bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hearing Loss in Cryptococcal Meningitis Survivors
Authors: Lofgren Sarah , Montgomery Martha , Yueh Nathan , Namudde Alice , Rhein Joshua , Abassi Mahsa , Musubire Abdu , Meya David , Boulware David ,   ASTRO-CM Team
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Background
Hearing loss is a known complication cryptococcal meningitis (CM); however, there is a paucity of data. We aimed to describe hearing loss in CM survivors.

Methods
We assessed hearing via audiometry 8 and 18 weeks after diagnosis of CM in Kampala, Uganda from 2015-2016. We measured at 0.5, 1, 2, 4 Hz. Normal hearing was defined as minimum hearing level at &lt;25 decibels (dB), mild at 25-39, moderate hearing at 40–69, severe at 70–89, and profound hearing loss at 90+ dB. We compared clinical factors, fungal burden, and CSF parameters to evaluate for factors associated with improvement (change in hearing loss category).

Results
We evaluated hearing symptoms via audiogram at week 8 (n = 117) and week 18 (n = 98). At 8-weeks, 6 (5%) participants had normal hearing, 36 (31%) had mild hearing loss, 72 (62%) had moderate hearing loss, 3 (3%) had severe hearing loss and none had profound hearing loss. Of those with moderate/severe/profound loss at week 8, 63 (54%) had mixed conductive + sensorineural hearing loss, 15 (13%) had sensorineural hearing loss, and 14 (12%) had conductive hearing loss. An additional 19 (16%) had sensorineural loss but unknown air conduction, and 3 (3%) did not have sensorineural loss but unknown air conduction. We compared risk factors for hearing loss summarized in Table 1. We assessed 66 participants who had repeated audiograms at week 8 and week 18. Of those 31 (47%) had no change, 30 (45%) had improvement and 5 (8%) had worsening.

Conclusion
Moderate/severe hearing loss was common 8 weeks after diagnosis of CM. More than half had mixed hearing loss and 20% had conductive hearing loss which represents a higher incidence than noted in other types of meningitis. The data is complicated by advanced HIV. Further research is needed evaluating immunologic factors causes hearing impairment in those who survived CM.

Disclosures
All authors: No reported disclosures.
Correlates and consequences of central sleep apnea in a national sample of US veterans
Authors: Ratz David , Wiitala Wyndy , Badr M Safwan , Burns Jennifer , Chowdhuri Susmita 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe prevalence and consequences of central sleep apnea (CSA) in adults are not well described. By utilizing the large Veterans Health Administration (VHA) national administrative databases, we sought to determine the incidence, clinical correlates, and impact of CSA on healthcare utilization in Veterans. Analysis of a retrospective cohort of patients with sleep disorders was performed from outpatient visits and inpatient admissions from fiscal years 2006 through 2012. The CSA group, defined by International Classification of Diseases-9, was compared with a comparison group. The number of newly diagnosed CSA cases increased fivefold during this timeframe; however, the prevalence was highly variable depending on the VHA site. The important predictors of CSA were male gender (odds ratio [OR] = 2.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.94–2.76, p &lt; 0.0001), heart failure (HF) (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.64–1.92, p &lt; 0.0001), atrial fibrillation (OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.69–2.00, p &lt; 0.0001), pulmonary hypertension (OR = 1.38, 95% CI:1.19–1.59, p &lt; 0.0001), stroke (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.50–1.82, p &lt; 0.0001), and chronic prescription opioid use (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.87–2.13, p &lt; 0.0001). Veterans with CSA were at an increased risk for hospital admissions related to cardiovascular disorders compared with the comparison group (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.16–1.95, p = 0.002). Additionally, the effect of prior HF on future admissions was greater in the CSA group (IRR: 4.78, 95% CI: 3.87–5.91, p &lt; 0.0001) compared with the comparison group (IRR = 3.32, 95% CI: 3.18–3.47, p &lt; 0.0001). Thus, CSA in veterans is associated with cardiovascular disorders, chronic prescription opioid use, and increased admissions related to the comorbid cardiovascular disorders. Furthermore, there is a need for standardization of diagnostics methods across the VHA to accurately diagnose CSA in high-risk populations.
Patient knowledge of STI testing in an urban clinic
Authors: Goodman Kristy , Black Christopher M. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Objective:
To determine whether patients attending an urban STI clinic can accurately identify the STIs for which they were tested.

