bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contemporary Outcomes in Tetralogy of Fallot With Absent Pulmonary Valve After Fetal Diagnosis
Authors: Chelliah Anjali , Moon‐Grady Anita J. , Peyvandi Shabnam , Chiu Joanne S. , Bost James E. , Schidlow David , Carroll Sheila J. , Davey Brooke , Divanovic Allison , Hornberger Lisa , Howley Lisa W. , Kavanaugh‐McHugh Ann , Kovalchin John P. , Levasseur Stephanie M. , Lindblade Christopher L. , Morris Shaine A. , Ngwezi Deliwe , Pruetz Jay D. , Puchalski Michael D. , Rychik Jack , Samai Cyrus , Tacy Theresa A. , Tworetzky Wayne , Vernon Margaret M. , Yeh Jay , Donofrio Mary T. 
Published: June 2021

Background
Tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve is associated with high mortality, but it remains difficult to predict outcomes prenatally. We aimed to identify risk factors for mortality in a large multicenter cohort.

Methods and Results

Fetal echocardiograms and clinical data from 19 centers over a 10‐year period were collected. Primary outcome measures included fetal demise and overall mortality. Of 100 fetuses, pregnancy termination/postnatal nonintervention was elected in 22. Of 78 with intention to treat, 7 (9%) died in utero and 21 (27%) died postnatally. With median follow‐up of 32.9 months, no deaths occurred after 13 months. Of 80 fetuses with genetic testing, 46% had chromosomal abnormalities, with 22q11.2 deletion in 35%. On last fetal echocardiogram, at a median of 34.6 weeks, left ventricular dysfunction independently predicted fetal demise (odds ratio [OR], 7.4; 95% CI 1.3, 43.0;
P
=0.026). Right ventricular dysfunction independently predicted overall mortality in multivariate analysis (OR, 7.9; 95% CI 2.1–30.0;
P
=0.002). Earlier gestational age at delivery, mediastinal shift, left ventricular/right ventricular dilation, left ventricular dysfunction, tricuspid regurgitation, and Doppler abnormalities were associated with fetal and postnatal mortality, although few tended to progress throughout gestation on serial evaluation. Pulmonary artery diameters did not correlate with outcomes.

