bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Preoperative Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy on Pectoralis Major Muscle Flap Reconstruction for Deep Sternal Wound Infections
Authors: Barbera Federico , Lorenzetti Fulvio , Marsili Ricccardo , Lisa Andrea , Guido Gabriele , Pantaloni Marcello 
Published: March 2019

Background
Deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) represents a life-threatening complication following open-heart surgery and pectoralis major muscle flap reconstruction has led to a significant reduction in mortality and morbidity. Negative-pressure wound therapy represented a step forward in DSWI treatment, both as a single procedure or as a preparation for reconstructive surgery.
In the present study, we report our 13 years' experience with sternal reconstruction in order to evaluate the impact of preoperative vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy on reconstructive outcome.

Methods
Seventy-three patients diagnosed with DSWI undergoing pectoralis major muscle flap reconstruction were divided into 2 subgroups: preoperative VAC treatment group (n = 37) and no preoperative VAC (NVAC n = 36). We collected patients' DSWI and reconstructive surgery clinical data, and we analyzed surgical outcome in terms of complication rate, reoperation rate, defects closure times, and intraoperative/30-day and 1-year mortality.

Results
Eighty-three flaps were used, bilateral flaps were used more in the NVAC subgroup (P = 0.005), and operative time was significantly shorter in the VAC subgroup (P < 0.001). Complication rate was 9.6%, with no significant differences between the 2 subgroups (P = 0.723). There was no recurrence of mediastinitis, and all flaps survived. Sternal closure time was significantly lower in the VAC subgroup (P < 0.001). No intraoperative death occurred; 30-day and 1-year mortality were 2.7% and 19.2%, respectively, with no significant difference between the 2 groups (P = 0.596).

Conclusions
Preoperative VAC therapy makes reconstructive surgery easier and faster, even though it has no impact on complication rate and overall success of the reconstruction. Pectoralis major muscle flap represents a reliable solution even if not associated with preoperative VAC.
Assessing the Fisher, Mohler, and Millard Techniques of Cleft Lip Repair Surgery With Eye-Tracking Technology
Authors: Kwong Jeffrey W. , Cai Lawrence Z. , Azad Amee D. , Lorenz H. Peter , Khosla Rohit K. , Lee Gordon K. , Nazerali Rahim S. 
Published: March 2019

Background
Cleft lip repair is essential to restoring physiologic function and ensuring social and psychological well-being in children with orofacial clefts. It is important to critically study various techniques to understand the elements of the lip and nasal repair that contribute to favorable results. Here, we use eye-tracking technology to evaluate how viewers analyze images of cleft lips repaired by the Fisher, Millard, or Mohler techniques.

Methods
Thirty viewers were shown 5 images without deformity and 5 images each of unilateral cleft lips repaired by the Fisher, Millard, or Mohler techniques. Viewers assessed the esthetic quality of images on a Likert scale while eye-tracking technology analyzed their gaze patterns.

Results
Of the 3 repair techniques, viewers found Fisher repairs most esthetically pleasing (mean ± standard error, 6.91 ± 0.13). Mohler repairs were next most attractive at (6.47 ± 0.13), followed by Millard repairs at (5.60 ± 0.14). The proportion of time spent in fixed gaze on the nose and upper lip was greatest for Millard repairs (58.3% ± 0.4%) and least for Fisher repairs (51.9% ± 0.5%). Viewers fixated most frequently on the nose and upper lip in Millard repairs (83.2% ± 0.5%) and least frequently in Fisher repairs (75.3% ± 0.5%). When examining the Millard compared with Fisher and Mohler repairs, viewers spent more time and fixations on the ipsilateral lip, nose, and repair scar than on the contralateral lip.

Conclusions
The esthetics of the Fisher repair appear to be favored as measured by Likert scores and gaze data. Eye-tracking technology may be a useful tool to assess outcomes in plastic surgery.
The role of mucins in mucositis
Authors: Thorpe Daniel 
Published: March 2019

Purpose of review
Alimentary mucositis is a severe dose limiting side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Mucin expression and secretion are associated with mucositis. This article aims to review current studies involving mucin and mucositis.

Recent findings
Mucins have been shown to alter mucositis severity and key targets associated with mucositis. First, interventions increasing mucin content has been associated with reduce damage associated with mucositis. Second, mucins have also been shown to protect microbiota from radiation-induced damage. Finally, mucins have also been shown to be involved in lumen epithelial barrier interactions altering signalling for cell proliferation, motility, and the inhibition of apoptosis.

