bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of rapid diagnostic tests and conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to determine prior dengue infection
Authors: Bonaparte Matthew , Zheng Lingyi , Garg Sanjay , Guy Bruno , Lustig Yaniv , Schwartz Eli , DiazGranados Carlos A , Savarino Stephen , Ataman-Önal Yasemin 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
In September 2018, the World Health Organization recommended that prevaccination screening be used with the tetravalent dengue vaccine (CYD-TDV), to ensure that only individuals with evidence of prior dengue infection (PDI) are vaccinated. Dengue rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) would offer a potential solution for prevaccination screening at the point-of-care, but data on performance of available RDTs for identifying PDI are limited. We determined the suitability of four dengue RDTs and two conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to identify PDI and evaluated cross-reactivity with co-circulating flaviviruses.

Methods: Specificity was assessed using 534 dengue-negative [determined by 50% plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT50)] serum samples from USA (n = 229) and dengue-endemic regions (n = 305). Sensitivity was assessed using 270 samples from recent (n = 90) or remote (n = 90) virologically confirmed prior dengue cases, and dengue PRNT50-positive samples (n = 90). Cross-reactivity was assessed in dengue-seronegative samples that were seropositive for yellow fever (n = 57), Japanese encephalitis (n = 37), West Nile (n = 59) or Zika (n = 41).

Results: Dengue IgG RDTs and the Panbio ELISA exhibited favourable specificities (99–100%), higher than the Focus ELISA (95%). The RDTs had variable sensitivities (40–70%) that were lower than those of the ELISAs (≥90%). Cross-reactivity to other flaviviruses was low with RDTs (≤7%), but more significant with ELISAs (up to 51% for West Nile and 34% for Zika). No cross-reactivity to any of the four closely related flaviviruses was observed with the CTK Biotech RDT. For each SeroTest, sensitivity appeared similar in samples from individuals with recent (&lt;13 months) vs remote (3–4 years) virologically confirmed PDI.

Conclusions: In general, dengue IgG RDTs were found to be more specific and less cross-reactive than the ELISAs, but the latter were more sensitive for identifying PDI cases. Currently available RDTs could be temporizing tools for rapid and safe prevaccination screening until improved RDTs with increased sensitivity become available.
Coherence and probability in legal evidence
Authors: Dahlman Christian , Mackor Anne Ruth 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The authors investigate to what extent an evaluation of legal evidence in terms of coherence (suggested by Thagard, Amaya, Van Koppen and others) is reconcilable with a probabilistic (Bayesian) approach to legal evidence. The article is written by one author (Dahlman) with a background in the bayesian approach to legal evidence, and one author (Mackor) with a background in scenario theory. The authors find common ground but partly diverge in their conclusions. Their findings give support to the claim (reductionism) that coherence can be translated into probability without loss. Dahlman therefore concludes that the probabilistic vocabulary is superior to the coherence vocabulary, since it is more precise. Mackor is more agnostic in her conclusions about reductionism. In Mackor's view, the findings of their joint investigation do not imply that the probabilistic approach is superior to the coherentist approach.
Successful Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in a Patient Suffering From Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Hocquart Marie , Pham Thao , Kuete Edmond , Tomei Enora , Lagier Jean Christophe , Raoult Didier 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and debilitating functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting 9%–23% of the population across the world. The relative efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on IBS symptoms was demonstrated in a double-blind, randomized study.

Methods
We describe the case of a 73-year-old woman suffering from IBS (abdominal pain, bloating, and abundant and disabling diarrhea, with 10–15 stools a day) and repetitive urinary tract infection (UTI; 5 episodes in 6 months, including 3 the last 2 months) for several years, generating an impaired quality of life. She received an FMT with 400 mL of fecal infusion from a healthy donor via a nasogastric tube after bowel lavage. Her digestive microbiota was analyzed using culturomic and metagenomic targeting 16S rRNA sequencing methods.