Conclusions
Perinatal mortality in tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve remains high, with overall survival of 64% in fetuses with intention to treat. Right ventricular dysfunction independently predicts overall mortality. Left ventricular dysfunction predicts fetal mortality and may influence prenatal management and delivery planning. Mediastinal shift may reflect secondary effects of airway obstruction and abnormal lung development and is associated with increased mortality.
The (In)applicability of the Right of Innocent Passage in the Gulf of Finland – Russia’s Return to a Mare Clausum?
Authors: Lott Alexander 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The Gulf of Finland has one of the busiest shipping routes globally and is the main export channel for Russian oil and gas. The Russian Federation has not closed its territorial sea for the east-west passage of ships to and from its ports. However, it has blocked over the past dozen years the north-south passage of an Estonian-Finnish commercial ferry line that has not received the Russian Federation’s permission for crossing its territorial sea. The Russian Federation’s permit-based passage regime caused the closure of that ferry line in 2007 and reportedly still hinders its re-establishment. In this context, the Russian Federation’s practice on the right of innocent passage through its territorial sea in the Gulf of Finland resembles the Soviet Union’s practice prior to the 1989 Jackson Hole statement.
Thomas Hobbes, Diodorus Siculus, and Early Humanity
Authors: Holton John Russell 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
This article offers a study of Thomas Hobbes’s reading of Diodorus Siculus, a Greek historiographer of the 1st century bc whom Hobbes called “the greatest antiquary perhaps that ever was.” After offering a comparison of the works of Thucydides (often regarded as Hobbes’s greatest classical model) and Diodorus, the article traces the reception of Diodorus’ work in early modern England and examines Diodorus’ strong influence on two principal works, De Homine and Behemoth. Early human histories in the first books of Diodorus’ Bibliotheke Historike (‘Historical Library), including anthropological and cosmological narratives, are a recurrent feature of Hobbes’s focus, and a certain subversiveness animates Hobbes’s use of Diodorus and underpins his critique of contemporary theological and political structures. One result of this research is to suggest a greater place for Diodorus in Hobbes’s intellectual world than previously realised, alongside a strong appreciation for Diodorus across multiple learned discourses in the pre-modern period.
Drivers of Twenty-First Century U.S. Winter Precipitation Trends in CMIP6 Models: A Storyline-Based Approach
Authors: Schmidt Daniel F. , Grise Kevin M. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractClimate change during the twenty-first century has the potential to substantially alter geographic patterns of precipitation. However, regional precipitation changes can be very difficult to project, and in some regions, global climate models do not even agree on the sign of the precipitation trend. Since some of this uncertainty is due to internal variability rather than model bias, models cannot be used to narrow the possibilities to a single outcome, but they can usefully quantify the range of plausible outcomes and identify the combination of dynamical drivers that would be likely to produce each.This study uses a storylines approach—a type of regression-based analysis—to identify some of the key dynamical drivers that explain the variance in 21stcentury U.S. winter precipitation trends across CMIP6 models under the SSP3-7.0 emissions scenario. This analysis shows that the spread in precipitation trends is not primarily driven by differences in modeled climate sensitivity. Key drivers include global-mean surface temperature, but also tropical upper-troposphere temperature, the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Pacific-North America (PNA) pattern, and the East Pacific (EP) dipole (a dipole pattern in geopotential heights over North America’s Pacific coast). Combinations of these drivers can reinforce or cancel to produce various high- or low-impact scenarios for winter precipitation trends in various regions of the United States. For example, the most extreme winter precipitation trends in the southwestern U.S. result from opposite trends in ENSO and EP, whereas the wettest winter precipitation trends in the midwestern U.S. result from a combination of strong global warming and a negative PNA trend.
Tropical origins of Weeks 2-4 forecasts errors during Northern Hemisphere cool season
Authors: Dias Juliana , Tulich Stefan N. , Gehne Maria , Kiladis George N. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA set of 30-day reforecast experiments, focused on the Northern Hemisphere (NH) cool season (November–March), is performed to quantify the remote impacts of tropical forecast errors on the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) global forecast system (GFS). The approach is to nudge the model towards reanalyses in the tropics and then measure the change in skill at higher latitudes as function of lead time. In agreement with previous analogous studies, results show that midlatitude predictions tend to be improved in association with reducing tropical forecast errors during weeks 2-4, particularly over the North Pacific and western North America, where gains in subseasonal precipitation anomaly pattern correlations are substantial. It is also found that tropical nudging is more effective at improving NH subseasonal predictions in cases where skill is relatively low in the control reforecast, whereas it tends to improve less cases that are already relatively skillful. By testing various tropical nudging configurations, it is shown that tropical circulation errors play a primary role in the remote modulation of predictive skill. A time dependent analysis suggests a roughly one week lag between a decrease in tropical errors and an increase in NH predictive skill. A combined tropical nudging and conditional skill analysis indicates that improved Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) predictions throughout its lifecycle could improve weeks 3-4 NH precipitation predictions.
SpoVG is an important regulator of sporulation and affects biofilm formation by regulating Spo0A transcription in Bacillus cereus 0–9
Authors: Huang Qiubin , Zhang Zhen , Liu Qing , Liu Fengying , Liu Yupeng , Zhang Juanmei , Wang Gang 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundBacillus cereus0–9, a Gram-positive, endospore-forming bacterium isolated from healthy wheat roots in our previous research, is considered to be an effective biocontrol strain against several soil-borne plant diseases. SpoVG, a regulator that is broadly conserved among many Gram-positive bacteria, may help this organism coordinate environmental growth and virulence to survive. This study aimed to explore the multiple functions of SpoVG inB. cereus0–9.MethodsThe gene knockout strains were constructed by homologous recombination, and the sporulation process ofB. cereus0–9 and its mutants were observed by fluorescence staining method. We further determined the spore yields and biofilm formation abilities of test strains. Transcriptional fusion strains were constructed by overlapping PCR technique, and the promoter activity of the target gene was detected by measuring its fluorescence intensity.The biofilm production and colonial morphology ofB. cereus0–9 and its mutants were determined to study the functions of the target genes, and the transcription level of the target gene was determined by qRT-PCR.ResultsAccording to observation of the sporulation process ofB. cereus0–9 in germination medium, SpoVG is crucial for regulating sporulation stage V ofB. cereus0–9, which is identical to that ofBacillus subtilisbut differs from that ofBacillus anthracis. In addition, SpoVG could influence biofilm formation ofB. cereus0–9. The transcription levels of two genes closely related to biofilm-formation,sipWandcalY, were downregulated in a ΔspoVGmutant. The role of SpoVG in regulating biofilm formation was further explored by deleting the genesabrBandsinRin the ΔspoVGmutant, respectively, generating the double mutant strains ΔspoVGΔabrBand ΔspoVGΔsinR. The phenotypes of these double mutants were congruent with those of the singleabrBandsinRdeletion strains, respectively, which showed increased biofilm formation. This indicated thatspoVGwas located upstream ofabrBandsinRin the regulatory pathway ofB. cereusbiofilm formation. Further, the results of qRT-PCR and the luminescence intensity of transcriptional fusion strains indicated thatspoVGgene deletion could inhibit the transcription of Spo0A.ConclusionsSpoVG, an important regulator in the sporulation ofB. cereus, is located upstream of Spo0A and participates in regulation of biofilm formation ofB. cereus0–9 through regulating the transcription level ofspo0A. Sporulation and biofilm formation are crucial mechanisms by which bacteria respond to adverse conditions. SpoVG is therefore an important regulator of Spo0A and is crucial for both sporulation and biofilm formation ofB. cereus0–9. This study provides a new insight into the regulatory mechanism of environmental adaptation in bacteria and a foundation for future studies on biofilm formation ofB. cereus.
SaQuant: a real-time PCR assay for quantitative assessment of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Wood Colin , Sahl Jason , Maltinsky Sara , Coyne Briana , Russakoff Benjamin , Yagüe David Panisello , Bowers Jolene , Pearson Talima 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Molecular assays are important tools for pathogen detection but need to be periodically re-evaluated with the discovery of additional genetic diversity that may cause assays to exclude target taxa or include non-target taxa. A single well-developed assay can find broad application across research, clinical, and industrial settings. Pathogen prevalence within a population is estimated using such assays and accurate results are critical for formulating effective public health policies and guiding future research. A variety of assays for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus are currently available. The utility of commercial assays for research is limited, given proprietary signatures and lack of transparent validation.