Summary
The current studies suggest that mucin expression prior to and during mucositis may be very important in reducing the severity of mucositis and further research into the area is warranted.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Toileting Behaviors: Women’s Elimination Behaviors Scale in a Sample of College Women
Authors: Angelini Kimberly J. , Newman Diane K. , Palmer Mary H. 
Published: March 2019

Background
Lower urinary tract symptoms in women including urinary incontinence and overactive bladder are common women’s health conditions with negative financial, health, and quality of life consequences. Certain behaviors are associated with symptom presentation. Identifying and modifying these behaviors could decrease symptom presentation and progression. The Toileting Behaviors: Women’s Elimination Behaviors (TB-WEB) scale is the only known theory-based tool to date designed to assess urinary toileting behaviors in women. It has been validated in middle-aged women, but it has not been validated in a younger population.

Objectives
The purpose of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the TB-WEB in a sample of college-aged women.

Methods
Surveys were sent to senior-level undergraduates electronically via university email addresses. One hundred ninety-three women responded to the survey. Those who had missing responses on the TB-WEB were excluded from psychometric analyses. Demographic characteristics from those with missing data were not statistically different from those with complete responses.

Results
The total Cronbach α for the 18-item TB-WEB was 0.846, and the 5 previously identified subscales ranged between 0.528 and 0.919. A 5-factor structure was identified, similar to previous testing of the TB-WEB. Higher scores were significantly correlated with frequency of urinary incontinence episodes (r
s= 0.311; P < 0.001).

Conclusions
The validated TB-WEB can be used reliably in a younger sample of women (mean age, 22 years) enrolled in college. It may be useful to identify problematic toileting behaviors and women at risk for having or developing lower urinary tract symptoms.
Subjective Sleep Quality and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Hemodialysis Patients Waitlisted for Renal Transplant
Authors: Gencdal Işil Y. 
Published: March 2019

Objective:
Sleep disturbances are common in hemodialysis (HD) patients, impeding their daily activities and reducing their overall quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in HD patients waitlisted for renal transplant.

Methods:
The study included 137 patients (84 men and 53 women) undergoing HD three times per week; the mean age was 49.74±12.49 years. I used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to identify poor sleepers and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to identify those with EDS.

Results:
PSQI scores classified 87 of the 137 patients (63.5%) as poor sleepers, and ESS scores indicated that 47 patients (34.3%) had EDS. Among the 87 poor sleepers, 46% presented with EDS. Among the patients with EDS, 85% were also poor sleepers. Multivariate analysis revealed a positive correlation between the PSQI and ESS scores (P=0.002).

Conclusions:
Poor sleep quality and EDS are quite common among patients receiving HD, but these sleep disturbances often go undiagnosed or untreated. Better awareness and treatment of SDs could improve quality of life for HD patients waitlisted for renal transplant.
variant2literature: full text literature search for genetic variants
Authors: Lin Yin-Hung , Lu Yu-Chen , Chen Ting-Fu , Hsu Jacob Shujui , Lee Ko-Han , Cheng Yi-Wei , Chen Yi-Chieh , Fan Jhih-Sheng , Tu Chien-Ta , Hsu Chen-Ming , Chou Chih-Chen , Chen Pei-Lung , Tu Yi-Chin Ethan , Chen Chien-Yu 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMotivationWhole genome sequencing (WGS) by next-generation sequencing produces millions of variants for an individual. The retrieval of biomedical literature for such a large number of genetic variants remains challenging, because in many cases the variants are only present in tables as images, or in the supplementary documents of which the file formats are diverse.ResultsThe proposed tool named variant2literature from the TaiGenomics (Toolkits for AI genomics) resolves the problem by incorporating text recognition with image processing. In addition to the adoption of advanced image-based text retrieval, the recall rate of finding the literature containing the variants of interest is further improved by employing the skill of variant normalization. Different variant presentations are transformed into chromosome coordinates (standard VCF format) such that false negatives can be largely avoided. variant2literature is available in two ways. First, a web-based interface is provided to search all the literature in PMC Open Access Subset. Second, the command-line executable can be downloaded such that the users are free to search all the files in a specified directory locally.Availabilityhttp://variant2literature.taigenomics.com/Contactchienyuchen@ntu.edu.tw
Enhancing Boolean networks with continuous logical operators and edge tuning
Authors: Poret Arnaud , Sousa Claudio Monteiro , Boissel Jean-Pierre 
Published: March 2019

