bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential Effects of Chlorhexidine Skin Cleansing Methods on Residual Chlorhexidine Skin Concentrations and Bacterial Recovery
Authors: Rhee Yoona , Palmer Louisa J. , Okamoto Koh , Gemunden Sean , Hammouda Khaled , Kemble Sarah K. , Lin Michael Y. , Lolans Karen , Fogg Louis , Guanaga Derek , Yokoe Deborah S. , Weinstein Robert A. , Frendl Gyorgy , Hayden Mary K. ,   for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epicenter Program
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUNDBathing intensive care unit (ICU) patients with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)–impregnated cloths decreases the risk of healthcare-associated bacteremia and multidrug-resistant organism transmission. Hospitals employ different methods of CHG bathing, and few studies have evaluated whether those methods yield comparable results.OBJECTIVETo determine whether 3 different CHG skin cleansing methods yield similar residual CHG concentrations and bacterial densities on skin.DESIGNProspective, randomized 2-center study with blinded assessment.PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGHealthcare personnel in surgical ICUs at 2 tertiary-care teaching hospitals in Chicago, Illinois, and Boston, Massachusetts, from July 2015 to January 2016.INTERVENTIONCleansing skin of one forearm with no-rinse 2% CHG-impregnated polyester cloth (method A) versus 4% CHG liquid cleansing with rinsing on the contralateral arm, applied with either non–antiseptic-impregnated cellulose/polyester cloth (method B) or cotton washcloth dampened with sterile water (method C).RESULTSIn total, 63 participants (126 forearms) received method A on 1 forearm (n=63). On the contralateral forearm, 33 participants received method B and 30 participants received method C. Immediately and 6 hours after cleansing, method A yielded the highest residual CHG concentrations (2500 µg/mL and 1250 µg/mL, respectively) and lowest bacterial densities compared to methods B or C (P<.001).CONCLUSIONIn healthy volunteers, cleansing with 2% CHG-impregnated cloths yielded higher residual CHG concentrations and lower bacterial densities than cleansing with 4% CHG liquid applied with either of 2 different cloth types and followed by rinsing. The relevance of these differences to clinical outcomes remains to be determined.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:405–411
Empiric Antibiotic Prescribing Decisions Among Medical Residents: The Role of the Antibiogram
Authors: Tallman Gregory B. , Vilches-Tran Rowena A. , Elman Miriam R. , Bearden David T. , Taylor Jerusha E. , Gorman Paul N. , McGregor Jessina C. 
Published: March 2018

OBJECTIVETo assess general medical residents’ familiarity with antibiograms using a self-administered surveyDESIGNCross-sectional, single-center surveyPARTICIPANTSResidents in internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics at an academic medical centerMETHODSParticipants were administered an anonymous survey at our institution during regularly scheduled educational conferences between January and May 2012. Questions collected data regarding demographics, professional training; further open-ended questions assessed knowledge and use of antibiograms regarding possible pathogens, antibiotic regimens, and prescribing resources for 2 clinical vignettes; a series of directed, closed-ended questions followed. Bivariate analyses to compare responses between residency programs were performed.RESULTSOf 122 surveys distributed, 106 residents (87%) responded; internal medicine residents accounted for 69% of responses. More than 20% of residents could not accurately identify pathogens to target with empiric therapy or select therapy with an appropriate spectrum of activity in response to the clinical vignettes; correct identification of potential pathogens was not associated with selecting appropriate therapy. Only 12% of respondents identified antibiograms as a resource when prescribing empiric antibiotic therapy for scenarios in the vignettes, with most selecting the UpToDate online clinical decision support resource or The Sanford Guide. When directly questioned, 89% reported awareness of institutional antibiograms, but only 70% felt comfortable using them and only 44% knew how to access them.CONCLUSIONSWhen selecting empiric antibiotics, many residents are not comfortable using antibiograms as part of treatment decisions. Efforts to improve antibiotic use may benefit from residents being given additional education on both infectious diseases pharmacotherapy and antibiogram utilization.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:578–583
Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) Response to Fire in a Managed Prairie Ecosystem
Authors: Warrix Adam R. , Marshall Jordan M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCallery pear (Pyrus calleryana Decne.) was introduced to North America as an ornamental tree in the early 1900s. Due to widespread planting, P. calleryana has become common throughout the eastern United States and has invaded natural areas, especially disturbed areas. Prescribed fire is a common management technique in prairie ecosystems to mimic natural disturbances. We tested the effectiveness of prescribed fire as a control technique for P. calleryana in a managed prairie system. Fire top-killed all established P. calleryana individuals. However, these individuals responded to fire with 3 to 4 epicormic sprouts each. Similar sprouting behavior occurred in 2-yr-old seedlings. Exposed seeds, fruits, and 1-yr-old seedlings were killed by fire. Established P. calleryana were single-stemmed individuals before exposure to fire. After the prescribed fire, they all were multistemmed, which increased the potential flower-bearing stems within the prairie. We conclude that fire alone is not a suitable technique for managing P. calleryana invasion. Cut and herbicide application methods are labor-intensive. However, combining cut and spray methods with prescribed fire may be effective. Fire removes standing grass and forb biomass, leaving exposed P. calleryana stems, which would make locating individuals and directly applying herbicides easier.
