bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by transanal total mesorectal excision assisted by single-port laparoscopic surgery for low-lying rectal adenocarcinoma: a single center study
Authors: Lu Yen-Jung , Chen Chien-Hsin , Lin En-Kwang , Wu Szu-Yuan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Purpose
To assess the feasibility and short-term outcomes of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) followed by transanal total mesorectal excision assisted by single-port laparoscopic surgery (TaTME-SPLS) for low-lying rectal adenocarcinoma.

Methods and materials
A total of 23 patients with clinical stage II-III low-lying (from anal verge 0-8 cm) rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent neoadjuvant CCRT followed by TaTME-SPLS consecutively from December 2015 to December 2018, were enrolled into our study. Chi-squared testing and Student’s t testing were used to make parametric comparisons, and Fisher’s exact test or the Mann–Whitney U test were used to make nonparametric comparisons.

Results
Conversion rate in patients who underwent neoadjuvant CCRT followed by TaTME-SPLS was only 4%. The mean operation time was 366 min and the inter-sphincter resection (ISR) was done for 14 patients (60%). The mean number of lymph nodes harvested was 15. There was no surgical mortality, but the 30-day morbidity rate was 21% (5 patients were Clavien-Dindo I-II). Pathological complete response was 21.74% with 100% organ preservation and 100% clear distal margin after neoadjuvant CCRT followed by TaTME-SPLS.

Conclusion
TaTME-SPLS would be highly successful in lymph node negative and low T stage of low-lying rectal cancer patients who had pathological complete remission or high percentage of partial remission after neoadjuvant CCRT.
Radiation exposure and fluoroscopically-guided interventional procedures among orthopedic surgeons in South Korea
Authors: Kang Seonghoon , Cha Eun Shil , Bang Ye Jin , Na Teresa W. , Lee Dalnim , Song Sang Youn , Lee Won Jin 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe use of fluoroscopically-guided interventional (FGI) procedures by orthopedic surgeons has been increasing. This study aimed to investigate the occupational radiation exposure among orthopedic surgeons in South Korea.MethodsA nationwide survey of orthopedic surgeons was conducted in South Korea in October 2017. The dosimetry data of the participants were obtained from the National Dosimetry Registry. The orthopedic surgeons were categorized by job specialty [spine or trauma specialists, other orthopedic specialists, and residents], and descriptive statistics for the demographics and work-related characteristics were presented. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors for the orthopedic surgeons who were not linked with the dosimetry data.ResultsAmong the total participants (n = 513), 40.5% of the orthopedic surgeons spent more than 50% of their time working with the FGI procedures when compared with their overall work. The average frequency of the FGI procedures among the orthopedic surgeons was 12.3 days per month. Less than 30% of the participants were regularly provided with radiation monitoring badges. The proportion of subjects who always wore lead aprons and thyroid shields were 52 and 29%, respectively. The residents group experienced more unfavorable working conditions of radiation exposure than the other specialists. The dosimetry data were not significantly linked among the residents (odds ratio [OR] 2.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11–3.95) and orthopedic surgeons working at small hospitals (OR 4.76, 95% CI 1.05–21.51).ConclusionsAlthough orthopedic surgeons often performed FGI procedures, they wore protective gear less frequently, and a large proportion of orthopedic surgeons were not monitored by the national radiation dosimetry system. As the number of radiation procedures performed by the orthopedic surgeons increases, more intensive approaches are needed to reduce radiation exposure, especially for spine and trauma surgeons.
Spatial patterns of CTCF sites define the anatomy of TADs and their boundaries
Authors: Nanni Luca , Ceri Stefano , Logie Colin 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundTopologically associating domains (TADs) are genomic regions of self-interaction. Additionally, it is known that TAD boundaries are enriched in CTCF binding sites. In turn, CTCF sites are known to be asymmetric, whereby the convergent configuration of a pair of CTCF sites leads to the formation of a chromatin loop in vivo. However, to date, it has been unclear how to reconcile TAD structure with CTCF-based chromatin loops.ResultsWe approach this problem by analysing CTCF binding site strengths and classifying clusters of CTCF sites along the genome on the basis of their relative orientation. Analysis of CTCF site orientation classes as a function of their spatial distribution along the human genome reveals that convergent CTCF site clusters are depleted while divergent CTCF clusters are enriched in the 5- to 100-kb range. We then analyse the distribution of CTCF binding sites as a function of TAD boundary conservation across seven primary human blood cell types. This reveals divergent CTCF site enrichment at TAD boundaries. Furthermore, convergent arrays of CTCF sites separate the left and right sections of TADs that harbour internal CTCF sites, resulting in unequal TAD ‘halves’.ConclusionsThe orientation-based CTCF binding site cluster classification that we present reconciles TAD boundaries and CTCF site clusters in a mechanistically elegant fashion. This model suggests that the emergent structure of nuclear chromatin in the form of TADs relies on the obligate alternation of divergent and convergent CTCF site clusters that occur at different length scales along the genome.Graphical abstract
Molecular identification of head lice collected in Franceville (Gabon) and their associated bacteria
Authors: Boumbanda-Koyo Celia Scherelle , Mediannikov Oleg , Amanzougaghene Nadia , Oyegue-Liabagui Sandrine Lydie , Imboumi-Limoukou Roméo Karl , Raoult Didier , Lekana-Douki Jean Bernard , Fenollar Florence 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Pediculus humanus, which includes two ecotypes (body and head lice), is an obligate bloodsucking parasite that co-evolved with their human hosts over thousands of years, thus providing a valuable source of information to reconstruct the human migration. Pediculosis due to head lice occurred each year throughout the world and several pathogenic bacteria, which are usually associated with body lice, are increasingly detected in them. In Gabon, where this pediculosis is still widespread, there is a lack of data on genetic diversity of head lice and their associated bacteria.