AbstractDue to the scarcity of quantitative details about biological phenomena, quantitative modeling in systems biology can be compromised, especially at the subcellular scale. One way to get around this is qualitative modeling because it requires few to no quantitative information. One of the most popular qualitative modeling approaches is the Boolean network formalism. However, Boolean models allow variables to take only two values, which can be too simplistic in some cases. The present work proposes a modeling approach derived from Boolean networks where continuous logical operators are used and where edges can be tuned. Using continuous logical operators allows variables to be more finely valued while remaining qualitative. To consider that some biological interactions can be slower or weaker than other ones, edge states are also computed in order to modulate in speed and strength the signal they convey. The proposed formalism is illustrated on a toy network coming from the epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway. The obtained simulations show that continuous results are produced, thus allowing finer analysis. The simulations also show that modulating the signal conveyed by the edges allows to incorporate knowledge about the interactions they model. The goal is to provide enhancements in the ability of qualitative models to simulate the dynamics of biological networks while limiting the need of quantitative information.
Transcription-coupled repair and mismatch repair contribute towards preserving genome integrity at mononucleotide repeat tracts
Authors: Georgakopoulos-Soares Ilias , Koh Gene , Jiricny Josef , Hemberg Martin , Nik-Zainal Serena 
Published: March 2019

Introductory paragraphThe mechanisms that underpin how insertions or deletions (indels) become fixed in DNA have primarily been ascribed to replication-related and/or double-strand break (DSB)-related processes. We introduce a novel way to evaluate indels, orientating them relative to gene transcription. In so doing, we reveal a number of surprising findings: First, there is a transcriptional strand asymmetry in the distribution of mononucleotide repeat tracts in the reference human genome. Second, there is a strong transcriptional strand asymmetry of indels across 2,575 whole genome sequenced human cancers. We suggest that this is due to the activity of transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER). Furthermore, TC-NER interacts with mismatch repair (MMR) under physiological conditions to produce strand bias. Finally, we show how insertions and deletions differ in their dependencies on these repair pathways. Our novel analytical approach reveals new insights into the contribution of DNA repair towards indel mutagenesis in human cells.
Leaf shape is a predictor of fruit quality and cultivar performance in tomato
Authors: Rowland Steven D. , Zumstein Kristina , Nakayama Hokuto , Cheng Zizhang , Flores Amber M. , Chitwood Daniel H. , Maloof Julin N. , Sinha Neelima R. 
Published: March 2019

SummaryCommercial tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most widely grown vegetable crops worldwide. Heirloom tomatoes retain extensive genetic diversity and a considerable range of fruit quality and leaf morphological traits.Here the role of leaf morphology was investigated for its impact on fruit quality. Heirloom cultivars were grown in field conditions and BRIX by Yield (BY) and other traits measured over a fourteen-week period. The complex relationships among these morphological and physiological traits were evaluated using PLS-Path Modeling, and a consensus model developed.Photosynthesis contributed strongly to vegetative biomass and sugar content of fruits but had a negative impact on yield. Conversely leaf shape, specifically rounder leaves, had a strong positive impact on both fruit sugar content and yield. Cultivars such as Stupice and Glacier, with very round leaves, had the highest performance in both fruit sugar and yield. Our model accurately predicted BY for two commercial cultivars using leaf shape data as input.This study revealed the importance of leaf shape to fruit quality in tomato, with rounder leaves having significantly improved fruit quality. This correlation was maintained across a range of diverse genetic backgrounds and shows the importance of leaf morphology in tomato crop improvement.
Molecular mechanisms of Evening Complex activity in Arabidopsis
Authors: Silva Catarina S. , Nayak Aditya , Lai Xuelei , Hugouvieux Veronique , Jung Jae-Hoon , Jourdain Agnès , López-Vidriero Irene , Franco-Zorrilla Jose Manuel , Parcy François , Panigrahi Kishore , Wigge Philip A. , Nanao Max , Zubieta Chloe 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe Evening Complex (EC), composed of the DNA-binding protein LUX ARRHYTHMO (LUX) and two additional proteins, EARLY FLOWERING 3 (ELF3) and ELF4, is a transcriptional repressor complex and a core component of the plant circadian clock. In addition to maintaining oscillations in clock gene expression, the EC also participates in temperature and light entrainment and regulates important clock output genes such asPHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4(PIF4), a key transcription factor involved in temperature dependent plant growth. These properties make the EC an attractive target for altering plant development through targeted mutations to the complex. However, the molecular basis for EC function was not known. Here we show that binding of the EC requires all three proteins and that ELF3 decreases the ability of LUX to bind DNA whereas the presence of ELF4 restores interaction with DNA. To be able to manipulate this complex, we solved the structure of the DNA-binding domain of LUX bound to DNA. Using structure-based design, a LUX variant was constructed that showed decreasedin vitrobinding affinity but retained specificity for its cognate sequences. This designed LUX allele modulates hypocotyl elongation and flowering. These results demonstrate that modifying the DNA-binding affinity of LUX can be used to titrate the repressive activity of the entire EC, tuning growth and development in a predictable manner.Significance StatementCircadian gene expression oscillates over a 24 hr. period and regulates many genes critical for growth and development. In plants, the Evening Complex (EC), a three-protein repressive complex made up of LUX ARRYTHMO, EARLY FLOWERING 3 and EARLY FLOWERING 4, acts as a key component of the circadian clock and is a regulator of thermomorphogenic growth. However, the molecular mechanisms of complex formation and DNA-binding have not been identified. Here we determine the roles of each protein in the complex and present the structure of the LUX DNA-binding domain in complex with DNA. Based on these data, we used structure-based protein engineering to produce a version of the EC with alteredin vitroandin vivoactivity. These results demonstrate that the EC can be modified to alter plant growth and development at different temperatures in a predictable manner.
Epigenome-wide meta-analysis of PTSD across 10 military and civilian cohorts identifies novel methylation loci
Authors: Smith Alicia K , Ratanatharathorn Andrew , Maihofer Adam X , Naviaux Robert K , Aiello Allison E , Amstadter Ananda B , Ashley-Koch Allison E , Baker Dewleen G , Beckham Jean C , Boks Marco P , Bromet Evelyn , Dennis Michelle , Galea Sandro , Garrett Melanie E , Geuze Elbert , Guffanti Guia , Hauser Michael A , Katrinli Seyma , Kilaru Varun , Kessler Ronald C. , Kimbrel Nathan A , Koenen Karestan C , Kuan Pei-Fen , Li Kefeng , Logue Mark W , Lori Adriana , Luft Benjamin J , Miller Mark W , Naviaux Jane C , Nugent Nicole R , Qin Xuejun , Ressler Kerry J , Risbrough Victoria B , Rutten Bart P F , Stein Murray B , Ursano Robert J. , Vermetten Eric , Vinkers Christiaan H , Wang Lin , Youssef Nagy A ,   INTRuST Clinical Consortium, VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC Workgroup,   PGC PTSD Epigenetics Workgroup, Uddin Monica , Nievergelt Caroline M 
Published: March 2019

