bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus antibodies in different human populations of Cameroon
Authors: Modiyinji Abdou F. , Amougou‐Atsama Marie , Monamele Chavely G. , Nola Moise , Njouom Richard 
Published: July 2019

AbstractHepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. HEV infection is self‐limiting, but fulminant hepatitis may occur with higher mortality rates. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of the HEV in three different populations in Cameroon and to assess alimentary risk factors of infection. A total of 903 individuals including 450 elderly people, 183 pregnant women, and 270 HIV‐infected patients were enrolled during 2009‐2015. All sera obtained were tested for the presence of anti‐HEV antibodies with commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits. The association between initial anti‐HEV status and potential risk factors was assessed. Out of the 903 samples, 22.0% (199/903) were positives for anti‐HEV immunoglobulin M (IgM), 5.8% (52/903) for anti‐HEV IgG, and 3.5% (32/903) for both. The seropositivity for IgM was 7.0%, 13.1%, and 34.7%; meanwhile, the seropositivity for immunoglobulin G was 8.5%, 3.3%, and 5.1%, in HIV‐infected patients, pregnant women, and the elderly population, respectively. Both antibodies were detected simultaneously in 2.2%, 1.6%, and 5.1% in HIV‐infected patients, pregnant women, and the elderly population, respectively. No risk factors were significantly associated with HEV infection in these populations. This study showed a high prevalence of anti‐HEV antibodies in three different populations in Cameroon.
Corticostriatal plasticity in the nucleus accumbens core
Authors: Bamford Nigel S. , Wang Wengang 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSmall fluctuations in striatal glutamate and dopamine are required to establish goal‐directed behaviors and motor learning, while large changes appear to underlie many neuropsychological disorders, including drug dependence and Parkinson's disease. A better understanding of how variations in neurotransmitter availability can modify striatal circuitry will lead to new therapeutic targets for these disorders. Here, we examined dopamine‐induced plasticity in prefrontal cortical projections to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core. We combined behavioral measures of male mice, presynaptic optical studies of glutamate release kinetics from prefrontal cortical projections, and postsynaptic electrophysiological recordings of spiny projection neurons within the NAc core. Our data show that repeated amphetamine promotes long‐lasting but reversible changes along the corticoaccumbal pathway. In saline‐treated mice, coincident cortical stimulation and dopamine release promoted presynaptic filtering by depressing exocytosis from glutamatergic boutons with a low‐probability of release. The repeated use of amphetamine caused a frequency‐dependent, progressive, and long‐lasting depression in corticoaccumbal activity during withdrawal. This chronic presynaptic depression was relieved by a drug challenge which potentiated glutamate release from synapses with a low‐probability of release. D1 receptors generated this synaptic potentiation, which corresponded with the degree of locomotor sensitization in individual mice. By reversing the synaptic depression, drug reinstatement may promote allostasis by returning corticoaccumbal activity to a more stable and normalized state. Therefore, dopamine‐induced synaptic filtering of excitatory signals entering the NAc core in novice mice and paradoxical excitation of the corticoaccumbal pathway during drug reinstatement may encode motor learning, habit formation, and dependence.
Postglacial vegetation community change over an elevational gradient on the western Kenai Peninsula, Alaska: pollen records from Sunken Island and Choquette Lakes
Authors: Scott Anderson R. , Berg Edward , Williams Chris , Clark Tami 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe Kenai Peninsula of south‐central Alaska is a region of high topographic diversity with a complex glacial history. The sedimentary record of two small lakes [Sunken Island (SIL; 76 m a.s.l.) in the Kenai Lowlands; Choquette (CL; 527 m a.s.l.) in the Caribou Hills upland] exemplifies the postglacial development of the conifer–hardwood forest over an elevational range there. A herb–shrub tundra was established at both sites after deglaciation. By ~10.7 ka, poplar (Populus sp.) and alder (Alnus) dominated the lowland forest, while alder with minor poplar occurred at the upland site. Lake levels lower than today occurred during the early Holocene until ~8 ka. Subsequently at SIL, the near‐modern Kenai birch (Betula kenaica) – white spruce (Picea glauca) forest maintained prominence throughout the Holocene. However, at CL, alder dominated with dwarf birch and other subshrubs; small amounts of white spruce arrived ~5.2 ka. Black spruce (Picea mariana) grew around SIL by ~4 ka, but never gained prominence at CL. Fire, a prominent agent of disturbance in the Kenai Lowlands since ~8 ka, was essentially absent at the hardwood‐dominated upland site before ~6 ka, and rare thereafter. This suggests an important link between fire and spruce in Kenai forests.
