bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High-volume hospitals are associated with lower mortality among high-risk emergency general surgery patients
Authors: Ogola Gerald O. , Crandall Marie L. , Richter Kathleen M. , Shafi Shahid 
Published: May 2018

INTRODUCTION
We have previously demonstrated that Emergency General Surgery (EGS) patients treated at high-volume hospitals experience lower mortality rates than those treated at low-volume hospitals. However, EGS comprises a wide spectrum of diseases. Our goal was to determine which EGS diseases had better outcomes at high-volume hospitals.

METHODS
We undertook a retrospective analysis of the National Inpatient Sample database for 2013 (a nationwide representative sample). Patients with EGS diseases were identified using American Association for the Surgery of Trauma definitions. A hierarchical logistic regression model was used to measure risk-adjusted probability of death, adjusting for age, sex, race, ethnicity, insurance type, and comorbidities. Patients were then grouped into 16 risk groups based upon their predicted probability of death. We then compared observed mortality rates at high- versus low-volume hospitals within each risk group.

RESULTS
Nationwide, 3,006,615 patients with EGS diseases were treated at 4,083 hospitals in 2013. Patients with predicted risk of death of 4% or higher (275,615 patients, 9.2%) had lower observed mortality rates at high-volume hospitals than at low-volume hospitals (7.7% vs. 10.2%, p < 0.001). We estimated that 1,002 deaths were potentially preventable if high-risk patients who were treated at low-volume hospitals were instead transferred to high-volume hospitals.

CONCLUSION
EGS patients with predicted risk of death of 4% or higher experience lower mortality rates at high-volume hospitals than at low-volume hospitals. A regional system of EGS care that enables rapid transfer of high-risk patients to high-volume hospitals may prevent several deaths.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Prognostic and epidemiological, level III; Therapeutic/Case Management, level IV.
Living Organ Video Educated Donors Program for Kidney Transplant-eligible African Americans to Approach Potential Donors: A Proof of Concept
Authors: Sieverdes John C. , Treiber Frank A. , Mueller Martina , Nemeth Lynne S. , Brunner-Jackson Brenda , Anderson Ashley , Baliga Prabhakar K. 
Published: May 2018

Background
The purpose of the Living Organ Video Educated Donors (LOVED) program is to address living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) disparities in African Americans who experience half the rates of LDKTs compared with whites in the United States.

Methods
LOVED is an iterative-designed, distance-based, navigator-led, mobile health educational program, developed via guidance from patients, Self-determination Theory and Social Cognitive Theory. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of LOVED using a proof-of-concept design to increase African Americans’ knowledge about the living donor process to improve their willingness to approach others about being a potential kidney donor. The 8-week LOVED program consisted of (1) a computer tablet-delivered education program, (2) group video chat sessions with an African American LDKT recipient navigator, and (3) additional communication between group members and the navigator.

Results
Twenty-five participants completed the LOVED study. Poststudy focus groups were analyzed using inductive and deductive qualitative descriptive techniques and analysts found 6 themes reporting LOVED being highly acceptable with the program being overall empowering and helpful. The study had 0% attrition, 90.9% adherence to the education videos and 88% adherence to the video chat sessions. Surveys showed statistically significant improvements in LDKT knowledge, higher willingness to communicate to others about their need, lower donor concerns, and higher self-efficacy about LDKT.

Conclusions
Findings indicate that participation in LOVED can lead to improvements in predictors to increase the number of evaluations and LDKTs in African Americans; however, these findings need to be confirmed in adequately powered, randomized controlled trials. Using LOVED may reduce barriers to broadly address LDKT disparities. Findings from this study will inform the design of a future statewide randomized controlled trials.
Recanalization of Chronic Occlusion of the Middle Cerebral Artery With Tissue Plasminogen Activator Treatment: A Case Report
Authors: Lee Seung Jae , Cheong Jin Sung , Ryu Han Uk , Kang Hyun Goo 
Published: May 2018

Objectives
Patients with chronic proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion do not present with severe symptoms, but early recanalization of acute occlusion is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a recombinant thrombolytic agent approved for treating ischemic stroke, although only a few cases of tPA administration in chronic MCA occlusion have yielded positive results.

