bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systemic Molecular Mediators of Inflammation Differentiate Between Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, Implicating Threshold Levels of IL-10 and Relative Ratios of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines in Therapy
Authors: Kiernan Miranda G , Coffey J Calvin , Sahebally Shaheel M , Tibbitts Paul , Lyons Emma M , O’leary Eimear , Owolabi Funke , Dunne Colum P 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Background and Aims
Faecal diversion is associated with improvements in Crohn’s disease but not ulcerative colitis, indicating that differing mechanisms mediate the diseases. This study aimed to investigate levels of systemic mediators of inflammation, including fibrocytes and cytokines, [1] in patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis preoperatively compared with healthy controls and [2] in patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis prior to and following faecal diversion.

Methods
Blood samples were obtained from healthy individuals and patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Levels of circulating fibrocytes were quantified using flow cytometric analysis and their potential relationship to risk factors of inflammatory bowel disease were determined. Levels of circulating cytokines involved in inflammation and fibrocyte recruitment and differentiation were investigated.

Results
Circulating fibrocytes were elevated in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patients when compared with healthy controls. Smoking, or a history of smoking, was associated with increases in circulating fibrocytes in Crohn’s disease, but not ulcerative colitis. Cytokines involved in fibrocyte recruitment were increased in Crohn’s disease patients, whereas patients with ulcerative colitis displayed increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Faecal diversion in Crohn’s disease patients resulted in decreased circulating fibrocytes, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and TGF-β1, and increased IL-10, whereas the inverse was observed in ulcerative colitis patients.

Conclusions
The clinical effect of faecal diversion in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis may be explained by differing circulating fibrocyte and cytokine responses. Such differences aid in understanding the disease mechanisms and suggest a new therapeutic strategy for inflammatory bowel disease.
The Health of Commercial Bombus impatiens (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies After Foraging in Florida Watermelon and Blueberry
Authors: Campbell Joshua W , Bammer Mary , Bustamante Tomas A , Ellis James D 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Bumble bees are commonly used to provide pollination services within crop fields and greenhouses, with Bombus impatiens Cresson; Hymenoptera: Apidae, a bee native to the eastern United States, being the only managed bumble bee available commercially in the United States. Although many researchers have explored managed bumble bees’ ability to pollinate various crops and the potential spread of pathogens by managed bumble bees, scant research is available on how managed bumble bee colony health is affected after foraging within crop fields. We measured 10 B. impatiens colony health parameters: 1) colony weight; number of 2) honey/pollen pots, 3) workers, 4) queens, 5) drones, 6) immatures, 7) eggs; and weight of 8) workers, 9) drones, and 10) queens from colonies that foraged within blueberry or watermelon fields, and compared them to control colonies that were purchased and immediately frozen upon receipt. Bees that foraged within blueberry increased in colony weight and in the number of immatures and eggs during the bloom period compared to control colonies. In contrast, bee colonies placed within watermelon decreased in colony weight, number of workers and immature bees, and individual bee weight compared to control colonies. Blueberry appeared to provide bees with sufficient nectar and pollen, whereas watermelon may not have provided adequate resources for the bees. Bees foraging within watermelon were probably forced to search for other sources of pollen and nectar, resulting in colony health parameter declines. Our data suggest that some crops (e.g., blueberry) can support managed B. impatiens, potentially adding to localized bumble bee populations, while others (e.g., watermelon) cannot.
Simultaneous TE Analysis of 19 Heliconiine Butterflies Yields Novel Insights into Rapid TE-Based Genome Diversification and Multiple SINE Births and Deaths
Authors: Ray David A , Grimshaw Jenna R , Halsey Michaela K , Korstian Jennifer M , Osmanski Austin B , Sullivan Kevin A M , Wolf Kristen A , Reddy Harsith , Foley Nicole , Stevens Richard D , Knisbacher Binyamin A , Levy Orr , Counterman Brian , Edelman Nathaniel B , Mallet James 
Published: June 2019

