bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Altered fecal microbiota, IgA, and fermentative end-products in adult dogs fed prebiotics and a nonviableLactobacillus acidophilus
Authors: Panasevich Matthew R , Daristotle Leighann , Quesnell Rebecca , Reinhart Gregory A , Frantz Nolan Z 
Published: December 2021

AbstractA study investigating the use of a nonviable Lactobacillus acidophilus (NVL: Culbac; TransAgra, Storm Lake, IA) and a mixed prebiotic (MP) blend (beet pulp, fructooligosaccharide (FOS), mannanoligosaccharide (MOS), inulin, and kelp) was done to evaluate changes in fecal microbiota, fermentative end products, and gut immune health in healthy female and male adult Beagle dogs (n = 24; 5.74 ± 2.18 yr; 9.30 ± 1.32 kg). The study protocol was first approved by the facility’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (Summit Ridge Farms; Susquehanna, PA) and followed throughout. Each of four test diets (control, NVL, MP, and MP + NVL [formulated to crude protein 25%, crude fat 14%, crude fiber 10% as-fed]) was fed once daily to maintain body weight for 21 d in a randomized-crossover design (four treatment periods and four washout periods). Fecal samples were collected on days 0 and 21 only for immunoglobulin A (IgA) and microbiota evaluation (16S rRNA V4 region and qPCR for Escherichia coli and Bifidobacterium), and fecal fermentative end-products and fecal pH were assessed only on day 21. Over the test periods, apparent total tract nutrient digestibility and stool quality were assessed. Data were analyzed by ANOVA (SAS v9.4, Cary, NC) or Kruskal–Wallis for between-diet effects, and paired t-test or Wilcoxon for time effects. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Apparent total tract nutrient digestibility revealed feeding MP-containing diets resulted in lower (P &lt; 0.05) crude protein and fat digestibility vs. control and NVL diets. When dogs were fed MP, they had lower (P &lt; 0.05) fecal pH compared with control and NVL diets, whereas fecal pH was lower in (P &lt; 0.05) MP + NVL- vs. NVL-fed dogs. Fecal E. coli was (P &lt; 0.05) lower at day 21 vs. day 0 when dogs were fed MP. Fecal Fusobacterium spp. was lower (P &lt; 0.05) in both MP diets vs. control. Fecal Lactobacillus spp. increased (P &lt; 0.05) from baseline with MP. Both diets with MP elicited greater (P &lt; 0.05) fecal acetate and propionate concentration vs. control diet. At day 21, fecal IgA was greater (P &lt; 0.05) in MP and MP + NVL compared with NVL diet. Only when dogs were fed MP did they have increased (P &lt; 0.05) fecal IgA from day 21 vs. day 0. The MP + NVL diet decreased (P &lt; 0.05) fecal isovalerate, isobutyrate, phenol, and indole vs. control. Overall, the MP elicited the most changes on microbiota, fermentative end-products, and IgA. Further investigation into NVL’s gut health benefits is warranted.
Crystal structure of Tam41 cytidine diphosphate diacylglycerol synthase from a Firmicutes bacterium
Authors: Kimura Keisuke , Kawai Fumihiro , Kubota-Kawai Hisako , Watanabe Yasunori , Tomii Kentaro , Kojima Rieko , Hirata Kunio , Yamamori Yu , Endo Toshiya , Tamura Yasushi 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Translocator assembly and maintenance 41 (Tam41) catalyses the synthesis of cytidine diphosphate diacylglycerol (CDP-DAG), which is a high-energy intermediate phospholipid critical for generating cardiolipin in mitochondria. Although Tam41 is present almost exclusively in eukaryotic cells, a Firmicutes bacterium contains the gene encoding Tam41-type CDP-DAG synthase (FbTam41). FbTam41 converted phosphatidic acid (PA) to CDP-DAG using a ternary complex mechanism in vitro. Additionally, FbTam41 functionally substituted yeast Tam41 in vivo. These results demonstrate that Tam41-type CDP-DAG synthase functions in some prokaryotic cells. We determined the crystal structure of FbTam41 lacking the C-terminal 18 residues in the cytidine triphosphate (CTP)-Mg2+ bound form at a resolution of 2.6 Å. The crystal structure showed that FbTam41 contained a positively charged pocket that specifically accommodated CTP-Mg2+ and PA in close proximity. By using this structure, we constructed a model for the full-length structure of FbTam41 containing the last a-helix, which was missing in the crystal structure. Based on this model, we propose a molecular mechanism for CDP-DAG synthesis in bacterial cells and mitochondria.