Methods
A 71-year-old patient had a history of right MCA territorial infarction with the occlusion occurring 12 years ago (November 2005). Although the patient was treated with antiplatelet agents, MCA recanalization was not achieved. The patient was referred to our hospital again (January 2017) for newly discovered symptoms. We immediately administered tPA because the patient presented 2 hours after onset of symptoms.

Results
Neurological symptoms resolved within 24 hours of treatment, and magnetic resonance angiography confirmed recanalization of the right MCA territorial lesion. No neurological abnormalities were observed during the 12-week follow-up.

Conclusions
At present, tPA is the only approved treatment for acute ischemic stroke, although it presents a limited time frame to avoid severe medication-related adverse effects. Our report suggests nonatherosclerotic chronic MCA occlusion as an alternative application of tPA therapy.
Remote manipulation of magnetic nanoparticles using magnetic field gradient to promote cancer cell death
Authors: Subramanian Mahendran , Miaskowski Arkadiusz , Jenkins Stuart Iain , Lim Jenson , Dobson Jon 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe manipulation of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) using an external magnetic field, has been demonstrated to be useful in various biomedical applications. Some techniques have evolved utilizing this non-invasive external stimulus but the scientific community widely adopts few, and there is an excellent potential for more novel methods. The primary focus of this study is on understanding the manipulation of MNPs by a time-varying static magnetic field and how this can be used, at different frequencies and displacement, to manipulate cellular function. Here we explore, using numerical modeling, the physical mechanism which underlies this kind of manipulation, and we discuss potential improvements which would enhance such manipulation with its use in biomedical applications, i.e., increasing the MNP response by improving the field parameters. From our observations and other related studies, we infer that such manipulation depends mostly on the magnetic field gradient, the magnetic susceptibility and size of the MNPs, the magnet array oscillating frequency, the viscosity of the medium surrounding MNPs, and the distance between the magnetic field source and the MNPs. Additionally, we demonstrate cytotoxicity in neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells in vitro. This was induced by incubation with MNPs, followed by exposure to a magnetic field gradient, physically oscillating at various frequencies and displacement amplitudes. Even though this technique reliably produces MNP endocytosis and/or cytotoxicity, a better biophysical understanding is required to develop the mechanism used for this precision manipulation of MNPs, in vitro.
Augmented Reality Powers a Cognitive Prosthesis for the Blind
Authors: Liu Yang , Stiles Noelle R. B. , Meister Markus 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTo restore vision for the blind several prosthetic approaches have been explored that convey raw images to the brain. So far these schemes all suffer from a lack of bandwidth and the extensive training required to interpret unusual stimuli. Here we present an alternate approach that restores vision at the cognitive level, bypassing the need to convey sensory data. A wearable computer captures video and other data, extracts the important scene knowledge, and conveys that through auditory augmented reality. This system supports many aspects of visual cognition: from obstacle avoidance to formation and recall of spatial memories, to long-range navigation. Neither training nor modification of the physical environment are required: Blind subjects can navigate an unfamiliar multi-story building on their first attempt. The combination of unprecedented computing power in wearable devices with augmented reality technology promises a new era of non-invasive prostheses that are limited only by software.Impact StatementA non-invasive prosthesis for blind people endows objects in the environment with voices, allowing a user to explore the scene, localize objects, and navigate through a building with minimal training.
A Neural Microcircuit Model for a Scalable Scale-invariant Representation of Time
Authors: Liu Yue , Tiganj Zoran , Hasselmo Michael E. , Howard Marc W. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractScale-invariant timing has been observed in a wide range of behavioral experiments. The firing properties of recently described time cells provide a possible neural substrate for scale-invariant behavior. Earlier neural circuit models do not produce scale-invariant neural sequences. In this paper we present a biologically detailed network model based on an earlier mathematical algorithm. The simulations incorporate exponentially decaying persistent firing maintained by the calcium-activated nonspecific (CAN) cationic current and a network structure given by the inverse Laplace transform to generate time cells with scale-invariant firing rates. This model provides the first biologically detailed neural circuit for generating scale-invariant time cells. The circuit that implements the inverse Laplace transform merely consists of off-center/on-surround receptive fields. Critically, rescaling temporal sequences can be accomplished simply via cortical gain control (changing the slope of the f-I curve).
