bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Personalized (N-of-1) Trials for Depression
Authors: Kronish Ian M. , Hampsey Meghan , Falzon Louise , Konrad Beatrice , Davidson Karina W. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Purpose/Background
Personalized (N-of-1) trials are single-patient, crossover-design trials that may be useful for personalizing the selection of depression treatments. We conducted a systematic review of published N-of-1 trials for depression to determine the feasibility and suitability of this methodology for personalizing depression care.

Methods/Procedures
Electronic databases were searched from database inception through October 2016. Studies were selected if they enrolled depressed patients, included a within-subject crossover design, and systematically assessed depressive symptoms during the N-of-1 trial.

Findings/Results
Five eligible studies reporting on 47 depressed patients (range, 1–18 patients) were identified. Two studies were conducted among adults with treatment-resistant depression, 1 study among depressed inpatients, and 2 studies among patients from special populations (geriatric nursing home, human immunodeficiency virus–associated encephalopathy). All studies evaluated the effects of pharmacologic treatments (methylphenidate, d-amphetamine, ketamine, and sulpiride). Three studies compared an off-label treatment with placebo, 1 study compared 2 off-label treatments, and 1 study compared escalating doses of an off-label treatment with placebo. All 4 studies with more than 1 participant demonstrated heterogeneous treatment effects. All studies produced data that could personalize treatment selection for individual patients. No studies reported on recruitment challenges, compliance with self-tracking, or satisfaction with participation.

Implications/Conclusions
The feasibility of N-of-1 trials for depression was demonstrated for a limited number of second-line pharmacologic treatments in treatment-resistant patients or in patients with comorbidities that would have excluded them from conventional randomized controlled trials. Additional research is needed to determine whether N-of-1 trials are suitable for improving the selection of depression treatments in clinical practice.
Prevention of Otic Barotrauma in Aviation: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ryan Peter , Treble Alexander , Patel Nirmal , Jufas Nicholas 
Published: March 2018

Objective:
To conduct a systematic review of the published evidence relating to the prevention of otic barotrauma in aviation. In particular, this review sought to identify procedures, techniques, devices, and medications for the prevention of otic barotrauma as well as evaluate the evidence relating to their efficacy.

Data Sources:
Ten databases including Embase, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched using the full historical range.

Study Selection:
English language articles including more than or equal to five participants or cases were included. Outcomes of interest were reduced severity or the successful prevention of otic barotrauma in participants undergoing gradual changes in pressure during air travel or its simulation.

Data Extraction:
Articles and data were extracted and analyzed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and other international guidelines.

Conclusions:
This review highlights the lack of published evidence relating to what is a significant and increasingly common problem in otology. There is level 1 evidence that supports the efficacy of oral pseudoephedrine (120 mg) in preventing otic barotrauma in adults. However, oral pseudoephedrine (1 mg/kg) does not appear to be effective in children. There is insufficient evidence to support the efficacy of either nasal balloon inflation or pressure-equalizing ear plugs for the prevention of otic barotrauma. A recently reported, novel technique for insertion of temporary tympanostomy tubes is promising but requires further evaluation.
Dose Efficiency of Quarter-Millimeter Photon-Counting Computed Tomography
Authors: Pourmorteza Amir , Symons Rolf , Henning André , Ulzheimer Stefan , Bluemke David A. 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
The aim of this study was to assess the clinical feasibility, image quality, and radiation dose implications of 0.25-mm imaging mode in a cohort of humans, achieved by dividing the photon-counting detector (PCD) size in half compared with standard-resolution photon-counting computed tomography (CT) (0.5 mm).

Methods
In this technical feasibility study, a whole-body prototype PCD-CT scanner was studied in the 0.25 mm detector mode (measured at isocenter). A high-resolution PCD-CT protocol was first tested in phantom and canine studies in terms of image noise and spatial resolution. Then, 8 human subjects (mean age, 58 ± 8 years; 2 men) underwent axial PCD 0.25-mm scans of the brain, the thorax, and at the level of the upper left kidney. Filtered backprojection reconstruction was performed with a sharp kernel (B70) for standard-resolution and high-resolution data at 0.5-mm isotropic image voxel. High-resolution data, in addition, were reconstructed with an ultrasharp kernel (U70) at 0.25-mm isotropic voxels.

