bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment strategies for nitroimidazole-refractory giardiasis: a systematic review
Authors: Bourque Daniel L , Neumayr Andreas , Libman Michael , Chen Lin H 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Rationale for review
Giardiasis is one of the most common human protozoal infections worldwide. First-line therapy of giardiasis includes nitroimidazole antibiotics. However, treatment failure with nitroimidazoles is increasingly reported, with up to 45% of patients not responding to initial treatment. There is no clear consensus on the approach to the management of nitroimidazole-refractory giardiasis. This systematic review aims to summarize the literature on pharmacotherapy for nitroimidazole-refractory giardiasis.

Methods
We conducted a systematic review of the literature to determine the optimal management strategies for nitroimidazole-refractory giardiasis. We searched Pubmed/MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane library using the following search terms ‘Giardia’ AND ‘treatment failure’ OR ‘refractory giardia’ OR ‘resistant giardia’ with date limits of 1 January 1970 to 30 June 2021. We included all reports on humans, which described clinical outcomes of individuals with treatment refractory giardiasis, including case series and case reports. A descriptive synthesis of the data was conducted with pooling of data for interventions.

Key findings
Included in this review were five prospective studies, three retrospective studies, seven case series and nine case reports. Across these reports, a wide heterogeneity of treatment regimens was employed, including retreatment with an alternative nitroimidazole, combination therapy with a nitroimidazole and another agent and monotherapy with non-nitroimidazole regimens, including quinacrine, paromomycin and nitazoxanide. Retreatment with a nitroimidazole was not an effective therapy for refractory giardiasis. However, treatment with a nitroimidazole in combination with albendazole had a cure rate of 66.9%. In the included studies, quinacrine monotherapy was administered to a total of 179 patients, with a clinical cure rate of 88.8%. Overall, quinacrine was fairly well tolerated.