Methods
This study aimed to investigate the phylogeny of head lice collected in Gabon and their associated bacteria, using molecular tools. Between 26 March and 11 April 2018, 691 head lice were collected from 86 women in Franceville. We studied the genetic diversity of these lice based on the cytochrome b gene, then we screened them for DNA of Bartonella quintana, Borrelia spp., Acinetobacter spp., Yersinia pestis, Rickettsia spp., R. prowazekii, Anaplasma spp. and C. burnetii, using real time or standard PCR and sequencing.

Results
Overall 74.6% of studied lice belonged to Clade A, 25.3% to Clade C and 0.1% to Clade E. The phylogenetic analysis of 344 head lice yielded 45 variable positions defining 13 different haplotypes from which 8 were novel. Bacterial screening revealed the presence of Borrelia spp. DNA in 3 (0.4%) of 691 head lice belonging to Clade A and infesting one individual. This Borrelia is close to B. theileri (GenBank: MN621894). Acinetobacter spp. DNA has been detected in 39 (25%) of the 156 screened lice; of these 13 (8.3%) corresponded to A. baumannii. Acinetobacter nosocomialis (n = 2) and A. pittii (n = 1) were also recorded.

Conclusions
To of our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the genetic diversity of head lice from Gabon. It appears that Clade C is the second most important clade in Gabon, after Clade A which is known to have a global distribution. The detection of Borrelia spp. DNA in these lice highlight the potential circulation of these bacteria in Gabon.
The interplay between non-esterified fatty acids and bovine peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors: results of an in vitro hybrid approach
Authors: Busato Sebastiano , Bionaz Massimo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundIn dairy cows circulating non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) increase early post-partum while liver and other tissues undergo adaptation to greater lipid metabolism, mainly regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR). PPAR are activated by fatty acids (FA), but it remains to be demonstrated that circulating NEFA or dietary FA activate bovine PPAR. We hypothesized that circulating NEFA and dietary FA activate PPAR in dairy cows.MethodsThe dose-response activation of PPAR by NEFA or dietary FA was assessed using HP300e digital dispenser and luciferase reporter in several bovine cell types. Cells were treated with blood plasma isolated from Jersey cows before and after parturition, NEFA isolated from the blood plasma, FA released from lipoproteins using milk lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and palmitic acid (C16:0). Effect on each PPAR isotype was assessed using specific synthetic inhibitors.ResultsNEFA isolated from blood serum activate PPAR linearly up to ~ 4-fold at 400 μmol/L in MAC-T cells but had cytotoxic effect. Addition of albumin to the culture media decreases cytotoxic effects of NEFA but also PPAR activation by ~ 2-fold. Treating cells with serum from peripartum cows reveals that much of the PPAR activation can be explained by the amount of NEFA in the serum (R2 = 0.91) and that the response to serum NEFA follows a quadratic tendency, with peak activation around 1.4 mmol/L. Analysis of PPAR activation by serum in MAC-T, BFH-12 and BPAEC cells revealed that most of the activation is explained by the activity of PPARδ and PPARγ, but not PPARα. Palmitic acid activated PPAR when added in culture media or blood serum but the activation was limited to PPARδ and PPARα and the response was nil in serum from post-partum cows. The addition of LPL to the serum increased > 1.5-fold PPAR activation.ConclusionOur results support dose-dependent activation of PPAR by circulating NEFA in bovine, specifically δ and γ isotypes. Data also support the possibility of increasing PPAR activation by dietary FA; however, this nutrigenomics approach maybe only effective in pre-partum but not post-partum cows.
National Estimates of hospital emergency department visits due to acute injuries associated with hookah smoking, United States, 2011–2019
