of the ALS patients and 0.2% of the controls), we compared the frequency of intermediate-length allele carriers of 525 ALS cases and 3950 controls using several intermediate-length allele thresholds (7–45, 17–45, 21–45, 24–45 and 24–30). The carriership of an intermediate-length allele did not associate with ALS (Fisher’s test, all p ≥ 0.15) nor was there any association with survival (p ≥ 0.33), when we divided our control group into three age groups (18–65, 66–84 and 85–105 years). Carriership of two intermediate-length alleles was associated with ALS, when the longer allele was ≥ 17 repeats (p = 0.002, OR 5.32 95% CI 2.02–14.05) or ≥ 21 repeats (p = 0.00016, OR 15.21 95% CI 3.79–61.0). Our results show that intermediate-length alleles are a risk factor of ALS when present in both alleles, whereas carrying just one intermediate-length allele was not associated with ALS or survival.
Future dynamic sea level change in the western subtropical North Pacific associated with ocean heat uptake and heat redistribution by ocean circulation under global warming
Authors: Suzuki Tatsuo , Tatebe Hiroaki 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
In the present study, the relative importance of ocean heat uptake and heat redistribution on future sea level changes in the western North Pacific has been reconciled based on a set of climate model experiments in which anomalous surface fluxes of wind stress, heat, and freshwater in a warmed climate are separately given to those fluxes in a pre-industrial control simulation. Our findings suggest that the basin-wide ocean heat uptake and resultant heat accumulation by the climatological-mean advection are required to explain the future dynamic sea level (DSL) rise in the western subtropical North Pacific caused by the thermal expansion of subtropical mode water (STMW). At the same time, it has been recognized that the localized heat uptake in association with the wintertime mixed-layer formation around the Kuroshio Extension can be solely attributed to the future STMW change. The thermally induced component is a dominant contribution to the future DSL rise in the western subtropical North Pacific compared to the contributions of wind-induced and halosteric components, which, especially the former, have been reported as a dominant factor resulting from a linear response of the ocean to the northward shift and strengthening of the mid-latitude westerly over the North Pacific in a warmed climate.
Lessons learned from implementing the pilot Micronutrient Powder Initiative in four districts in Ghana
Authors: Kyei-Arthur Frank , Situma Ruth , Aballo Jevaise , Mahama Abraham B. , Selenje Lilian , Amoaful Esi , Adu-Afarwuah Seth 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Micronutrient deficiencies affect many children in low-income settings due primarily to over-reliance on complementary foods low in nutrients. Home-fortification (HF) could improve children’s diet quality in these settings. The Ghana Health Service, supported by UNICEF, integrated the pilot Micronutrient Powder Initiative (MPI) into Child Welfare Clinic (CWC) services in four districts (Tain, Tolon, Talensi, and Ho West), whereby micronutrient powder (MNP) is supplied for HF for children aged 6–23 months attending CWCs. This study’s main aim was to identify the facilitators, barriers and “lessons learned” after 2 years of program implementation.

Methods
This was a qualitative cross-sectional study. MNP distributed and children enrolled were obtained from program records. Primary data were collected from November to December 2019 and included, by district: interviews with senior program staff; key informant interviews and focus group discussion with caregivers in each of 6 sub-districts; and discussions workshop with frontline staff from at least 10 health facilities. Besides field notes, all interactions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative data were analyzed using NVivo10.

Results
The MPI remains on-going, with about 2.5 million MNP sachets distributed to nearly 30,000 children within 90 district-months. Caregivers generally accept the MNP; reported positive responses in children include: “increased appetite”, “less frequent illnesses, “increased energy/strength”, “increased weight”, and “walking independently relatively early”. Main facilitators are: generally regular MNP availability; increased patronage of CWC services; various contact points for supplying MNPs; fairly strong social mobilization strategy; good integration of MPI with CWC services; “one-on-one” counselling for caregivers reporting side effects; and tracing caregivers to address concerns and monitor adherence. Main barriers are: lack of counselling materials; caregivers’ suspicions towards the program; absence of refresher training for frontline workers; and perceived MNP side-effects. Key lessons learned are: incorporating MNPs into CWC services is feasible, acceptable, and could reduce child micronutrient deficiencies in program districts; and MPI’s success requires stronger community sensitization, equipping frontline workers to advise caregivers and manage side-effects, and consciously identifying and managing logistical challenges.

