bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perceived Stress and Molecular Bacterial Vaginosis in the National Institutes of Health Longitudinal Study of Vaginal Flora
Authors: Turpin Rodman , Slopen Natalie , Borgogna Joanna-Lynn C , Yeoman Carl J , He Xin , Miller Ryan S , Klebanoff Mark A , Ravel Jacques , Brotman Rebecca M 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Vaginal microbiota provide the first line of defense against urogenital infections primarily through protective actions of Lactobacillus species Perceived stress increases susceptibility to infection through several mechanisms, including suppression of immune function. We investigated whether stress was associated with deleterious changes to vaginal bacterial composition in a subsample of 572 women in the Longitudinal Study of Vaginal Flora, sampled from 1999 through 2002. Using Cox proportional hazards models, both unadjusted and adjusted for sociodemographic factors and sexual behaviors, we found that participants who exhibited a 5-unit-increase in Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale had greater risk (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13, 1.74) of developing molecular bacterial vaginosis (BV), a state with low Lactobacillus abundance and diverse anaerobic bacteria. A 5-unit increase in stress score was also associated with greater risks of transitioning from the L. iners-dominated community state type (26% higher) to molecular-BV (adjusted HR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.56) or maintaining molecular-BV from baseline (adjusted HR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.47). Inversely, women with baseline molecular-BV reporting a 5-unit stress increase were less likely to transition to microbiota dominated by L. crispatus, L. gasseri, or L. jensenii (adjusted HR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.99). These findings suggest that psychosocial stress is associated with vaginal microbiota composition, inviting a more mechanistic exploration of the relationship between psychosocial stress and molecular-BV.
FBA: feature barcoding analysis for single cell RNA-Seq
Authors: Duan Jialei , Hon Gary C 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Motivation
Single cell RNA-Seq (scRNA-Seq) has broadened our understanding of cellular heterogeneity and provided valuable insights into cellular functions. Recent experimental strategies extend scRNA-Seq readouts to include additional features, including cell surface proteins and genomic perturbations. These ‘feature barcoding’ strategies rely on converting molecular and cellular features to unique sequence barcodes, which are then detected with the transcriptome.

Results
Here, we introduce FBA, a flexible and streamlined package to perform quality control, quantification, demultiplexing, multiplet detection, clustering and visualization of feature barcoding assays.

Availabilityand implementation
FBA is available on PyPi at https://pypi.org/project/fba and on GitHub at https://github.com/jlduan/fba.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Diversity and evolution of the extraordinary vocal sacs of casque-headed treefrogs (Anura: Hylidae)
Authors: Moura Pedro Henrique Areco Gomes , Elias-Costa Agustín J , Nunes Ivan , Faivovich Julián 
Published: May 2021