Uncertainty analysis of numerical inversions of temperature logs from boreholes under injection conditions
Authors: Wang Jia , Nitschke Fabian , Gaucher Emmanuel , Kohl Thomas 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Conventional methods to estimate the static formation temperature (SFT) require borehole temperature data measured during thermal recovery periods. This can be both economically and technically prohibitive under real operational conditions, especially for high-temperature boreholes. This study investigates the use of temperature logs obtained under injection conditions to determine SFT through inverse modelling. An adaptive sampling approach based on machine-learning techniques is applied to explore the model space efficiently by iteratively proposing samples based on the results of previous runs. Synthetic case studies are conducted with rigorous evaluation of factors affecting the quality of SFT estimates for deep hot wells. The results show that using temperature data measured at higher flow rates or after longer injection times could lead to less-reliable results. Furthermore, the estimation error exhibits an almost linear dependency on the standard error of the measured borehole temperatures. In addition, potential flow loss zones in the borehole would lead to increased uncertainties in the SFT estimates. Consequently, any prior knowledge about the amount of flow loss could improve the estimation accuracy considerably. For formations with thermal gradients varying with depth, prior information on the depth of the gradient change is necessary to avoid spurious results. The inversion scheme presented is demonstrated as an efficient tool for quantifying uncertainty in the interpretation of borehole data. Although only temperature data are considered in this work, other types of data such as flow and transport measurements can also be included in this method for geophysical and rock physics studies.
Deterrence of Orchestrated Cheating: Group versus Individual Punishment
Authors: Leshem Shmuel , Wickelgren Abraham L 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
In the wake of a state-sponsored doping scandal, the World Anti-Doping Agency recommended banning all Russian athletes from the Rio Olympic Games. We study the circumstances in which such group penalties deter a group leader, whose payoff is tied to the group’s benefits and sanctions, from helping cheating group members avoid detection. We show that relative to individual punishment, group punishment deters orchestrated cheating and thereby increases individual deterrence for sufficiently strong enforcement and an intermediate detection-avoidance technology. Otherwise, group punishment fosters more individual cheating. Group punishment is thus a double-edged sword useful primarily as an off-equilibrium threat against orchestrated cheating but detrimental if frequently imposed on the equilibrium path. (JEL C72, K42)
Running vacuum model versus ΛCDM – a Bayesian analysis
Authors: N Sarath , Mathew Titus K 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTWe study the significance of the running vacuum model in which the vacuum energy density depends on the square of Hubble parameter, in comparison with the ΛCDM model. The Bayesian inference method is employed to appraise the relative significance of the running vacuum model, using the combined data sets, SN1a+CMB+BAO and SN1a+CMB+BAO+OHD. The model parameters and the corresponding errors are estimated from the marginal probability density function of the model parameters. The parameter that distinguish the running vacuum model from the ΛCDM model is ν. With the SN1a+CMB+BAO data set, we have found that the parameter ν is different from zero at ∼2.7σ. With the second data set, SN1a+CMB+BAO+OHD, the significance improved considerably to 3.4σ. Marginalizing over all model parameters with suitable prior, we have obtained the Bayes factor as the ratio of Bayesian evidence of our model and the ΛCDM model. The analysis based on Jeffrey’s scale of bayesian inference shows that the evidence of our model against the ΛCDM model is weak for the data set SN1a+CMB+BAO. We have obtained a definite evidence of running vacuum model for SN1a+CMB+BAO + OHD data set. This indicates that the dark energy could be dynamical.