Results
Eight months after transplantation, we observed a significant reduction in frequency and improvement in stool consistency (3–4 molded stools a day against 10–15 before the transplant) and no recurrence of urinary infection (as previously reported). Using culturomics, we found 12 bacteria present in the fecal infusion and post-transplant stool; these were absent pretransplant. Three of them (Intestinimonas massiliensis, Oscillibacter massiliensis, and Provencibacter massiliensis) were previously discovered and cultivated in our laboratory using culturomics. Using metagenomics, we also observed 12 bacteria, different from those observed during culture, that could have been transferred to the patient by FMT.

Conclusions
In this case report, IBS symptoms and UTI frequency decreased after FMT UTI. Further studies involving more patients would be relevant to confirm this work and develop bacteriotherapy.
Molecular phylogeny and species delimitation of Amiota alboguttata and Amiota basdeni species groups (Diptera: Drosophilidae) from East Asia
Authors: Wang Ya-Lian , Cao Hui-Luo , Chen Hong-Wei 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPhylogenetic relationships of the two largest species groups in the genus Amiota [the Amiota alboguttata group (29 known and six new species) and the Amiota basdeni group (17 known and three new species)] were reconstructed using two mitochondrial gene sequences (COI and ND2). The paraphyly of the A. alboguttata group was identified based on molecular evidence. The monophyletic A. basdeni group is found to be nested in the A. alboguttata group, rendering the latter paraphyletic. Automatic barcode gap discovery and Bayesian phylogenetics and phylogeography methods were used to assess species limits of the A. alboguttata and A. basdeni groups. The results indicate that most analysed species could be delimited clearly, including nine new species (Amiota beama sp. nov., Amiota cyclophylla sp. nov., Amiota flormontana sp. nov., Amiota obtusa sp. nov., Amiota planiceps sp. nov., Amiota scrobicula sp. nov., Amiota jianjuni sp. nov., Amiota tentacula sp. nov. and Amiota xinglaii sp. nov.), except for some closely related morphospecies. Furthermore, based on the highly biased distributions of these two groups, southwestern China is hypothesized to be a possible centre of origin and diversification for Amiota in East Asia.
G6PD deficiency
Authors: Harcke Susan J. , Rizzolo Denise , Harcke H. Theodore 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACT
Although glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is less known in Western countries than in the Middle East and Africa, global migration and immigration are bringing ethnic groups with the highest incidence of this inherited genetic disorder into the US healthcare system. The G6PD enzyme is critical to protecting erythrocytes against oxidative stress, and deficiency may lead to hemolysis in the presence of certain environmental factors such as infection and some medications and foods. Neonatal jaundice, favism, and hemolysis are associated with exposure to increased oxidative stressors in patients with G6PD deficiency. By recognizing the potential for G6PD deficiency, clinicians can screen for the disorder and teach affected patients how to avoid triggers that result in harmful clinical manifestations.
Dose Escalation of Naltrexone to Reduce Stress Responses Associated With Opioid Antagonist Induction: A Double-blind Randomized Trial
Authors: Badaras Robertas , Jovaisa Tomas , Lapinskiene Indre , Ivaskevicius Juozas 
Published: October 2019

Context:To describe the role of opioid antagonist induction in reducing stress response and withdrawal symptoms.Objective:Complexity of naltrexone induction is limiting broader applicability of opioid antagonist-assisted abstinence. The aim of this clinical trial was to assess the stress response to 2 low-dose naltrexone induction protocols under minimal oral sedation.Design:Double-blind randomized controlled trial.Setting:Open setting in-patient unit.Participants:Adults with opioid use disorder, and at least a year-long history of opioid use.Intervention protocol:Patients received either a single 12.5 mg naltrexone oral dose (SI group) or escalating dosage regimen starting from 50 μg up to a cumulative dose of 12.5 mg (ED group).Main outcome measure:Differences in cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations 1 hour after the start of naltrexone induction.Results:In all, 124 patients were enrolled and 68 remained in the trial at the point of randomization—33 in SI and 35 in ED group. Eight patients were excluded from final analysis. Plasma cortisol and ACTH concentrations were significantly higher in SI group; mean difference between groups 313 nmol/L (95% confidence interval [CI] 182–444,P < 0.001) and 36.9 pg/mL (95% CI 12.3–61.4,P = 0.004), respectively. Secondary outcomes: SI patients experienced significant increases in plasma cortisol and ACTH concentrations, and withdrawal scores. In ED group these measures remained at or below baseline throughout the 24-hour period from start of naltrexone induction.Conclusions:Contrary to a single 12.5-mg dose, the escalating naltrexone dosing regimen produced no significant increase in stress response and withdrawal scores during antagonist induction.
Management of Behçet syndrome
Authors: Yazici Yusuf 
Published: October 2019

