bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anterior Decompression and Fusion Versus Laminoplasty for Cervical Myelopathy Caused by Soft Disk Herniation
Authors: Koakutsu Tomoaki , Aizawa Toshimi , Sasaki Morichika , Sekiguchi Akira , Morozumi Naoki , Ishii Yushin , Kokubun Shoichi , Hashimoto Ko , Kasama Fumio , Tanaka Yasuhisa , Sato Tetsuro , Itoi Eiji , Yamazaki Shin 
Published: April 2020

Study Design:
A prospective multicenter study.

Objective:
The purpose of this study was to determine whether laminoplasty (LP) is comparable for myelopathy caused by cervical disk herniation (CDH).

Summary of Background Data:
Anterior decompression and fusion (ADF) has conventionally been used for myelopathy caused by CDH with stable outcomes. However, recurrence of myelopathy due to adjacent segment degeneration are its drawbacks. The efficacy of LP without discectomy has been sporadically reported, but no long-term prospective study has been conducted to verify it.

Materials and Methods:
Patients with cervical myelopathy caused by CDH were studied. The first 30 patients and the next 30 patients were treated with ADF and LP, respectively. The outcomes were compared between the 22 ADF patients and the 20 LP patients who had completed the follow-up examination scheduled 10 years after surgery.

Results:
There was no statistically significant difference in the postoperative severity or recovery rate of myelopathy between the 2 groups 10 years after surgery. One patient in the ADF group underwent LP for secondary myelopathy due to adjacent segment degeneration 2 years after the surgery. Reoperation was not required for patients in the LP group. Postoperative neck pain was significantly more severe in the LP group than in the ADF group.

Conclusions:
ADF and LP for cervical myelopathy caused by CDH achieve similarly favorable outcomes. Recurrence of myelopathy caused by adjacent segment degeneration is a disadvantage of ADF while residual neck pain is a disadvantage of LP.
Do Postoperative Antibiotics Improve Skin Reactivity Following Percutaneous Auditory Osseointegrated Implant Placement?
Authors: Kazi Aasif A. , Howell Jessica B. , Shaia Wayne T. , Coelho Daniel H. 
Published: April 2020

Objective:
To determine if the routine use of postoperative antibiotics following percutaneous auditory osseointegrated implant placement reduces skin reactivity.

Study Design:
Retrospective matched case-controlled series.

Settings:
Tertiary academic medical center.

Subject and Methods:
A total of 44 patients who underwent percutaneous auditory osseointegrated implant placement were divided into those who received 5 days of postoperative antibiotics (AB) and those who received no antibiotics (NAB). All surgery was performed using the same surgical technique (Minimally Invasive Ponto Surgery). Variables recorded included patient demographics, Holgers skin reaction score, complications, and need for further intervention.

Results:
A total of 23 patients received prophylactic postoperative antibiotics (AB) while 21 patients did not (NAB). At the first postoperative visit (AB 12.7 d versus NAB 12.3 d, p = 0.9) there were no differences in average Holgers score (AB 0.3 ± 0.7 versus NAB 0.2 ± 0.5, p = 0.27). The odds ratio for skin reactivity at the first visit was 0.11 (95% CI 0.01–2.32). There were also no statistical differences in Holgers score (AB 0.05 ± 0.2 versus NAB 0.1 ± 0.3, p = 0.25) at most recent followup visit (AB mean 97.5 d versus NAB 102.8 d, p = 0.84). The odds ratio for skin reactivity at the most recent visit was 0.16 (95% CI 0.01–3.64).