AbstractVocal sacs are among the most conspicuous features of anurans and are particularly striking in casque-headed treefrogs (Hylidae: Hylinae: Lophyohylini) with their wide array of morphologies. In this paper, we assessed the anatomy of vocal sacs in representatives of the Lophyohylini, described eight discrete characters and studied their evolution. We inferred that dorsolateral projections of the vocal sacs were already present during the early evolution of the tribe. Subsequently, they reached surprising volumes in some species, whereas in others they were notably reduced. We inferred between nine and 11 independent events of reduction of the size and lateral projections of the vocal sac, showing unprecedented levels of plasticity for the structure. Moreover, these events were strongly correlated with the colonization of phytotelmata as breeding sites, probably due to their confined space which hampers the inflation of large vocal sacs. Finally, we discuss the evolution of paired lateral vocal sacs in different groups of anurans, and the extent to which the paired and dorsally-projecting lobes of most Trachycephalus differ from those of distantly related taxa. Our findings highlight how variation in internal structure affects the shape of the inflated vocal sac and provides a framework applicable across the Anura.
Hair product use and breast cancer incidence in the Black Women’s Health Study
Authors: Coogan Patricia F , Rosenberg Lynn , Palmer Julie R , Cozier Yvette C , Lenzy Yolanda M , Bertrand Kimberly A 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Hair relaxers and leave-in conditioners and oils, commonly used by Black/African American women, may contain estrogens or estrogen-disrupting compounds. Thus, their use may contribute to breast cancer risk. Results of the few previous studies on this topic are inconsistent. We assessed the relation of hair relaxer and leave-in conditioner use to breast cancer incidence in the Black Women’s Health Study, a nationwide prospective study of Black women. Among 50 543 women followed from 1997 to 2017, 2311 incident breast cancers occurred. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression for breast cancer overall and by estrogen receptor (ER) status. For heavy use (≥15 years of use for ≥7 times/year) of hair relaxers relative to never/light use (&lt;4 years, no more than 1–2 times/year), the multivariable HR for breast cancer overall was 1.13 (95%CI: 0.96–1.33). Duration, frequency, age at first use and number of scalp burns were not associated with overall breast cancer risk. For heavy use of hair relaxers containing lye, the corresponding HR for ER+ breast cancer was 1.32 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.80); there was no association for non-lye products. There was no association of conditioner use and breast cancer. Results of this study were largely null, but there was some evidence that heavy use of lye-containing hair relaxers may be associated with increased risk of ER+ breast cancer. Consistent results from several studies are needed before it can be concluded that use of certain hair relaxers impacts breast cancer development.
An Optimized k-means Algorithm Based on Information Entropy
Authors: Liu Meiling , Zhang Beixian , Li Xi , Tang Weidong , Zhang GangQiang 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Clustering is a widely used technique in data mining applications and various pattern recognition applications, in which data objects are divided into groups. K-means algorithm is one of the most classical clustering algorithms. In this algorithm, the initial clustering centers are randomly selected, this results in unstable clustering results. To solve this problem, an optimized algorithm to select the initial centers is proposed. In the proposed algorithm, dispersion degree is defined, which is based on entropy. In the algorithm, all the objects are firstly grouped into a big cluster, and the object that has the maximum dispersion degree and the object that has the minimum dispersion degree are selected as the initial clustering centers from the initial big cluster. And then other objects in the biggest cluster are partitioned to the initial clusters to which the objects are nearest. The partition process will be repeated until the cluster number is equal to the specified value k. Finally, the partitioned k clusters and their cluster centers are applied to k-means algorithm as initial clusters and centers. Several experiments are conducted on real data sets to evaluate the proposed algorithm. The proposed algorithm is compared with traditional k-means algorithm and max-min distance clustering algorithm, and experimental results show that the improved k-means algorithm is stable in selecting initial clustering, because it can select unique initial clustering centers. The optimized algorithm’s effectiveness and feasibility are also verified by experiments, and the algorithm can reduce the times of iterations and has more stable clustering results and higher accuracy.
A case report of an elderly male with isolated coronary sinus atrial septal defect
Authors: Okamoto Junko , Fukuhara Shinji , Ozawa Hideki , Katsumata Takahiro 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Background
Isolated coronary sinus atrial septal defect (CSASD) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly, comprising &lt;1% of atrial septal defects. Elderly patients with this anomaly are even more uncommon and sometimes overlooked.

Case summary
A 73-year-old man with a history of electrical defibrillation therapy for atrial flutter presented with worsening exertional dyspnoea. Cardiac examination revealed CSASD without persistent left superior vena cava, showing only moderate tricuspid regurgitation. Surgical repair of the defect and regurgitant valve improved symptoms dramatically.

Discussion
Elderly patients with atrial arrhythmias might show uncommon presentations of congenital heart disease. Cardiologists should pay attention to enlarged right ventricle, pulmonary artery, and, in particular, enlarged coronary sinus. Direct closure with interrupted sutures secured with pledgets is effective in some case of terminal type of CSASD.
Shared decision making in breast cancer screening guidelines: a systematic review of their quality and reporting
Authors: Maes-Carballo Marta , Moreno-Asencio Teresa , Martín-Díaz Manuel , Mignini Luciano , Bueno-Cavanillas Aurora , Khan Khalid Saeed 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Background
Shared decision making (SDM) is a key component of evidence-based and patient-centred care. The aim of this study is to systematically review the quality of SDM proposals in clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and consensus statements (CSs) concerning breast cancer (BC) screening.

Methods
Guidances were identified, without language restrictions, using a prospectively planned systematic search (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus and guideline websites) from January 2010 to August 2020. Duplicate data extraction used a 31-item SDM quality assessment tool; reviewer agreement was 98%.

Results
SDM appeared only in 38 (49.4%) (33/68 CPGs, 4/9 CSs) documents (overall compliance with the quality tool: mean 5.74, IQR 3–8). CPGs and CSs specifically mentioning the term SDM (n = 12) had higher quality (mean 6.8, IQR 4–9 vs. mean 2.1, IQR 0–3; P = 0.001). No differences were found in mean quality comparing CPGs with CSs (3 vs. 1.6; P = 0.634), use of systematic review (4.2 vs. 2.9; P = 0.929) and publication in a journal (4 vs. 1.9; P = 0.094). Guidances with SDM were more recently reported than those without it (mean 41 vs. 57 months; P = 0.042).

