bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Challenges for Exposure Science in Developing Countries
Authors: Naidoo Saloshni 
Published: April 2019

AbstractOccupational and environmental exposures are important contributors influencing the burden of disease in developing countries. It is important to quantify the impact of exposures from working and living environments on individual and population health in order to reduce the burden of related diseases. Despite the tremendous advances made internationally in the field of exposure science, numerous challenges, including low literacy levels, poor organization of work and living, legislative gaps, and limited exposure science capacity, exist in developing countries. In this commentary, these challenges are discussed and recommendations for the exposure science community to help in addressing the challenges are proposed.
Another look at matrix correlations
Authors: Borzou Ahmad , Yousefi Razie , Sadygov Rovshan G 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Motivation
High throughput technologies are widely employed in modern biomedical research. They yield measurements of a large number of biomolecules in a single experiment. The number of experiments usually is much smaller than the number of measurements in each experiment. The simultaneous measurements of biomolecules provide a basis for a comprehensive, systems view for describing relevant biological processes. Often it is necessary to determine correlations between the data matrices under different conditions or pathways. However, the techniques for analyzing the data with a low number of samples for possible correlations within or between conditions are still in development. Earlier developed correlative measures, such as the RV coefficient, use the trace of the product of data matrices as the most relevant characteristic. However, a recent study has shown that the RV coefficient consistently overestimates the correlations in the case of low sample numbers. To correct for this bias, it was suggested to discard the diagonal elements of the outer products of each data matrix. In this work, a principled approach based on the matrix decomposition generates three trace-independent parts for every matrix. These components are unique, and they are used to determine different aspects of correlations between the original datasets.

Results
Simulations show that the decomposition results in the removal of high correlation bias and the dependence on the sample number intrinsic to the RV coefficient. We then use the correlations to analyze a real proteomics dataset.

Availability and implementation
The python code can be downloaded from http://dynamic-proteome.utmb.edu/MatrixCorrelations.aspx.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Making Sense of ‘Joint Enterprise’ for Murder: Legal Legitimacy or Instrumental Acquiescence?
Authors: Hulley Susie , Crewe Ben , Wright Serena 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe legal doctrine of ‘joint enterprise’ has been heavily criticized for lacking legitimacy, primarily linked to distributive (in)justice. This paper draws on the narratives of ‘joint enterprise prisoners’ serving long life sentences for murder to address such concerns and extend the discussion to questions of ‘legal legitimacy’. Prisoners who were early in their sentences explicitly rejected the legal legitimacy of joint enterprise, while those at a later stage reported ‘accepting’ their conviction and demonstrated ‘consent’ by engaging with their sentence. We argue that rather than representing normative acceptance of the legal legitimacy of joint enterprise over time, this acceptance is a form of instrumental acquiescence associated with ‘dull compulsion’ ‘coping acceptance’ and personal meaning making.
Characterizing the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Care Continuum Among Transgender Women and Cisgender Women and Men in Clinical Care: A Retrospective Time-series Analysis
Authors: Poteat Tonia , Hanna David B , Rebeiro Peter F , Klein Marina , Silverberg Michael J , Eron Joseph J , Horberg Michael A , Kitahata Mari M , Mathews W C , Mattocks Kristin , Mayor Angel , Rich Ashleigh J , Reisner Sari , Thorne Jennifer , Moore Richard D , Jing Yuezhou , Althoff Keri N 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Background
Prior studies suggest that transgender women (TW) with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are less likely to be virally suppressed than cisgender women (CW) and cisgender men (CM). However, prior data are limited by small sample sizes and cross-sectional designs. We sought to characterize the HIV care continuum comparing TW to CW and CM in the United States and Canada.

Methods
We analyzed annual HIV care continuum outcomes by gender status from January 2001 through December 2015 among adults (aged ≥18 years) in 15 clinical cohorts. Outcomes were retention in care and viral suppression.

