bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incidence and Risk Factors Associated With Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes Among Prisoners
Authors: Khan Amer Hayat , Sulaiman Syed Azhar Syed , Muttalif Abdul Razak Abdul , Hassali Mohamed Azmi Ahmad , Aftab Raja Ahsan , Khan Tahir Mehmood 
Published: April 2019

Background
Prison represents an important setting for tuberculosis (TB) control. Higher TB rates have been reported in prison when compared with general population.

Aims and objective
The current study evaluates the incidence of TB among prison inmates from 4 states of Malaysia to identify factors associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and treatment outcomes.

Methodology
A multicenter, cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted in the 11 prisons in 4 Malaysian states, which were selected based on high burdens of TB in Malaysia (Sabah, Sarawak, Pulau Pinang, and Selangor). Patients with confirmed TB were selected for the study based on tuberculin skin testing and further established by chest radiograph and positive sputum and culture test results.

Results
A total of 405 inmates were diagnosed as having TB, with most them being male inmates (n = 397; 98%). The mean ± SD age of TB inmates was 39.28 ± 10.12 years. The sample was ethnically diverse and consisted mostly of Malays (203; 50.1%) followed by Chinese (98; 24.2%), Indians (64; 15.8%), and other ethnicities (40; 9.9%). Of the total 405 TB inmates, most belonged to the Selangor state prison (n = 312; 77%), with an incidence rate of 755/100,000. The overall incidence of TB among 4 state prisons in Malaysia was 440/100,000. Treatment outcome for 279 (68.8%) TB inmates was successful, 31 (7.7%) were defaulters, 12 (3%) were transferred out, 34 (8.4%) died, and treatment of TB for 49 (12.1%) inmates was continued. On univariate analysis, patient sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.2–6.8; P < 0.001), age group (OR, 1.65; CI, 1.08–2.53; P = 0.02), area (OR, 1.08; CI, 0.3–3.1; P < 0.001), pulmonary TB (OR, 1.96; CI, 1.2–3.1; P = 0.05), extrapulmonary TB (OR, 0.53; CI, 0.3–0.8; P = 0.015), and TB with diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.21; CI, 0.7–2.7; P = 0.01) were statistically significant as predictors of treatment outcomes. These variables were further analyzed on multivariate analysis, and patient age group (OR, 1.60; CI, 1.0–2.5; P = 0.02) was a more likely factor that affected treatment outcome.

Conclusion
Low TB treatment success rates and multiple factors affecting treatment outcomes refer to the fact that attention is needed in improving existing medical setup at prisons.
A Retrospective Chart Review on the Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Cancer Patients With Group C, F, or G β-Hemolytic Streptococcal Infections
Authors: Shahin Alexander V. , Saba Marian , Greene John N. 
Published: April 2019

Background
Infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Gram-positive bacteria account for more than half of all documented bacterial infections in cancer patients, and streptococci are the most frequent pathogen among them. Rarely, group C, F, and G β-hemolytic streptococci have been shown to cause human disease. In this study, we describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of these infections in cancer patients.

Methods
We performed a retrospective chart review of 157 patients who tested positive for group C, F, or G Streptococcus at the Moffitt Cancer Center between February 2012 and June 2018. Of those 157 patients, 79 were diagnosed as having a true Streptococcus infection. The study population was identified by positive cultures obtained from the microbiology laboratory during the same period.

Results
Of those 79 patients, 67 (85%) had solid tumor malignancies. The leading underlying diseases among these patients were gynecologic cancers (18%), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (16%), and colorectal cancer (13%). Group G infections (23%) were significantly more common in patients with hematologic malignancies compared with group C or F streptococcal infections (4%). Other bacteria were isolated in 56 patients, the most common being Streptococcus species, Staphylococcus species including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Seventy-two (92%) patients received antibiotics as soon as an infection was suspected, with the most common treatment regimen being a combination of vancomycin and a β-lactam antibiotic to treat polymicrobial infections.