Conclusion
More than half of all the guidelines did not meet SDM quality criteria. Those that explored it were more recently reported. There is an urgent need for promoting SDM in guidances concerning BC screening issued by institutions, professional associations and medical journals.
Mechanism of action of various terpenes and phenylpropanoids against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Nogueira Jéssica Oliveira e , Campolina Gabriela Aguiar , Batista Luís Roberto , Alves Eduardo , Caetano Alex Rodrigues Silva , Brandão Rafaela Magalhães , Nelson David Lee , Cardoso Maria das Graças 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACT
Foodborne, disease-causing microorganisms are increasingly resistant to commercial antibiotics. Thus, there is a need for the development of new agents capable of acting efficiently in the control of these pathogens. Terpenoids and phenylpropanoids stand out for having high biological activity and a broad spectrum of action. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the antibacterial potential of limonene, β-citronellol, carvone, carvacrol, eugenol and trans-cinnamaldehyde and to investigate the mechanism of activity of these compounds against the bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The terpene and phenylpropanoid compoundswere purchased and their antibacterial potential was assessed by macrodilution. The mechanism of action was verified by tests of potassium ion efflux, salt tolerance, extravasation of cellular contents, absorption of crystal violet and morphological changes analyzed by electron microscopy. Bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects caused by the compounds carvone, carvacrol, eugenol and transcinemaldehyde were observed in both species; antibacterial activity against only S. aureus was observed for β-citronelol and limonene. Reduced salt tolerance was found for strains of E. coli treated with carvacrol and S. aureus treated with β-citronelol. There was extravasation of cellular materials induced by treatments with carvone, carvacrol, eugenol and trans-cinnamaldehyde in both microorganisms. The absorption of crystal violet increased for E. coli after incubation with each treatment. Deleterious effects and morphological changes were observed. Therefore, the monoterpenes and phenylpropanoids under study are potentially applicable for antimicrobial use against E. coli and S. aureus, and the mechanism of action involves changes in membrane permeability without cell lysis.
Older People as Active Agents in Their Neighborhood Environments: Moving House Can Improve Quality of Life
Authors: Stephens Christine , Allen Joanne 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Background and Objectives
Neighborhood environments are an important aspect of well-being for older people. Developments of the general ecological model recognize older people as active agents who adapt their environments to fit their changing needs. We provide empirical support for a model suggested by Wahl et al., by examining interactions between neighborhood environments, personal situations, relocation, and quality of life (QoL) among older people.

Research Design and Methods
Two statistical models were tested with a sample of community-dwelling participants (aged 55–89) in the New Zealand Health, Work, and Retirement longitudinal surveys conducted in 2016 (T1) and 2018 (T2). Multiple linear regression assessed the association of perceptions of housing and neighborhood with QoL at T1 (n = 3682).

Results
QoL was predicted by housing satisfaction, and neighborhood satisfaction, accessibility, and trust (controlling for age, gender, marital status, home ownership, socioeconomic status, physical health, and mental health). Mixed analysis of variance showed that those who moved house between T1 and T2 reported lower housing and neighborhood satisfaction than nonmovers at T1. Over time T1–T2, movers reported less decline in housing satisfaction, and more positive change on all neighborhood perceptions, with higher perceptions of neighborhood accessibility than nonmovers at T2.