Results
Image reconstructions from the PCD 0.25-mm detector system led to an improvement in resolution from 9 to 18 line pairs/cm in a line pair phantom. Modulation transfer function improved from 9.5 to 15.8 line pairs/cm at 10% modulation transfer function. When fully exploiting this improvement, image noise increased by 75% compared with dose-matched 0.5-mm slice PCD standard-resolution acquisition. However, when comparing with standard-resolution data at same in-plane resolution and slice thickness, the PCD 0.25-mm detector mode showed 19% less image noise in phantom, animal, and human scans.

Conclusion
High-resolution photon-counting CT in humans showed improved image quality in terms of spatial resolution and image noise compared with standard-resolution photon-counting.
Treatment of Depression With Duloxetine in Mitochondrial Encephalopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-Like Episodes
Authors: Cozart Brittany , Diaz Vera Jesus , Denham James D. , Whiting William L. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
The mitochondrial cytopathies are a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by heteroplasmic maternal transmission and selective dysfunction of tissues and organs highly dependent on aerobic respiration (eg, skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and brain). Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is a specific subtype of mitochondrial cytopathy that is commonly associated with mood disturbances in individuals who survive until adulthood. Because of the altered cellular metabolism inherent in MELAS, it is often difficult to determine drug dosing, drug choice, and treatment response in patients with this rare disease. Historically, management of these patients focused on symptomatic relief and supplementation of compounds thought to optimize aerobic respiration (specifically, enzyme Co-Q10). We report a case in which an adult patient with MELAS and comorbid major depressive disorder demonstrated excellent response to the selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor medication duloxetine.
Genome-wide patterns of local adaptation inDrosophila melanogaster: adding intra European variability to the map
Authors: Mateo Lidia , Rech Gabriel E. , González Josefa 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTSignatures of spatially varying selection have been investigated both at the genomic and transcriptomic level in several organisms. InDrosophila melanogaster, the majority of these studies have analyzed North American and Australian populations, leading to the identification of several loci and traits under selection. However, populations in these two continents showed evidence of admixture that likely contributed to the observed population differentiation patterns. Thus, disentangling demography from selection is challenging when analyzing these populations. European populations could be a suitable system to identify loci under spatially varying selection provided that no recent admixture from African populations would have occurred. In this work, we individually sequence the genome of 42 European strains collected in populations from contrasting environments: Stockholm (Sweden), and Castellana Grotte, (Southern Italy). We found low levels of population structure and no evidence of recent African admixture in these two populations. We thus look for patterns of spatially varying selection affecting individual genes and gene sets. Besides single nucleotide polymorphisms, we also investigate the role of transposable elements in local adaptation. We concluded that European populations are a good dataset to identify loci under spatially varying selection. The analysis of the two populations sequenced in this work in the context of all the availableD. melanogasterdata allowed us to pinpoint genes and biological processes relevant for local adaptation. Identifying and analyzing populations with low levels of population structure and admixture should help to disentangle selective from non-selective forces underlying patterns of population differentiation in other species as well.
Tasman-PCR: A genetic diagnostic assay for Tasmanian devil facial tumour diseases
Authors: Kwon Young Mi , Stammnitz Maximilian R. , Wang Jinhong , Knowles Graeme W. , Pye Ruth J. , Hamede Rodrigo , Murchison Elizabeth P. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTasmanian devils have spawned two transmissible cancer clones, known as devil facial tumour 1 (DFT1) and devil facial tumour 2 (DFT2). DFT1 and DFT2 are transmitted between animals by the transfer of allogeneic contagious cancer cells by biting, and both cause facial tumours. DFT1 and DFT2 tumours are grossly indistinguishable, but can be differentiated using histopathology, cytogenetics or genotyping of polymorphic markers. However, standard diagnostic methods require specialist skills and equipment and entail long processing times. Here, we describe Tasman-PCR: a simple PCR-based diagnostic assay that distinguishes DFT1 and DFT2 by amplification of DNA spanning tumour-specific interchromosomal translocations. We demonstrate the high sensitivity and specificity of this assay by testing DNA from 557 tumours and 818 normal devils. A temporal-spatial screen confirmed the reported geographic ranges of DFT1 and DFT2 and did not provide evidence of additional DFT clones. DFT2 affects disproportionately more males than females, and devils can be co-infected with DFT1 and DFT2. Overall, we present a PCR-based assay that delivers rapid, accurate and high-throughput diagnosis of DFT1 and DFT2. This tool provides an additional resource for devil disease management and may assist with ongoing conservation efforts.
An analysis of current state of the art software on nanopore metagenomic data
Authors: Pendleton Samantha C 
Published: March 2018