Conclusions
Reports on the treatment of nitroimidazole-refractory giardiasis demonstrate a heterogeneous approach to treatment. Of these, quinacrine appeared to be highly effective, though more data on its safety are needed.
Atomic structure for carbon-like ions from Na vi to Ar xiii
Authors: Almodlej A , Alrashed H , Ben Nessib N , Dimitrijević M S 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACT
We have calculated the energy levels, oscillator strengths, and transition probabilities for eight carbon-like ions (Na vi, Mg vii, Al viii, Si ix, P x, S xi, Cl xii and Ar xiii) using the Hartree–Fock pseudo-relativistic (HFR) and Thomas–Fermi–Dirac–Amaldi (TFDA) approaches. We used configuration expansions containing eight configurations, namely 2s2 2p2, 2s 2p3, 2s2 2p 3s, 2s2 2p 3p, 2s2 2p 3d, 2s2 2p 4s, 2s2 2p 4p, and 2s2 2p 5s. For each of the considered ions we obtained 59 energy levels, a number of which are not in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) data base. We compared our results with critically selected experimental data from NIST and with calculations made using the multiconfiguration Hartree–Fock (MCHF) method. We calculated weighted oscillator strengths and transition probabilities using two methods (HFR and TFDA) for the 2s2 2p2 and 2s 2p3 configurations for the eight C-like ions considered here. We analysed the atomic structure parameter trends, which allowed us to find missing data belonging to an isoelectronic sequence. The energy levels, oscillator strengths, and transition probabilities calculated here are in good agreement with the data from the NIST data base. Because emission and absorption features from C-like ions are often used for density and temperature diagnostics of various plasmas in astrophysics, and in studies of the solar corona, including solar flares, and of the coronae of other stars and of ionized outflows in active galactic nuclei etc., the obtained data will be useful for improving plasma diagnostics and modelling, in particular for the X-ray Universe.
Hydrogenation of glycolaldehyde to ethylene glycol at 10 K
Authors: Leroux Killian , Guillemin Jean-Claude , Krim Lahouari 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACT
Glycolaldehyde, the simplest sugar, is a complex organic molecule detected in many regions of the interstellar medium (ISM). Although its synthetic routes are fairly well known and consistent with many laboratory studies, queries still arise about its reactivity and its role in the complex chemistry of the ISM. This study shows the surface and bulk hydrogenation of glycolaldehyde at 10 K in order to confirm or invalidate the astrophysical models which suggest that CHOCH2OH would be a precursor of ethylene glycol through hydrogenation processes occurring on the surface of interstellar dust grains. By coupling IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, we show that the formation of HOCH2CH2OH from CHOCH2OH + H solid state reaction occurs, supporting the existence of a chemical link between these two organics in the ISM. This work suggests that while CHO + CH2OH and CH2OH + CH2OH radical recombination would lead to CHOCH2OH and HOCH2CH2OH, respectively, the presence of H-atoms in the ISM would be a secondary source to favour ethylene glycol over glycolaldehyde. These results are in good agreement with different astronomical observations which show simultaneous detections of glycolaldehyde and ethylene glycol with an abundance ratio HOCH2CH2OH/CHOCH2OH ranged between 1 and 15.
Collisional cooling of primordial and interstellar media by H2
Authors: Flower D R , Pineau des Forêts G , Hily-Blant P , Faure A , Lique F , González-Lezana T 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACT
We have computed the rate of collisional cooling of a gas by H2 molecules under conditions appropriate to the primordial and interstellar media. We incorporated the results of recent calculations of the rate coefficients for collisional excitation of H2 by H and H+, which are essential to a reliable evaluation of the ortho:para H2 ratio and the cooling rate. Comparison is made with the results of previous calculations of the cooling function. The data are made available for grids of values of the kinetic temperature, density, H:H2 ratio, and the fractional abundance of H+, together with a programme to perform linear interpolation of the data sets for any given set of values of these parameters, within the ranges of the grids.
Free–free absorption in hot relativistic flows: application to fast radio bursts
Authors: Kundu Esha , Zhang Bing 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACT
Magnetic flares create hot relativistic shocks outside the light cylinder radius of a magnetized star. Radio emission produced in such a shock or at a radius smaller than the shock undergoes free–free absorption while passing through the shocked medium. In this work, we demonstrate that this free–free absorption can lead to a negative drift in the frequency-time spectra. Whether it is related to the downward drift pattern observed in fast radio bursts (FRBs) is unclear. However, if the FRB down-drifting is due to this mechanism then it will be pronounced in those shocks that have isotropic kinetic energies $ \gtrsim 10^{44}$ erg. In this model, for an internal shock with a Lorentz factor ∼100, the normalized drift rate $|{\rm DR_{\rm obs}}|/\nu _{\rm mean}$ is ∼10−2 per ms, where νmean is the central frequency of the radio pulses. The corresponding radius of the shocked shell is, therefore, in the range of 1010 cm and 1011 cm. This implies that, for an outflow consisting of hydrogen ion, the upper limit on the mass of the relativistic shocks is a few × 10−10 M⊙, which is considerably low compared to that ejected from SGR 1806-20 during the 2004 outburst.
