bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations between antenatal depression and neonatal outcomes in Malawi
Authors: Stewart Robert C. , Ashorn Per , Umar Eric , Dewey Kathryn G. , Ashorn Ulla , Creed Francis , Rahman Atif , Tomenson Barbara , Prado Elizabeth L. , Maleta Ken 
Published: November 2018

AbstractStudies from several low‐ and middle‐income countries have shown that antenatal depression may be a risk factor for poor neonatal outcomes. However, those studies conducted in sub‐Saharan Africa have not consistently demonstrated this association. We set out to investigate whether antenatal depression is associated with shorter duration of pregnancy and reduced newborn size in rural Malawi. Pregnant women recruited from four antenatal clinics to the International Lipid‐Based Nutrient Supplements Project‐DYAD‐Malawi (iLiNS‐DYAD‐M) randomised controlled trial of nutrient supplementation were screened for antenatal depression in the second or third trimester using a locally validated version of the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ). Outcomes were duration of pregnancy, birthweight, newborn length for age z‐score (LAZ), head circumference z‐score, and mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC). Other potential confounding factors and predictors of birth outcome were measured and adjusted for in the analysis. 1,391 women were enrolled to the trial. 1,006/1,391 (72.3%) of these women completed an SRQ and gave birth to a singleton infant whose weight was measured within 2 weeks of birth. 143/1,006 (14.2%) scored SRQ ≥ 8, indicating likely depression. Antenatal depression was not associated with birth weight, duration of pregnancy, newborn LAZ, or head‐circumference Z‐score. There was an inverse association with newborn MUAC (adjusted mean difference − 0.2 cm (95% CI −0.4 to 0, p = 0.021) the significance of which is unclear. The study was conducted within a randomised controlled trial of nutritional supplementation and there was a high proportion of missing data in some enrolment sites; this may have affected the validity of our findings.
A mixed method study evaluating the integration of pregnancy weight gain charts into antenatal care
Authors: de Jersey Susan , Guthrie Taylor , Tyler Jeanette , Ling Wan Yin , Powlesland Hilary , Byrne Clare , New Karen 
Published: November 2018

AbstractMonitoring pregnancy weight can reduce excess gestational weight gain (GWG), and is recommended in clinical practice guidelines as part of routine care. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of routine weight monitoring using a pregnancy weight gain chart (PWGC), and assess health care professionals (HCPs) and pregnant women's attitudes and practices around its use. A semiquantitative survey was conducted with a consecutive sample of antenatal women at 16 and 36 weeks gestation. Women were weighed, and a PWGC audit done at 36 weeks gestation to assess adherence to chart use and GWG. A cross‐sectional survey of antenatal HCPs at the Australian facility assessed staff attitudes and practices relating to weight monitoring and PWGC use. Of the 291 women surveyed, 68% reported being given a PWGC. Of the audited PWGCs (n = 258), 54% had less than three weights recorded, 36% had errors, and 3% were unused. All HCPs surveyed (n = 42) were aware of the PWGC, 63% reported using it to track GWG regularly and 26% believed it to be only the woman's responsibility (i.e., not the midwife's role) to complete it. Seventy‐six percent reported they needed more training in counselling pregnant women, and insufficient time was a main barrier to weighing and conversing with women. It is feasible to implement a PWGC into routine antenatal care. Clarity over women's and HCPs responsibility for monitoring GWG and completion of the PWGC is needed. Training on correct PWGC use and counselling and workforce engagement are required to overcome barriers and support healthy GWG.