AbstractContextOur insight into DNA is controlled through a process called sequencing. Until recently, it was only possible to sequence DNA into short strings called “reads”. Nanopore is a new sequencing technology to produce significantly longer reads. Using nanopore sequencing, a single molecule of DNA can be sequenced without the need for time consuming PCR amplification (polymerase chain reaction is a technique used in molecular biology to amplify a single copy or a few copies of a segment of DNA across several orders of magnitude).AimsMetagenomics is the study of genetic material recovered from environmental samples. A research team from IBERS (Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences) at Aberystwyth University have sampled metagenomes from a coal mine in South Wales using the Nanopore MinION and given initial taxonomic (classification of organisms) summaries of the contents of the microbial community.MethodsUsing various new software aimed for metagenomic data, we are interested to discover how well current bioinformatics software works with the data-set. We will conduct analysis and research into how well these new state of the art software works with this new long read data and try out some recent new developments for such analysis.ResultsMost of the software we used worked very well: we gained understanding of the ACGT count and quality of the data. However some software for bioinformatics don’t seem to work with nanopore data. Furthermore, we can conclude that low quality nanopore data may actually be quite average.
The changing landscape of VREfm in Victoria, Australia: a State-wide genomic snapshot
Authors: Lee Robyn S. , da Silva Anders Gonçalves , Baines Sarah L. , Strachan Janet , Ballard Susan , Carter Glen P. , Kwong Jason C. , Schultz Mark , Bulach Dieter , Seemann Torsten , Stinear Timothy P. , Howden Benjamin P. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractVancomycin-resistantEnterococcus faecium(VREfm) represent a major source of nosocomial infection worldwide. In Australia, thevanBgenotype is dominant; however there has been a recent increase in the predominantly plasmid-encodedvanAgenotype, prompting investigation into the genomic epidemiology of VREfm in this context.Materials and MethodsA cross-sectional study of VREfm in Victoria, Australia (Nov.10th- Dec.9th, 2015). A total of 321 VREfm isolates (from 286 patients) were collected and whole-genome sequenced with Illumina NextSeq. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used to assess relatedness. Multi-locus sequence types (STs), and genes associated with resistance and virulence were identified. ThevanA-harbouring plasmid from an isolate from each ST was assembled using long-read data.ResultsvanA-VREfm comprised 17.8% of isolates. ST203, ST80 and apstS(-) clade, ST1421, predominated (30.5%, 30.5% and 37.2% ofvanA-VREfm, respectively). MostvanB-VREfm were ST796 (77.7%).vanA-VREfm isolates were closely-related within hospitals vs. between them (core SNPs 10 [interquartile range 1-357] vs. 356 [179-416] respectively), suggesting discrete introductions ofvanA-VREfm, with subsequent intra-hospital transmission. In contrast,vanB-VREfm had similar core SNP distributions within vs. between hospitals, due to widespread dissemination of ST796. Overall,vanA-harbouring plasmids differed across STs, and with exception of ST78 and ST796, Tn1546transposons also varied.ConclusionsvanA-VREfm in Victoria is associated with multiple STs, and is not solely mediated by a single shared plasmid/Tn1546transposon; clonal transmission appears to play an important role, predominantly within, rather than between, hospitals. In contrast,vanB-VREfm appears to be well-established and widespread across Victorian healthcare institutions.
Asymmetrically Positioned Flagellar Control Units Regulate Human Sperm Rotation
Authors: Miller Melissa R. , Kenny Samuel J , Mannowetz Nadja , Mansell Steven A. , Wojcik Michal , Mendoza Sarah , Zucker Robert S. , Xu Ke , Lishko Polina V. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe ability of sperm to fertilize an egg is controlled by ion channels, one of which is the pH-dependent calcium channel of sperm CatSper. For CatSper to be fully activated, the cytoplasmic pH must be alkaline, which is accomplished by either proton transporters, or a faster mechanism, such as the voltage-gated proton channel Hv1. To ensure effective regulation, these channels and regulatory proteins must be tightly compartmentalized. Here, we characterize human sperm nanodomains that are comprised of Hv1, CatSper and regulatory protein ABHD2. Super-resolution microscopy revealed that Hv1 forms asymmetrically positioned bilaterally distributed longitudinal lines that span the entire length of the sperm tail. Such a distribution provides a direct structural basis for the selective activation of CatSper, and subsequent flagellar rotation along the long axis that, together with hyperactivated motility, enhances sperm fertility. Indeed, Hv1 inhibition leads to a decrease in sperm rotation. Thus, sperm ion channels are organized in distinct regulatory nanodomains that control hyperactivated motility and rotation.
Characterizing Genetic Circuit Components in E. coli towards a Campylobacter jejuni Biosensor
Authors: Brzozowska Natalia , Gourlay Jane , O’Sullivan Ailish , Buchanan Frazer , Hannah Ross , Stewart Alison , Taylor Hannah , Docea Reuben , McLay Greig , Giuliano Ambra , Provan James , Baker Katherine , Abioye Jumai , Reboud Julien , Colloms Sean 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCampylobacter jejuni is responsible for most cases of bacterial gastroenteritis (food poisoning) in the United Kingdom. The most common routes of transmission are by contact with raw poultry. Current detection systems for the pathogen are time-consuming, expensive or inaccessible for everyday users. In this article we propose a cheaper and faster system for detection of C. jejuni using a synthetic biology approach. We aimed to detect C. jejuni by the presence of xylulose, an uncommon bacterial capsular saccharide. We characterized two sugar-based regulatory systems that displayed potential to act as tools for detection of xylulose. Using a two-plasmid reporter system in Escherichia coli, we investigated the regulatory protein component (MtlR) of the mannitol operon from Pseudomonas fluorescens. Our findings suggest that the promoter of mtlE is activated by MtlR in the presence of a variety of sugar inducer molecules, and may exhibit cross-activity with a native regulator of E. coli. Additionally, we engineered the L-arabinose transcriptional activator (AraC) of E. coli for altered ligand specificity. We performed site-specific saturation mutagenesis to generate AraC variants with altered effector specificity, with an aim to generate a mutant activated by xylulose. We characterized several mutant AraC variants which have lost the ability to respond specifically to the native L-arabinose effector. We promote this technique as a powerful tool for future iGEM teams to create regulatory circuits activated by novel small molecule ligands.
Effect of visual cues in addition to moderate auditory cues on temporal coordination: A comparative study in humans and chimpanzees
Authors: Yu Lira , Tomonaga Masaki 
Published: March 2018