Perioperative antibiotherapy should replace prophylactic antibiotics in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy preceded by preoperative biliary drainage
Authors: Degrandi O. , Buscail E. , Martellotto S. , Gronnier C. , Collet D. , Adam J.P. , Ouattara A. , Laurent C. , Dewitte A. , Chiche L. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackground and objectivesPancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remains a morbid surgery. Preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) is often necessary before surgery but is associated with biliary contamination. We compared the postoperative complications of patients undergoing PBD who received the usual prophylactic antibiotics (PAs) or systematic antibiotherapy (ABT).MethodsAll patients who underwent surgery between 2008 and 2017 were included. Systematic perioperative ABT with piperacillin + tazobactam (ABT group) was implemented in 2014 as the standard of care for PBD. Patients treated in the period before such implementation, during which standard cefazolin was given, served as the controls (PAs group). The primary outcomes were postoperative complications.ResultsWe included 122 patients with PBD who underwent surgery. There were no demographic differences between the two groups. Perioperative ABT was associated with a reduction in deep abdominal abscesses (36% vs 10%, P = .0008), respiratory tract infections (15% vs 3%; P = .02), bacteremia (41% vs 6%; P < .0001), and a shorter length of hospital stay (17 [13‐27] vs 13 [10‐14] days; P < .0001). ABT was a protective factor against the development of deep abdominal abscesses (odds ratio [OR] = 0.16; P = .001) whereas smoking (OR = 3.9) and pancreatic fistula (OR = 19.1) were risk factors.ConclusionSystematic perioperative ABT in patients undergoing PD preceded by PBD may reduce deep surgical infections and the length of hospital stay.
Improving plankton image classification using context metadata
Authors: Ellen Jeffrey S. , Graff Casey A. , Ohman Mark D. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAdvances in both hardware and software are enabling rapid proliferation of in situ plankton imaging methods, requiring more effective machine learning approaches to image classification. Deep Learning methods, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), show marked improvement over traditional feature‐based supervised machine learning algorithms, but require careful optimization of hyperparameters and adequate training sets. Here, we document some best practices in applying CNNs to zooplankton and marine snow images and note where our results differ from contemporary Deep Learning findings in other domains. We boost the performance of CNN classifiers by incorporating metadata of different types and illustrate how to assimilate metadata beyond simple concatenation. We utilize both geotemporal (e.g., sample depth, location, time of day) and hydrographic (e.g., temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a) metadata and show that either type by itself, or both combined, can substantially reduce error rates. Incorporation of context metadata also boosts performance of the feature‐based classifiers we evaluated: Random Forest, Extremely Randomized Trees, Gradient Boosted Classifier, Support Vector Machines, and Multilayer Perceptron. For our assessments, we use an original data set of 350,000 in situ images (roughly 50% marine snow and 50% non‐snow sorted into 26 categories) from a novel in situ Zooglider. We document asymptotically increasing performance with more computationally intensive techniques, such as substantially deeper networks and artificially augmented data sets. Our best model achieves 92.3% accuracy with our 27‐class data set. We provide guidance for further refinements that are likely to provide additional gains in classifier accuracy.