Conclusion
Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the MPI in reducing micronutrient deficiencies among 6–23-months-olds in Ghana.
Permanent or temporary settlement? A study on the short-term effects of residence status on refugees’ labour market participation
Authors: Jutvik Kristoffer , Robinson Darrel 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Whether refugees in need of protection should be granted long- or short-term residence permits in the host country upon arrival is a long-standing debate in the migration policy and scholarly literature. Rights-based models of inclusion advocate for secure and long-term residency status arguing that this will provide the foundations for successful inclusion. Responsibilities-based models on the other hand claim that migrants should only be granted such status if certain criteria, such as full-time employment, have been met, again under the belief that such a system will facilitate inclusion into the host society. Using a sudden policy change as a natural experiment combined with detailed Swedish registry data, we examine the effect permanent residency on three measures of labour market inclusion in the short-term. Our findings are twofold. On the one hand, we find that temporary residents that are subject to a relatively less-inclusive situation have higher incomes and less unemployment. However, at the same time, they are less likely to spend time in education than are those with permanent residency.
First part title
Permanent or Temporary Settlement?
Second part title
A Study on the Short-Term Effects of Temporary and Permanent Residence Permits on Labour Market Participation
Optimal load frequency control through combined state and control gain estimation for noisy measurements
Authors: Pillai Anju G. , Samuel Elizabeth Rita , Unnikrishnan A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractCombined estimation of state and feed-back gain for optimal load frequency control is proposed. Load frequency control (LFC) addresses the problem of controlling system frequency in response to disturbance, and is one of main research areas in power system operation. A well acknowledged solution to this problem is feedback stabilization, where the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) based controller computes the feedback gain K from the known system parameters and implements the control, assuming the availability of all the state variables. However, this approach restricts control to cases where the state variables are readily available and the system parameters are steady. Alternatively, by estimating the states continuously from available measurements of some of the states, it can accommodate dynamic changes in the system parameters. The paper proposes the technique of augmenting the state variables with controller gains. This introduces a non-linearity to the augmented system and thereby the estimation is performed using an Extended Kalman Filter. This results in producing controller gains that are capable of controlling the system in response to changes in load demand, system parameter variation and measurement noise.
Studies on mycosis of Metarhizium (Nomuraea) rileyi on Spodoptera frugiperda infesting maize in Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Visalakshi M. , Varma P. Kishore , Sekhar V. Chandra , Bharathalaxmi M. , Manisha B. L. , Upendhar S. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Mycosis on the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), infecting maize was observed in research farm of Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapalli from October 2019 to February 2020.

Main body
High relative humidity (94.87%), low temperature (24.11 °C), and high rainfall (376.1 mm) received during the month of September 2019 predisposed the larval instars for fungal infection and subsequent high relative humidity and low temperatures sustained the infection till February 2020. An entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) was isolated from the infected larval instars as per standard protocol on Sabouraud’s maltose yeast extract agar and characterized based on morphological and molecular analysis. The fungus was identified as Metarhizium (Nomuraea) rileyi based on ITS sequence homology and the strain was designated as AKP-Nr-1. The pathogenicity of M. rileyi AKP-Nr-1 on S. frugiperda was visualized, using a light and electron microscopy at the host-pathogen interface. Microscopic studies revealed that all the body parts of larval instars were completely overgrown by white mycelial threads of M. rileyi, except the head capsule, thoracic shield, setae, and crotchets. The cadavers of larval instars of S. frugiperda turned green on sporulation and mummified with progress in infection. In vitro pathogenicity tests revealed the potential of AKP-Nr-1 strain of M. rileyi in management of S. frugiperda.

Short conclusion
The results indicated the potential of M. rileyi AKP-Nr-1 as biocontrol agent for management of the fall armyworm. This AKP-Nr-1 strain of M. rileyi needs further evaluation under field conditions to evaluate its efficacy against S. frugiperda and its effects on other hosts.
Gastrointestinal presentation of COVID-19 in a pediatric heart transplant recipient
Authors: Helal Abdelmonem , Elmahrouk Ahmed F. , Jamjoom Ahmed A. , Al-Ata Jameel A. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-associated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) most commonly causes a mild respiratory illness; however, there are wide ranges of presenting symptoms and disease severity. It has a mortality rate around 7%.

Case presentation
We present a case of a 9-year-old female patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome status post heart transplantation at age of 7 days. She presented to our emergency room complaining of intermittent fever, chills, fatigue, poor appetite, and diarrhea.
A throat swab nucleic acid test was positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Intravenous fluids therapy was used for correction of hydration status. To the best of our knowledge this is the first reported case of non-pulmonary presentation of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in a pediatric heart transplant recipient, which was successfully managed conservatively.