AbstractOur previous studies reported that chimpanzees share an ability to produce spontaneous temporal coordination with humans (Yu & Tomonaga, 2015; 2016). However, it remains unclear how visual cues of an interacting partner’s movement influence on the emergence of tempo convergence. The current study conducted a comparative study in humans and chimpanzees under the same experimental setup as that used in Yu & Tomonaga (2016). Three conditions, including baseline, paired-invisible and paired-visible, were prepared. In the baseline condition, the participants produced the repetitive tapping movement alone. In contrast, in the other two paired conditions, the participants in a pair produced the tapping movement concurrently while facing a conspecific partner. However, in the paired-invisible condition, a visual barrier was placed in between the participants to control visual cues of an interacting partner’s movement. Moderate auditory cues, corresponding to each participant’s tapping movement, were presented throughout the conditions. Results showed that there are significant changes on the tapping tempo between baseline and the paired-invisible condition, whereas there are little changes between paired-invisible and paired-visible condition in both species. The current stepwise analysis across three conditions demonstrates that auditory cues were more influential than additive visual cues of an interacting partner’s movement on the tempo convergence in humans and chimpanzees.
The action of a cosmetic hair treatment on follicle function
Authors: Turner Graham A. , Paterson Sarah E. , Baines Fiona L. , Mayes Andrew E. , Reilly David M. , Hudson Nicole M. , Dadd Tony , Majumdar Amitabha , Kapoor Renu , Gu Jiayin , Bhalla Nitesh , Xu Fei 
Published: March 2018