Transcriptomic analysis reveals similarities in genetic activation of detoxification mechanisms resulting from imidacloprid and chlorothalonil exposure
Authors: Clements Justin , Sanchez-Sedillo Benjamin , Bradfield Christopher , Groves Russell L. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), is an agricultural pest of commercial potatoes in parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. Plant protection strategies within this geographic range employ a variety of pesticides to combat not only the insect, but also plant pathogens. Previous research has shown that field populations of Leptinotarsa decemlineata have a chronological history of resistance development to a suite of insecticides, including the Group 4A neonicotinoids. The aim of this study is to contextualize the transcriptomic response of Leptinotarsa decemlineata when exposed to the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid, or the fungicides boscalid or chlorothalonil, in order to determine whether these compounds induce similar detoxification mechanisms. We found that chlorothalonil and imidacloprid induced similar patterns of transcript expression, including the up-regulation of a cytochrome p450 and a UDP-glucuronosyltransferase transcript, which are often associated with xenobiotic metabolism. Further, transcriptomic responses varied among individuals within the same treatment group, suggesting individual insects’ responses vary within a population and may cope with chemical stressors in a variety of manners. These results further our understanding of the mechanisms involved in insecticide resistance in Leptinotarsa decemlineata.Author Contribution StatementConceived and designed the experiments: JC, CB, RLG. Performed the experiments: JC, BSS. Analyzed the data: JC, BSS. Wrote the paper: JC, BSS, RLG.
Human IgE producing B cells have a unique transcriptional program and generate high affinity, allergen-specific antibodies
Authors: Croote Derek , Darmanis Spyros , Nadeau Kari C. , Quake Stephen R. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIgE antibodies provide defense against helminth infections, but can also cause life-threatening allergic reactions. Despite their importance to human health, these antibodies and the cells that produce them remain enigmatic due to their scarcity in humans; much of our knowledge of their properties is derived from model organisms. Here we describe the isolation of IgE producing B cells from the blood of individuals with food allergies, followed by a detailed study of their properties by single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). We discovered that IgE B cells are deficient in membrane immunoglobulin expression and that the IgE plasmablast state is more immature than that of other antibody producing cells. Through recombinant expression of monoclonal antibodies derived from single cells, we identified IgE antibodies which had unexpected cross-reactive specificity for major peanut allergens Ara h 2 and Ara h 3; not only are these among the highest affinity native human antibodies discovered to date, they represent a surprising example of convergent evolution in unrelated individuals who independently evolved nearly identical antibodies. Finally, we discovered that splicing within B cells of all isotypes reveals polarized germline transcription of the IgE, but not IgG4, isotype as well as several examples of biallelic expression of germline transcripts. Our results offer insights into IgE B cell transcriptomics, clonality and regulation, provide a striking example of adaptive immune convergence, and offer an approach for accelerating mechanistic disease understanding by characterizing a rare B cell population underlying IgE-mediated disease at single cell resolution.
Computational Screening of Potential Inhibitors ofDesulfobacter postgateifor Pyrite Scale Prevention in Oil and Gas Wells
Authors: Onawole Abdulmujeeb T. , Husseinl Ibnelwaleed A. , Saad Mohammed A. , Ahmed Musa E.M. , Nimir Hassan I. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) such asDesulfobacter postgateiare often found in oil and gas wells. However, they lead to the release of hydrogen sulfide which in turn leads to the formation of iron sulfide scale such as pyrite. ATP sulfurylase is an enzyme present in SRB, which catalyzes the formation of adenylyl sulfate (APS) and inorganic pyrophosphatase (PPi) from ATP and sulfate which is one of the first steps in hydrogen sulfide production byD. postgatei. Virtual screening using molecular docking and machine learning tools was used to identify three potential inhibitors of ATP sulfurylase from a database of about 40 million compounds. These selected hits ((S,E)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(9-((m-tolylimino)methyl)-9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione;,methyl 2-[[(1S)-5-cyano-2-imino-1-(4-phenylthiazol-2-yl)-3-azaspiro[5.5]undec-4-en-4-yl]sulfanyl]acetate and (4S)-4-(3-chloro-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-1-(6-hydroxypyridazin-3-yl)-3-methyl-4,5-dihydropyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-6-ol), which are known as A, B and C respectively) all had good binding affinities with ATP sulfurylase and were further analyzed for their toxicological properties. The molecular docking results showed that all the compounds have negative binding energy with compound A having the highest docking score. However, based on the