Hypopressive technique versus pelvic floor muscle training for postpartum pelvic floor rehabilitation: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Juez Leire , Núñez‐Córdoba Jorge M. , Couso Nerea , Aubá María , Alcázar Juan Luis , Mínguez José Ángel 
Published: July 2019

Aims: Abdominal hypopressive technique (AHT) is gaining popularity as an alternative to pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) during postpartum. Although, there is no solid evidence for its recommendation.Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study in a university hospital with 105 primiparae who performed a two‐month PFMT or AHT program. The aim was to compare the effectiveness of both treatments in terms of morphofunctional changes in 3D transperineal ultrasound, manometry, dynamometry, and differences in urinary incontinence symptoms (ICIQ‐IU‐SF) and satisfaction.Results: The average change in levator ani muscle was 1.2 mm higher in AHT group vs PFMT (95% confidence interval [CI], −2.2 to −0.2; P = .017). No statistically significant differences were shown in maximal strength changes between groups. After AHT, basal tone change was 63.0 g/cm2 higher than PFMT (95% CI, −129 to 2.9; P = .06). A statistically significant reduction in ICIQ‐IU‐SF was observed after both treatments [(PFMT, −0.8 points; 95% CI, −1.4 to −0.1; P = .015), (AHT, −0.7 points; 95% CI, −1.3 to −0.1; P = .018]. AHT showed a higher median satisfaction score than PFMT (P = .004).Conclusions: This preliminary study is the first that analyses the effect of AHT vs PFMT during postpartum. The results suggest a higher improve for AHT in levator muscle thickness and satisfaction compared to PFMT. These must be considered with caution due to the limitations of the study. Further randomized clinical trials about both techniques during postpartum are required.
Design and application of nonlinear model‐based tracking control schemes employing DEKF estimation
Authors: Bhadra Sanjay , Panda Atanu , Bhowmick Parijat , Goswami Shinjinee , Panda Rames C. 
Published: July 2019

SummaryThis paper deals with the design and application of nonlinear model‐based control schemes for stable and nonlinear benchmark industrial processes. The primary control objective is to facilitate set‐point (constant/time‐varying) tracking in the presence of external disturbances, process noise, measurement noise, parametric uncertainty, and model mismatch. We first propose a “noninferential‐type” model‐based control scheme which involves a finite‐dimensional, nonlinear, and deterministic process model to generate the model states. Secondly, an “inferential‐type” model‐based control scheme has been introduced particularly to take into account the stochastic uncertainties such as process noise and measurement noise. The second scheme exploits the dual extended Kalman filter for estimating the immeasurable states and the process parameters through which disturbance is injected. Unlike fixed‐parameter controllers, the proposed schemes update the controller gains at each step depending on the real‐time process gains. In order to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed closed‐loop tracking control schemes, two exhaustive case studies have been carried out on the CSTR and Van de Vusse reactor processes, which are considered to be benchmark industrial processes due to highly nonlinear and unpredictable behaviour and due to nonminimum phase property. Finally, the performance of the proposed schemes are compared with an EKF‐based adaptive PI control framework and the simulation results reveal that the transient performance of the proposed schemes are better than that of the aforementioned PI technique especially in perturbed condition (ie, in presence of model mismatch and measurement noise).
From Synthesis to Applications: Copper Calcium Titanate (CCTO) and its Magnetic and Photocatalytic Properties
Authors: Kawrani Sara , Boulos Madona , Cornu David , Bechelany Mikhael 
Published: July 2019

AbstractInvestigations focusing on electrical energy storage capacitors especially the dielectric ceramic capacitors for high energy storage density are attracting more and more attention in the recent years. Ceramic capacitors possess a faster charge‐discharge rate and improved mechanical and thermal properties compared with other energy storage devices such as batteries. The challenge is to obtain ceramic capacitors with outstanding mechanical, thermal and storage properties over large temperature and frequencies ranges. ABO3 as a type of perovskites showed a strong piezoelectric, dielectric, pyroelectric, and electro‐optic properties useful as energy storage and environmental devices. CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) perovskite with cubic lattice (Im3 symmetry) was discovered to have a colossal dielectric constant (104) that is stable over a wide range of frequencies (10 Hz–1 MHz) and temperature independence (100–300 K). The origin of this high dielectric constant is not fully established, specially because it is the same for single crystal and thin films. In this review, the history of CCTO will be introduced. The synthesis and the sintering approaches, the dopant elements used as well as the applications of CCTO will be reported. In addition to dielectrical properties useful to energy storage devices; CCTO could serve as photocatalytic materials with a very good performance in visible light.