Results
In silico testing of existing peer-reviewed assays show that most suffer from a lack of sensitivity and specificity. We found no assays that were specifically designed and validated for quantitative use. Here we present a qPCR assay, SaQuant, for the detection and quantification of S. aureus as might be collected on sampling swabs. Sensitivity and specificity of the assay was 95.6 and 99.9 %, respectively, with a limit of detection of between 3 and 5 genome equivalents and a limit of quantification of 8.27 genome equivalents. The presence of DNA from non-target species likely to be found in a swab sample, did not impact qualitative or quantitative abilities of the assay.

Conclusions
This assay has the potential to serve as a valuable tool for the accurate detection and quantification of S. aureus collected from human body sites in order to better understand the dynamics of prevalence and transmission in community settings.
Investigation of long non-coding RNAs as regulatory players of grapevine response to powdery and downy mildew infection
Authors: Bhatia Garima , Upadhyay Santosh K. , Upadhyay Anuradha , Singh Kashmir 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are regulatory transcripts of length > 200 nt. Owing to the rapidly progressing RNA-sequencing technologies, lncRNAs are emerging as considerable nodes in the plant antifungal defense networks. Therefore, we investigated their role in Vitis vinifera (grapevine) in response to obligate biotrophic fungal phytopathogens, Erysiphe necator (powdery mildew, PM) and Plasmopara viticola (downy mildew, DM), which impose huge agro-economic burden on grape-growers worldwide.