Discussion and Implications
These findings support the theoretical model and provide the impetus for a more detailed study of the effects of the environment on well-being in older age. Housing and neighborhood environments are a very practical focus for social policy change at local and national levels.
Mutant-TMEM230-induced neurodegeneration and impaired axonal mitochondrial transport
Authors: Wang Xiaobo , Guo Gongbo , Zhang Jinru , Aebez Nicolas , Liu Zhaohui , Liu Chun-Feng , Ross Christopher A , Smith Wanli W 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease with movement disorders including resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability. Recent studies have identified a new PD associated gene, TMEM230 (transmembrane protein 230). However, the pathological roles of TMEM230 and its variants are not fully understood. TMEM230 gene encodes two protein isoforms. Isoform2 is the major protein form (~95%) in human. In this study, we overexpress isoform2 TMEM230 variants (WT or PD-linked *184Wext*5 mutant) or knockdown endogenous protein in cultured SH-5Y5Y cells and mouse primary hippocampus neurons to study their pathological roles. We found that overexpression of WT and mutant TMEM230 or knockdown of endogenous TMEM230-induced neurodegeneration and impaired mitochondria transport at the retrograde direction in axons. Mutant TMEM230 caused more severe neurotoxicity and mitochondrial transport impairment than WT-TMEM230 did. Our results demonstrate that maintaining TMEM230 protein levels is critical for neuron survival and axon transport. These findings suggest that mutant-TMEM230-induced mitochondrial transport impairment could be the early event leading to neurite injury and neurodegeneration in PD development.
Sample logic
Authors: Gerner Matthias 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The need for a ‘many-valued logic’ in linguistics has been evident since the 1970s, but there was lack of clarity as to whether it should come from the family of fuzzy logics or from the family of probabilistic logics. In this regard, Fine [14] and Kamp [26] pointed out undesirable effects of fuzzy logic (the failure of idempotency and coherence) which kept two generations of linguists and philosophers at arm’s length. (Another unwanted feature of fuzzy logic is the property of truth functionality.) While probabilistic logic is not fraught by the same problems, its lack of constructiveness, i.e. its inability to compose complex truth degrees from atomic truth degrees, did not make it more attractive to linguists either. In the absence of a clear perspective in ‘many-valued logic’, scholars chose to proliferate ontologies grafted atop the classical bivalent logic: ontologies for truth, individuals, events, situations, possible worlds and degrees. The result has been a collection of incompatible classical logics. In this paper, I present sample logic, in particular its semantics (not its axiomatization). Sample logics is a member of the family of probabilistic logics, which is constructive without being truth functional. More specifically, I integrate all the important linguistic data on which the classical logics are predicated. The concepts of (in)dependency and conditional (in)dependency are the cornerstones of sample logic.
Phase III study of palonosetron for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in pediatric patients
Authors: Hara Junichi , Kosaka Yoshiyuki , Koh Katsuyoshi , Matsumoto Kimikazu , Kumamoto Tadashi , Fujisaki Hiroyuki , Ishida Yuji , Suzuki Ryoko , Mochizuki Shinji , Goto Hiroaki , Yuza Yuki , Koga Yuhki 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Background
Palonosetron has demonstrated non-inferiority to ondansetron for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in pediatric patients in the United States and Europe. We conducted a single-arm registration study to evaluate the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of palonosetron in pediatric patients in Japan.

Methods
Key inclusion criteria were age of 28 days to 18 years and malignant disease for which initial highly emetogenic chemotherapy or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy was planned. Patients received palonosetron at 20 μg/kg over at least 30 s intravenously before the start of highly emetogenic chemotherapy or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy and received dexamethasone on Days 1–3. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving a complete response in the overall phase (0–120 h) in Course 1, and its threshold was set at 30%.

Results
From December 2016 to June 2019, 60 patients were enrolled, and 58 received at least one dose of palonosetron. The proportion of patients achieving a complete response during the overall phase was 58.6% (95% confidence interval, 44.9%–71.4%), showing the primary endpoint was met (P &lt; 0.0001). Treatment-related adverse events occurred in two patients (3.4%). Regarding the pharmacokinetics of palonosetron, neither the plasma concentration immediately after administration nor the area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time 0 to infinity differed significantly among the age groups.

Conclusion
We demonstrated the efficacy of palonosetron in pediatric patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy and confirmed the appropriateness of the 20 μg/kg dose, regardless of age, considering the safety and pharmacokinetic profiles.

Trial registration
JapicCTI-163305, registered 6 June 2016.
Vanillic acid–Zn(II) complex: a novel complex with antihyperglycaemic and anti-oxidative activity
Authors: Oke Ifedolapo M , Ramorobi Limpho M , Mashele Samson S , Bonnet Susanna L , Makhafola Tshepiso J , Eze Kenneth C , Noreljaleel Anwar E M , Chukwuma Chika I 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Our aim was to synthesize, characterize and evaluate the antihyperglycaemic and anti-oxidative properties of a new Zn(II) complex of vanillic acid.

Methods
The complex was synthesized using ZnSO4.7H2O and vanillic acid as precursors. NMR and FTIR techniques were used to characterize the synthesized complex. The cytotoxicity of the complex was measured. The antihyperglycemic and anti-oxidative properties of the complex were evaluated using in vitro, cell-based and ex vivo models and compared with those of its precursors.

Key findings
Zn(II) coordinated with vanillic acid via a Zn(O6) coordination, with the complex having three moieties of vanillic acid. The radical scavenging, Fe3+ reducing and hepatic antilipid peroxidative activity of the complex were, respectively, 2.3-, 1.8- and 9.7-folds more potent than vanillic acid. Complexation increased the α-glucosidase and glycation inhibitory activity of vanillic acid by 3- and 2.6-folds, respectively. Zn(II) conferred potent L-6 myotube (EC50 = 20.4 μm) and muscle tissue (EC50 = 612 μm) glucose uptake effects on vanillic acid. Cytotoxicity evaluation showed that the complex did not reduce the viability of L-6 myotubes and Chang liver cells.

Conclusions
The data suggest that Zn(II)–vanillic acid complex had improved bioactivity relative to vanillic acid. Thus, Zn(II) may be further studied as an antihyperglycaemic and anti-oxidative adjuvant for bioactive phenolic acids.