The oldest turritelline gastropods: from the Oxfordian (Upper Jurassic) of Kutch, India
Authors: Das Shiladri S. , Saha Sandip , Bardhan Subhendu , Mallick Sumanta , Allmon Warren D. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTurritellid gastropods are important components of many Cretaceous–Recent fossil marine faunas worldwide. Their shell is morphologically simple, making homoplasy widespread and phylogenetic analysis difficult, but fossil and living species can be recognized based on shell characters. For many decades, it has been the consensus that the oldest definite representatives of Turritellidae are from the Lower Cretaceous, and that pre-Cretaceous forms are homeomorphs. Some morphological characters of the present turritelline species resemble those of mathildoids, but many diagnostic characters clearly separate these two groups. We here describe and/or redescribe—based on examination of more than 2600 near complete specimens—four species from the Upper Jurassic Dhosa Oolite Member of the Chari Formation in Kutch, western India, and demonstrate that they are members of Turritellidae, subfamily Turritellinae, on the basis of diagnostic characters including apical sculptural ontogeny (obtained from SEM study), spiral sculpture, and growth line patterns. The four species are in order of abundance,Turritella jadavpuriensisMitra and Ghosh, 1979;Turritella amitavanew species;Turritella jhuraensisMitra and Ghosh, 1979, andTurritella dhosaensisnew species. The turritelline assemblages occur only on the northeastern flank of the Jhura dome (23°24’47.57”N, 69°36’09.26”E). Age of the Dhosa Oolite has recently been confirmed based on multiple ammonite species. All these points indicate that these fossils are the oldest record of the family Turritellidae—by almost 30 million years—in the world.
Deep brain stimulation of the supero-lateral branch of the medial forebrain bundle does not lead to changes in personality in patients suffering from severe depression
Authors: Bewernick Bettina H. , Kilian Hannah M. , Schmidt Klaudius , Reinfeldt Ruth E. , Kayser Sarah , Coenen Volker A. , Markett Sebastian , Schlaepfer Thomas E. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundReports of changes in patients’ social behavior during deep brain stimulation (DBS) raised the question whether DBS induces changes in personality. This study explored if (1) DBS is associated with changes in personality in patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression (TRD), (2) how personality dimensions and depression are associated, and (3) if TRD patients’ self-ratings of personality are valid.MethodsTRD patients were assessed before DBS (n = 30), 6 months (t2, n = 21), 2 (t3, n = 17) and 5 years (t4, n = 11) after the initiation of DBS of the supero-lateral branch of the medial forebrain bundle (slMFB-DBS). Personality was measured with the NEO-Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), depression severity with Hamilton (HDRS), and Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).ResultsPersonality dimensions did not change with slMFB-DBS compared with baseline. Extraversion was negatively correlated with HDRS28 (r = −0.48, p < 0.05) and MADRS (r = −0.45, p < 0.05) at t2. Inter-rater reliability was high for the NEO-FFI at baseline (Cronbach's α = 0.74) and at t4 (α = 0.65). Extraversion [t(29) = −5.20; p < 0.001] and openness to experience [t(29) = −6.96; p < 0.001] differed statistically significant from the normative sample, and did not predict the antidepressant response.ConclusionsslMFB-DBS was not associated with a change in personality. The severity of depression was associated with extraversion. Personality of TRD patients differed from the healthy population and did not change with response, indicating a possible scar effect. Self-ratings of personality seem valid to assess personality during TRD.