Conclusions
Group C, F, and G streptococci are common pathogens in patients with an underlying malignancy, particularly solid tumor malignancies. Their usual association with other pathogens furthers the need for combinatorial therapeutic strategies to combat polymicrobial infections.
Hepatic Candidiasis in an Immunocompetent Woman
Authors: Gottlieb Lindsey B. , Hashemi Alexandra , Dewar Robert , Salama Carlos 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Pylephlebitis, or portal vein thrombus infection, is a rare condition that is often missed owing to the nonspecific nature of its signs and symptoms and an underappreciation of the clinical entity. Causative microbes are typically bacteria, although cases of candidal pylephlebitis have been described. Given the invasive technique required to culture the portal vein, antimicrobial selection typically relies on the assumption that the microbes isolated in blood culture are the same as those infecting the portal vein thrombus. We present a case of pylephlebitis in an immunocompetent patient with viridans streptococci and Bacteroides fragilis bacteremia subsequently found to have associated hepatic Candida abscesses. Our case highlights the need to proceed with caution when narrowing antimicrobial therapy for patients with pylephlebitis based on blood culture data alone. It also represents a rare exception to the teaching that hepatic Candida abscesses are only seen in individuals who are profoundly immunocompromised.
Empathy Huddles: Cultivating a Culture of Empathy
Authors: Turner Kevin , Locke Angela , Jones Tina , Carpenter Jacque 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACT
Managing complex neurological patients challenges new nurses with minimal experience, which can interfere with their ability to relate empathetically to their patients. This article is the story of how 1 neuroscience unit’s experience with Empathy Huddles improved the staff’s ability to respond to their patients and families with empathy. The hospital collects quarterly patient satisfaction data using the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Provider and Systems. In the third and fourth quarters of 2015, the unit’s patient satisfaction scores had declined significantly and remained low, in particular, the score for “how often did nurses listen carefully to you.” In February 2016, Empathy Huddles were implemented on the unit. Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Provider and Systems scores for this question were compared pre and post intervention. The top box response score was 46% preintervention (fourth quarter of 2015). After 2 quarters of Empathy Huddles, the top box score rose to 75% in the third quarter and 82% in the fourth quarter of 2016. The unit has maintained the top box score above 78%. In the fourth quarter of 2017, they achieved a top box score of 91%. Scores greater than 82% were sustained through the third quarter of 2018. Connecting was the overarching theme that emerged from interviews regarding Empathy Huddles. Interviewees described how Empathy Huddles helped them to connect empathetically with their patients, families, and each other. The huddles reminded staff to consider the day from the patients’ point of view and be mindful of their experiences.
Auditory Selective Attention Hindered by Visual Stimulus in Prelingually Deaf Children With Cochlear Implants
Authors: Chen Yuebo , Yue Zhenzhu , Liang Maojin , Liu Jinqun , Li Shao , Liu Jiahao , Zheng Yiqing 
Published: April 2019

Objective:
To compare the influence of visual distractors on the performance of auditory selective attention between prelingually deaf children with a CI (cochlear implant) and children with normal-hearing.

Design:
Twenty-two patients who had a cochlear implant device (10 males and 12 females, aged 6.64 ± 0.99 yrs) and 16 normal-hearing children (6 males and 10 females, aged 6.09 ± 0.51 yrs) were recruited. Half of the auditory stimuli were presented together with visual stimuli, and participants were required to complete an auditory identification task. Reaction times and discriminability (d’) for these two groups were recorded and calculated.

Results:
The normal-hearing group had shorter mean reaction times than the CI group in detecting auditory targets. With visual distraction, the d’ of the normal-hearing group was significantly better than that of CI group (t = 2.649, p = 0.012), while no statistical significance was found between the two groups without visual distraction (t = 0.693, p = 0.493).

Conclusion:
Enhanced processing of visual stimuli interferes with auditory perception in CI users by occupying the capacity-limited attention.
Long-Term Follow-Up of Infants After a Brief Resolved Unexplained Event–Related Hospitalization
Authors: Ari Anne , Atias Yifat , Amir Jacob 
Published: April 2019

Objective
A brief resolved unexplained event (BRUE) in infancy is a common reason for visiting the emergency department. However, little is known about the long-term outcomes of such an event. This study evaluates future mortality, morbidity, and/or developmental outcome after a BRUE.

Methods
A single-center retrospective study performed in 2009 to 2013 included 87 hospitalized infants (<1 year old) fitting the American Academy of Pediatrics' criteria of a lower-risk BRUE, with 2 exceptions: no time limit to duration of episode and no age limit of ≥60 days. Hospitalized infants were followed up for up to 5 years via a telephone questionnaire to assess mortality rates, developmental delay, neurological/cardiovascular morbidity, and future hospitalizations.