Conclusions:
The use of postoperative antibiotics does not appear to confer significant difference in skin reactivity in patients receiving percutaneous osseointegrated auditory implants. Such findings support the theory that skin reactivity, when it does occur, may not be an infectious-mediated process.
Not Just Homeless, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Authors: Pieroni Jacopo , Pecori Alessio , Imperiale Daniele , Maule Simona 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Over a 3-month period, a homeless person was admitted several times to emergency departments after displaying severe behavioral changes and paranoia. No psychiatric tests were performed but all other tests were repeatedly normal; antianxiety treatments or painkillers were the common outcome. It may seem that any diagnosis rested on the patient's immediately apparent social circumstances. Indeed, the patient was admitted to our internal medicine department after a diagnosis of acute delirium within a context of social disadvantage. This social predicament, namely, the patient's evident homelessness, proved to be a false but significant and overarching influence on several misdiagnoses until that moment. Subsequently, actual psychological observations, assessments and tests indicated and confirmed the presence of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is an uncommon and fatal disease; however, early diagnosis can enable the implementation of an important palliative care program. The starkly impoverished social circumstances of a patient should never distract a medical practitioner from a comprehensive diagnosis. Homelessness, for example, may invite certain physical and mental considerations, but it must not overdetermine our response and must not obscure or detract from a wider diagnosis. Homelessness is not a medical condition.
Survey-based Work System Assessment to Facilitate Large-scale Dissemination of Healthcare Quality Improvement Programs
Authors: Xie Anping , Koontz Danielle W. , Voskertchian Annie , Fackler James C. , Milstone Aaron M. , Woods-Hill Charlotte Z. 
Published: April 2020

Introduction:
The dissemination of quality improvement (QI) interventions to a broader range of healthcare settings requires a proactive assessment of local work systems and processes. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of using a survey-based work system assessment (WSA) tool to facilitate the dissemination of a program for optimizing blood culture (BC) use.

Methods:
Informed by findings from an onsite, interview-based WSA at 2 hospitals, a 50-item WSA survey was devised and administrated to 15 hospitals participating in a QI collaborative. WSA survey data were summarized, shared, and discussed with individual hospitals to inform the adaptation and implementation of the BC program. Physician champions leading the local QI team assessed the use of the WSA survey by completing an 8-item survey.

Results:
A total of 347 clinicians completed the WSA survey, and physician champions at 12 hospitals evaluated the use of the WSA survey. Both the WSA survey data and the evaluation of the WSA survey showed that the survey-based WSA tool could help participating hospitals understand their current BC ordering practices and identify potential barriers to implementing the program from the perspectives of different clinicians.

Conclusions:
We demonstrated how a survey-based tool could be used to facilitate WSA in the dissemination of a program for improving BC use to a multisite collaborative. A survey-based WSA tool can be used to facilitate future large-scale intervention dissemination efforts.
On the theory of magnetic hyperthermia: clusterization of nanoparticles
Authors: Abu-Bakr Ali F. , Zubarev Andrey Yu. 
Published: April 2020

Experiments show that clusters consisting of nano-sized ferromagnetic particles strongly affect the intensity of heat production during magnetic hyperthermia. In this paper, a theoretical study and mathematical modelling of the heat production by clusters of single-domain ferromagnetic particles, immobilized in a host medium, are presented. Two situations of strong and weak magnetic anisotropy of the particles are considered. Our results show that, in the case of strong anisotropy, the clusterization weakens the thermal effect, whereas in the case of weak anisotropy it enhances it.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Patterns in soft and biological matters'.
Constructive role of noise and diffusion in an excitable slow–fast population system
Authors: Bashkirtseva I. , Pankratov A. , Slepukhina E. , Tsvetkov I. 
Published: April 2020

We study the effects of noise and diffusion in an excitable slow–fast population system of the Leslie–Gower type. The phenomenon of noise-induced excitement is investigated in the zone of stable equilibria near the Andronov–Hopf bifurcation with the Canard explosion. The stochastic generation of mixed-mode oscillations is studied by numerical simulation and stochastic sensitivity analysis. Effects of the diffusion are considered for the spatially distributed variant of this slow–fast population model. The phenomenon of the diffusion-induced generation of spatial patterns-attractors in the Turing instability zone is demonstrated. The multistability and variety of transient processes of the pattern formation are discussed.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Patterns in soft and biological matters’.
Field-structured magnetic elastomers based on thermoplastic polyurethane for fused filament fabrication
Authors: Dohmen E. , Saloum A. , Abel J. 
Published: April 2020