Results
The study population included TW (n = 396), CW (n = 14 094), and CM (n = 101 667). TW had lower proportions retained in care than CW and CM (P &lt; .01). Estimates of retention in care were consistently lower in TW, with little change over time within each group. TW and CW had similar proportions virally suppressed over time (TW, 36% in 2001 and 80% in 2015; CW, 35% in 2001 and 83% in 2015) and were lower than CM (41% in 2001 and 87% in 2015). These differences did not reach statistical significance after adjusting for age, race, HIV risk group, and cohort.

Conclusions
TW experience challenges with retention in HIV care. However, TW who are engaged in care achieve viral suppression that is comparable to that of CW and CM of similar age, race, and HIV risk group. Further research is needed to understand care engagement disparities.
Consecutive surgical sequelae in children and adolescents with Marfan syndrome after primary cardiovascular surgical interventions
Authors: Javier Delmo Eva Maria , Javier Mariano Francisco del Maria , Hetzer Roland 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study focuses on the consecutive sequelae of children and adolescents with Marfan syndrome after primary cardiovascular surgical interventions and the long-term outcomes.

METHODS
A retrospective review of children with Marfan syndrome who underwent primary surgical intervention in childhood (&lt;18 years) and sequential cardiovascular operations between July 1986 and September 2014 was undertaken.

RESULTS
Thirty-six children (mean age 12.38 ± 4.4, range 0.62–17.14 years, at the first operation; 12 females) underwent a total of 97 sequential cardiovascular operations. Primary pathologies were annuloaortic ectasia, aortic root and ascending aorta aneurysm, aortic valve insufficiency, floppy mitral valve and midaortic syndrome. Initial operations were emergency in 2 and urgent and elective in 10 and 24 patients, respectively. Associated skeletal abnormalities were seen in 8. All underwent a second operation; 17 underwent a third operation; 6 had a fourth; and 2 had a fifth. The survival rate of children &lt;13 years of age at the first operation compared to those who were older and male, was not statistically significant (P = 0.244). The cumulative survival rate based on age at first operation was 63.24 ± 0.16% at a mean follow-up period of 13.9 ± 6.8 (median 11.8, range 2–32.6) years.

CONCLUSIONS
Patients with Marfan syndrome undergoing surgery during childhood needed sequential reinterventions. However, even with multiple consecutive surgeries, long-term outcome is deemed satisfactory.
Disability and quality of life in heart failure patients: a cross-sectional study
Authors: García-Olmos Luis , Batlle Maurice , Aguilar Rio , Porro Carlos , Carmona Montse , Alberquilla Angel , Sánchez-Gómez Luis M , Monge Elena , López-Rodríguez Ana B , Benito Luis , Baños Nicolas , Simón Amaya , Martínez-Álvarez Miguel A , Luque Eva M , García-Benito Cristina 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Background
Although both hospitalization and mortality due to heart failure (HF) have been widely studied, less is known about the impact of HF on disability and quality of life.

Aim
To assess the degree of disability and quality of life in HF patients attended at family medicine centres.

Design and setting
Cross-sectional study of a cohort of HF patients attended at family medicine centres.

Methods
Disability was assessed with the WHODAS 2 questionnaire, which provides a global and six domain scores that is understanding and communication, getting around, self-care, getting along with people, life activities and participation in society. Quality of life was assessed with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, which furnishes a global and two domain scores, physical and emotional.

Results
A breakdown of the results showed that 28% of patients had moderate disability and 16.7% had severe disability, with the most important areas affected being: life activities, 8.9% extreme disability and 30.3% severe disability; getting around, 34.6% severe disability and 2% extreme disability; and participation in society, 53.3% moderate-severe disability. Quality of life was mildly affected. New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification and sex were the major determinants of disability and quality of life. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists were associated with better scores in the “getting around” and “life activity” domains.