Convection‐Flow‐Assisted Preparation of a Strong Electron Dopant, Benzyl Viologen, for Surface‐Charge Transfer Doping of Molybdenum Disulfide
Authors: Matsuyama Keigo , Fukui Akito , Miura Kohei , Ichimiya Hisashi , Aoki Yuki , Yamada Yuki , Ashida Atsushi , Yoshimura Takeshi , Fujimura Norifumi , Kiriya Daisuke 
Published: July 2019

AbstractTransition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have received attention as atomically thin post‐silicon semiconducting materials. Tuning the carrier concentrations of the TMDCs is important, but their thin structure requires a non‐destructive modulation method. Recently, a surface‐charge transfer doping method was developed based on contacting molecules on TMDCs, and the method succeeded in achieving a large modulation of the electronic structures. The successful dopant is a neutral benzyl viologen (BV0); however, the problem remains of how to effectively prepare the BV0 molecules. A reduction process with NaBH4 in water has been proposed as a preparation method, but the NaBH4 simultaneously reacts vigorously with the water. Here, a simple method is developed, in which the reaction vial is placed on a hotplate and a fragment of air‐stable metal is used instead of NaBH4 to prepare the BV0 dopant molecules. The prepared BV0 molecules show a strong doping ability in terms of achieving a degenerate situation of a TMDC, MoS2. A key finding in this preparation method is that a convection flow in the vial effectively transports the produced BV0 to a collection solvent. This method is simple and safe and facilitates the tuning of the optoelectronic properties of nanomaterials by the easily‐handled dopant molecules.
Association of perioperative red blood cell transfusion with postoperative venous thromboembolism in pediatric patients: A propensity score matched analysis
Authors: Rothstein David H. , Cairo Sarah B. , Schaefer Beverly A. , Lautz Timothy B. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the association between perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pediatric surgical patients.MethodsRetrospective cohort study using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Pediatric, a validated registry of 118 United States children's hospitals. Patients under 19 years of age undergoing a surgical procedure between 2012 and 2017 were included, with the main exposure being RBC transfusion in the perioperative period (48 hours prior to operation to 72 hours after operation). The primary 30‐day outcome of interest was a postoperative VTE requiring therapy. Risk‐adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were calculated using multiple logistic regression. Subgroup analyses were performed across multiple surgical specialties. Sensitivity analyses were performed after (a) imputation for missing variables and (b) propensity score matching.ResultsDuring the study years, 482 867 pediatric patients (56.7% male; median age, 6 years [interquartile range, 1–12 years]) underwent an operation. Of these, 30 879 (6.4%) received at least one perioperative RBC transfusion. Postoperative VTE requiring therapy occurred in 618 patients (0.13%). After adjustment for multiple risk factors, perioperative RBC transfusion was associated with an increased risk of VTE (aOR 2.4; 95% CI, 1.9–3.0). The increased VTE risk persisted after imputation of missing demographic and clinical data as well as after 1:1 propensity score matching (29 811 matched pairs, aOR 2.2; 95% CI, 1.7–2.8).ConclusionsPerioperative RBC transfusion is associated with an increased, albeit still very low, risk of postoperative VTE in pediatric patients. Patients receiving blood in the perioperative period may benefit from additional monitoring or VTE prophylaxis.
SOX3 duplication: A genetic cause to investigate in fetuses with neural tube defects
Authors: Hureaux Marguerite , Ben Miled Selima , Chatron Nicolas , Coussement Aurelie , Bessières Bettina , Egloff Matthieu , Mechler Charlotte , Stirnemann Julien , Tsatsaris Vassilis , Barcia Giulia , Turleau Catherine , Ville Yves , Encha‐Razavi Ferechte , Attie‐Bitach Tania , Malan Valérie 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectiveNeural tube defects (NTDs) are one of the most common congenital anomalies caused by a complex interaction of many genetic and environmental factors. In about 10% of cases, NTDs are associated with genetic syndromes or chromosomal anomalies. Among these, SOX3 duplication has been reported in some isolated cases. The phenotype associated with this microduplication is variable and includes myelomeningocele (MMC) in both sexes as well as hypopituitarism and cognitive impairment in males. In order to determine the prevalence of this anomaly in fetuses with MMC, a retrospective cohort of fetuses with MMC was analyzed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting SOX3 locus.MethodsThe detection of an SOX3 microduplication by chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) in two female fetuses with MMC prompted us to analyze retrospectively by qPCR this gene in a cohort of 53 fetuses with MMC.ResultsIn addition to our two initial cases, one fetus harboring an Xq27.1q28 duplication that encompasses the SOX3 gene was detected.ConclusionOur data demonstrate that SOX3 duplication is a genomic imbalance involved in the pathogenesis of NTDs. In addition, our survey highlights the importance of CMA testing in fetuses with NTDs to enable genetic counseling upstream of any considerations of in utero fetal surgery.