TELE-EXPERTISE SYSTEM BASED ON THE USE OF THE ELECTRONIC PATIENT RECORD TO SUPPORT REAL-TIME ANTIMICROBIAL USE
Authors: Morquin David , Ologeanu-Taddei Roxana , Koumar Yatrika , Reynes Jacques 
Published: March 2018

Objectives: The aims of this study are (i) to present the design of a tele-expertise system, based on the telephone and electronic patient record (EPR), which supports the counseling of the infectious diseases specialist (IDS) for appropriate antimicrobial use, in a French University hospital; and (ii) to assess the diffusion of the system, the users’ adherence, and their perceived utility.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted to measure (i) the number and patterns of telephone calls for tele-expertise council, the number of initial and secondary assessments from the IDS and multidisciplinary meetings; (ii) the clinicians’ adherence rate to therapeutic proposals by the IDS and the number of clinical situations for which the IDS decided to move to bedside; and (iii) the perceived utility of the system by the medical managers of the most demanding departments.Results: The review of patients’ records for 1 year period indicates that 87 percent of the therapeutic recommendations were fully followed. The adherence was high, despite the IDS moving to the bedside only in 6 percent of cases. Medical managers of the most demanding departments considered the system to be useful. Moreover, 6,994 tele-expertise notifications have been recorded into the EPR for 48 months.Conclusions: The tele-expertise system is an original way to design information technology supported antimicrobial stewardship intervention based on the remote access to relevant information by the IDS and on the traceability of the medical counseling for the clinicians.
Different strategies for breaking physical seed dormancy in field conditions in two fruit morphs of Vachellia caven (Fabaceae)
Authors: Ferreras Ana E. , Marcora Paula I. , Venier M. Paula , Funes Guillermo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDifferences in fruit morphology among or within species might indicate differences in other regenerative traits, such as seed dormancy and germination. In species with physical dormancy (PY), environmental conditions are suggested to be responsible for dormancy break in field. Seeds of Vachellia caven have PY. This species exhibits two fruit morphs highly represented in Córdoba forests, Argentina: one is dehiscent and the other is indehiscent. In this study we performed a burial experiment with the aim to determine if the differences in V. caven fruit morphology were related to different patterns of PY break of their seeds in field conditions. We related these patterns to (1) environmental conditions that could influence the loss of PY, and (2) histological features of the lens zone. Seeds of both morphs exhibited dormancy break within 14 months of the start of the experiment, but with different patterns. The dehiscent morph showed an abrupt percentage of seeds that broke dormancy 14 months after the beginning of the experiment, probably after undergoing environmental changes similar to those suggested by the two-stage softening model. The indehiscent morph showed a gradual increase in seeds that broke dormancy, not clearly related to any of the environmental variables studied. No differences in seed coat structure of the lens zone were observed between morphs. The existence of both morphs could confer the species with higher possibilities of establishing and coping with environmental heterogeneity. Those characteristics contribute to the understanding of the success of this species in open and disturbed environments.
A pulmonary artery sling with a vascular ring in a toddler: an uncommon combination
Authors: Binsalamah Ziyad M. , Fraser Charles D. , Mery Carlos M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPulmonary artery slings and vascular rings are very rare congenital anomalies. It is even rarer to have both anomalies in the same setting. We present a case of a toddler who was diagnosed with a left pulmonary artery sling and a vascular ring as part of the screening process for the VACTERL association – co-occurrence of vertebral, anorectal, cardiac, tracheoesophageal, renal, and limb malformations. He underwent a successful surgical repair via median sternotomy and on cardiopulmonary bypass with an uneventful postoperative course.