Methods:
Participants completed a self-administered survey assessing demographics, reason for visit, perceived STI testing performed, and patient satisfaction. Chart review was conducted for verification of STI testing.

Results:
40.7% of participants were able to correctly identify the STIs for which they had been tested. Education level greater than a high school diploma was significantly associated with a patient's ability to correctly identify tests performed.

Conclusions:
Patients presenting to STI clinics are generally unaware of which STI tests were done. Providers performing STI testing should inform patients of all tests performed, as well as common STIs for which they have not been tested.
Changes in Lumbar Endplate Area and Concavity Associated With Disc Degeneration
Authors: Louie Philip K. , Espinoza Orías Alejandro A. , Fogg Louis F. , LaBelle Mark , An Howard S. , Andersson Gunnar B.J. , Nozomu Inoue  
Published: March 2018

Study Design.
Retrospective image-based analysis.

Objective.
To measure endplate three-dimensional (3D) geometry, endplate changes in vivo and to investigate correlations between disc degeneration and endplate 3D geometry dependent on symptoms of low back pain (LBP).

Summary of Background Data.
It has been hypothesized that alteration of load transmission from the nucleus pulposus to the annulus fibrosus affects vertebral endplate geometry.

Methods.
3D surface models of inferior/superior lumbar endplates were created from computed tomography scans of n = 92 volunteers with and without LBP. Disc degeneration was evaluated using Pfirrmann scale. Concavity in both coronal and sagittal planes was assessed with the Concavity Index (unitless; larger than 1: concave; flat: 1; and less than 1: convex, respectively). Endplate area and disc height distribution were computed and the effects from demographics and spinal degeneration were sought with an analysis of variance model.

Results.
Both sagittal and coronal planes revealed significantly decreased concavity in those with terminal grade 5 disc degeneration (mean 0.833 ± 0.235) compared to the other grades in the cohort. Older subjects presented with larger endplate areas than the younger subjects (P = 0.0148) at L4-S1. Overall, symptomatic subjects had significantly larger endplate areas (P = 0.022), especially at the lower lumbar levels (P < 0.001). Analysis of variance showed that sex, disc level, disc degeneration grade, and disc height reached significance (P < 0.0001) as influential parameters in both Concavity Index cases.

Conclusion.
With advancing intervertebral disc degeneration, endplates become more convex over time in both sagittal and coronal planes. Our findings implicate the endplate changes with advancing disc degeneration in the shift in load transmission from the nucleus pulposus to the annulus fibrosus, resulting in changes within the curvature of the endplates. This is also the first study to describe the direct impact of age, sex, and LBP on vertebral endplate anatomy.

Level of Evidence: 5
SPECTRAL DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY FINDINGS AND VISUAL OUTCOME AFTER TREATMENT FOR VITREOMACULAR TRACTION
Authors: Sun Peng , Tandias Rachel M. , Yu Gina , Arroyo Jorge G. 
Published: March 2018

Purpose:
To evaluate the capacity of spectral domain optical coherence tomography macular findings to predict best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) outcomes after treatment for symptomatic vitreomacular traction.

Methods:
This consecutive, retrospective study included 24 patients (29 eyes) who experienced vitreomacular traction release with pneumatic vitreolysis (n = 9), intravitreal ocriplasmin (n = 6), or pars plana vitrectomy (n = 14). Preoperative and postoperative spectral domain optical coherence tomography images were used to determine the cone outer segment tips (COST) line, inner segment/outer segment line, and other frequently used features. Correlations between optical coherence tomography findings and BCVA were determined using regression analyses.

Results:
Postoperative BCVA was correlated with length of the COST line and inner segment/outer segment line defects at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.05) by simple linear regression analysis. However, multivariable regression analysis showed that only length of the COST line defect was significantly correlated with BCVA preoperatively and postoperatively (P < 0.05). Postoperative BCVA improvement at 12 months was significantly correlated with preoperative length of the COST line defect (P < 0.01).