Results
Most infants (94%) who experienced a BRUE were hospitalized before 6 months of age. No cases of mortality occurred. In terms of developmental outcome, 1 child (1.15%) was diagnosed as having a global developmental delay and 12 (13.7%) with a language delay, similar to prevalence rates by age in the United States. Three children (3.4%) were diagnosed as having an autism spectrum disorder, with higher prevalence rates than the global average. Simple febrile and nonfebrile seizures were seen at a rate similar to the general population. None of the children developed cardiovascular disease. Rehospitalization occurred in 22% of cases: 90% for common acute pediatric causes and 10% for recurrent choking events secondary to gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Conclusions
Low-risk hospitalized infants younger than 1 year who experienced a BRUE seem to generally have an excellent prognosis.
Effects of Elastic Therapeutic Taping on Joint Position Sense of the Ankle in Stroke Survivors
Authors: Mohammadi Roghayeh , Abdollahi Khorasgani Mojtaba , Tabatabaei Maryamasadat , Grampurohit Namrata 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Impairments in ankle joint position sense along with muscle weakness greatly affect the recovery of balance among stroke survivors. Elastic therapeutic taping has been studied in musculoskeletal conditions of the ankle to improve joint position sense and its effects in stroke are not known. The aims of the study were to investigate the differences in joint position sense between paretic and nonparetic ankles and to examine the effects of elastic therapeutic taping on joint position sense of the paretic ankle in stroke survivors. Sixteen chronic stroke survivors participated in a 2-day protocol of ankle elastic therapeutic taping on the paretic side. Active and passive joint position sense at the ankle was measured by Biodex Isokinetic III system on both the paretic and nonparetic sides before elastic therapeutic taping and only the paretic side after elastic therapeutic taping. The active and passive ankle joint position sense values were significantly (P < 0.001) lower on the paretic side than the nonparetic side before intervention. Joint position sense significantly (P < 0.001) improved for the paretic ankle after elastic therapeutic taping. Chronic stroke survivors were deficient in ankle joint position sense on the paretic side. Elastic therapeutic taping was effective in the short term to improve active and passive joint position sense.
The Hispanic Paradox in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis: Current Evidence From a Large Regional Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Atiemo Kofi , Mazumder Nikhilesh R. , Caicedo Juan C. , Ganger Daniel , Gordon Elisa , Montag Samantha , Maddur Haripriya , VanWagner Lisa B. , Goel Satyender , Kho Abel , Abecassis Michael , Zhao Lihui , Ladner Daniela 
Published: April 2019

Background.
Despite lower socioeconomic status, Hispanics in the United States paradoxically maintain equal or higher average survival rates compared to non-Hispanic Whites (NHW).

Methods.
We used multivariable Cox regression to assess whether this “Hispanic paradox” applies to patients with liver cirrhosis using a retrospective cohort of twenty 121 patients in a Chicago-wide electronic health record database.

Results.
Our study population included 3279 (16%) Hispanics, 9150 (45%) NHW, 4432 (22%) African Americans, 529 (3%) Asians, and 2731 (14%) of other races/ethnic groups. Compared to Hispanics, NHW (hazard ratio [HR] 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-1.37), African American (HR 1.26; 95% CI, 1.15-1.39), and other races/ethnic groups (HR 1.55; 95% CI, 1.40-1.71) had an increased risk of death despite adjustment for age, sex, insurance status, etiology of cirrhosis, and comorbidities. On stratified analyses, a mortality advantage for Hispanics compared to NHW was seen for alcohol cirrhosis (HR for NHW 1.35; 95% CI, 1.19-1.52), hepatitis B (HR for NHW 1.35; 95% CI, 0.98-1.87), hepatitis C (HR for NHW 1.21; 95% CI, 1.06-1.38), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (HR for NHW 1.14; 95% CI, 0.94-1.39). There was no advantage associated with Hispanic race over NHW in cases of hepatocellular carcinoma or cholestatic liver disease.