Improving genetic prediction by leveraging genetic correlations among human diseases and traits
Authors: Maier Robert M. , Zhu Zhihong , Lee Sang Hong , Trzaskowski Maciej , Ruderfer Douglas M. , Stahl Eli A. , Ripke Stephan , Wray Naomi R. , Yang Jian , Visscher Peter M. , Robinson Matthew R. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractGenomic prediction has the potential to contribute to precision medicine. However, to date, the utility of such predictors is limited due to low accuracy for most traits. Here theory and simulation study are used to demonstrate that widespread pleiotropy among phenotypes can be utilised to improve genomic risk prediction. We show how a genetic predictor can be created as a weighted index that combines published genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics across many different traits. We apply this framework to predict risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in the Psychiatric Genomics consortium data, finding substantial heterogeneity in prediction accuracy increases across cohorts. For six additional phenotypes in the UK Biobank data, we find increases in prediction accuracy ranging from 0.7% for height to 47% for type 2 diabetes, when using a multi-trait predictor that combines published summary statistics from multiple traits, as compared to a predictor based only on one trait.
Itch/β-arrestin2-dependent non-proteolytic ubiquitylation of SuFu controls Hedgehog signalling and medulloblastoma tumorigenesis
Authors: Infante Paola , Faedda Roberta , Bernardi Flavia , Bufalieri Francesca , Lospinoso Severini Ludovica , Alfonsi Romina , Mazzà Daniela , Siler Mariangela , Coni Sonia , Po Agnese , Petroni Marialaura , Ferretti Elisabetta , Mori Mattia , De Smaele Enrico , Canettieri Gianluca , Capalbo Carlo , Maroder Marella , Screpanti Isabella , Kool Marcel , Pfister Stefan M. , Guardavaccaro Daniele , Gulino Alberto , Di Marcotullio Lucia 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSuppressor of Fused (SuFu), a tumour suppressor mutated in medulloblastoma, is a central player of Hh signalling, a pathway crucial for development and deregulated in cancer. Although the control of Gli transcription factors by SuFu is critical in Hh signalling, our understanding of the mechanism regulating this key event remains limited. Here, we show that the Itch/β-arrestin2 complex binds SuFu and induces its Lys63-linked polyubiquitylation without affecting its stability. This process increases the association of SuFu with Gli3, promoting the conversion of Gli3 into a repressor, which keeps Hh signalling off. Activation of Hh signalling antagonises the Itch-dependent polyubiquitylation of SuFu. Notably, different SuFu mutations occurring in medulloblastoma patients are insensitive to Itch activity, thus leading to deregulated Hh signalling and enhancing medulloblastoma cell growth. Our findings uncover mechanisms controlling the tumour suppressive functions of SuFu and reveal that their alterations are implicated in medulloblastoma tumorigenesis.
Surface energy of strained amorphous solids
Authors: Schulman Rafael D. , Trejo Miguel , Salez Thomas , Raphaël Elie , Dalnoki-Veress Kari 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSurface stress and surface energy are fundamental quantities which characterize the interface between two materials. Although these quantities are identical for interfaces involving only fluids, the Shuttleworth effect demonstrates that this is not the case for most interfaces involving solids, since their surface energies change with strain. Crystalline materials are known to have strain-dependent surface energies, but in amorphous materials, such as polymeric glasses and elastomers, the strain dependence is debated due to a dearth of direct measurements. Here, we utilize contact angle measurements on strained glassy and elastomeric solids to address this matter. We show conclusively that interfaces involving polymeric glasses exhibit strain-dependent surface energies, and give strong evidence for the absence of such a dependence for incompressible elastomers. The results provide fundamental insight into our understanding of the interfaces of amorphous solids and their interaction with contacting liquids.