Conclusions
Gastrointestinal manifestations can be the only presenting symptom in pediatric heart transplant recipients with COVID-19. Conservative treatment could be used successfully. Immunomodulatory medications that are used in heart transplant recipients may have protective value in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Tacrolimus-induced posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome presenting as left upper limb monoplegia, convulsions, and sudden blindness: case report
Authors: Mogawer Mohamad-Sherif , EL-Shazly Mostafa , Salah Ayman , Abdel-Maqsod Amany , Abdelaziz Omar , Abdel-Ghani Ahmed , Essam Mahmoud , Abdellatif Abeer Awad 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
To report a case of sudden onset left upper limb monoplegia, convulsions, and bilateral blindness in a patient receiving tacrolimus for immunosuppression following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) consistent with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES).

Case presentation
We report a case of a 64-year-old male patient on tacrolimus treatment following LDLT. On day 11, during his post-operative routine follow-up. The patient developed sudden onset of left upper limb monoplegia associated with attacks of convulsions and sudden bilateral blindness. MRI revealed multiple, bilateral cortical, and subcortical areas of high T2 and FLAIR signal intensity that did not show restricted diffusion. Findings were suggestive of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). After the cessation of tacrolimus, vision was completely regained and all other neurologic symptoms were resolved, and follow-up MRI was normal. This case represents an uncommon presentation of tacrolimus toxicity.

Conclusion
Tacrolimus toxicity may present with PRES. Neurological deficits may be fully reversible with discontinuation of the drug; therefore, the early recognition and prompt management of this condition are of utmost importance.
Vacuum-ultraviolet photodetectors
Authors: Jia Lemin , Zheng Wei , Huang Feng 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
High-performance vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) photodetectors are of great significance to space science, radiation monitoring, electronic industry and basic science. Due to the absolute advantages in VUV selective response and radiation resistance, ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors such as diamond, BN and AlN attract wide interest from researchers, and thus the researches on VUV photodetectors based on these emerging semiconductor materials have made considerable progress in the past 20 years. This paper takes ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor filterless VUV photodetectors with different working mechanisms as the object and gives a systematic review in the aspects of figures of merit, performance evaluation methods and research progress. These miniaturized and easily-integrated photodetectors with low power consumption are expected to achieve efficient VUV dynamic imaging and single photon detection in the future.
Significance of Discordant Results Between Confirmatory Tests in Diagnosis of Primary Aldosteronism
Authors: Fukumoto Tazuru , Umakoshi Hironobu , Ogata Masatoshi , Yokomoto-Umakoshi Maki , Matsuda Yayoi , Motoya Misato , Nagata Hiromi , Nakano Yui , Iwahashi Norifusa , Kaneko Hiroki , Wada Norio , Miyazawa Takashi , Sakamoto Ryuichi , Ogawa Yoshihiro 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Context
Current clinical guidelines recommend confirmation of a positive result in at least one confirmatory test in the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism (PA). Clinical implication of multiple confirmatory tests has not been established, especially when patients show discordant results.

Objective
The aim of the present study was to explore the role of 2 confirmatory tests in subtype diagnosis of PA.

Design and Setting
A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at two referral centers.

Participants and Methods
We identified 360 hypertensive patients who underwent both a captopril challenge test (CCT) and a saline infusion test (SIT) and exhibited at least one positive result. Among them, we studied 193 patients with PA whose data were available for subtype diagnosis based on adrenal vein sampling (AVS).

Main Outcome Measure
The prevalence of bilateral subtype on AVS according to the results of the confirmatory tests was measured.

Results
Of patients studied, 127 were positive for both CCT and SIT (double-positive), whereas 66 were positive for either CCT or SIT (single-positive) (n = 34 and n = 32, respectively). Altogether, 135 were diagnosed with bilateral subtype on AVS. The single-positive patients had milder clinical features of PA than the double-positive patients. The prevalence of bilateral subtype on AVS was significantly higher in the single-positive patients than in the double-positive patients. (63/66 [95.5%] vs 72/127 [56.7%], P &lt; .01). Several clinical parameters were different between CCT single-positive and SIT single-positive patients.

Conclusion
Patients with discordant results between CCT and SIT have a high probability of bilateral subtype of PA on AVS.