AbstractTransposable elements (TEs) play major roles in the evolution of genome structure and function. However, because of their repetitive nature, they are difficult to annotate and discovering the specific roles they may play in a lineage can be a daunting task. Heliconiine butterflies are models for the study of multiple evolutionary processes including phenotype evolution and hybridization. We attempted to determine how TEs may play a role in the diversification of genomes within this clade by performing a detailed examination of TE content and accumulation in 19 species whose genomes were recently sequenced. We found that TE content has diverged substantially and rapidly in the time since several subclades shared a common ancestor with each lineage harboring a unique TE repertoire. Several novel SINE lineages have been established that are restricted to a subset of species. Furthermore, the previously described SINE, Metulj, appears to have gone extinct in two subclades while expanding to significant numbers in others. This diversity in TE content and activity has the potential to impact how heliconiine butterflies continue to evolve and diverge.
Single-Dose Mucosal Immunotherapy With Chimpanzee Adenovirus-Based Vaccine Accelerates Tuberculosis Disease Control and Limits Its Rebound After Antibiotic Cessation
Authors: Afkhami Sam , Lai Rocky , D’agostino Michael R , Vaseghi-Shanjani Maryam , Zganiacz Anna , Yao Yushi , Jeyanathan Mangalakumari , Xing Zhou 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Background
The development of strategies to accelerate disease resolution and shorten antibiotic therapy is imperative in curbing the global tuberculosis epidemic. Therapeutic application of novel vaccines adjunct to antibiotics represents such a strategy.

Methods
By using a murine model of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), we have investigated whether a single respiratory mucosal therapeutic delivery of a novel chimpanzee adenovirus-vectored vaccine expressing Ag85A (AdCh68Ag85A) accelerates TB disease control in conjunction with antibiotics and restricts pulmonary disease rebound after premature (nonsterilizing) antibiotic cessation.

Results
We find that immunotherapy via the respiratory mucosal, but not parenteral, route significantly accelerates pulmonary mycobacterial clearance, limits lung pathology, and restricts disease rebound after premature antibiotic cessation. We further show that vaccine-activated antigen-specific T cells, particularly CD8 T cells, in the lung play an important role in immunotherapeutic effects.

Conclusions
Our results indicate that a single-dose respiratory mucosal immunotherapy with AdCh68Ag85A adjunct to antibiotic therapy has the potential to significantly accelerate disease control and shorten the duration of conventional treatment. Our study provides the proof of principle to support therapeutic applications of viral-vectored vaccines via the respiratory route.
Reflections on the decade of the neglected tropical diseases
Authors: Malecela Mwelecele Ntuli 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of diseases that disproportionately affect the poorest of the poor. While for years attention has focused on single diseases within this group, efforts during the past decade have resulted in their being grouped together to highlight that they are fundamentally diseases of neglected populations. The formation of a World Health Organization department to address these diseases consolidated the efforts of the many stakeholders involved. In the past decade, focus has shifted from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), where NTDs are not mentioned, to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where NTDs are not only mentioned, but clear indicators are provided to measure progress. It has also been a decade where many NTD programmes have scaled up rapidly thanks to work by affected countries through their master plans, the commitment of partners and the unprecedented donations of pharmaceutical manufacturers. This decade has also seen the scaling down of programmes and acknowledgement of the elimination of some diseases in several countries. Given the successes to date, the challenges identified over the past decade and the opportunities of the coming decade, the NTD Programme at the WHO is working with partners and stakeholders to prepare the new NTD roadmap for 2021 to 2030. The focus is on three major paradigm shifts: a change of orientation from process to impact, a change in technical focus from diseases to delivery platforms and a change from an external-based agenda and funding to a more country-led and funded implementation within health systems. This article reviews the past decade and offers a glimpse of what the future might hold for NTDs as a litmus test of SDG achievements.
Text message alerts to emergency physicians identifying potential study candidates increase clinical trial enrollment
Authors: Simon Laura E , Rauchwerger Adina S , Chettipally Uli K , Babakhanian Leon , Vinson David R , Warton E Margaret , Reed Mary E , Kharbanda Anupam B , Kharbanda Elyse O , Ballard Dustin W 
Published: June 2019