Authors: Inyang Naa A. , Chang Joanne T. , Wang Baoguang 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Introduction
Hookah (also known as waterpipe) smoking is associated with acute adverse health effects such as vomiting and fainting, symptoms related to carbon monoxide poisoning, and decreased pulmonary function, however, national estimates of hookah-related acute injuries are not currently available in the scientific literature. This study provides national estimates of United States hospital emergency department visits due to hookah-related acute injuries.

Methods
We analyzed 2011–2019 data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System to calculate national estimates of emergency department visits due to hookah-related acute injuries. National Electronic Injury Surveillance System data were gathered from approximately 100 United States hospitals selected as a probability sample of approximately 5000 hospitals with emergency departments. Each case contains information abstracted from all emergency department records involving injuries associated with consumer products. All individuals admitted to emergency departments who sustained hookah-related acute injuries were included in the study.

Results
During 2011–2019, an estimated 1371 (95% confidence interval: 505–2283) United States hospital emergency department visits were related to hookah-related acute injuries. The most common injuries were sustained from dizziness/light-headedness and syncopal episodes (54.8%), followed by burns (41.5%). Young adults aged 18–24 years accounted for 66.8% of hookah-related acute injuries admitted to United States emergency departments.

Conclusions
This study provides national estimates of hospital emergency department visits due to hookah-related acute injuries. We found that hookah smoking related AIs mostly occurred among young adults. Study findings may inform public health policy and educational intervention efforts to prevent these events and complement other acute injury surveillance systems, such as the National Poison Data System.
18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis: correlation with serum muscle enzymes
Authors: Arai-Okuda Hanae , Norikane Takashi , Yamamoto Yuka , Mitamura Katsuya , Fujimoto Kengo , Takami Yasukage , Wakiya Risa , Nakashima Shusaku , Dobashi Hiroaki , Nishiyama Yoshihiro 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Muscle enzymes are the major noninvasive diagnostic parameters useful in polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM). Few studies have yet correlated findings on 18F-FDG PET with disease activity in patients with PM/DM.

Purpose
We evaluated 18F-FDG muscle uptake in patients with PM/DM compared with non-muscular diseases and correlated the results with serum muscle enzymes.

Methods
A total of 28 patients with untreated PM/DM and 28 control patients with non-muscular diseases were examined with 18F-FDG PET/CT. 18F-FDG uptake was evaluated in 9 proximal skeletal muscle regions bilaterally. The uptake was scored as follows: 0 = less than that of the mediastinal blood vessels, 1 = greater than or equal to that of the mediastinal blood vessels, and 2 = greater than or equal to that of the liver. A score 1 or 2 was considered positive. The mean and maximum standardized uptake values (SUV) were calculated in each muscle and were averaged for all muscle regions. PET findings were correlated with serum muscle enzymes.

Results
18F-FDG uptake was observed in 82% of patients with PM/DM and 7% of control patients. The number of positive regions, total score, mean SUVmean, and mean SUVmax in patients with PM/DM were significantly higher than those in the control patients (all P < 0.001). The total score of 2 was the best cut-off value that could discriminate patients with PM/DM from control patients. The total score, mean SUVmean, and mean SUVmax showed significant correlations with creatine kinase (P = 0.047, 0.002, 0.010, respectively) and aldolase (P = 0.036, 0.005, 0.038, respectively).