Evaluation of dose, volume, and outcome in children with localized, intracranial ependymoma treated with proton therapy within the prospective KiProReg Study
Authors: Peters Sarah , Merta Julien , Schmidt Laura , Jazmati Danny , Kramer Paul-Heinz , Blase Cristoph , Tippelt Stephan , Fleischhack Gudrun , Stock Annika , Bison Brigitte , Rutkowski Stefan , Pietsch Torsten , Kortmann Rolf-Dieter , Timmermann Beate 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Background
Radiotherapy (RT) of ependymoma in children is an important part of the interdisciplinary treatment concept. However, feasibility and dose concepts are still under investigation, particularly in very young children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the standard dose and volume of proton therapy (PT) in children with ependymoma.

Methods
In this analysis, 105 patients with localized, intracranial ependymoma under the age of 18 years treated with PT between 2013 and 2018 were included. Patient characteristics, treatment, outcome, and follow-up data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier, and Cox regression analysis.

Results
The median age of patients at PT was 2.8 years (0.9-17.0 years). The molecular subgroup analysis was performed in a subset of 50 patients (37 EP-PFA, 2 EP-PFB, 7 EP-RELA, 2 EP-YAP, 2 NEC [not elsewhere classified]). The median total dose was 59.4 Gy (54.0-62.0 Gy). The median follow-up time was 1.9 years. The estimated 3-year overall survival (OS), local control (LC), and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 93.7%, 74.1%, and 55.6%, respectively. Within univariable analysis, female gender and lower dose had a positive impact on OS, whereas age ≥4 years had a negative impact on OS and PT given after progression had a negative impact on PFS. In the multivariable analysis, multiple tumor surgeries were associated with lower PFS. New ≥3° late toxicities occurred in 11 patients.

Conclusion
For children with localized ependymoma, PT was effective and well tolerable. Multiple surgeries showed a negative impact on PFS.
Long-term natural history and patterns of sporadic vestibular schwannoma growth: A multi-institutional volumetric analysis of 952 patients
Authors: Marinelli John P , Schnurman Zane , Killeen Daniel E , Nassiri Ashley M , Hunter Jacob B , Lees Katherine A , Lohse Christine M , Roland J Thomas , Golfinos John G , Kondziolka Douglas , Link Michael J , Carlson Matthew L 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Background
The current study aims to characterize the natural history of sporadic vestibular schwannoma volumetric tumor growth, including long-term growth patterns following initial detection of growth.

Methods
Volumetric tumor measurements from 3505 serial MRI studies were analyzed from unselected consecutive patients undergoing wait-and-scan management at three tertiary referral centers between 1998 and 2018. Volumetric tumor growth was defined as a change in volume ≥20%.

Results
Among 952 patients undergoing observation, 622 experienced tumor growth with initial growth-free survival rates (95% CI) at 1, 3, and 5 years following diagnosis of 66% (63–69), 30% (27–34), and 20% (17–24). Among 405 patients who continued to be observed despite demonstrating initial growth, 210 experienced subsequent tumor growth with subsequent growth-free survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years following initial growth of 77% (72–81), 37% (31–43), and 24% (18–31). Larger tumor volume at initial growth (HR 1.13, P = .02) and increasing tumor growth rate (HR 1.31; P &lt; .001) were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of subsequent growth, whereas a longer duration of time between diagnosis and detection of initial growth was protective (HR 0.69; P &lt; .001).

Conclusions
While most vestibular schwannomas exhibit an overall propensity for volumetric growth following diagnosis, prior tumor growth does not perfectly predict future growth. Tumors can subsequently grow faster, slower, or demonstrate quiescence and stability. Larger tumor size and increasing tumor growth rate portend a higher likelihood of continued growth. These findings can inform timing of intervention: whether upfront at initial diagnosis, after detection of initial growth, or only after continued growth is observed.