Conclusion
HF patients in primary care show an important degree of disability and an acceptable quality of life.
Fosfomycin tromethamine activity on biofilm and intracellular bacterial communities produced by uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from patients with urinary tract infection
Authors: González Maria José , Da Cunda Paula , Notejane Martín , Zunino Pablo , Scavone Paola , Robino Luciana 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACT
Fosfomycin tromethamine (FT), an old antibiotic revived as a new strategy to overcome antibiotic resistance, is an excellent option for the treatment of lower urinary tract infection (UTI). During UTI, Escherichia coli produces biofilms and could invade the bladder epithelial cells, developing intracellular bacterial communities (IBC). The present work aimed to evaluate the activity of FT on biofilms and IBC from clinical isolates of E. coli. A total of 38 E. coli clinical UTI isolates previously characterized as biofilm and IBC producers were studied. FT susceptibility was evaluated and its activity on 48 h biofilm was determined by microtiter plate-based biofilm assay comparing three different antibiotic concentrations. Two UPEC strains were selected to evaluate FT activity on IBC in vitro using T24 bladder cells. The survival percentage of intracellular bacteria after 24 h exposure to FT was calculated and compared to the percentage of intracellular bacteria without antibiotic. All the strains were susceptible to FT. FT produced a significant reduction of biofilms at the three concentrations tested, compared to the control. However, no statistically effect on IBC was observed after 24 h of fosfomycin exposure in cell culture. FT is a good option for bacterial biofilm reduction within UTI. However, it does not affect IBC.
Personality Moderates Intervention Effects on Cognitive Function: A 6-Week Conversation-Based Intervention
Authors: Cerino Eric S , Hooker Karen , Goodrich Elena , Dodge Hiroko H 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Background and Objectives
Social isolation is associated with a higher risk of dementia. We previously conducted and showed the efficacy of an intervention which uses conversation (the core component of social interactions) as a tool to enhance cognitive function. We now explore whether cognitive improvements through conversation-based intervention depend on an individual’s personality.

Research Design and Methods
We reexamined data from a 6-week randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Number: NCT01571427) to determine whether conversation-based intervention effects were moderated by personality traits in 83 older adults (mean age = 80.51 years, 49 cognitively intact, 34 individuals with mild cognitive impairment). The intervention group participated in daily 30-min face-to-face semi-structured conversations with trained interviewers through a web-enabled system for 6 weeks. At baseline, psychosocial questionnaires and a neuropsychological battery were completed.

Results
Intervention group participants with high agreeableness, conscientiousness, and extraversion exhibited significant improvements in language-based executive function tasks beyond changes in the control group (ps &lt; .05). An opposite pattern for delayed recall memory and working memory tasks emerged among highly extraverted participants (ps &lt; .05).

Discussion and Implications
Our exploratory findings suggest the adaptive role of personality traits in conversation-based cognitive interventions may be limited to tasks incorporating a language component, and offer initial evidence for personalized approaches to cognitive health in late life.
Targeted knock-in mice with a human mutation in GRTH/DDX25 reveals the essential role of phosphorylated GRTH in spermatid development during spermatogenesis
Authors: Kavarthapu Raghuveer , Anbazhagan Rajakumar , Raju Murugananthkumar , Morris Chon-Hwa Tsai , Pickel James , Dufau Maria L 
Published: April 2019