Fungal adaptation to plant defences through convergent assembly of metabolic modules
Authors: Gluck‐Thaler Emile , Vijayakumar Vinod , Slot Jason C. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe ongoing diversification of plant defence compounds exerts dynamic selection pressures on the microorganisms that colonize plant tissues. Evolutionary processes that generate resistance towards these compounds increase microbial fitness by giving access to plant resources and increasing pathogen virulence. These processes entail sequence‐based mechanisms that result in adaptive gene functions, and combinatorial mechanisms that result in novel syntheses of existing gene functions. However, the priority and interactions among these processes in adaptive resistance remain poorly understood. Using a combination of molecular genetic and computational approaches, we investigated the contributions of sequence‐based and combinatorial processes to the evolution of fungal metabolic gene clusters encoding stilbene cleavage oxygenases (SCOs), which catalyse the degradation of biphenolic plant defence compounds known as stilbenes into monophenolic molecules. We present phylogenetic evidence of convergent assembly among three distinct types of SCO gene clusters containing alternate combinations of phenolic catabolism. Multiple evolutionary transitions between different cluster types suggest recurrent selection for distinct gene assemblages. By comparison, we found that the substrate specificities of heterologously expressed SCO enzymes encoded in different clusters types were all limited to stilbenes and related molecules with a 4′‐OH group, and differed modestly in substrate range and activity under the experimental conditions. Together, this work suggests a primary role for genome structural rearrangement, and the importance of enzyme modularity, in promoting fungal metabolic adaptation to plant defence chemistry.
The toxin from a ParDE toxin‐antitoxin system found inPseudomonas aeruginosaoffers protection to cells challenged with anti‐gyrase antibiotics
Authors: Muthuramalingam Meenakumari , White John C. , Murphy Tamiko , Ames Jessica R. , Bourne Christina R. 
Published: November 2018

SummaryToxin‐antitoxin systems are mediators of diverse activities in bacterial physiology. For the ParE‐type toxins, their reported role of gyrase inhibition utilized during plasmid‐segregation killing indicates they are toxic. However, their location throughout chromosomes leads to questions about function, including potential non‐toxic outcomes. The current study has characterized a ParDE system from the opportunistic human pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosa(Pa). We identified a protective function for this ParE toxin, PaParE, against effects of quinolone and other antibiotics. However, higher concentrations of PaParE are themselves toxic to cells, indicating the phenotypic outcome can vary based on its concentration. Our assays confirmed PaParE inhibition of gyrase‐mediated supercoiling of DNA with an IC50value in the low micromolar range, a species‐specificity that resulted in more efficacious inhibition ofEscherichia coliderived gyrase versus Pa gyrase, and overexpression in the absence of antitoxin yielded an expected filamentous morphology with multi‐foci nucleic acid material. Additional data revealed that the PaParE toxin is monomeric and interacts with dimeric PaParD antitoxin with a KDin the lower picomolar range, yielding a heterotetramer. This work provides novel insights into chromosome‐encoded ParE function, whereby its expression can impart partial protection to cultures from selected antibiotics.
Nurses' perceptions of intensive care unit palliative care at end of life
Authors: Ganz Freda DeKeyser , Sapir Batel 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACTBackgroundSignificant barriers can block the provision of palliative care at the end of life in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, the relationship between perceptions of ICU quality palliative care and barriers to palliative care at the end of life is not well documented.Aims and objectivesTo describe ICU nurses' perceptions of quality palliative end‐of‐life care, barrier intensity and frequency to palliative care and their association with one another.DesignThis was a descriptive, correlational, cross‐sectional design.MethodsA convenience sample of 126 ICU nurses from two hospitals in Israel was recruited for the study. Participants completed three pencil‐and‐paper questionnaires (a personal characteristics questionnaire, the Quality of Palliative Care in the ICU and a revised Survey of Oncology Nurses' Perceptions of End‐of‐Life Care). Respondents were recruited during staff meetings or while on duty in the ICU. Ethical approval was obtained for the study from participating hospitals.ResultsThe item mean score of the quality of palliative end‐of‐life care was 7·5/10 (SD = 1·23). The item mean barrier intensity and frequency scores were 3·05/5 (SD = 0·76) and 3·30/5 (SD = 0·61), respectively. A correlation ofr = 0·46,p < 0·001 was found between barrier frequency and intensity andr = −0·19,p = 0·04 between barrier frequency and quality palliative end‐of‐life care.ConclusionsICU nurses perceived the quality of palliative care at the end of life as moderate despite reports of moderate barrier levels. The frequency of barriers was weakly associated with quality palliative end‐of‐life care. However, barrier intensity did not correlate with quality palliative end‐of‐life care at a statistically significant level. Further research that investigates other factors associated with quality ICU palliative care is recommended.Relevance to clinical practiceBarriers to palliative care are still common in the ICU. Increased training and education are recommended to decrease barriers and improve the quality of ICU palliative care.