AbstractProspective enrollment of research subjects in the fast-paced emergency department (ED) is challenging. We sought to develop a software application to increase real-time clinical trial enrollment during an ED visit. The Prospective Intelligence System for Clinical Emergency Services (PISCES) scans the electronic health record during ED encounters for preselected clinical characteristics of potentially eligible study participants and notifies the treating physician via mobile phone text alerts. PISCES alerts began 3 months into a cluster randomized trial of an electronic health record–based risk stratification tool for pediatric abdominal pain in 11 Northern California EDs. We compared aggregate enrollment before (2577 eligible patients, October 2016 to December 2016) and after (12 049 eligible patients, January 2017 to January 2018) PISCES implementation. Enrollment increased from 10.8% to 21.1% following PISCES implementations (P &lt; .001). PISCES significantly increased study enrollment and can serve as a valuable tool to assist prospective research enrollment in the ED.
Determining Immediate Burn Bed Availability to Support Regional Disaster Response
Authors: Conlon Kathe M , Bell Robert , Lee Robin A , Marano Michael 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Determining burn bed availability from the start of a disaster is critical to emergency response efforts, yet continues to be one of the most elusive aspects for planners to anticipate. Healthcare providers agree that, over time, burn centers (BCs) can and will move patients, activate staff, and bring in supplies to meet surge needs. The real challenge lies in identifying how many beds will be immediately available to handle any initial surge of patients. A consortium of 27 BCs in the northeast participates in a telephone bed census program. Although only accurate at the time of each call, clinical staff is asked to report the number of open ICU and/or step-down beds. Retrospective review of 86 Burn Bed Census (BBC) reports was conducted over an 8-year period. Data were statistically analyzed for total, absolute minimum, mean, SD and linear trend analysis. The mean for immediately available beds from January 2009 through December 2016 is 72; with monthly averages ranging from 62 (7%) average available beds in January to 78 (9%) average available beds in November. Monthly SDs range from 6 in July to 17 in November. One goal for disaster planners is to approximate a number of immediately available beds without overwhelming any one BC with too many patients. Utilizing this model enables planners and clinicians throughout the northeast to predict potential burn bed availability and make more reliable decisions about when and where to initially send patients.
Time-Independent Prediction of Burn Depth Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Cirillo Marco Domenico , Mirdell Robin , Sjöberg Folke , Pham Tuan D 
Published: June 2019