AbstractGonadotropin-regulated testicular RNA helicase (GRTH/DDX25) is a testis specific member of the DEAD-box family of RNA helicases expressed in meiotic and haploid germ cells which plays an essential role in spermatogenesis. There are two species of GRTH the 56 kDa non-phospho and 61 kDa phospho forms. Our early studies revealed a missense mutation (R242H) of GRTH in azoospermic men that when expressed in COS1-cells lack the phospho-form of GRTH. To investigate the role of the phospho-GRTH species in spermatogenesis, we generated a GRTH knock-in (KI) transgenic mice with the R242H mutation. GRTH-KI mice are sterile with reduced testis size, lack sperm with spermatogenic arrest at round spermatid stage and loss of the cytoplasmic phospho-GRTH species. Electron microscopy studies revealed reduction in the size of chromatoid bodies (CB) of round spermatids (RS) and germ cell apoptosis. We observed absence of phospho-GRTH in the CB of RS. Complete loss of chromatin remodeling and related proteins such as TP2, PRM2, TSSK6 and marked reduction of their respective mRNAs and half-lives were observed in GRTH-KI mice. We showed that phospho-GRTH has a role in TP2 translation and revealed its occurrence in a 3′ UTR dependent manner. These findings demonstrate the relevance of phospho-GRTH in the structure of the chromatoid body, spermatid development and completion of spermatogenesis and provide an avenue for the development of a male contraceptive.
Freedom of Symbolic Speech in the Context of Memory Wars in Eastern Europe
Authors: Nuzov Ilya 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
This article addresses the historic evolution and recent proliferation of memory laws that prohibit symbolic speech in Eastern Europe. A phenomenon of the latter part of the twentieth century, these laws traditionally enabled democracies to defend themselves against extreme ideologies by restricting symbols of totalitarian regimes. An analysis of recently adopted laws in Ukraine and Russia, however, demonstrates a shift away from these aims to restrictions on the use of symbolic speech as measures to counteract external security threats and competing historical narratives. In the climate of ‘memory wars’ in Eastern Europe, these laws are increasingly employed for the politics of memory and are likely to be misused for expedient political gains while running afoul of international human rights law, including freedom of expression and other norms embodied in the European Convention on Human Rights. The article concludes that drafting these types of laws narrowly and derogating from freedom of expression obligations in times of emergency might help to ensure their compliance with international law.
Selection bias introduced by informative censoring in studies examining effects of vaccination in infancy
Authors: López-López José A , Sterne Jonathan A C , Higgins Julian P T 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundMany studies have examined ‘non-specific’ vaccine effects on infant mortality: attention has been particularly drawn to diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine, which has been proposed to be associated with an increased mortality risk. Both right and left censoring are common in such studies.MethodsWe conducted simulation studies examining right censoring (at measles vaccination) and left censoring (by excluding early follow-up) in a variety of scenarios in which confounding was and was not present. We estimated both unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs), averaged across simulations.ResultsWe identified scenarios in which right-censoring at measles vaccination was informative and so introduced bias in the direction of a detrimental effect of DTP vaccine. In some, but not all, situations, adjusting for confounding by health status removed the bias caused by censoring. However, such adjustment will not always remove bias due to informative censoring: inverse probability weighting was required in one scenario. Bias due to left censoring arose when both health status and DTP vaccination were associated with mortality during the censored early follow-up and was in the direction of attenuating a beneficial effect of DTP on mortality. Such bias was more severe when the effect of DTP changed over time.ConclusionsEstimates of non-specific effects of vaccines may be biased by informative right or left censoring. Authors of studies estimating such effects should consider the potential for such bias and use appropriate statistical approaches to control for it. Such approaches require measurement of prognostic factors that predict censoring.
Risk Assessment of the Tropism and Pathogenesis of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A/H7N9 Virus Using Ex Vivo and In Vitro Cultures of Human Respiratory Tract
Authors: Chan Louisa L Y , Hui Kenrie P Y , Kuok Denise I T , Bui Christine H T , Ng Ka-chun , Mok Chris K P , Yang Zi-feng , Guan Wenda , Poon Leo L M , Zhong Nanshan , Peiris J S Malik , Nicholls John M , Chan Michael C W 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Background
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)-H7N9 virus arising from low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI)-H7N9 virus with polybasic amino acid substitutions in the hemagglutinin was detected in 2017.

Methods
We compared the tropism, replication competence, and cytokine induction of HPAI-H7N9, LPAI-H7N9, and HPAI-H5N1 in ex vivo human respiratory tract explants, in vitro culture of human alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) and pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-L).

Results
Replication competence of HPAI- and LPAI-H7N9 were comparable in ex vivo cultures of bronchus and lung. HPAI-H7N9 predominantly infected AECs, whereas limited infection was observed in bronchus. The reduced tropism of HPAI-H7N9 in bronchial epithelium may explain the lack of human-to-human transmission despite a number of mammalian adaptation markers. Apical and basolateral release of virus was observed only in HPAI-H7N9- and H5N1-infected AECs regardless of infection route. HPAI-H7N9, but not LPAI-H7N9 efficiently replicated in HMVEC-L.