Interactions between recreational cannabis use and cognitive function: lessons from functional magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Sagar Kelly A. , Gruber Staci A. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCannabis use is becoming increasingly popular as a growing number of states pass legislation to legalize cannabis and cannabis‐derived products for recreational and/or medical purposes. Given the widespread use of cannabis, it is critical to understand the neural consequences related to cannabis use. In this review, we focus on evidence from functional magnetic resonance imaging studies that document acute and residual alterations in brain function during tasks spanning a variety of cognitive domains: executive function, attention and working memory, memory, motor skills, error monitoring, and reward and affective processing. Although it is clear that cannabis affects brain function, the findings are somewhat inconsistent; variables that potentially affect study outcomes are outlined, including a discussion of the impact of chronological age and age of cannabis onset as well as length of abstinence at the time of assessment, which are important considerations when measuring cannabis use patterns. Inherent differences between recreational/adult cannabis use versus use for medical purposes are also discussed, given their importance to public policy decisions.
Selective ablation of atrial ganglionated plexus attenuates vasovagal reflex in a canine model
Authors: Wang Xiaoying , Luo Da , Liu Shan , Qu Weiyi , Ma Ruisong , Yu Xiaomei , Xie Jing , Lu Zhibing , He WenBo 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundAtrial ganglionated plexus (GP) ablation was proved to have therapeutic effects on vasovagal syncope. The study aimed to investigate whether selective ablation of only right anterior GP (ARGP) and right inferior GP (IRGP) was effective in a canine model of vasovagal syncope.MethodsSeventeen mongrel dogs were divided into control (N = 10) and ablation group (N = 7). Bilateral thoracotomy was performed at the fourth intercostal space and ARGP and IRGP were ablated in the ablation group. A bolus of veratridine (15 ug/kg) was injected into the left atrium to induce vasovagal reflex. Surface electrocardiogram and blood pressure (BP) were continuously monitored. Heart rate (HR) variability was calculated to represent cardiac autonomic tone.ResultsVeratridine injection induced vasovagal reflex in all dogs. HR decreased from 149 ± 17 to 89 ± 33 beats/min (P < 0.001) in the control group, while in the ablation group HR decreased from 141 ± 35 to 125 ± 34 beats/min (P = 0.032). The postveratridine HR in the ablation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P = 0.045). A significantly less intense HR decrease was observed in the ablation group compared with control (–17 ± 16 vs –61 ± 34 beats/min, P = 0.006). Significant BP decreases were induced in both the groups (all P < 0.01), while no evident differences in postveratridine BP and the extent of BP decreases were found between the groups. HR variability revealed significant decrease in cardiac vagal tone after ablation [high‐frequency power, 0.50 (0.17–1.05) vs 6.28 (0.68–8.99) ms2, P = 0.005].ConclusionsSelective ablation of ARGP + IRGP weakened cardiac parasympathetic control and significantly attenuated the cardioinhibitory response in an animal model of vasovagal reflex. This ablation strategy might be effective for vasovagal syncope with evident cardioinhibitory response.