Erythema multiforme major with ocular involvement following COVID-19 infection
Authors: Maden Carla L , Ah-Kye Laura , Alfallouji Yasmin , Kulakov Elizabeth , Ellery Peter , Papamichael Esther 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACT
We report a case of membranous conjunctivitis and erythema multiforme major (EMM) after a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis. A previously well 18-year-old man presented with increasingly erythematous eyes and oral and genital ulceration 2 weeks after confirmation of COVID-19 infection. Clinical examination showed sloughy membranous conjunctivitis with normal visual acuity. He was reviewed by dermatology and diagnosed with EMM secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. The symptoms resolved with oral and topical steroids, lubricants and chloramphenicol eye drops. Erythema multiforme has been reported in association with COVID-19, although the major form is rare. Ophthalmologists should consider current or previous COVID-19 infection in patients presenting with conjunctivitis or pseudomembrane formation. Prompt initiation of steroids aids resolution.
Treating COVID-19 in the nursing home setting: an integrated approach for a complex and susceptible cohort
Authors: Connolly Warren , O’Keeffe Jonathan , ÓBroin Cathal , Mc Namara Rosa , Dean Jonathan , O’Shea Diarmuid 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACT
Our patient, a nursing home resident, was reviewed by our frailty outreach service in November 2020. She initially was diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in September 2020 during an outbreak in her nursing home. On this occasion, she again tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Our case report describes the resident’s poor immune response indicated by a low IgG level after her initial COVID infection as well as reinfection with a ‘non-variant’ SARS-CoV-2 lineage (B.1.177).
The case describes the importance of integration of community and secondary care. The nursing home received close monitoring and nurse supervision for the detection of potential deterioration of the patient. Exit-seeking behaviour by nursing home residents was limited effectively. The issues of low immune response to COVID-19 in older people and the emergence of variants of concern will continue to pose a threat to this susceptible group.
A rare case of pancreatic metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yehouenou Tessi Romeo Thierry , Jerguigue Hounayda , Latib Rachida , Omor Youssef 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACT
Metastases to the pancreas are rare in general and scares in cases of lungs primary lesion. They are discovered incidentally in most cases. Data on their incidence, diagnosis, prognosis and management remain insufficient. The discovery is usually made at an advanced stage of lung cancer with the presence of metastases to other organs. We reported the case of a patient undergoing oncology follow-up for lung adenocarcinoma with discovery of adrenal gland metastases and a solitary pancreatic metastatic mass. His management remains palliative chemotherapy. Surgical treatment is not yet codified in these cases and remains at the discretion of the multidisciplinary oncology teams.
Acacia pycnantha and gum arabic an alternative to antacids and proton pump inhibitors in the management of gastroesophageal and laryngopharyngeal reflux
Authors: Hurr Thomas J , Hurr Nina E 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACT
A case report is presented where a patient with long-term gastroesophageal reflux and recently diagnosed laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) underwent an 8-week treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). On discontinuation of the PPIs, symptoms of LPR remained and the patient’s reflux symptoms returned with increased severity. Consumption of acacia gum exudates from Acacia pycnantha resolved the LPR. Acacia pycnantha or gum arabic were both found to reduced reflux symptoms to a manageable level. An evaluation of the therapeutic effect of acacia gums using questionnaires to evaluate reflux symptoms, quality of life and global refluxogenic scores was undertaken. It was found acacia gums can be taken after the evening meal in the same way as antacids to manage reflux symptoms but with more sustained overnight relief.