Conclusion
18F-FDG PET/CT using visual and SUV methods demonstrated its usefulness by discriminating PM/DM from non-muscular diseases and correlating with serum muscle enzymes in patients with PM/DM.
Microbiome of the Southwestern Atlantic invasive scleractinian coral, Tubastraea tagusensis
Authors: Zanotti Aline Aparecida , Gregoracci Gustavo Bueno , Capel Katia Cristina Cruz , Kitahara Marcelo Visentini 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundCommonly known as sun-coral,Tubastraea tagusensisis an azooxanthellate scleractinian coral that successfully invaded the Southwestern Atlantic causing significant seascape changes. Today it is reported to over 3500 km along the Brazilian coast, with several rocky shores displaying high substrate coverage. Apart from its singular invasiveness capacity, the documentation and, therefore, understanding of the role of symbiotic microorganisms in the sun-coral invasion is still scarce. However, in general, the broad and constant relationship between corals and microorganisms led to the development of co-evolution hypotheses. As such, it has been shown that the microbial community responds to environmental factors, adjustment of the holobiont, adapting its microbiome, and improving the hosts’ fitness in a short space of time. Here we describe the microbial community (i.e. Bacteria) associated with sun-coral larvae and adult colonies from a locality displaying a high invasion development.ResultsThe usage of high throughput sequencing indicates a great diversity of Bacteria associated withT. tagusensis, withCyanobacteria,Proteobacteria,Bacteroidetes,Actinobacteria,Planctomycetes,andFirmicutescorresponding to the majority of the microbiome in all samples. However,T. tagusensis’microbial core consists of only eight genera for colonies, and, within them, three are also present in the sequenced larvae. Overall, the microbiome from colonies sampled at different depths did not show significant differences. The microbiome of the larvae suggests a partial vertical transfer of the microbial core in this species.ConclusionAlthough diverse, the microbiome core of adultTubastraea tagusensisis composed of only eight genera, of which three are transferred from the mother colony to their larvae. The remaining bacteria genera are acquired from the seawater, indicating that they might play a role in the host fitness and, therefore, facilitate the sun-coral invasion in the Southwestern Atlantic.
Time-domain simulations of turbulence effects on the aerodynamic flutter of long-span bridges
Authors: Liu Shuqian , Cai C. S. , Han Yan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAerodynamic flutter instability has been a major concern for long-span flexible bridges, such as suspension and cable-stayed bridges, subjected to wind actions that result in the so-called self-excited forces. Though turbulence effects on bridge flutter have been studied in the last few decades, its true effects remain a debate due to the limitation of previous wind tunnel facilities, such as using turbulence scales that are too small in these experiments. In this paper, the characterizations of self-excited forces are presented in both the frequency-domain and in the time-domain. Then, the flutter analysis is conducted under both smooth flow and turbulent flow in order to investigate the effect of wind turbulence on the flutter instability. The effect of wind turbulence is directly modeled in the time-domain in order to avoid the complicated random parametric excitation analysis of the equation of motion used in previous studies. By comparing the results of different turbulence intensities with that of the smooth flow, it is found that the turbulence has a stabilizing effect on bridge flutter. The turbulence can change the vibration patterns and weaken the spatial vibration correlation to some extent. As a result, the critical flutter velocity can be increased by 5% to 10% over that under smooth flow.
Linking language features to clinical symptoms and multimodal imaging in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis
Authors: Haas S. S. , Doucet G. E. , Garg S. , Herrera S. N. , Sarac C. , Bilgrami Z. R. , Shaik R. B. , Corcoran C. M. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background.
Abnormalities in the semantic and syntactic organization of speech have been reported in individuals at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis. The current study seeks to examine whether such abnormalities are associated with changes in brain structure and functional connectivity in CHR individuals.

Methods.
Automated natural language processing analysis was applied to speech samples obtained from 46 CHR and 22 healthy individuals. Brain structural and resting-state functional imaging data were also acquired from all participants. Sparse canonical correlation analysis (sCCA) was used to ascertain patterns of covariation between linguistic features, clinical symptoms, and measures of brain morphometry and functional connectivity related to the language network.