Results
Using computational approach based on RNA-seq data, 71 PM- and 83 DM-responsive V. vinifera lncRNAs were identified and comprehensively examined for their putative functional roles in plant defense response. V. vinifera protein coding sequences (CDS) were also profiled based on expression levels, and 1037 PM-responsive and 670 DM-responsive CDS were identified. Next, co-expression analysis-based functional annotation revealed their association with gene ontology (GO) terms for ‘response to stress’, ‘response to biotic stimulus’, ‘immune system process’, etc. Further investigation based on analysis of domains, enzyme classification, pathways enrichment, transcription factors (TFs), interactions with microRNAs (miRNAs), and real-time quantitative PCR of lncRNAs and co-expressing CDS pairs suggested their involvement in modulation of basal and specific defense responses such as: Ca2+-dependent signaling, cell wall reinforcement, reactive oxygen species metabolism, pathogenesis related proteins accumulation, phytohormonal signal transduction, and secondary metabolism.

Conclusions
Overall, the identified lncRNAs provide insights into the underlying intricacy of grapevine transcriptional reprogramming/post-transcriptional regulation to delay or seize the living cell-dependent pathogen growth. Therefore, in addition to defense-responsive genes such as TFs, the identified lncRNAs can be further examined and leveraged to candidates for biotechnological improvement/breeding to enhance fungal stress resistance in this susceptible fruit crop of economic and nutritional importance.
Recurrent KRAS, KIT and SF3B1 mutations in melanoma of the female genital tract
Authors: Cai Yuan-jun , Ke Long-feng , Zhang Wen-wen , Lu Jian-ping , Chen Yan-ping 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Malignant melanoma of the female genital tract is relatively uncommon and accounts for 3–7% of all melanoma localizations. This study aimed to identify driver genes in melanoma of the female genital tract with the purpose of enhancing understanding of disease pathogenesis and identifying potential new therapeutic targets to develop effective therapies.

Methods
KIT (CD117) and BRAF expression were detected immunohistochemically. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing techniques were performed to identify the mutational status of BRAF, NRAS, KRAS, NF1, KIT, PDGFRA and SF3B1 on 19 melanomas of the female genital tract, paired with 25 cutaneous melanomas, 18 acral melanomas and 11 melanomas of nasal cavity.

Results
Somatic variant analysis identified KRAS (6/19; 32%) as the most commonly mutated gene, followed by KIT (4/19; 21%), SF3B1 (3/19; 16%) and NRAS (1/19; 5%). None of the cases were found to harbor BRAF, NF1 and PDGFRA mutations in melanomas of the female genital tract. However, none of the cases were found to harbor SF3B1 and KIT mutations in cutaneous melanomas, acral melanomas and melanomas of nasal cavity. Recurrent KIT mutations, as well as mutations in the less frequently mutated genes NRAS and SF3B1, were exclusively detected in vulvovaginal melanomas, but not in tumors arising in the cervix. However, recurrent KRAS mutations were detected in similar frequencies in tumors of the vulva, vagina, and cervix. Additionally, recurrent KRAS and KIT mutations occurred predominantly in polygonal and epithelioid cell types of melanoma in the female genital tract. Immunohistochemistry revealed moderate or strong cytoplasmic CD117 expression in 6 of the 19 cases (31.6%).