An open label pilot study of a dexmedetomidine‐remifentanil‐caudal anesthetic for infant lower abdominal/lower extremity surgery: The T REX pilot study
Authors: Szmuk Peter , Andropoulos Dean , McGowan Francis , Brambrink Ansgar , Lee Christopher , Lee Katherine J. , McCann Mary Ellen , Liu Yang , Saynhalath Rita , Bong Choon Looi , Anderson Brian J. , Berde Charles , De Graaff Jurgen C. , Disma Nicola , Kurth Dean , Loepke Andreas , Orser Beverley , Sessler Daniel I. , Skowno Justin J. , von Ungern‐Sternberg Britta S. , Vutskits Laszlo , Davidson Andrew 
Published: November 2018

SummaryBackgroundConcern over potential neurotoxicity of anesthetics has led to growing interest in prospective clinical trials using potentially less toxic anesthetic regimens, especially for prolonged anesthesia in infants. Preclinical studies suggest that dexmedetomidine may have a reduced neurotoxic profile compared to other conventional anesthetic regimens; however, coadministration with either anesthetic drugs (eg, remifentanil) and/or regional blockade is required to achieve adequate anesthesia for surgery. The feasibility of this pharmacological approach is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of a remifentanil/dexmedetomidine/neuraxial block technique in infants scheduled for surgery lasting longer than 2 hours.MethodsSixty infants (age 1‐12 months) were enrolled at seven centers over 18 months. A caudal local anesthetic block was placed after induction of anesthesia with sevoflurane. Next, an infusion of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil commenced, and the sevoflurane was discontinued. Three different protocols with escalating doses of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil were used.ResultsOne infant was excluded due to a protocol violation and consent was withdrawn prior to anesthesia in another. The caudal block was unsuccessful in two infants. Of the 56 infants who completed the protocol, 45 (80%) had at least one episode of hypertension (mean arterial pressure >80 mm Hg) and/or movement that required adjusting the anesthesia regimen. In the majority of these cases, the remifentanil and/or dexmedetomidine doses were increased although six infants required rescue 0.3% sevoflurane and one required a propofol bolus. Ten infants had at least one episode of mild hypotension (mean arterial pressure 40‐50 mm Hg) and four had at least one episode of moderate hypotension (mean arterial pressure <40 mm Hg).ConclusionA dexmedetomidine/remifentanil neuraxial anesthetic regimen was effective in 87.5% of infants. These findings can be used as a foundation for designing larger trials that assess alternative anesthetic regimens for anesthetic neurotoxicity in infants.
Like Oil and Water in the American West: Water Market Access amid Unconventional Oil Production in Colorado
Authors: Malin Stephanie A. , MacIlroy Kelsea 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCharacterized as a “wicked” problem, water shortage in the American West will soon become a reality—due to increasing population, climate change, and decreased flows. Concurrently, water‐centered technologies such as hydraulic fracturing and directional drilling have facilitated the rapid and widespread growth of unconventional oil and gas (UOG) production in the United States. Water markets are increasingly touted as the best, most efficient, and fairest mechanisms for allocating vital and scarce resources. Yet this contention is largely unexplored at the food‐energy‐water nexus, particularly from an environmental justice perspective—where equitable water access for all users is a central concern. We utilize a case study in Colorado's South Platte basin based on 41 in‐depth interviews to show: (1) distortions created in regional water markets as wealthy UOG operators participate in them and (2) ways in which access to water markets becomes blocked for smaller, newer, or water‐poor water users. We also highlight how UOG producers’ presence may inhibit the formation of alternative systems for water exchange. Thus, the participation of UOG operators in Colorado's water markets appears to drive environmental injustice and increased inequity at the food‐energy‐water nexus, rather than facilitating fair or efficient access to water for all users.
Dual institution validation of an ageism scale for dental students
Authors: Rucker Ryan , Barlow Patrick B. , Hartshorn Jennifer , Kaufman Laura , Smith Becky , Kossioni Anastasia , Marchini Leonardo 
Published: November 2018

AbstractPurpose/aimAgeism negatively affects health care. This paper presents an extended validation of a novel scale assessing ageism among dental students.Method and materialsA previously pilot‐tested 27‐question scale applied to a larger sample (n = 315) from two U.S. dental schools with Principal Component Analysis used to assess internal structure of the measure. Questions whose deletion increased the overall α loading on >1 factor or those unexpectedly grouped in another factor were thoroughly examined.ResultsThe scale resulted in five statements (grouped in two factors), which explained 63% of the overall variance with a substantially higher reliability value than other solutions (0.76). Two factors highly correlated were grouped together in a single scale. The five statements are “Elderly people do not take good care of their teeth” (0.62), “Elderly patients do not usually comply with dental advice” (0.93), “The Elderly patient does not live long enough to make it worthwhile to invest time and effort in complex dental treatment” (0.81), “The elderly patient does not live long enough to make it worthwhile to invest money in expensive dental treatment” (0.95), and “Dental treatment of elderly patients is too time‐consuming” (0.57).ConclusionsFive items achieved high reliability toward the validity of this scale.