Conclusions.
Hispanic patients with cirrhosis experience a survival advantage over many other racial groups despite adjustment for multiple covariates.
Towards a multi-level and a multi-disciplinary approach to DNA oncovirus virulence
Authors: Alizon Samuel , Bravo Ignacio G. , Farrell Paul J. , Roberts Sally 
Published: April 2019

One out of 10 cancers is estimated to arise from infections by a handful of oncogenic viruses. These infectious cancers constitute an opportunity for primary prevention through immunization against the viral infection, for early screening through molecular detection of the infectious agent, and potentially for specific treatments, by targeting the virus as a marker of cancer cells. Accomplishing these objectives will require a detailed understanding of the natural history of infections, the mechanisms by which the viruses contribute to disease, the mutual adaptation of viruses and hosts, and the possible viral evolution in the absence and in the presence of the public health interventions conceived to target them. This issue showcases the current developments in experimental tissue-like and animal systems, mathematical models and evolutionary approaches to understand DNA oncoviruses. Our global aim is to provide proximate explanations to the present-day interface and interactions between virus and host, as well as ultimate explanations about the adaptive value of these interactions and about the evolutionary pathways that have led to the current malignant phenotype of oncoviral infections.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Silent cancer agents: multi-disciplinary modelling of human DNA oncoviruses’.
Androgen-dmrt1positive feedback programs the rice field eel (Monopterus albus) sex transdifferentiation
Authors: Wen Bin , Qu Xiancheng , Pan Lisha , Gao Jianzhong , Wu Haowei , Wang Qian 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe rice field eelMonopterus albusis a hermaphroditic protogynous fish species that undergoes sex reversal from female to male. However, the potential mechanisms underlying the process of sex transformation are still unclear. We analyzed and compared the gene sequence ofM. albus dmrt15′ upstream region and its potential transcription factor binding sites with other known species and examined thein vitroeffects of testosterone (T) on the expression levels ofdmrt1aandfoxl2in the ovotestis. Moreover, we cloned and analyzed the expression of genes encoding enzymes, 11β-hydroxylase (11β-h) and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-hsd), involved in the production of 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT). The results showed that, compared with other fish species,M. albus dmrt15′ upstream region contained unique androgen response elements (AREs) with one on the sense strand and the other one on the antisense strand, indicating a crucial role for androgens in the transcriptional regulation ofdmrt1. The expression ofdmrt1awas induced but the expression offoxl2was inhibited by T manipulationin vitro, suggesting that blood androgen could activate the transcription ofdmrt1in the ovotestis. Moreover, the expression levels of11β-hand11β-hsd2were predominantly expressed in testis, much less in ovotestis, and barely in ovary, suggesting the production of 11-KT during sex reversal. Androgens are synthesized in large amounts during sex reversal, leading to the promotion ofdmrt1transcription, and thus, gonadal somatic cells transdifferetiation. Overall, androgen-dmrt1positive feedback programs theM. albussex reversal.
Fine-scale ecological and transcriptomic data reveal niche differentiation of an allopolyploid from diploid parents in Cardamine
Authors: Akiyama Reiko , Sun Jianqiang , Hatakeyama Masaomi , Lischer Heidi E.L. , Briskine Roman V. , Hay Angela , Gan Xiangchao , Tsiantis Miltos , Kudoh Hiroshi , Kanaoka Masahiro M. , Sese Jun , Shimizu Kentaro K. , Shimizu-Inatsugi Rie 
Published: April 2019