Conservation and divergence of meiotic DNA double strand break forming mechanisms in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Vrielynck Nathalie , Schneider Katja , Rodriguez Marion , Sims Jason , Chambon Aurélie , Hurel Aurélie , De Muyt Arnaud , Ronceret Arnaud , Krsicka Ondrej , Mézard Christine , Schlögelhofer Peter , Grelon Mathilde 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
In the current meiotic recombination initiation model, the SPO11 catalytic subunits associate with MTOPVIB to form a Topoisomerase VI-like complex that generates DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). Four additional proteins, PRD1/AtMEI1, PRD2/AtMEI4, PRD3/AtMER2 and the plant specific DFO are required for meiotic DSB formation. Here we show that (i) MTOPVIB and PRD1 provide the link between the catalytic sub-complex and the other DSB proteins, (ii) PRD3/AtMER2, while localized to the axis, does not assemble a canonical pre-DSB complex but establishes a direct link between the DSB-forming and resection machineries, (iii) DFO controls MTOPVIB foci formation and is part of a divergent RMM-like complex including PHS1/AtREC114 and PRD2/AtMEI4 but not PRD3/AtMER2, (iv) PHS1/AtREC114 is absolutely unnecessary for DSB formation despite having a conserved position within the DSB protein network and (v) MTOPVIB and PRD2/AtMEI4 interact directly with chromosome axis proteins to anchor the meiotic DSB machinery to the axis.
Similar survival on home haemodialysis and automated peritoneal dialysis: an inception cohort study
Authors: Bitar Wisam , Helve Jaakko , Honkanen Eero , Rauta Virpi , Haapio Mikko , Finne Patrik 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundSeveral studies have shown superior survival of patients on home haemodialysis (HD) compared with peritoneal dialysis (PD), but patients on automated PD (APD) and continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD) have not been considered separately. As APD allows larger fluid volumes and may be more efficient than CAPD, we primarily compared patient survival between APD and home HD.MethodsAll adult patients who started kidney replacement therapy (KRT) between 2004 and 2017 in the district of Helsinki-Uusimaa in Finland and who were on one of the home dialysis modalities at 90 days from starting KRT were included. We used intention-to-treat analysis. Survival of home HD, APD and CAPD patients was studied using Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression with adjustment for propensity scores that were based on extensive data on possible confounding factors.ResultsThe probability of surviving 5 years was 90% for home HD, 88% for APD and 56% for CAPD patients. After adjustment for propensity scores, the hazard ratio of death was 1.1 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.52–2.4] for APD and 1.6 (95% CI 0.74–3.6) for CAPD compared with home HD. Censoring at the time of kidney transplantation (KTx) or at transfer to in-centre HD did not change the results. Characteristics of home HD and APD patients at the start of dialysis were similar, whereas patients on CAPD had higher median age and more comorbidities and received KTx less frequently.ConclusionsHome HD and APD patients had comparable characteristics and their survival appeared similar.
Viewpoint New Approaches to the ‘Plague of Justinian’
Authors: Sarris Peter 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
This viewpoint is meant as a contribution to debate over the nature and significance of the ‘Justinianic Plague’, which struck Western Eurasia between the sixth and eighth centuries ce, and the methodological challenges posed by attempting to reconcile historical evidence with that derived from the realm of the Natural Sciences. In recent years, major advances have been made in our genetic understanding of the Justinianic Plague. Yet growing scientific interest in the disease has coincided with a concerted effort amongst some historians to seek to downplay its historical importance. This article surveys our current state of historical and scientific understanding with respect to the sixth-century pandemic, responds to the recent attempts to argue that the disease had only a minimal impact on the societies that it struck, and considers how historians should respond to the burgeoning scientific evidence in order to take study of the plague forward. For co-operation between geneticists, environmental scientists, archaeologists and historians, it argues, offers the chance to transform our understanding of how, when and where the plague spread and to assess its impact across the Afro-Eurasian world as a whole, and not just on the Mediterranean, for which we have our best written sources.
A Simple Heat Treatment Increases SpCas9-Mediated Mutation Efficiency in Arabidopsis
Authors: Kurokawa Shuta , Rahman Hafizur , Yamanaka Naoshi , Ishizaki Chisato , Islam Shaikhul , Aiso Tsuyoshi , Hirata Shunya , Yamamoto Mayuka , Kobayashi Kappei , Kaya Hidetaka 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe CRISPR/Cas9 system is now commonly employed for genome editing in various plants such as Arabidopsis, rice and tobacco. In general, in genome editing of the Arabidopsis genome, the SpCas9 and guide RNA genes are introduced into the genome by the floral dip method. Mutations induced in the target sequence by SpCas9 are confirmed after selecting transformants by screening the T1 seed population. The advantage of this method is that genome-edited plants can be isolated easily. However, mutation efficiency in Arabidopsis using SpCas9 is not as high as that achieved in rice and tobacco, which are subjected to a tissue culture step. In this study, we compared four promoters and found that the parsley UBIQITIN promoter is highly active in Arabidopsis meristem tissue. Furthermore, we examined whether a simple heat treatment could improve mutation efficiency in Arabidopsis. Just one heat treatment at 37°C for 24 h increased the mutation efficiency at all four target sites from 3 to 42%, 43 to 62%, 54 to 75% and 89 to 91%, without detectable off-target mutations. We recommend heat treatment of plate-grown plants at 37°C for 24 h as a simple method to increase the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis in Arabidopsis.