Conclusions
We observed that gynecologic melanoma harbored distinct mutation rates in the KIT, BRAF, SF3B1, KRAS, and NRAS genes. Our findings support the notion that gynecologic melanoma is a distinct entity from non-gynecologic melanoma, and these findings offer insights into future therapeutic options for these patients.
The determinants of 5th minute low Apgar score among newborns who delivered at public hospitals in Hawassa City, South Ethiopia
Authors: Yeshaneh Alex , Kassa Andargachew , Kassa Zemenu Yohannes , Adane Daniel , Fikadu Yohannes , Wassie Semahegn Tilahun , Alemu Biresaw Wassihun , Tadese Mesfin , Shitu Solomon , Abebe Haimanot 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundNewborn morbidity and mortality are forecasted using the Apgar scores. Obstetricians worldwide have used the Apgar score for more than half a century for the assessment of immediate newborn conditions. It is a simple and convenient evaluation system that offers a standardized and effective assessment of newborn infants. Neonatal morbidity and mortality can be reduced if high-risk neonates are identified and managed adequately. This study aimed to assess the determinants of 5th minute low Apgar score among newborns at Public hospitals in Hawassa city, South Ethiopia.MethodsA hospital-based unmatched case-control study was conducted at Public Hospitals in Hawassa city. Data were collected from 134 cases and 267 controls using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire by observing, interviewing, and reviewing patient cards. Newborns who delivered with a 5th minute Apgar score < 7 were considered as cases; whereas a similar group of newborns with a 5th minute Apgar score of ≥ 7 were categorized as controls. A consecutive sampling technique was employed to recruit cases, while a simple random sampling technique was used to select controls. Data entry and analysis were performed using Epi Data version 3.1 and SPSS version 20 respectively. Binary and multivariable analyses with a 95 % confidence level were performed. In the final model, variables withP < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsAfter controlling for possible confounding factors, the results showed that lack of physical and emotional support during labor and delivery [AOR = 3.5, 95 %CI:1.82–6.76], rural residence [AOR = 4, 95 %CI: 2.21–7.34], lack of antenatal care follow up [AOR = 3.5, 95 % CI: 1.91–6.33], anemia during pregnancy [AOR = 2.3,95 %CI: 1.10–4.71] and low birth weight [AOR = 6.2, 95 %CI: 2.78–14.03] were determinant factors of low Apgar scores. The area under the Apgar score ROC curve was 87.4 %.ConclusionsLack of physical and emotional support, rural residence, lack of ANC follow-up, low birth weight, and anemia during pregnancy were determinant factors of a low Apgar score. `Effective health education during preconception about anemia during pregnancy and ANC will help in detecting high-risk pregnancies that lead to a low Apgar score. In addition to the standard care of using electronic fetal monitoring, increasing access to compassion ships during labor and delivery is recommended.
Association of food insecurity with dietary patterns and expenditure on food, alcohol and tobacco amongst indigenous Inuit in Greenland: results from a population health survey
Authors: Bjerregaard Peter , Olesen Ingelise , Larsen Christina Viskum Lytken 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Amongst the indigenous Greenlandic Inuit, the experience of food insecurity has been attributed to a lack of money to buy enough food of sufficient quality to sustain a family, although a preference for alcohol and tobacco over food has also been cited. The purpose of the article was to compare dietary patterns and expenditure on food, alcoholic beverages and tobacco between survey participants who reported food insecurity and those who did not.

Methods
A countrywide cross-sectional health survey was carried out among 1886 adult Greenlandic Inuit in 2018. Diet was estimated by a food frequency questionnaire. Food insecurity status was based on the household hunger scale. Analyses were carried out by univariate general linear models adjusted for age, sex and social position.

Results
Nine percent of the participants reported food insecurity. Food insecurity was higher among younger participants, men and participants with low social position. Food insecure participants more often chose an unhealthy dietary pattern (43% vs. 32%) and they reported a higher energy intake. The food insecure spent the same amount of money on food as other participants but less on nutritious food and more on non-nutritious food. The cost per kilojoule (kJ) of the food of the food insecure was lower than that of the food secure (DKK 8.0 and 9.0 per 1000 kJ, respectively). The food insecure participants also spent considerably more on alcohol and tobacco.

Conclusions
The results suggest that it is not only unemployment and lack of money that creates food insecurity and unhealthy dietary patterns in Greenland. Food insecure participants gave higher priority to buying non-nutritious food, alcohol and tobacco than did food secure participants. There seems to be at least two population subgroups in Greenland with poverty and substance use, respectively, as the immediate determinants for food insecurity. The results are important for the design of interventions against food insecurity and unhealthy dietary patterns.