bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Could simulation methods solve the curse of sparse data within clinical studies of antibiotic resistance?
Authors: Hurley James C , Brownridge David 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Infectious disease (ID) physicians and ID pharmacists commonly confront therapeutic questions relating to antibiotic resistance. Randomized controlled trial data are few and meta-analytic-based approaches to develop the evidence-base from several small studies that might relate to an antibiotic resistance question are not simple. The overriding challenge is the sparsity of data which is problematic for traditional frequentist methods, being the paradigm underlying the derivation of ‘P value’ inferential statistics. In other sparse data contexts, simulation methods enable answers to key questions that are meaningful, quantitative and potentially relevant. How these simulation methods ‘work’ and how Bayesian-based methods, being not ‘P value based’, can facilitate simulation are reviewed. These methods are becoming increasingly accessible. This review highlights why sparse data is less of an issue within Bayesian versus frequentist paradigms. A fictional pharmacokinetic study with sparse data illustrates a simplistic application of Bayesian and simulation methods to antibiotic dosing. Whether within epidemiological projections or clinical studies, simulation methods are likely to play an increasing role in antimicrobial resistance research within both hospital and community studies of either rare infectious disease or infections within specific population groups.
Feasibility study of hospital antimicrobial stewardship analytics using electronic health records
Authors: Dutey-Magni P F , Gill M J , McNulty D , Sohal G , Hayward A , Shallcross L , Anderson Niall , Crayton Elise , Forbes Gillian , Jhass Arnoupe , Richardson Emma , Richardson Michelle , Rockenschaub Patrick , Smith Catherine , Sutton Elizabeth , Traina Rosanna , Atkins Lou , Conolly Anne , Denaxas Spiros , Fragaszy Ellen , Horne Rob , Kostkova Patty , Lorencatto Fabiana , Michie Susan , Mindell Jennifer , Robson John , Royston Claire , Tarrant Carolyn , Thomas James , West Jonathan , Williams Haydn , Elsay Nadia , Fuller Chris 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundHospital antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes are multidisciplinary initiatives to optimize antimicrobial use. Most hospitals depend on time-consuming manual audits to monitor clinicians’ prescribing. But much of the information needed could be sourced from electronic health records (EHRs).ObjectivesTo develop an informatics methodology to analyse characteristics of hospital AMS practice using routine electronic prescribing and laboratory records.MethodsFeasibility study using electronic prescribing, laboratory and clinical coding records from adult patients admitted to six specialities at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK (September 2017–August 2018). The study involved: (i) a review of AMS standards of care; (ii) their translation into concepts measurable from commonly available EHRs; and (iii) a pilot application in an EHR cohort study (n = 61679 admissions).ResultsWe developed data modelling methods to characterize antimicrobial use (antimicrobial therapy episode linkage methods, therapy table, therapy changes). Prescriptions were linked into antimicrobial therapy episodes (mean 2.4 prescriptions/episode; mean length of therapy 5.8 days), enabling several actionable findings. For example, 22% of therapy episodes for low-severity community-acquired pneumonia were congruent with prescribing guidelines, with a tendency to use broader-spectrum antibiotics. Analysis of therapy changes revealed IV to oral therapy switching was delayed by an average 3.6 days (95% CI: 3.4–3.7). Microbial cultures were performed prior to treatment initiation in just 22% of antibacterial prescriptions. The proposed methods enabled fine-grained monitoring of AMS practice down to specialities, wards and individual clinical teams by case mix, enabling more meaningful peer comparison.ConclusionsIt is feasible to use hospital EHRs to construct rapid, meaningful measures of prescribing quality with potential to support quality improvement interventions (audit/feedback to prescribers), engagement with front-line clinicians on optimizing prescribing, and AMS impact evaluation studies.