physicochemical and toxicological properties, compound C is the best choice as it does not violate any of the recommended properties that relate to absorption and distribution. Only compound C was predicted to be both safe and effective as a potential inhibitor of ATP sulfurylase. The binding mode of compound C revealed favorable interactions with the amino residues LEU 213, ASP 308, ARG 307, TRP 347, LEU 224, GLN 212, MET211 and HIS 309.ImportanceScale formation formed by hydrogen sulfide, which is produced by sulfate reducing bacteria such asDesulfobacter postgateihas been a persistent problem in the oil and gas industry leading to loss of money, time and even lives. The three selected hits from the virtual screenings of about 40 million compounds would possibly inhibit the enzyme, ATP sulfurylase, which is involved in the first reaction in hydrogen sulfide formation inDesulfobacter postgatei. The selected inhibitors are expected to significantly reduce the formation of hydrogen sulfide and consequently prevent the development of pyrite scale in oil and gas wells.
Tributyltin induces a transcriptional response without a brite adipocyte signature in adipocyte models
Authors: Kim Stephanie , Li Amy , Monti Stefano , Schlezinger Jennifer J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTributyltin (TBT), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ)/retinoid X receptor (RXR) ligand and founding member of the environmental obesogen chemical class, induces adipocyte differentiation and suppresses bone formation. A growing number of environmental PPARγ ligands are being identified. However, the potential for environmental PPARγ ligands to induce adverse metabolic effects has been questioned because PPARγ is a therapeutic target in treatment of type II diabetes. We evaluated the molecular consequences of TBT exposure during bone marrow multipotent mesenchymal stromal cell (BM-MSC) differentiation in comparison to rosiglitazone, a therapeutic PPARγ ligand, and LG100268, a synthetic RXR ligand. Mouse primary BM-MSCs (female, C57BL/6J) undergoing bone differentiation were exposed to maximally efficacious and human relevant concentrations of rosiglitazone (100 nM), LG100268 (100 nM) or TBT (80 nM) for 4 days. Gene expression was assessed using microarrays, and in silico functional annotation was performed using pathway enrichment analysis approaches. Pathways related to osteogenesis were downregulated by all three ligands, while pathways related to adipogenesis were upregulated by rosiglitazone and TBT. However, pathways related to mitochondrial biogenesis and brown-in-white (brite) adipocyte differentiation were more significantly upregulated in rosiglitazone-treated than TBT-treated cells. The lack of induction of genes involved in adipocyte energy dissipation by TBT was confirmed by an independent gene expression analysis in BM-MSCs undergoing adipocyte differentiation and by analysis of a publically available 3T3 L1 data set. Furthermore, rosiglitazone, but not TBT, induced mitochondrial biogenesis. This study is the first to show that an environmental PPARγ ligand has a limited capacity to induce health promoting activities of PPARγ.
“Haplopappus platylepis(Asteraceae) resin: an adhesive trap for pest control of crawling arthropods, with antimicrobial potential”
Authors: Villagra Cristian A. , Macias-Marabolí Verónica , Schapheer Constanza , Bórquez Jorge , Simirgiotis Mario J. , Echeverría Javier , González-Teuber Marcia , Urzúa Alejandro 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe use of plant secondary metabolites has been incorporated as key part of integrated pest management and as an alternative to the use of pesticides. This may even be more relevant regarding domiciliary pest insects, capable of vectoring pathogens to humans. In these environments control its more difficult due to its possible effect on non-target organisms and human health. Here we evaluated the use of the resinous exudate of Chile’s endemic bushHaplopappus platylepis(Asteraceae) as a sticky trap for crawling pest insects. We usedBlatta orientalisLinneus (oriental cockroach), a cosmopolitan synanthropic pest, as test organism. We compared effectiveness on cockroach-trapping ofH. platylepis’ resin versus a commercially available sticky trap, and analyzed these two sticky substances using UHPLC-DAD-MS and GC-MS. We found thatH. platylepisresin was as effective as the commercial adhesive on trappingB. orientalis. Plant resinous exudate was composed by a mixture of flavonoids, labdane diterpenoids and unsatured fatty acids oxylipins, which are known for their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. In contrast, the commercial sticky trap was rich in 1-bromohexadecane and 2-clorociclohexanol, which have been described as allergens and as potentially toxic to humans. Considering these findings, we suggest the use of the resinous extract ofH. platylepisas an effective adhesive trapping method against pest cockroaches and possibly other crawling synanthropic arthropods cohabiting with humans. We highlight the importance of novel, non-toxic and eco-friendly products as strategies to be applied in the management of insect pests.
Transition from a meiotic to a somatic-like DNA damage response during the pachytene stage in mouse meiosis
Authors: Enguita-Marruedo Andrea , Martín-Ruiz Marta , García Eva , Gil-Fernández Ana , Parra M. Teresa , Viera Alberto , Rufas Julio S. , Page Jesus 
Published: May 2018