Jasmonates modulate sphingolipid metabolism and accelerate cell death in the ceramide kinase mutant acd5
Authors: Huang Li-Qun , Chen Ding-Kang , Li Ping-Ping , Bao He-Nan , Liu Hao-Zhuo , Yin Jian , Zeng Hong-Yun , Yang Yu-Bing , Li Yong-Kang , Xiao Shi , Yao Nan 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Sphingolipids are structural components of the lipid bilayer that acts as signaling molecules in many cellular processes, including cell death. Ceramides, key intermediates in sphingolipid metabolism, are phosphorylated by the ceramide kinase ACCELERATED CELL DEATH5 (ACD5). The loss of ACD5 function leads to ceramide accumulation and spontaneous cell death. Here, we report that the jasmonate (JA) pathway is activated in the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) acd5 mutant and that methyl JA treatment accelerates ceramide accumulation and cell death in acd5. Moreover, the double mutants of acd5 with jasmonate resistant1-1 and coronatine insensitive1-2 exhibited delayed cell death, suggesting that the JA pathway is involved in acd5-mediated cell death. Quantitative sphingolipid profiling of plants treated with methyl JA indicated that JAs influence sphingolipid metabolism by increasing the levels of ceramides and hydroxyceramides, but this pathway is dramatically attenuated by mutations affecting JA pathway proteins. Furthermore, we showed that JAs regulate the expression of genes encoding enzymes in ceramide metabolism. Together, our findings show that JAs accelerate cell death in acd5 mutants, possibly by modulating sphingolipid metabolism and increasing ceramide levels.
Combination of graphene oxide and platelet-rich plasma improves tendon–bone healing in a rabbit model of supraspinatus tendon reconstruction
Authors: Bao Dingsu , Sun Jiacheng , Gong Min , Shi Jie , Qin Bo , Deng Kai , Liu Gang , Zeng Shengqiang , Xiang Zhou , Fu Shijie 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The treatment of rotator cuff tear is one of the major challenges for orthopedic surgeons. The key to treatment is the reconstruction of the tendon–bone interface (TBI). Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is used as a therapeutic agent to accelerate the healing of tendons, as it contains a variety of growth factors and is easy to prepare. Graphene oxide (GO) is known to improve the physical properties of biomaterials and promote tissue repair. In this study, PRP gels containing various concentrations of GO were prepared to promote TBI healing and supraspinatus tendon reconstruction in a rabbit model. The incorporation of GO improved the ultrastructure and mechanical properties of the PRP gels. The gels containing 0.5 mg/ml GO (0.5 GO/PRP) continuously released transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AB, and the released TGF-β1 and PDGF-AB were still at high concentrations, ∼1063.451 pg/ml and ∼814.217 pg/ml, respectively, on the 14th day. In vitro assays showed that the 0.5 GO/PRP gels had good biocompatibility and promoted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells proliferation and osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. After 12 weeks of implantation, the magnetic resonance imaging, micro-computed tomography and histological results indicated that the newly regenerated tendons in the 0.5 GO/PRP group had a similar structure to natural tendons. Moreover, the biomechanical results showed that the newly formed tendons in the 0.5 GO/PRP group had better biomechanical properties compared to those in the other groups, and had more stable TBI tissue. Therefore, the combination of PRP and GO has the potential to be a powerful advancement in the treatment of rotator cuff injuries.
Using the catastrophe theory to discover transformative research topics
Authors: Xu Haiyun , Winnink Jos , Wu Huawei , Pang Hongshen , Wang Chao 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
This study approaches the identification and prediction of transformative research topics by using the concepts of catastrophe theory. Based on the evaluation model of catastrophe theory, 11 indicators were selected for four different aspects: growth rate, economic and social influence, network characteristics and the degree of uncertainty in evaluating an emerging topics’ transformative potential. The stem cell research field is used as case study. The results of this study show that there are differences between various emerging research topics (ERTs) within the stem cell research field and their potential ability to induce changes and innovation. The method developed in this article is able to identify and predict the future transformative potential of ERTs and provides reference information for scientific and technological planning, industrial policy and scientific research management.
Clinical and peculiar immunological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection in systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Schioppo Tommaso , Argolini Lorenza Maria , Sciascia Savino , Pregnolato Francesca , Tamborini Francesco , Miraglia Paolo , Roccatello Dario , Sinico Renato Alberto , Caporali Roberto , Moroni Gabriella , Gerosa Maria 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Objectives
The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in patients with SLE remains unclear and data on clinical manifestations after infection are lacking. The aim of this multicentre study is to describe the effect of SARS-CoV-2 in SLE patients.