A case of bacterial keratitis caused by multi-drug-resistant Shewanella algae without marine exposure
Authors: Song Je Eun , Kim Sollip , Kang Hyung Koo , Chung Inkwon , Kwak Yee Gyung , Um Tae Hyun , Cho Chong Rae , Chang Jeonghyun 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACT
Shewanella are Gram-negative rods and marine pathogens. Here, we report a case of bacterial keratitis caused by Shewanella algae without marine exposure. A 66-year-old man with suspected pneumonia was sent to the emergency department from a nursing hospital. He had been in there for 2 years in a vegetative state and could not close his eyes voluntarily. Neither the patient nor his family had experienced any marine exposure. Keratitis was suspected in his right eye. Gram-negative rods grew from swab culture and identified as S. algae by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and 16S rRNA sequencing. The patient was treated with topical tobramycin, moxifloxacin and ofloxacin as well as steroids for 14 days, and the keratitis improved. S. algae is a rare human pathogen, and most human infections involve marine exposure. This is the second report of bacterial keratitis caused by S. algae worldwide and the first in Asia.
Creating the New Soviet Man: The Case of Neurasthenia
Authors: Beliaeva Anastasia 
Published: December 2021

Summary
The article focuses on two different ways of constructing and understanding neurasthenia: one in the context of Russian medicine in the late-nineteenth to early-twentieth centuries, and the other in Soviet medicine after the communist revolution in 1917. The author examines the assumptions about human nature made in these two contexts and how they were bound to connect to the existing political context and agenda. The author explores how human nature was understood by the Russian and Soviet doctors at that time, and consequentially, their views on the harmful causes that led a healthy person to neurasthenia. Through the lens of the changing shifts in understanding neurasthenia, the author analyses the transformation that occurred in understanding human nature in general in the 1920–30s which led to the idea of the creation of the New Soviet Man, and also demonstrates the difference between the ‘former’ man and the ‘new’ man. The development of neurasthenia as a culturally bound construct reveals how medicine and politics are intertwined.
Gendernativism and Liberal Subjecthood: The Cases of Forced Marriage and the Burqa Ban in Switzerland
Authors: Dahinden Janine , Manser-Egli Stefan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIdeas of gender equality and women’s rights have come to play a crucial role in national politics of belonging and Othering, in Europe and beyond. Based on two case studies in Switzerland, we introduce the concept of gendernativism. We consider gendernativism as a particular configuration of boundary making between supposedly unfree migrant (descendant) and Muslim women and free Swiss/Europeans which is anchored in a nativist underpinning of membership. We argue that this dichotomy (re)produces an illiberal state and is a powerful means of an intersectional, gendered, migranticized, and racialized exclusion based on nativist grounds.
Phylogenetic relationships of Brachycera (Insecta: Diptera) inferred from mitochondrial genome sequences
Authors: Song Nan , Xi Yu-Qiang , Yin Xin-Ming 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBrachyceran flies constitute a large radiation of the order Diptera, but the phylogenetic relationships among them have remained controversial. In this study, we used next-generation sequencing to determine mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) for six brachyceran flies. Two of these species represent Milichiidae (Aldrichiomyza flaviventris and Phyllomyza obliqua); two representing Chloropidae (Pachylophus sp.) and Sphaeroceridae (Leptocera erythrocera) are the first sequenced members of these groups; and two species from Lauxaniidae (Homoneura sp.) and Syrphidae (Paragus quadrifasciatus) were newly sequenced. Together with the published mitogenomes, we included a total of 187 species representing 40 dipteran families to investigate the phylogeny of Brachycera. The results strongly supported Brachycera as a monophyletic group. The infra-orders Stratiomyomorpha, Tabanomorpha and Xylophagomorpha were retrieved as the earliest brachyceran lineages, but the clade (Stratiomyomorpha + (Xylophagomorpha + Tabanomorpha)) was not supported. In most analyses, Platypezoidea were recovered as the sister-group to Cyclorrhapha. Syrphoidea were non-monophyletic with respect to Pipunculus. Milichiidae were non-monophyletic because of Pachylophus. Sphaeroceroidea were, in most cases, placed as the sister-group to Ephydroidea. Within Calyptratae, Hippoboscoidea were sister to an assemblage of lineages composed of a muscoid grade and Oestroidea, the latter being monophyletic in the Bayesian analyses using the PhyloBayes site-heterogeneous mixture model.