Conclusions
Our findings demonstrate that a HPAI-H7N9 virus efficiently replicating in ex vivo cultures of human bronchus and lung. The HPAI-H7N9 was more efficient at replicating in human AECs and HMVEC-L than LPAI-H7N9 implying that endothelial tropism may involve in pathogenesis of HPAI-H7N9 disease.
Development and Interlaboratory Validation of Two Fast UPLC–MS-MS Methods Determining Urinary Bisphenols, Parabens and Phthalates
Authors: van der Meer Thomas P , van Faassen Martijn , Frederiksen Hanne , van Beek André P , Wolffenbuttel Bruce H R , Kema Ido P , van Vliet-Ostaptchouk Jana V 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
People are constantly exposed to a wide variety of chemicals. Some of these compounds, such as parabens, bisphenols and phthalates, are known to have endocrine disrupting potencies. Over the years, these endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been a rising cause for concern. In this study, we describe setup and validation of two methods to measure EDCs in human urine, using ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The phenol method determines methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, n-butyl- and benzylparaben and bisphenol A, F and S. The phthalate method determines in total 13 metabolites of dimethyl, diethyl, diisobutyl, di-n-butyl, di(2-ethylhexyl), butylbenzyl, diiso-nonyl and diisodecyl phthalate. Runtime was 7 and 8 min per sample for phenols and phthalates, respectively. The methods were validated by the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) for 13 compounds. In addition, EDCs were measured in forty 24-h urine samples, of which 12 EDCs were compared with the same samples measured in an established facility (Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark). The intra-assay coefficient of variability (CV) was highest at 10% and inter-assay CV was highest at 12%. Recoveries ranged from 86 to 115%. The limit of detection ranged from 0.06 to 0.43 ng/mL. Of 21 compounds, 10 were detected above limit of detection in ≥93% of the samples. Eight compounds were in accordance to NIST reference concentrations. Differences in intercept were found for two compounds whereas slope differed for six compounds between our method and that used in the Danish facility. In conclusion, we set up and validated two high-throughput methods with very short runtime capable of measuring 5 parabens, 3 bisphenols and 13 different metabolites of 8 phthalates. Sensitivity of the phenol method was increased by using ammonium fluoride in the mobile phase.
Field-Evolved Resistance of Northern and Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Populations to Corn Hybrids Expressing Single and Pyramided Cry3Bb1 and Cry34/35Ab1 Bt Proteins in North Dakota
Authors: Calles-Torrez Veronica , Knodel Janet J , Boetel Mark A , French B Wade , Fuller Billy W , Ransom Joel K 
Published: April 2019

AbstractNorthern, Diabrotica barberi Smith & Lawrence, and western, D. virgifera virgifera LeConte, corn rootworms (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) are major economic pests of corn, Zea mays L., in North America. Corn hybrids expressing Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) toxins are commonly used by growers to manage these pests. Several cases of field-evolved resistance to insecticidal proteins expressed by Bt corn hybrids have been documented in many corn-producing areas of North America, but only for D. v. virgifera. In 2016, beetles of both species were collected from five eastern North Dakota corn fields and reared in a growth chamber. In 2017, larvae reared from those populations were subjected to single-plant bioassays to screen for potential resistance to Cry3Bb1, Cry34/35Ab1, and pyramided Cry3Bb1 + Cry34/35Ab1 Bt toxins. Our results provide the first documented report of field-evolved resistance in D. barberi to corn hybrids expressing Cry3Bb1 (Arthur problem population) and Cry34/35Ab1 (Arthur and Page problem populations, and the Ransom and Sargent populations) proteins in North America. Resistance to Cry3Bb1 was also observed in the Ransom population of D. v. virgifera. Increased larval survival on the pyramided Cry3Bb1 + Cry34/35Ab1 hybrid was observed in both species. No cross-resistance was evident between Cry3Bb1 and Cry34/35Ab1 in any of the D. barberi populations tested. Our experiments identified field-evolved resistance to Bt toxins in some North Dakota populations of D. barberi and D. v. virgifera. Thus, more effective control tools and improved resistance management strategies are needed to prolong the durability of this technology for managing these important pests.