Conclusion:
Recovery of the COST line and inner segment/outer segment line defects as observed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography is positively correlated with visual acuity improvement after successful vitreomacular traction treatment. Best-corrected visual acuity improvement may be predicted using the length of the preoperative COST line defect.
The Use of Vibrotactile Feedback During Dual-Task Standing Balance Conditions in People With Unilateral Vestibular Hypofunction
Authors: Lin Chia-Cheng , Whitney Susan L. , Loughlin Patrick J. , Furman Joseph M. , Redfern Mark S. , Sienko Kathleen H. , Sparto Patrick J. 
Published: March 2018

Hypothesis:
People with unilateral vestibular hypofunction (UVH) would have increased postural sway and slower reaction times while using vibrotactile feedback (VTF) during dual-task conditions compared with age-matched controls.

Background:
VTF has been shown to improve real-time balance performance in persons with vestibular disorders. Future use of this technology outside of the laboratory environment as a real-time balance aid requires that using VTF during dual-tasking scenarios be studied.

Method:
Nine people with UVH and nine age-matched controls participated in a study focused on assessing the effects of a secondary cognitive task and sensory integration conditions on the root-mean-square of center of pressure (RMS COP) while using VTF. Reaction times from the secondary cognitive task were used to assess the effects of VTF, and sensory integration conditions on the attention required to perform the task.

Results:
The results showed that there was no group difference between individuals with UVH and age-matched controls on balance performance while using VTF during dual-task conditions. Using VTF significantly degraded the reaction time performance in both groups, and the participants with UVH had slower reaction times compared with controls.

Conclusion:
People with UVH showed the ability to use VTF to control balance during dual-task conditions, but more attentional resources were needed to perform the secondary cognitive tasks while using VTF.
Neural, Hormonal, and Cognitive Correlates of Metabolic Dysfunction and Emotional Reactivity
Authors: Wolf Tovah , Tsenkova Vera , Ryff Carol D. , Davidson Richard J. , Willette Auriel A. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTObjectivePrediabetes and type 2 diabetes (i.e., hyperglycemia) are characterized by insulin resistance. These problems with energy metabolism may exacerbate emotional reactivity to negatively valenced stimuli and related phenomena such as predisposition toward negative affect, as well as cognitive deficits. Higher emotional reactivity is seen with hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. However, it is largely unknown how metabolic dysfunction correlates with related neural, hormonal, and cognitive outcomes.MethodsAmong 331 adults from the Midlife in the United States study, eye-blink response (EBR) we cross sectionally examined to gauge reactivity to negative, positive, or neutrally valenced pictures from international affect picture system stimuli proximal to an acoustic startle probe. Increased EBR to negative stimuli was considered an index of stress reactivity. Frontal alpha asymmetry, a biomarker of negative affect predisposition, was determined using resting electroencephalography. Baseline urinary cortisol output was collected. Cognitive performance was gauged using the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by telephone. Fasting glucose and insulin characterized hyperglycemia or the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance.ResultsHigher homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance corresponded to an increased startle response, measured by EBR magnitude, for negative versus positive stimuli (R2= 0.218,F(1,457) = 5.48,p= .020, euglycemia: M(SD) = .092(.776), hyperglycemia: M(SD) = .120(.881)). Participants with hyperglycemia versus euglycemia showed greater right frontal alpha asymmetry (F(1,307) = 6.62,p= .011, euglycemia: M(SD) = .018(.167), hyperglycemia: M(SD) = −.029(.160)), and worse Brief Test of Adult Cognition by telephone arithmetic performance (F(1,284) = 4.25,p= .040, euglycemia: M(SD) = 2.390(1.526), hyperglycemia: M(SD) = 1.920(1.462)). Baseline urinary cortisol (log10 μg/12 hours) was also dysregulated in individuals with hyperglycemia (F(1,324) = 5.09,p= .025, euglycemia: M(SD) = 1.052 ± .332, hyperglycemia: M(SD) = .961 (.362)).ConclusionsThese results suggest that dysmetabolism is associated with increased emotional reactivity, predisposition toward negative affect, and specific cognitive deficits.
Cardiovascular Risk Factors as Differential Predictors of Incident Atypical and Typical Major Depressive Disorder in US Adults
Authors: Patel Jay S. , Berntson Jessica , Polanka Brittanny M. , Stewart Jesse C. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Objective
Although the association between major depressive disorder (MDD) and future cardiovascular disease (CVD) is established, less is known about the relationship between CVD risk factors and future depression, and no studies have examined MDD subtypes. Our objective was to determine whether hypertension, tobacco use, and body mass index (BMI) differentially predict atypical and typical MDD in a national sample of US adults.