Prevalence and risk factors for RBC alloantibodies in blood donors in the Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐III (REDS‐III)
Authors: Karafin Matthew S. , Tan Sylvia , Tormey Christopher A. , Spencer Bryan R. , Hauser Ronald G. , Norris Philip J. , Roubinian Nareg H. , Wu Yanyun , Triulzi Darrell J. , Kleinman Steve , Gottschall Jerome L. , Hendrickson Jeanne E. 
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUNDLittle information exists on red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunization in healthy US blood donors, despite the potential significance for donors themselves, blood recipients, and the blood center.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSDonor/donation data were sourced from the Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐III, which contains information from four US blood centers during 2012 through 2016. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess prevalence of positive antibody screen by donor demographics, blood type, parity, and transfusion history.RESULTSMore than 2 million units were collected from 632,378 donors, with 0.51% of donations antibody screen positive and 0.77% of donors having at least one positive antibody screen. The most common antibody specificities were D (26.4%), E (23.8%), and K (21.6%). Regression analysis indicated that increasing age, female sex, D‐negative status, and history of transfusion and pregnancy were positively associated with a positive antibody screen. Prior transfusion history was most strongly associated with a positive antibody screen, with donors reporting a prior transfusion having a higher adjusted odds ratio (3.9) of having a positive antibody screen compared to donors reporting prior pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio, 2.0). Though transfusion was a more potent immune stimulus for RBC alloantibody formation than pregnancy, the sheer number of previously pregnant donors contributed to pregnancy being a risk factor for the majority of clinically significant RBC alloantibodies detected in females.CONCLUSIONThese findings on prevalence of and risk factors for RBC antibodies may have implications for future medical care of donors and for operations at blood centers.
Evaluation of a new West Nile virus nucleic acid test for screening of blood donations
Authors: Stanley Jean , AuBuchon James P. , Erickson Yasuko , Waxman Dan A. , Williamson Phillip C. , Bertuzis Rasa , Huynh Nancy , Duncan John R. , Dyer Nicole , Pate Lisa L. , Galel Susan A. 
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUNDWest Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites and can be further transmitted to humans through transfusion or transplantation. Because most infected individuals are asymptomatic, blood donor screening is important in areas where WNV is endemic. These studies evaluated the performance of a new test for detection of WNV RNA in blood donations.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSAnalytical performance evaluation included sensitivity, specificity, inclusivity, and correlation. A clinical specificity study was conducted at four blood donor testing laboratories in parallel with the cobas TaqScreen WNV Test (Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.).RESULTSThe 95% and 50% limit of detection for cobas WNV was 12.9 copies/mL (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.8–16.3) and 2.1 copies/mL (95% CI, 1.9–2.4) for WNV lineage 1, respectively, and 6.2 copies/mL (95% CI, 4.8–8.9) and 1.1 copies/mL (95% CI, 0.8–1.3) for WNV lineage 2, respectively. Clinical specificity was 100% in 10,823 donor samples tested individually (95% CI, 99.966%–100%) and 63,243 tested in pools of 6 (95% CI, 99.994%–100%). Samples of other members of the Japanese encephalitis virus serocomplex, including St Louis encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, Murray Valley encephalitis, Usutu, and Kunjin viruses were detected by cobas WNV.CONCLUSIONThe cobas WNV test for use on the cobas 6800/8800 System, a fully automated test system, demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity and is suitable for the detection of WNV in blood donors.
Desalination Performance of Modified Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Zhang Dengsong , Shil Liyi , Fang Jianhui , Dai Kai 
Published: November 2018

Modified multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used as the electrodes of flow–through capacitor for the desalination, which were cost–cutting, energy–saving, and enviromnent–friendly and could be expected to be an altemative technology for reverse osmosis membrane for sea water desalination. Investigated by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and nitrogen adsorption/desorption for modified MWCNTs, it was confirmed that after modification treatment by immersion in diluted HNO3 solution with ultrasonic and then milling by ball at a high velocity, the metal catalyst particles at the tip of MWCNTs disappeared, the MWCNT length became short, the cap at the tip of nanotube was opened, the internal surface area could be effectively used, leading to the increase of the specific surface area and pore volume, and thus MWCNTs modified by that method had the best desalination performance. This modification technique is simple and the efficiency is high.