AbstractHomologous recombination (HR) is the principal mechanism of DNA repair acting during meiosis and is fundamental for the segregation of chromosomes and the increase of genetic diversity. Nevertheless, non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) mechanisms also act during meiosis, mainly in response to exogenously-induced DNA damage in late stages of first meiotic prophase. In order to better understand the relationship between these two repair pathways, we studied the response to DNA damage during male mouse meiosis after gamma radiation. We clearly discerned two types of responses immediately after treatment. From leptotene to early pachytene, exogenous damage triggered the massive presence of γH2AX throughout the nucleus, which was associated with DNA repair mediated by HR components (DMC1 and RAD51). This early pathway finished with the sequential removal of DMC1 and RAD51 and was no longer inducible at mid pachytene. However, from mid pachytene to diplotene, γH2AX appeared as large discrete foci. This late repair pattern was mediated first by NHEJ, involving Ku70/80 and XRCC4, which were constitutively present, and 53BP1, which appeared at sites of damage soon after irradiation. Nevertheless, 24 hours after irradiation, a HR pathway involving RAD51 but not DMC1 mostly replaced NHEJ. Additionally, we observed the occurrence of synaptonemal complex bridges between bivalents, most likely representing chromosome translocation events that may involve DMC1, RAD51 or 53BP1. Our results reinforce the idea that the early “meiotic” repair pathway that acts by default at the beginning of meiosis is replaced from mid pachytene onwards by a “somatic-like” repair pattern. This shift might be important to resolve DNA damage (either endogenous or exogenous) that could not be repaired by the early meiotic mechanisms, for instance those in the sex chromosomes, which lack a homologous chromosome to repair with. This transition represents another layer of functional changes that occur in meiotic cells during mid pachytene, in addition to epigenetic reprograming, reactivation of transcription, expression of a new gene profile and acquisition of competence to proceed to metaphase.