Methods
SLE patients referring to four Italian centres were monitored between February 2020 and March 2021. All patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. Disease characteristics, treatment, disease activity and SARS-CoV-2-related symptoms were recorded before and after the infection.

Results
Fifty-one (6.14%) SLE patients were included among 830 who were regularly followed up. Nine (17.6%) had an asymptomatic infection and 5 (9.8%) out of 42 (82.6%) symptomatic patients developed interstitial pneumonia (no identified risk factor). The presence of SLE major organ involvement (particularly renal involvement) was associated with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection (P = 0.02). Chronic corticosteroid therapy was found to be associated with asymptomatic infection (P = 0.018). Three SLE flares (5.9%) were developed after SARS-CoV-2 infection: one of them was characterized by MPO-ANCA-positive pauci-immune crescentic necrotizing glomerulonephritis and granulomatous pneumonia.

Conclusions
SARS-CoV-2 infection determined autoimmune flares in a small number of patients. Our data seem to confirm that there was not an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 in SLE. Patients with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections were those having major SLE organ involvement. This may be explained by the high doses of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents used for SLE treatment.
Telemedicine in rheumatology: high specificity and sensitivity of follow-up virtual video consultations during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Piga Matteo , Floris Alberto , Congia Mattia , Chessa Elisabetta , Cangemi Ignazio , Cauli Alberto 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Objective
To evaluate the reliability of virtual video-assisted visits, added to the tight-control strategy for inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs), in identifying patients who need treatment adjustment.

Methods
Tightly followed-up adult patients with RA, PsA, AS or SLE took part in a video consultation during COVID19 lockdown and repeated the same rheumatology evaluations through a face-to-face visit within 2 weeks. The sensitivity and specificity of the virtual visits for treatment decisions (categorized as: unchanged, adjusted/escalated, tapered/discontinued, need for further examinations), and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for virtually measured disease activity and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were calculated with 95% CIs using face-to-face visits as the reference method.

Results
In 89 out of 106 patients (84.0%), face-to-face visits confirmed the remotely delivered treatment decision. Video-visiting showed excellent sensitivity (94.1% with 95% CI: 71.3%, 99.9%) and specificity (96.7%; 95% CI: 90.8%, 99.3%) in identifying the need for treatment adjustment due to inadequate disease control. The major driver for the low sensitivity of virtual video consultation (55.6%; 95% CI: 21.2%, 86.3%) in identifying the need for treatment tapering was SLE diagnosis [odds ratio (OR) 10.0; 95% CI: 3.1, 32.3; P &lt;0.001], mostly because of discordance with face-to-face consultation in glucocorticoid tapering. Remotely evaluated PROs showed high reliability (ICC range 0.80–0.95), while disease activity measures had less consistent data (ICC range 0.50–0.95), especially for those diseases requiring more extensive physical examination, such as in SLE and PsA.

Conclusion
Video-visiting proved to have high reliability in identifying the need for treatment adjustment and might support the IRDs standard tight-control strategy.
Gender Dynamics and Social Assistance in Chinese Villages
Authors: Yang Lichao , Walker Robert 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe UN’s Sustainable Development Goals encourage states to implement social assistance as China has recently done. However, ethnography, guided by field theory, conducted in eight villages in Shanxi Province, reveals interactions between poverty, patriarchy, and migration with unanticipated consequences for social assistance and gender dynamics. Forced back to patrilocal villages by falling urban job opportunities, migrant women find employment more easily than men. They exploit their city-learned skills largely to protect their husband’s face against poverty-related shame, and to field abuse when seeking social assistance. Thus, ignoring culture when implementing social assistance can undermine its effectiveness and negatively affect women.