PRO: Testing for ESBL production is necessary for ceftriaxone-non-susceptible Enterobacterales: perfect should not be the enemy of progress
Authors: Tamma Pranita D , Humphries Romney M 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The MERINO trial has seemingly laid to rest the question: ‘Are carbapenems the preferred therapy for ESBL-producing infections?’ It has, however, brought another important question to the forefront: ‘How do we know when we have an ESBL-producing infection?’ A commonly used approach is the interpretation that non-susceptibility to third-generation cephalosporins (e.g. ceftriaxone MICs of ≥2 mg/L) is an accurate proxy for ESBL production. We believe that relying on antibiotic susceptibility results alone to predict ESBL production in clinical isolates is fraught with issues. Rather, we believe accurate molecular assays that detect a comprehensive range of ESBL genes, along with other relevant β-lactamase genes, are well within the reach of existing technology and necessary to optimize patient care. Herein, we elaborate on why the current approach for determining whether an organism is likely to be an ESBL producer (i) is inaccurate; (ii) encourages carbapenem overuse; (iii) ignores the potential for ESBL production in other Enterobacterales species; and (iv) promotes the silent epidemic of ESBL transmission.
Contamination of Wheat, Barley, and Maize Seeds with Toxigenic Fusarium Species and Their Mycotoxins in Tunisia
Authors: Jedidi Ines , Mateo Eva M , Marín Patricia , Jiménez Misericordia , Said Salem , González-Jaén María T 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background
Fusarium is a worldwide distributed fungal genus. It includes different species pathogenic to cereals among others crops. Some of these species can also produce toxic compounds toward animals and humans.

Objective
In this work, occurrence of fumonisins B1+B2, zearalenone, type A trichothecenes (T-2 and HT-2 toxins), and type B trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol[DON] and nivalenol[NIV]) was studied in 65 samples of stored and freshly harvested wheat, barley, and maize collected in Tunisia.

Methods
Mycotoxins analyses were performed by using gas chromatography for type B trichothecenes and HPLC for other mycotoxins. Obtained results were compared with the presence of mycotoxigenic species considered responsible for their synthesis by using species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results
Fumonisins occurred in 20.83% of wheat, 40% of barley, and 57.14% of maize samples, at levels exceeding European limits and suggesting a risk in Tunisian cereals, especially maize. Zearalenone, DON, NIV, and T-2+HT-2 toxins were detected at lower values in only wheat and barley samples. PCR protocols showed the predominance of F. verticillioides especially in maize, and occurrence of F. equiseti and F. graminearum in wheat and barley, and F. proliferatum in only two maize samples. A very consistent correlation was found between the detection of F. verticillioides and the contamination by fumonisins, as well as between the presence of F. graminearum and the contamination by zearalenone, DON, and NIV in the analyzed cereals.

Conclusions
Consequently, the detection of Fusarium species with the current PCR assays strategy in wheat, barley, and maize grains may be considered predictive of their potential mycotoxin risk in these matrices.

Highlights
This work is the first to report information on the occurrence of fumonisins, trichothecene, and ZEN, together with their potentially producing Fusarium species in wheat, barley, and maize in Tunisia. The high level of fumonisins in cereals, especially maize, stresses the importance of the control and the regularization of these mycotoxins for food safety.
Functional amino acid supplementation, regardless of dietary protein content, improves growth performance and immune status of weaned pigs challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium
Authors: Rodrigues Lucas A , Wellington Michael O , González-Vega J Caroline , Htoo John K , Van Kessel Andrew G , Columbus Daniel A 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
High dietary protein may increase susceptibility of weaned pigs to enteric pathogens. Dietary supplementation with functional amino acids (FAA) may improve growth performance of pigs during disease challenge. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interactive effects of dietary protein content and FAA supplementation above requirements for growth on performance and immune response of weaned pigs challenged with Salmonella. Sixty-four mixed-sex weanling pigs (13.9 ± 0.82 kg) were randomly assigned to dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with low (LP) or high protein (HP) content and basal (AA–) or FAA profile (AA+; Thr, Met, and Trp at 120% of requirements) as factors. After a 7-d adaptation period, pigs were inoculated with either a sterile saline solution (CT) or saline solution containing Salmonella Typhimurium (ST; 3.3 × 109 CFU/mL). Growth performance, body temperature, fecal score, acute-phase proteins, oxidant/antioxidant balance, ST shedding score in feces and intestinal colonization, fecal and digesta myeloperoxidase (MPO), and plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) were measured pre- and postinoculation. There were no dietary effects on any measures pre-inoculation or post-CT inoculation (P &gt; 0.05). Inoculation with ST increased body temperature and fecal score (P &lt; 0.05), serum haptoglobin, plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), PUN, and fecal MPO, and decreased serum albumin and plasma reduced glutathione (GSH):oxidized glutathione (GSSG) compared with CT pigs (P &lt; 0.05). ST-inoculation reduced average daily gain (ADG) and feed intake (ADFI) vs. CT pigs (P &lt; 0.05) but was increased by AA+ vs. AA– in ST pigs (P &lt; 0.05). Serum albumin and GSH:GSSG were increased while haptoglobin and SOD were decreased in ST-inoculated pigs fed AA+ vs. AA– (P &lt; 0.05). PUN was higher in HP vs. LP-fed pigs postinoculation (P &lt; 0.05). Fecal ST score was increased in ST-inoculated pigs on days 1 and 2 postinoculation and declined by day 6 (P &lt; 0.05) in all pigs while the overall score was reduced in AA+ vs. AA– pigs (P &lt; 0.05). Cecal digesta ST score was higher in HP vs. LP-fed pigs and were lower in AA+ compared with AA– fed pigs in the colon (P &lt; 0.05). Fecal and digesta MPO were reduced in ST pigs fed AA+ vs. AA– (P &lt; 0.05). These results demonstrate a positive effect of FAA supplementation, with minimal effects of dietary protein, on performance and immune status in weaned pigs challenged with Salmonella.
Altmetric Attention Score: Evaluating the Social Media Impact of Burn Research
Authors: Richardson Michelle A , Park Won , Echternacht Scott R , Bell Derek E 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Traditional measures of scholarly impact (ie, impact factor, citation rate) do not account for the role of social media in knowledge dissemination. The Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) tracks the online sharing activity of articles on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. All 285 original scientific articles published in Journal of Burn Care & Research and Burns from January to December 2017 were obtained from official journal websites. Article characteristics extracted include AAS; number of Twitter, Facebook, and news outlet mentions; subject of study and study design; number of citations; number of authors and academic institutions; and others. The average AAS for all articles was 6.1 (SD: 48; range: 0 to 611) in which 156 (55%) of those had Twitter mentions. The mean AAS for Journal of Burn Care & Research and Burns were 7.7 (SD: 54; range: 0 to 536) and 5.3 (SD: 45; range: 0 to 611), respectively. There was a weak, positive correlation between AAS and citation count for all articles (ρ = 0.12; P = .049), and this finding was consistent for Journal of Burn Care & Research (ρ = 0.21; P = .039) and Burns (ρ = 0.15; P = .038) individually. The weak correlation between the two metrics supports that AAS and citation count capture the attention of different audiences. In addition, studies discussing skin grafting were associated with higher average AAS (β: 29 [95% CI: 4.2 to 54]; P = .022). Overall, our findings support using both AAS and traditional bibliometrics to assess article impact.
Silver Sulfadiazine Cream Treatment Results in More Wound Contraction and More Itch in a Standardized Porcine Scald Model
Authors: van den Brand Carlien S , van der Steen Lydia P E , Boekema Bouke , Paauw Nanne J , Ulrich Magda M W , Middelkoop Esther , Beelen Robert H J , Richters Cornelia D 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
A variety of dressings is available for the treatment of partial-thickness wounds, but none has strong evidence supporting their beneficial effect on healing. This may be due to variation in the type and depth of wounds in clinical studies. The aim of this study was to use a standardized porcine wound model to compare three dressings commonly used in burn centers for partial-thickness burns. Partial-thickness scalds were made on the flanks of pigs. Wounds were treated with silver sulfadiazine (SSD, flammazine), a hydrofiber dressing, or glycerol-preserved allogeneic (pig) skin. The healing process was monitored for 8 weeks. Macroscopic parameters were the itching behavior, the cosmetic appearance of the scars, and contraction. Microscopic parameters were the inflammatory response, myofibroblast influx, and the numbers of nerves. All wounds were closed on day 14 and wound infection did not occur. Treatment with SSD resulted in significantly more wound contraction compared to treatment with glycerol-preserved pig skin. Animals treated with SSD suffered more from itching (scratching) during the first 2 weeks after wounding. The number of nerves in healing wounds of these animals was significantly higher compared to wounds treated with hydrofiber dressing or allogeneic skin. In our standardized porcine partial-thickness wound model, treatment with SSD resulted in less favorable wound healing. Compared to treatment with glycerol-preserved allogeneic skin, SSD resulted in more contraction.