Healthcare utilization in infants and toddlers with asthma‐like symptoms
Authors: Levine Hagit , Leventer‐Roberts Maya , Hoshen Moshe , Mei‐Zahav Meir , Balicer Ran , Blau Hannah 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundRecurrent asthma‐like symptoms are common in infants, but few population studies describe diagnostic and treatment practice.MethodsUsing the electronic data repository of Clalit Health Services, the largest integrated health care provider in Israel, we evaluated children born 2005–2012, who before 3 years of age had >3 episodes of asthma‐like symptoms and/or >2 bronchodilator purchases within a year. We described health care utilization and the odds ratio for subsequent utilization after 3 and 12 months’ controller therapy. The primary outcome measure was respiratory‐related doctor visits. Linear and categorical regression analysis measured overall effectiveness of therapy.ResultsAmong 689 171 infants, 262 900 (38.1%) had > 3 asthma‐like episodes/year during at least 1 year. Of those, 26 108 (10%) purchased controller therapy: 20 316 (77.8%) inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) with or without leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA), and 5792 (22.2%) LTRA alone. For these 26 108 over 3 months there were 93 845 respiratory‐related doctor visits, 3110 hospital admissions, 5568 diagnoses of pneumonia, 9960 chest X‐rays, 37 127 purchases for oral steroids, and 45 142 for antibiotics courses. Healthcare utilization decreased following ICS ± LTRA and LTRA alone, respectively, as follows: doctor visits 7% and 3%, chest X‐rays 16% and 17%, bronchodilators 20% and 11%, systemic steroids 17% and 12%, and antibiotics by 35% and 22%, (P < .001 for all). Twelve months’ therapy remained effective.ConclusionsAsthma‐like symptoms are common in infants. Health care utilization is very high and physician practices should be reassessed. Following controller therapy, health care utilization decreased. Yet controllers were prescribed in only a minority of eligible children.
Osajin displays potential antiprostate cancer efficacy via impairment of fatty acid synthase and androgen receptor expression
Authors: Huang Shih‐Yin , Huang Guan‐Jhong , Hsieh Po‐Fan , Wu Hsi‐Chin , Huang Wen‐Chin 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundCurrently, antiprostate cancer (PCa) drugs, including androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), are initially effective; however, most patients with PCa who receive ADT eventually progress to deadly aggressiveness. There is an urgent need to seek alternative strategies to cure this lethal disease. Activation of lipogenesis has been demonstrated to lead to PCa progression. Therefore, targeting the aberrant lipogenic activity could be developed therapeutically in PCa. The aim of this study is to investigate the molecular basis and efficacy of osajin, a bioactive prenylated isoflavonoid, in PCa.MethodsPCa cells, LNCaP (androgen‐sensitive) and C4‐2 (androgen‐insensitive/castration‐resistant), were used in this study. Proliferation, migration, and invasion analyses were conducted by the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method, a wound healing assay, and the transwell method. Lipogenesis was determined by a Fatty Acid Quantification Kit and oil red O staining. Apoptosis was assessed by annexin V‐fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining, caspase enzymatic activity, and Western blot analyses.ResultsOsajin inhibited fatty acid synthase (FASN) expression, a key enzyme for lipogenesis, in PCa cells. By inhibiting FASN, osajin decreased the fatty‐acid levels and lipid accumulation. Significantly, osajin downregulated androgen receptor (AR) and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) in PCa cells. Moreover, osajin suppressed PCa cell growth, migration, and invasion. Through activation of the caspase‐dependent pathway, osajin induced apoptosis in PCa cells.ConclusionsThese data provide a novel molecular basis of osajin in PCa cells, and cotargeting lipogenesis and the AR axis via impairment of FASN and AR expression by osajin could be applied as a new and promising approach for the treatment of malignant PCa.