AbstractWe present in this paper the application of deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs), which is a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) approach in machine learning, for automated time-independent prediction of burn depth. Color images of four types of burn depth injured in first few days, including normal skin and background, acquired by a TiVi camera were trained and tested with four pretrained deep CNNs: VGG-16, GoogleNet, ResNet-50, and ResNet-101. In the end, the best 10-fold cross-validation results obtained from ResNet-101 with an average, minimum, and maximum accuracy are 81.66, 72.06, and 88.06%, respectively; and the average accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for the four different types of burn depth are 90.54, 74.35, and 94.25%, respectively. The accuracy was compared with the clinical diagnosis obtained after the wound had healed. Hence, application of AI is very promising for prediction of burn depth and, therefore, can be a useful tool to help in guiding clinical decision and initial treatment of burn wounds.
Circulating Tumor DNA Analysis: Clinical Implications for Colorectal Cancer Patients. A Systematic Review
Authors: Bach Sander , Sluiter Nina R , Beagan Jamie J , Mekke Joost M , Ket Johannes C F , van Grieken Nicole C T , Steenbergen Renske D M , Ylstra Bauke , Kazemier Geert , Tuynman Jurriaan B 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundLiquid biopsies could improve diagnosis, prognostication, and monitoring of colorectal cancer (CRC). Mutation, chromosomal copy number alteration, and methylation analysis in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from plasma or serum has gained great interest. However, the literature is inconsistent on preferred candidate markers, hampering a clear direction for further studies and clinical translation. This review assessed the potential of ctDNA analysis for clinical utility.MethodsA systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines was conducted up to December 3, 2018, followed by methodological quality assessment. Primary endpoints were accuracy for detection, prognostication, and monitoring.ResultsEighty-four studies were included. For CRC detection, sensitivity was 75% using ctDNA mutation analysis and up to 96% using copy number analysis. Septin 9 (SEPT9) hypermethylation analysis showed sensitivities of 100% and specificities of 97%. Regarding prognostication, ctDNA KRAS mutations were associated with oncological outcome and could predict response to anti–epidermal growth factor receptor therapy. For monitoring, sequential ctDNA KRAS mutation analysis showed promise for detection of relapses or therapy resistance.ConclusionsThis comprehensive overview of ctDNA candidate markers demonstrates SEPT9 methylation analysis to be promising for CRC detection, and KRAS mutation analysis could assist in prognostication and monitoring. Prospective evaluation of marker panels in clinical decision making should bring ctDNA analysis into practice.
A comparative analysis and improvement of MaxSAT encodings for coalition structure generation under MC-nets
Authors: Liao Xiaojuan , Koshimura Miyuki 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Coalition structure generation (CSG) is one of the main research issues in the use of coalitional games in multiagent systems and weighted partial MaxSAT (WPM) encodings, i.e. rule relation-based WPM (RWPM) and agent relation-based WPM (AWPM), which are efficient for solving the CSG problem. Existing studies show that AWPM surpasses RWPM since it achieves more compact encoding; it generates fewer variables and clauses than RWPM. However, in this paper, we focus on a special case in which the two encodings generate identical numbers of variables and clauses. Experiments show that RWPM surprisingly has a dominant advantage over AWPM, which aroused our interest. We exploit the deep-rooted reason and find that it is the redundancy when encoding transitive laws in RWPM that leads to this situation. Finally, we remove redundant clauses for transitive laws in RWPM and develop an improved RWPM with refined transitive laws to solve the CSG problem. Experiments demonstrate that refined encoding is more compact and efficient than previous WPM encodings.
Contingent Capital Trigger Effects: Evidence from Liability Management Exercises
Authors: Vallée Boris 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis paper studies liability management exercises (LME) by banks, which have comparable regulatory capital effects than contingent capital triggers. LMEs are concentrated on low capitalization situations, both in the cross-section and in the time series and are frequently associated with equity issuances. These exercises prove effective at improving bank capitalization levels. The market reaction to LMEs is positive and mostly accrues to debt holders. These findings strengthen the case for innovative liabilities securities as a tool to improve bank resilience.Received February 8, 2019; editorial decision May 16, 2019 by Editor Andrew Ellul. Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
Oral or Vaginal Misoprostol for Labor Induction and Cesarean Delivery Risk
Authors: Handal-Orefice Roxane C. , Friedman Alexander M. , Chouinard Sujata M. , Eke Ahizechukwu C. , Feinberg Bruce , Politch Joseph , Iverson Ronald E. , Yarrington Christina D. 
Published: June 2019

OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate whether cervical ripening with oral misoprostol increases cesarean delivery risk and prolongs time to vaginal delivery compared with vaginal misoprostol in a predominantly overweight population.

METHODS:
This single center, retrospective cohort study was performed at a tertiary care academic medical center and compared labor induction outcomes with vaginal misoprostol to outcomes with oral misoprostol after a complete institutional shift to oral misoprostol. Labor induction using 25 micrograms vaginal misoprostol in 2013–2014 was compared with 50 micrograms oral misoprostol in 2014–2015. The primary outcome was cesarean delivery. Secondary outcomes included time to vaginal delivery, uterine tachysystole, maternal hemorrhage, and composite adverse neonatal outcomes. Demographics and outcomes were analyzed using standard statistical tests. Multivariable regression models accounting for potential confounders were created for the primary and secondary outcomes with adjusted odds ratios (aOR) as the measures of effect.