Spatially Targeted Biological Control of Mile-a-Minute Weed Using Rhinoncomimus latipes (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and an Unmanned Aircraft System
Authors: Kim Jaewon , Huebner Cynthia D , Reardon Richard , Park Yong-Lak 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Rhinoncomimus latipes Korotyaev is a specialist biocontrol agent of mile-a-minute weed, Persicaria perfoliata (L.) H. Gross (Caryophyllales: Polygonaceae). Currently, R. latipes is released by hand where the presence of the weed is readily detected. However, the hand-release method is not applicable to weed patches spread in hard-to-access areas. This study was conducted to develop a spatially targeted biocontrol strategy by using an unmanned aircraft system (UAS, a.k.a. drone) for the detection of P. perfoliata and aerial release of R. latipes. A ground survey was performed to locate P. perfoliata patches and then a rotary-wing UAS was flown at 15 different altitudes to determine the detectability of P. perfoliata patches. We developed an insect-release system including a pod that housed R. latipes for aerial release. The pod was 3D printed with biodegradable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and field tests were conducted to determine the ability of R. latipes to escape the pod and assess their post-release mortality and feeding ability. The results of this study showed that P. perfoliata patches were readily detectable on the aerial images taken at ≤15 m above the ground. More than 98% of R. latipes (n = 118) successfully escaped from the pod within 24 h after aerial deployment. There were no significant (P &gt; 0.05) effects of PVA exposure on the mortality and feeding ability of R. latipes. These results indicate that aerial detection of P. perfoliata and deployment of R. latipes for spatially targeted biological control in hard-to-access areas can be accomplished using a rotary-wing UAS.
Colonization of Trees by Ambrosia Beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) Is Influenced by Duration of Flood Stress
Authors: Reding Michael E , Ranger Christopher M , Schultz Peter B 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The ambrosia beetles Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford) and Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky) bore into flood-stressed trees to establish colonies, but the influence of flooding duration on colonization is unknown. This relationship was examined by flooding trees for various time periods and evaluating colonization. In one experiment, X. germanus bored into 20 dogwood (Cornus florida L.) trees during a 3-d flood treatment. Ten trees dissected that season had no offspring present in tunnels; the remaining trees appeared healthy and bloomed the following spring. In another experiment, dogwood trees were flooded for 3 or 7 d and then dissected to assess colonization. The incidence of superficial (short unbranched) and healed (callus tissue in entrance) tunnels was greater in the 3-d trees, while the incidence of tunnels with X. germanus or offspring was greater in the 7-d trees. Four experiments (three in Ohio and one in Virginia) had flood treatments of 0 (nonflooded), 3, 5, 7, and 10 d. Numbers of tunnel entrances, tunnels with X. germanus, and incidence of tunnels with offspring or live foundresses tended to increase as flood duration increased on apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.), dogwood, and redbud (Cercis canadensis L.) in Ohio and redbud in Virginia. Nonflooded trees in Ohio had no boring activity, but ambrosia beetles bored into three nonflooded trees in Virginia. Indicators of unsuccessful colonization, such as superficial tunnels and healing, decreased as flood duration increased. These results suggest tree crops may recover from boring by ambrosia beetles following short-duration flood events, and not necessarily require culling.
Efficient Harvesting of Safe Edible Grasshoppers: Evaluation of Modified Drums and Light-Emitting Diode Bulbs for Harvesting Ruspolia differens (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) in Uganda
Authors: Sengendo F , Subramanian S , Chemurot M , Tanga C M , Egonyu J P 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Ruspolia differens (Serville) (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) is a delicacy in many African countries. It is commonly mass-harvested from the wild using light traps consisting of energy-intensive mercury bulbs which pollute the environment when poorly disposed. The catch is collected using open-ended drums which are inefficient in retaining the insects. The drums also collect nontarget insects including those that produce toxic chemicals (such as pederin) that cause severe burns to human skin. To prevent escape of trapped R. differens, trappers apply potentially hazardous substances like waste cooking oil on the walls of drums. Here, we modified the collection drum by fitting a funnel to retain R. differens; and partitioned it into three compartments with wire meshes of variable sizes to filter nontarget insects. Additionally, we replaced mercury bulbs with light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs which are energy-efficient. We evaluated the performance of the modified R. differens trap (modified drums and LED bulbs) compared to the current collection drums and mercury bulbs. The catch of R. differens in the modified drums was comparable to that of current drums. Nontarget insects were significantly filtered from the catch collected in modified drums compared to the current drums. Further, LED bulbs of 400 W trapped a comparable quantity of R. differens as 400 W mercury bulbs, but with less than half the consumption of electricity compared to the mercury bulbs. We concluded that modified R. differens light traps have better energy-use efficiency and ensure safety to collectors, processors, and consumers.