The utilization of ‘smart’ materials with adaptable properties or characteristics are a widespread research issue, offering potential for tailored solutions, weight reduction or added value of products through integrated functionality. Therefore, field controlled hybrid materials such as magnetorheological (MR) elastomers or electrorheological (ER) fluids are particularly valuable and within the focus of science and research. At the same time, additive manufacturing has had a strong influence on production processes over the past decade. Today a 3D printer can be found across all disciplines in almost every company, research institution and even in many private households. The Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) process is especially popular due to its low cost and simplicity. Within this work, a new approach for the generation of field-structured magnetic elastomers using the FFF process and a correspondingly developed prototype print head for implementation are presented and discussed. With its unique research landscape Dresden offers excellent conditions for the development of innovative processes and composite materials in the field of generative manufacture. In the ‘Dresden Concept’ network, experts from various disciplines collaborate and investigate the entire spectrum starting from biological materials, through lightweight fibre reinforced polymer composites, to high-temperature ceramics.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Patterns in soft and biological matters’.
Thin interface limit of the double-sided phase-field model with convection
Authors: Subhedar Amol , Galenko Peter K. , Varnik Fathollah 
Published: April 2020

The thin interface limit of the phase-field model is extended to include transport via melt convection. A double-sided model (equal diffusivity in liquid and solid phases) is considered for the present analysis. For the coupling between phase-field and Navier–Stokes equations, two commonly used schemes are investigated using a matched asymptotic analysis: (i) variable viscosity and (ii) drag force model. While for the variable viscosity model, the existence of a thin interface limit can be shown up to the second order in the expansion parameter, difficulties arise in satisfying no-slip boundary condition at this order for the drag force model. Nevertheless, detailed numerical simulations in two dimensions show practically no difference in dendritic growth profiles in the presence of forced melt flow obtained for the two coupling schemes. This suggests that both approaches can be used for the purpose of numerical simulations. Simulation results are also compared to analytic theory, showing excellent agreement for weak flow. Deviations at higher fluid velocities are discussed in terms of the underlying theoretical assumptions.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Patterns in soft and biological matters’.
Cystoliths inFicusleaves: increasing carbon fixation in saturating light by light scattering off a mineral substrate
Authors: Pierantoni Maria , Paudel Indira , Rephael Batel , Tenne Ron , Brumfeld Vlad , Slomka Shai , Oron Dan , Addadi Lia , Weiner Steve , Klein Tamir 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTThe manner in which leaves adapt to different light intensities is key for enabling plants to survive in diverse environments and in constantly changing conditions. Many studies have addressed this subject, but little attention has been given to the effect that mineral deposits in leaves can have on photosynthesis.Here we study 6 species ofFicusand investigate how different cystolith configurations affect photosynthesis in both non-saturating and saturating light. We quantified the effect of light scattering by cystoliths on light absorption by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence intensity using microfluorimetry. We complement this by carbon assimilation measurements to directly estimate how light scattering by cystoliths affects the overall photosynthetic process.We show that light waste is reduced when irradiance is on a cystolith compared to cystolith free tissue. Moreover, light is channeled into the center of the leaf where photosynthesis occurs more efficiently than in the outer layers. This, in turn, leads to more efficient CO2assimilation.We conclude that cystoliths contribute to photosynthesis optimization under saturating light. Cystoliths reduce the wasted portion of absorbed light under saturating irradiance by scattering light into the light-deprived leaf center. The increased efficiency may well provide important benefits to plants that form mineral scatterers.
Age-stratified Infection Probabilities Combined with Quarantine-Modified SEIR Model in the Needs Assessments for COVID-19
Authors: Bongolan Vena Pearl , Antonio Minoza Jose Marie , de Castro Romulo , Sevilleja Jesus Emmanuel 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWe use the age-stratified COVID-19 infection and death distributions from China (more than 44,672 infectious as of February 11, 2020) as an estimate for a study area’s infection and morbidity probabilities at each age group. We then apply these probabilities into the actual age-stratified population to predict infectious individuals and deaths at peak. Testing with different countries shows the predicted infectious skewing with the country’s median age and age stratification, as expected. We added a Q parameter to the classic SEIR compartmental model to include the effect of quarantine (Q-SEIR). The projections from the age-stratified probabilities give much lower predicted incidences of infection than the Q-SEIR model. As expected, quarantine tends to delay the peaks for both Exposed and Infectious, and to ‘flatten’ the curve or lower the predicted values for each compartment. These two estimates were used as a range to inform planning and response to the COVID-19 threat.
Targeting the gut microbiome in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: de Leeuw Marcel A. , Duval Manuel X. 
Published: April 2020