AbstractOBJECTIVEHuman hair changes with age: fibre diameter and density decrease, hair growth slows and shedding increases. This series of controlled studies examined the effect on hair growth parameters of a new leave-on hair treatment (LOT) formulated with DynagenTM(containing hydrolysed yeast protein) and zinc salts.METHODSHair growth data were collected from healthy women aged 18–65 years. The LOT’s effect on hair growth was measured in a randomized double-blind study and in hair samples; its effect on follicle-cell proliferation was assessed by quantifying Ki67 expression in scalp biopsies. The LOT’s effect on plucking force was determined in anex vivomodel. Dynagen’s effect on the expression of the tight-junction marker claudin-1 was analysed in cultured follicles. The effect on protease activity of zinc salts used in the LOT was examinedin vitro.RESULTSHair growth rate decreased with increasing subject age. The LOT significantly increased hair growth rate, fibre diameter, bundle cross-sectional area, Ki67 expression and the plucking force required to remove hair. Dynagen significantly increased claudin-1 expression in cultured follicles. Protease activity was reduced by zinc salts.CONCLUSIONThe Dynagen-based LOT increases hair-fibre diameter, strengthens the follicular root structure and increases hair growth rate.
Ameliorative potential of curcumin on cigarette smoke extract induced cognitive impairment in zebrafish
Authors: Thilagavathi Loganathan , Jabeen Sara , Ravishankar Shreyas Belagod , Ahmed Syed Shakeeb , George Thomas , Rishitha Narahari , Muthuraman Arunachalam , Paramakrishnan Nallupillai 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTCurcumin is a major phyto-constituent ofCurcuma longa. It has been reported that it that it showed various pharmacological actions via anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory actions. The present study undergoes the therapeutic evaluation of curcumin in cigarette smoke extract (CSE) exposure induced cognitive impairment in zebrafish.Methods:The cognitive impairment was induced by exposure to 25 ml of 200 % CSE; 10 minutes/day, for 7 consecutive days. The pre-treatment of curcumin (10 and 20 mg/kg) and montelukast(20 mg/kg) were exposed in 25 ml drug solution (10 minutes/day for 10 consecutive days). The changes of CSE induced cognitive dysfunction were evaluated by using different test methods such as colour recognition test; partition preference test; horizontal compartment test; and T-Maze tests. Further, the CSE exposure induced changes of biochemical parametersi.e.,acetylcholinesterase activity; lipid peroxidation; reduced glutathione; and total protein levels were estimated in the brain of zebrafish. The pre-exposure of curcumin shown to produce the ameliorative effect against CSE induced neurocognitive impairments along with alteration of biochemical changes. Theseresults were comparable to reference controli.e.,montelukast pre-treated group. Therefore, the curcumin can be served as newer medicines for immunological reaction associated neurocognitive disorders like Alzheimer and multiple sclerosis due to its potential anti-oxidative; anti-inflammatory; immunomodulatory; and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory actions.SUMMARYLoss of memory is a major problem in old age population. Curcumin used to treats the various neurological disorders. Curcumin possess the ameliorative potential in toxin induced neurocognitive function.