Nitrogen fixation sustained productivity in the wake of the Palaeoproterozoic Great Oxygenation Event
Authors: Luo Genming , Junium Christopher K. , Izon Gareth , Ono Shuhei , Beukes Nicolas J. , Algeo Thomas J. , Cui Ying , Xie Shucheng , Summons Roger E. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe marine nitrogen cycle is dominated by redox-controlled biogeochemical processes and, therefore, is likely to have been revolutionised in response to Earth-surface oxygenation. The details, timing, and trajectory of nitrogen cycle evolution, however, remain elusive. Here we couple nitrogen and carbon isotope records from multiple drillcores through the Rooihoogte–Timeball Hill Formations from across the Carletonville area of the Kaapvaal Craton where the Great Oxygenation Event (GOE) and its aftermath are recorded. Our data reveal that aerobic nitrogen cycling, featuring metabolisms involving nitrogen oxyanions, was well established prior to the GOE and that ammonium may have dominated the dissolved nitrogen inventory. Pronounced signals of diazotrophy imply a stepwise evolution, with a temporary intermediate stage where both ammonium and nitrate may have been scarce. We suggest that the emergence of the modern nitrogen cycle, with metabolic processes that approximate their contemporary balance, was retarded by low environmental oxygen availability.
Topological hybrid silicon microlasers
Authors: Zhao Han , Miao Pei , Teimourpour Mohammad H. , Malzard Simon , El-Ganainy Ramy , Schomerus Henning , Feng Liang 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTopological physics provides a robust framework for strategically controlling wave confinement and propagation dynamics. However, current implementations have been restricted to the limited design parameter space defined by passive topological structures. Active systems provide a more general framework where different fundamental symmetry paradigms, such as those arising from non-Hermiticity and nonlinear interaction, can generate a new landscape for topological physics and its applications. Here, we bridge this gap and present an experimental investigation of an active topological photonic system, demonstrating a topological hybrid silicon microlaser array respecting the charge-conjugation symmetry. The created new symmetry features favour the lasing of a protected zero mode, where robust single-mode laser action in the desired state prevails even with intentionally introduced perturbations. The demonstrated microlaser is hybrid implemented on a silicon-on-insulator substrate, and is thereby readily suitable for integrated silicon photonics with applications in optical communication and computing.
The CD14 (−159 C/T) SNP is associated with sCD14 levels and allergic asthma, but not with CD14 expression on monocytes
Authors: Nieto-Fontarigo J. J. , Salgado F. J. , San-José M. E. , Cruz M. J. , Casas-Fernández A. , Gómez-Conde M. J. , Valdés-Cuadrado L. , García-González M. Á. , Arias P. , Nogueira M. , González-Barcala F. J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractLPS-ligation to CD14/TLR-4 on monocytes/macrophages triggers the production of IL-12-family cytokines. IL12/18 promote TH1-differentiation, counteracting the TH2-driven asthma. Therefore, CD14 modulation could alter the TH2-differentiation and should be taken into account when studying asthma. To analyse the alteration in CD14 levels and its association with CD14 (−159 C/T) SNP (rs2569190) in Caucasian adults with stable allergic asthma, we performed a cross-sectional study (277 healthy subjects vs. 277 patients) where clinical parameters, CD14 values and the CD14 (−159 C/T) SNP were studied. Apart from typical biomarkers, we found an increment of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in allergic asthma, probably linked to monocyte activity. Indeed, we evidenced increased monocyte numbers, but lower CD14 expression and normalised sCD14 values in patients. Moreover, we noticed an association of the T allele (P = 0.0162) and TT genotype (P = 0.0196) of the CD14 SNP with a decreased risk of allergic asthma and augmented sCD14 levels. In conclusion, monocyte CD14 expression and normalized sCD14 values were reduced in stable state asthmatics, and this could be related to the presence of an expanded CD14low monocyte subset. This study also demonstrates that the CD14 (−159 C/T) polymorphism is a risk factor for moderate-severe allergic asthma in adult Caucasians.
Measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution via quantum blockade
Authors: Zhou Yi-Heng , Yu Zong-Wen , Li Ao , Hu Xiao-Long , Jiang Cong , Wang Xiang-Bin 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEfficiency in measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution(MDI-QKD) can be improved not only by the protocol, but also single-photon sources. We study the behavior of MDI-QKD with statistical fluctuation using quantum blockade source. Numerical simulation for a type of 4-intensity protocol shows that, after parameter optimization, this source can improve the final key rate by 100 times compared with traditional weak coherent state sources.