RESULTS:
There were 138 women in the oral and 138 women in the vaginal misoprostol groups. In the overall cohort, the median (interquartile range) body mass index was 31.7 (28.2–36.8) and most women (72%) were of either black or Hispanic race or ethnicity. The frequency of cesarean delivery was higher in the oral than the vaginal misoprostol group (32% vs 21%; P=.04). The adjusted odds of cesarean was higher with oral misoprostol (aOR 2.01; 95% CI 1.07–3.76). Among nulliparous women, the frequency of cesarean delivery was 41% in the oral and 28% in the vaginal misoprostol groups (aOR 2.79; 95% CI 1.26–6.19). Women had a longer time to vaginal delivery in the oral compared with vaginal misoprostol group (41 vs 31 hours respectively, P=.01). Tachysystole occurred more frequently with vaginal misoprostol (20% vs 11%; P=.04).

CONCLUSION:
Compared with vaginal misoprostol, oral misoprostol may be associated with increased risk of cesarean delivery and longer time to vaginal delivery.
Hyponatremia Among Parturients Transferred to the Hospital After Prolonged Labor During an Attempted Home Birth
Authors: Lassey Sarah C. , Napoe Gnankang Sarah , Carusi Daniela , Schantz-Dunn Julianna , Robinson Julian N. 
Published: June 2019

BACKGROUND:
Hypovolemic hyponatremia has not been widely reported in the obstetric literature. Anecdotally, we noticed severe hyponatremia in several of our patients who presented as home birth transfers, leading to a review of home birth cases and hyponatremia. Given the morbidity associated with hyponatremia, it is important to be aware of its potential occurrence.

CASE:
We present the cases of two patients transferred to our hospital with hyponatremia after prolonged labor. These women presented with altered mental status, somnolence, and decreased urine output. Both were admitted to the intensive care unit but made a full recovery.

CONCLUSION:
Hyponatremia is a serious potential complication of prolonged labor. We propose mechanisms for this condition and recommendations for surveillance and prevention.
A Patient-Centered Approach to Refractory Overactive Bladder and Barriers to Third-Line Therapy
Authors: Davenport Abigail , Stark Sydney , Quian Anna , Sheyn David , Mangel Jeffrey 
Published: June 2019

OBJECTIVE:
To explore the decision-making process in women who do not pursue treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA, sacral neuromodulation, or percutaneous nerve stimulation in patients with overactive bladder (OAB).

METHODS:
This was a qualitative research study. Participants were females aged 18–80 years with a diagnosis of OAB and were evaluated by a urologic or urogynecologic physician between January 2017 and March 2018. Patients who were counseled for third-line therapy, refractory to two or more medications, or lost to follow-up after initiating a second medication were considered study candidates. Data were gathered using a semi-structured phone interview. Interview topics included medical knowledge and beliefs, quality of life, and treatment experience. The interviews were transcribed and coded thematically using grounded theory.

RESULTS:
Of a total of 381 women, 56 women qualified for our study. The average interview length was 30 minutes, and theoretical saturation occurred at 30 interviews. General themes included treatment delay, education, treatment attitudes, and office factors. The most common modifiable barrier to third-line therapy was insufficient in-office education. Participants expressed a poor understanding of the etiology, natural history, and treatment options for OAB. Participants were heavily influenced by outside factors including the opinions of friends and the media. Negative experiences with less-advanced options and treatment fatigue negatively affected participants' perceptions of third-line therapies. Office factors such as wait times and male physicians also negatively affected participants' ability to discuss their bladder symptoms.

CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, office education is tremendously important to patients' understanding of OAB, expectations of therapy, and treatment compliance. Education about third-line therapy counseling should be incorporated into the initial office visit. This may mitigate expectations, improve patient compliance, and promote graduation to advanced therapy in women who later go on to develop refractory symptoms.