AbstractDifferences in susceptibility to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be related to epigenetic differences between PTSD cases and trauma-exposed controls. Such epigenetic differences may provide insight into the biological processes underlying the disorder. Here we describe the results of the largest DNA methylation meta-analysis of PTSD to date with data from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) PTSD Epigenetics Workgroup. Ten cohorts, military and civilian, contributed blood-derived DNA methylation data (HumanMethylation450 BeadChip) from 1,896 PTSD cases (42%) and trauma-exposed controls (58%). Utilizing a common QC and analysis strategy, we identified ten CpG sites associated with PTSD (9.61E-07<p<4.72E-11) after adjustment for multiple comparisons (FDR<.05). Several CpGs were located in genes previously implicated in PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. The top four CpG sites fell within the aryl-hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AHRR) locus and were associated with lower DNA methylation in PTSD cases relative to controls. Interestingly, this association appeared to uncorrelated with smoking status and was most pronounced in non-smokers with PTSD. Additional evaluation of metabolomics data supported our findings and revealed that AHRR methylation associated with kynurenine levels, which were lower among subjects with PTSD relative to controls. Overall, this study supports epigenetic differences in those with PTSD and suggests a role for decreased kynurenine as a contributor to immune dysregulation in PTSD.
Country culture moderators of the relationship between gender and organizational commitment
Authors: Peterson Mark F. , Kara Aycan , Fanimokun Abiola , Smith Peter B. 
Published: March 2019

PurposeThe present study consists of managers and professionals in 26 countries including seven from Central and Eastern Europe. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether culture dimensions predict country differences in the relationship between gender and organizational commitment. The study integrated theories of social learning, role adjustment and exchange that link commitment to organizational roles to explain such differences in gender effects. Findings indicate that an alternative modernities perspective on theories of gender and commitment is better warranted than is a traditional modernities perspective.Design/methodology/approachThis study examined the relationship between gender and organizational commitment using primary data collected in 26 counties. The cross-level moderating effects of individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, power distance and restraint vs indulgence was examined using hierarchical linear modeling.FindingsOrganizational commitment is found to be higher among men than women in four countries (Australia, China, Hungary, Jamaica) and higher among women than men in two countries (Bulgaria and Romania). Results shows that large power distance, uncertainty avoidance, femininity (social goal emphasis) and restraint (vs indulgence) predict an association between being female and commitment. These all suggest limitations to the traditional modernity-based understanding of gender and the workplace.Originality/valueThis study is unique based on the three theories it integrates and because it tests the proposed hypothesis using a multi-level nested research design. Moreover, the results suggest a tension between an alternative modernities perspective on top-down governmental effects on commitment through exchange and bottom-up personal effects on commitment through social learning with role adjustment in an intermediate position.