Results.
In CHR individuals, we found a significant mode of covariation between linguistic and clinical features (r = 0.73; p = 0.003), with negative symptoms and bizarre thinking covarying mostly with measures of syntactic complexity. In the entire sample, separate sCCAs identified a single mode of covariation linking linguistic features with brain morphometry (r = 0.65; p = 0.05) and resting-state network connectivity (r = 0.63; p = 0.01). In both models, semantic and syntactic features covaried with brain structural and functional connectivity measures of the language network. However, the contribution of diagnosis to both models was negligible.

Conclusions.
Syntactic complexity appeared sensitive to prodromal symptoms in CHR individuals while the patterns of brain-language covariation seemed preserved. Further studies in larger samples are required to establish the reproducibility of these findings.
Features of Cytologically Indeterminate Molecularly Benign Nodules Treated With Surgery
Authors: Endo Mayumi , Porter Kyle , Long Clarine , Azaryan Irina , Phay John E , Ringel Matthew D , Sipos Jennifer A , Nabhan Fadi 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
Most cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules (ITNs) with benign molecular testing are not surgically removed. The data on clinical outcomes of these nodules are limited.

Methods
We retrospectively analyzed all ITNs where molecular testing was performed either with the Afirma gene expression classifier or Afirma gene sequencing classifier between 2011 and 2018 at a single institution.

Results
Thirty-eight out of 289 molecularly benign ITNs were ultimately resected. The most common reason for surgery was compressive symptoms (39%). In multivariable modeling, patients aged &lt;40 years, nodules ≥3 cm, presence of an Afirma suspicious nodule other than the index nodule, and compressive symptoms were associated with higher surgery rates with hazard ratios for surgery of 3.5 (P &lt; 0.001), 3.2 (P &lt; 0.001), 16.8 (P &lt; 0.001), and 7.31 (P &lt; 0.001), respectively. Of resected nodules, 5 were malignant. False-negative rate (FNR) was 1.7%, presuming all unresected nodules were truly benign and 13.2% restricting analysis to resected cases. The FNR was significantly higher in nodules with a high-risk sonographic appearance for cancer (American Thyroid Association high-risk classification and American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems score of 5) compared with nodules with all other sonographic categories (11.8% vs 1.1%; P = 0.03 and 11.1% vs 1.1%; P = 0.02, respectively).

Conclusions
Younger age, larger nodule size, presence of an Afirma suspicious nodule other than the index nodule, and compressive symptoms were associated with a higher rate of surgery. The FNR of benign Afirma was significantly higher in nodules with high-risk sonographic features.
The role of the α-tubulin acetyltransferase αTAT1 in the DNA damage response
Authors: Ryu Na Mi , Kim Jung Min 
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACT
Lysine 40 acetylation of α-tubulin (Ac-α-tubulin), catalyzed by the acetyltransferase αTAT1, marks stabilized microtubules. Recently, there is growing evidence to suggest crosstalk between the DNA damage response (DDR) and microtubule organization; we therefore investigated whether αTAT1 is involved in the DDR. Following treatment with DNA-damaging agents, increased levels of Ac-α-tubulin were detected. We also observed significant induction of Ac-α-tubulin after depletion of DNA repair proteins, suggesting that αTAT1 is positively regulated in response to DNA damage. Intriguingly, αTAT1 depletion decreased DNA damage-induced replication protein A (RPA) phosphorylation and foci formation. Moreover, DNA damage-induced cell cycle arrest was significantly delayed in αTAT1-depleted cells, indicating defective checkpoint activation. The checkpoint defects seen upon αTAT1 deficiency were restored by expression of wild-type αTAT1, but not by αTAT1-D157N (a catalytically inactive αTAT1), indicating that the role of αTAT1 in the DDR is dependent on enzymatic activity. Furthermore, αTAT1-depleted direct repeat GFP (DR-GFP) U2OS cells had a significant decrease in the frequency of homologous recombination repair. Collectively, our results suggest that αTAT1 may play an essential role in DNA damage checkpoints and DNA repair through its acetyltransferase activity.