BackgroundGut microbiota (GM) composition has been associated with acute Graft-versus-Host Disease (aGvHD), however, current knowledge is insufficient to target the GM.MethodsA relevant series of microbiome data sets were combined and reanalyzed, with resolution of species level changes in the GM.ResultsGM composition was found strongly correlated with aGvHD status after one month post stem cell infusion (R2=0.51). The predicted average biological safety level, indicative of antibiotic resistance, was found increased in aGvHD cases (p=1.6E-4). Using in silico modelling, we formulated a probiotic composition putatively competing with mortality and aGvHD associated species.ImplicationsSupplementation with Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium breve is proposed as a prophylactic treatment alongside with prebiotics and an adapted antibiotics course.
Sperm-specific COX6B2 enhances oxidative phosphorylation, proliferation, and survival in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Cheng Chun-Chun , Wooten Joshua , Gibbs Zane , McGlynn Kathleen , Mishra Prashant , Whitehurst Angelique W. 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTCancer testis antigens (CTAs) are genes whose expression is normally restricted to the testis but anomalously activated in cancer. In sperm, a number of CTAs promote energy generation, however whether these proteins contribute to tumor cell metabolism is not understood. Here we describe COX6B2, a sperm-specific component of cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV). COX6B2 is frequently expressed in human lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and expression correlates with reduced survival time in patients. COX6B2, but not its somatic isoform COX6B1, enhances activity of complex IV, increasing mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and NAD+generation.Consequently, COX6B2-expressing cells display a proliferative advantage, particularly in low oxygen conditions. Conversely, depletion of COX6B2 attenuates OXPHOS and collapses mitochondrial membrane potential leading to cell death or senescence.Furthermore, COX6B2 is both necessary and sufficient for growth of tumorsin vivo. Our findings reveal a previously unappreciated, tumor specific metabolic pathway hijacked from one of the most ATP-intensive processes in the animal kingdom: sperm motility.
Omics integration analyses reveal the early evolution of malignancy in breast cancer
Authors: Sarhadi Shamim , Salehzadeh-Yazdi Ali , Damaghi Mehdi , Zarghami Nosratallah , Wolkenhauer Olaf , Hosseini Hedayatollah 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe majority of cancer evolution studies are done on individual-based approaches that neglect population dynamics necessity for the global picture of cancer evolution in each cancer type. Here, we conducted a population-based study in breast cancer to understand the timing of malignancy evolution and its correlation to the genetic evolution of pathological stages.ResultsIn an omics integrative approach, we integrated gene expression and genomic aberration data for pre-invasive (DCIS, early-stage) and post-invasive (IDC, late-stage) samples and investigated the evolutionary role of further genetic changes in late stages compared to the early ones. We found that single genetic alterations (SGAs) and copy number alterations (CNAs) conspire together for the fine-tuning of the operating signaling pathways of tumors inforwardandbackward evolutionmanners. Theforward evolutionapplies to new genetic changes that boost the efficiency of selected signaling pathways. Thebackward evolution, which we detected for CNAs, is a mean to reverse unwanted SGAs of earlier stages. Analyses of the integrated point mutation and gene expression data show that (i) our proposed fine-tuning concept is also applicable in metastasis, and (ii) metastasis diverges from primary tumor sometimes at the DCIS stage.ConclusionsOur results indicate that malignant potency of breast tumors is constant over pre and post invasive pathological stages. Indeed, further genetic alterations in later stages do not establishde novomalignancy routes; however, they serve to fine-tune antecedent signaling pathways.
The FDA-approved drugs ticlopidine, sertaconazole, and dexlansoprazole can cause morphological changes inC. elegans
Authors: Galford Kyle F , Jose Antony M 
Published: April 2020