AbstractPolyploidization, or whole genome duplication, is one of the major mechanisms of plant speciation. Allopolyploids (species that harbor polyploid genomes originating from hybridization of different diploid species) have been hypothesized to occupy a niche with intermediate, broader, or fluctuating environmental conditions compared with parental diploids. It remains unclear whether empirical data support this hypothesis and whether specialization of expression patterns of the homeologs (paralogous gene copies resulting from allopolyploidization) relates to habitat environments. Here, we studied the ecology and transcriptomics of a wild allopolyploid Cardamine flexuosa and its diploid parents C. hirsuta and C. amara at a fine geographical scale in their native area in Switzerland. We found that the diploid parents favored opposite extremes in terms of soil moisture, soil carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, and light availability. The habitat of the allopolyploid C. flexuosa was broader compared with those of its parental species and overlapped with those of the parents, but not at its extremes. In C. flexuosa, the genes related to water availability were overrepresented among those at both the expression level and the expression ratio of homeolog pairs, which varied among habitat environments. These findings provide empirical evidence for niche differentiation between an allopolyploid and its diploid parents at a fine scale, where both ecological and transcriptomic data indicated water availability to be the key environmental factor for niche differentiation.Significance statementPolyploidization, or whole genome duplication, is common in plants and may contribute to their ecological diversification. However, little is known about the niche differentiation of wild allopolyploids relative to their diploid parents and the gene expression patterns that may underlie such ecological divergence. We detected niche differentiation between the allopolyploid Cardamine flexuosa and its diploid parents C. amara and C. hirsuta along water availability gradient at a fine scale. The ecological differentiation was mirrored by the dynamic control of water availability-related gene expression patterns according to habitat environments. Thus, both ecological and transcriptomic data revealed niche differentiation between an allopolyploid species and its diploid parents.
Dopamine depletion affects vocal acoustics and disrupts sensorimotor adaptation in songbirds
Authors: Saravanan Varun , Hoffmann Lukas A , Jacob Amanda L , Berman Gordon J , Sober Samuel J 
Published: April 2019

AbstractDopamine is hypothesized to convey important error information in reinforcement learning tasks with explicit appetitive or aversive cues. However, during motor skill learning the only available feedback signal is typically an animal’s evaluation of the sensory feedback arising from its own behavior, rather than any external reward or punishment. It has previously been shown that intact dopaminergic signaling from the ventral tegmental area – substantia nigra compacta complex (VTA/SNc) is necessary for vocal learning in response to an external aversive auditory cue in songbirds. However, the role of dopamine in learning in the absence of explicit external cues is still unclear. Here we used male Bengalese finches (Lonchura striatavar.domestica) to test the hypothesis that dopamine signaling is necessary for self-evaluation driven sensorimotor learning. We combined 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions of dopaminergic terminals within Area X, a songbird basal ganglia nucleus critical for vocal learning, with a headphones learning paradigm that shifted the birds’ auditory feedback and compared their learning to birds without lesions. We found that 6-OHDA lesions affected song behavior in two ways. First, over a period of days lesioned birds systemically lowered their pitch regardless of the presence or absence of auditory errors. Second, 6-OHDA lesioned birds also displayed severe deficits in sensorimotor learning as measured by their adaptive change in pitch in response to the pitch-shifted auditory error. Our results suggest roles for dopamine both in motor production and in auditory error processing during vocal learning.Significance StatementDopamine has been hypothesized to convey a reward prediction error signal in learning tasks involving external reinforcement. However the role dopamine plays in tasks involving self-guided error correction in the absence of external reinforcement is much less clear. To address this question, we studied the role of dopamine in sensorimotor adaptation using male Bengalese finches, which spontaneously produce a complex motor behavior (song) and are capable of modulating their behavioral output in response to induced auditory errors. Our results reveal that in addition to conveying errors in motor performance, dopamine may also have a role in modulating effort and in choosing a corrective response to the auditory error.
Cas12a trans-cleavage can be modulated in vitro and is active on ssDNA, dsDNA, and RNA
Authors: Fuchs Ryan T. , Curcuru Jennifer , Mabuchi Megumu , Yourik Paul , Robb G. Brett 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTCRISPR-Cas12a (Cpf1) are RNA-guided nuclease effectors of acquired immune response that act in their native organisms by cleaving targeted DNA sequences. Like CRISPR-Cas9 RNA-guided DNA targeting enzymes, Cas12a orthologs have been repurposed for genome editing in non-native organisms and for DNA manipulationin vitro. Recent studies have shown that activation of Cas12a via guide RNA-target DNA pairing causes multiple turnover, non-specific ssDNA degradation intrans, after single turnover on-target cleavage incis. We find that the non-specifictransnuclease activity affects RNA and dsDNA in addition to ssDNA, an activity made more evident by adjustment of reaction buffer composition. The magnitude of thetransnuclease activity varies depending on features of the guide RNA being used, specifically target sequence composition and length. We also find that the magnitude oftransnuclease activity varies between the three most well-studied Cas12a orthologs and that the Cas12a fromLachnospiraceaebacterium ND2006 appears to be the most active.