Methods
We examined prospective data from 22,915 adults with no depressive disorder history at baseline who participated in Wave 1 (2001–2002) and Wave 2 (2004–2005) of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. CVD risk factors (Wave 1) and incident MDD subtypes (Wave 2) were determined by structured interviews.

Results
There were 252 patients with atypical MDD and 991 patients with typical MDD. In fully adjusted models, baseline hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 0.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.43–0.76), former tobacco use (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.20–1.78), and BMI (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.25–1.40; all p < .001) predicted incident atypical MDD versus no MDD, whereas no CVD risk factor predicted incident typical MDD. Baseline hypertension (OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.39–0.70), former tobacco use (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.22–1.93), and BMI (OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.18–1.36; all p < .001) also predicted incident atypical MDD versus typical MDD.

Conclusions
Our study is the first to report that CVD risk factors differentially predict MDD subtypes, with hypertension (protective factor), former tobacco use (risk factor), and BMI (risk factor) being stronger predictors of incident atypical versus typical MDD. Such evidence could provide insights into the etiologies of MDD subtypes and inform interventions tailored to MDD subtype.
A novel cell segmentation method for developing embryos using machine learning
Authors: Ota Rikifumi , Ide Takahiro , Michiue Tatsuo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCell segmentation is crucial in the study of morphogenesis in developing embryos, but it is limited in its accuracy. In this study we provide a novel method for cell segmentation using machine-learning, termed Cell Segmenter using Machine Learning (CSML). CSML performed better than state-of-the-art methods, such as RACE and watershed, in the segmentation of ectodermal cells in theXenopusembryo. CSML required only one whole embryo image for training a Fully Convolutional Network classifier, and it took 20 seconds per each image to return a segmented image. To validate its accuracy, we compared it to other methods in assessing several indicators of cell shape. We also examined the generality by measuring its performance in segmenting independent images. Our data demonstrates the superiority of CSML, and we expect this application to significantly improve efficiency in cell shape studies.
A simple and robust procedure for preparing graphene-oxide cryo-EM grids
Authors: Palovcak Eugene , Wang Feng , Zheng Shawn Q. , Yu Zanlin , Li Sam , Bulkley David , Agard David A. , Cheng Yifan 
Published: March 2018

AbstractGraphene oxide (GO) sheets have been used successfully as a supporting substrate film in several recent cryogenic electron-microscopy (cryo-EM) studies of challenging biological macromolecules. However, difficulties in preparing GO-covered holey carbon EM grids have limited its widespread use. Here, we report a simple and robust method for covering holey carbon EM grids with GO sheets and demonstrate that these grids are suitable for high-resolution single particle cryo-EM. GO substrates adhere macromolecules, allowing cryo-EM grid preparation with lower specimen concentrations and providing partial protection from the air-water interface. Additionally, the signal from images of the GO lattice beneath the frozen-hydrated specimen can be discerned in many motion-corrected micrographs, providing a high-resolution fiducial for evaluating beam-induced motion correction.
Quantitative characterization of translational riboregulators using an in vitro transcription-translation system
Authors: Senoussi Anis , Tin Wah Jonathan Lee , Shimizu Yoshihiro , Robert Jérôme , Jaramillo Alfonso , Findeiss Sven , Axmann Ilka M. , Estevez-Torres André 
Published: March 2018