AbstractUrgent need for treatments limit studies of therapeutic drugs before approval by regulatory agencies. Analyses of drugs after approval can therefore improve our understanding of their mechanism of action and enable better therapies. We screened a library of 1443 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs using a simple assay in the nematodeC. elegansand found three compounds that caused morphological changes. While the anticoagulant ticlopidine and the antifungal sertaconazole caused morphologically distinct pharyngeal defects upon acute exposure, the proton-pump inhibitor dexlansoprazole caused molting defects and required exposure during larval development. Such easily detectable defects in a powerful genetic model system advocate the continued exploration of current medicines using a variety of model organisms to better understand drugs already prescribed to millions of patients.
Patterns of discursive interactions between students and teachers in the biology learning process in High school: the use of social media
Authors: de Souza Scarlet Ferreira , Cintra Armellini Bárbara Rodrigues , La Luna Alexandre , Ramos Moreno Ana Carolina , Godinho Netto Martha Cristina Motta , de Cássia Café Ferreira Rita , Júnior Flávio Krzyzanowski 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIncreasingly, blending teaching has become a reality in a generation where the digital language is present in virtually every activity. In addition to allowing greater independence and encouraging students to learn at their own pace, blending teaching allows the student to easily access reliable information quickly. Therefore, new studies related to active learning methodology are fundamental. In this study we analyzed 69 interactions between high school students and their teachers in a biology learning activity using a social networking site and the methodology proposed by Mortimer and Scott. The results showed that the prior knowledge of students as well as questions posing challenges and problems to be solved, a very important approach in learning Science Methodology, were barely explored by teachers and mediators (17% and 1%, respectively). Our data demonstrated that the use of digital technology alone does not guarantee interactions that contribute to the learning process in the field of natural sciences. Proposals were also discussed so that these interactions become more diversified and interesting for students, arousing interest in research and promoting the knowledge of scientific methodology.
Fear of exponential growth in Covid19 data of India and future sketching
Authors: Mondal Supriya , Ghosh Sabyasachi 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWe have attempted to interpret existing n-cov positive data in India with respect to other countries - Italy, USA, China and South Korea. We have mainly zoomed in the exponential growth in a particular zone of time axis, which is well followed in the data profile of India and Italy but not in others. A deviation from exponential growth to Sigmoid function is analyzed in the data profile of China and South Korea. Projecting that pattern to time dependent data of total number and new cases in India, we have drawn three possible Sigmoid functions, which saturate to cases 104, 105, 106. Ongoing data has doubtful signal of those possibilities and future hope is probably in extension of lock-down and additional imposition of interventions.
SARS-CoV-2 detection with CRISPR diagnostics
Authors: Guo Lu , Sun Xuehan , Wang Xinge , Liang Chen , Jiang Haiping , Gao Qingqin , Dai Moyu , Qu Bin , Fang Sen , Mao Yihuan , Chen Yangcan , Feng Guihai , Gu Qi , Wang Liu , Wang Ruiqi Rachel , Zhou Qi , Li Wei 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe novel coronavirus (CoV) disease termed COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2) is causing a massive pandemic worldwide, threatening public health systems across the globe. During this ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, nucleic acid detection has played an important role in early diagnosis. Here we report a SARS-CoV-2 detection protocol using a CRISPR-based CRISPR diagnostic platform - CDetection (Cas12b-mediated DNA detection). By combining sample treatment protocols and nucleic acid amplification methods with CDetection, we have established an integrated viral nucleic acid detection platform - CASdetec (CRISPR-assisted detection). The detection limit of CASdetec for SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus is 1 × 104copies/mL, with no cross reactivity observed. Our assay design and optimization process can provide guidance for future CRISPR-based nucleic acid detection assay development and optimization.