Brown Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Damage to Seedling Corn and Impact on Grain Yield
Authors: Bryant Tim B , Babu Arun , Reisig Dominic D 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Brown stink bugs, Euschistus servus, are an important early-season pest of field corn in the southeastern United States. Feeding in the early stages of corn development can lead to a number of growth deformities and deficiencies and, ultimately, a reduction in yield. An observational and two experimentally manipulated trials were conducted in 2017 and 2018 to 1) determine optimal timing for assessing brown stink bug damage, 2) assess the level of damage from which yield compensation can occur, and 3) examine the relationship between brown stink bug density and early-season damage and yield. Fields were identified with infestations of brown stink bugs and a damage rating system for early stages of corn was established. Varying rates of brown stink bug densities were introduced using field cages and damage was assessed throughout the season. The density and duration of stink bug infestations were critical factors for damage potential, with each day of active feeding per plant resulting in a loss of ~14 kg/ha in yield. The level of damage in early stages of corn was categorized into easily identifiable groups, with only the most severe damage leading to a reduction in yield. Moderate and minimal feeding damage did not result in yield loss. This study emphasizes the need for early and frequent scouting of corn to determine the risk of damage and yield loss from brown stink bugs. Results from this study can be used to help develop management programs for brown stink bugs in the early vegetative stages of field corn.
Dopamine Receptor Antagonists, Radiation, and Cholesterol Biosynthesis in Mouse Models of Glioblastoma
Authors: Bhat Kruttika , Saki Mohammad , Cheng Fei , He Ling , Zhang Le , Ioannidis Angeliki , Nathanson David , Tsang Jonathan , Bensinger Steven J , Nghiemphu Phioanh Leia , Cloughesy Timothy F , Liau Linda M , Kornblum Harley I , Pajonk Frank 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background
Glioblastoma is the deadliest brain tumor in adults, and the standard of care consists of surgery followed by radiation and treatment with temozolomide. Overall survival times for patients suffering from glioblastoma are unacceptably low indicating an unmet need for novel treatment options.

Methods
Using patient-derived HK-157, HK-308, HK-374, and HK-382 glioblastoma lines, the GL261 orthotopic mouse models of glioblastoma, and HK-374 patient-derived orthotopic xenografts, we tested the effect of radiation and the dopamine receptor antagonist quetiapine on glioblastoma self-renewal in vitro and survival in vivo. A possible resistance mechanism was investigated using RNA-sequencing. The blood-brain-barrier–penetrating statin atorvastatin was used to overcome this resistance mechanism. All statistical tests were 2-sided.

Results
Treatment of glioma cells with the dopamine receptor antagonist quetiapine reduced glioma cell self-renewal in vitro, and combined treatment of mice with quetiapine and radiation prolonged the survival of glioma-bearing mice. The combined treatment induced the expression of genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis. This rendered GL261 and HK-374 orthotopic tumors vulnerable to simultaneous treatment with atorvastatin and further statistically significantly prolonged the survival of C57BL/6 (n = 10 to 16 mice per group; median survival not reached; log-rank test, P &lt; .001) and NOD Scid gamma mice (n = 8 to 21 mice per group; hazard ratio = 3.96, 95% confidence interval = 0.29 to 12.40; log-rank test, P &lt; .001), respectively.

Conclusions
Our results indicate promising therapeutic efficacy with the triple combination of quetiapine, atorvastatin, and radiation treatment against glioblastoma without increasing the toxicity of radiation. With both drugs readily available for clinical use, our study could be rapidly translated into a clinical trial.