AbstractRiboregulators are short RNA sequences that, upon binding to a ligand, change their secondary structure and influence the expression rate of a downstream gene. They constitute an attractive alternative to transcription factors for building synthetic gene regulatory networks because they can be engineered de novo and they have a fast turnover and a low metabolic burden. However, riboregulators are generally designed in silico and tested in vivo, which only provides a yes/no evaluation of their performances, thus hindering the improvement of design algorithms. Here we show that a cell-free transcription-translation (TX-TL) system provides valuable quantitative information about the performances of in silico designed riboregulators. In particular, we use the ribosome as an exquisite molecular machine that detects functional riboregulators, precisely measures their concentration and linearly amplifies the signal by generating a fluorescent protein. We apply this method to characterize two types of translational riboregulators composed of a cis-repressed (cr) and a trans-activating (ta) strand. At the DNA level we demonstrate that high concentrations of taDNA poisoned the activator until total shut off. At the RNA level, we show that this approach provides a fast and simple way to measure dissociation constants of functional riboregulators, in contrast to standard mobility-shift assays. Our method opens the route for using cell-free TX-TL systems for the quantitative characterization of functional riboregulators in order to improve their design in silico.
Resilience to cognitive aging is associated with responsiveness of dentate neurons generated throughout adult life
Authors: Montaron Marie-Françoise , Charrier Vanessa , Blin Nicolas , Garcia Pierre , Abrous Djoher Nora 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTDuring aging some individuals are resilient to the decline of cognitive functions whereas others are vulnerable. These inter-individual differences in memory abilities have been associated with differences in the rate of hippocampal neurogenesis measured at old age. Whether the maintenance of the functionality of neurons generated throughout adult life is linked to resilience to cognitive aging remains completely unexplored. Using the immediate early gene Zif268, we analysed the activation of dentate granule neurons born in adult (3 month-old), middle-aged (12 month-old) or senescent (18 month-old) rats (n=96) in response to learning when animals reached 21 month-old. The activation of neurons born during the developmental period was also examined. We show that neurons generated 4, 10 or 19 monthsbeforelearning (and not developmentally born neurons) are activated in senescent rats with good learning abilities. In contrast, aged rats with bad learning abilities do not exhibit an activity-dependent regulation of Zif268. In conclusion, we propose that resilience to cognitive aging is associated to the responsiveness of neurons born during adult-life. These data add to our current knowledge by showing that the aging of memory abilities stems not only from the number but also from the responsiveness of adult-born neurons.
Germline silencing of UASt depends on the piRNA pathway
Authors: Huang Yi-Chun , Moreno Henry , Row Sarayu , Jia Dongyu , Deng Wu-Min 
Published: March 2018

AbstractOne of the most extensively used techniques inDrosophilais the Gal4/UAS binary system, which allows tissue-specific misexpression or knockdown of specific genes of interest. The original UAS vector, UASt, can only be activated for transgene expression in somatic tissues and not in the germline cells. Rørth (1998) generated UASp, a modified UAS vector that is responsive to Gal4 in both somatic and germline tissues, by replacing both thehsp70promoter and the SV40 3’UTR with the P transposase promoter and the K10 3’UTR respectively. At present, the mechanisms by which UASt is silenced in germline cells are not fully understood. Here, we report that the piRNA pathway is involved in suppressing UASt expression in ovarian germline cells. Individually knocking down or mutating components of the piRNA biogenesis pathway (e.g., Piwi, AGO3, Aub, Spn-E, and Vasa) resulted in the expression of the UASt-reporter (GFP or RFP) in the germline. An RNA-seq analysis of small RNAs revealed that thehsp70promoter of UASt is targeted by piRNAs, and in theaubmutant ovary, the amount of piRNAs targeting thehsp70promoter is reduced by around 40 folds. In contrast, the SV40 3’UTR of the UASt, which happens to be targeted by the Nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) pathway, is not responsible for germline UASt suppression, as UASt-reporters with NMD-insensitive 3’UTRs fail to show germline expression. Taken together, our studies reveal a crucial role of the piRNA pathway, potentially via the suppression of thehsp70promoter, in germline UASt silencing inDrosophilaovaries.