Purpose of review
New treatment options have been studied over the last several years, with a recent approval, a first for Behçet syndrome, in the United States. New management guidelines have also been published, helping with this nowadays more commonly recognized condition's management. The goal of this review is to summarize the most important and potentially clinically relevant recent developments and discuss their impact in the management of patients with Behçet syndrome.

Recent findings
Apremilast is now approved for the treatment of oral ulcer of Behçet syndrome in the United States. It's possible benefits in controlling nonoral ulcer features of the syndrome are awaited. Long-term use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors for the treatment of especially eye disease in Behçet syndrome seems to be safe and efficacious. New treatment options such as ustekinumab, secukinumab, tocilizumab and others have early promising data but more studies are needed to better clarify their role in Behçet management.

Summary
The last 2 years have not only seen the approval of the first drug specifically labeled for the treatment of Behçet syndrome in the case of apremilast, many groups have also presented and published their findings on promising new therapeutic agents, which may soon be added to our tools in treating this condition. We also know more about other drugs, such as tumor necrosis factor inhibitors as many patients have been on these for long periods of time, and long-term follow-up data seem to confirm their role in Behçet treatment. Lack of placebo controlled, randomized trials, for the most part, are still outstanding issues.
Pilot Randomized Trial of a Recovery Navigator Program for Survivors of Critical Illness With Problematic Alcohol Use
Authors: Clark Brendan J. , Sorrell Tanya , Hodapp Rachel M. , Reed Kathryne , Moss Marc , Aagaard Laurra , Cook Paul F. 
Published: October 2019

Objective:
Many survivors of critical illness have problematic alcohol use, associated with risk of death and hospital readmission. We tested the feasibility, acceptability, treatment fidelity, and potential efficacy of a customized alcohol intervention for patients in ICUs. The intervention was delivered by a Recovery Navigator using principles of motivational interviewing and shared decision-making.

Design:
Pilot randomized trial.

Setting:
Two urban ICUs in Denver, CO.

Patients:
Patients with problematic alcohol use were enrolled prior to hospital discharge.

Interventions:
Patients were randomly assigned to usual care, single-session motivational interviewing and shared decision-making, or multisession motivational interviewing and shared decision-making.

Measurements and Main Results:
We assessed feasibility via enrollment and attrition, acceptability via patient satisfaction (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8), fidelity via observation and questionnaires, and potential efficacy via group means and CIs on measures of alcohol use, psychiatric symptoms, cognition, and other alcohol-related problems. Over 18 months, we offered the study to 111 patients, enrolled 47, and randomized 36; refusals were mainly due to stigma or patients' desire to handle problems on their own. Groups were similar at baseline, and 67% of patients met criteria for alcohol use disorder. Average patient satisfaction was high (mean = 28/32) regardless of group assignment. Sessions were delivered with 98% adherence to motivational interviewing principles and excellent motivational interviewing spirit; patients perceived the intervention to be more autonomy supportive than usual care. Group means after 6 months suggested that patients receiving the intervention might improve on measures such as alcohol use, psychiatric symptoms, legal problems, and days of paid work; however, they did not receive more substance use treatment. All results were nonsignificant due to small sample size.

Conclusions:
A Recovery Navigator intervention was feasible and acceptable for delivering high-fidelity brief interventions to ICU patients. Changes in alcohol-related problems with motivational interviewing and shared decision-making were nonsignificant but clinically meaningful in size. A full-scale randomized trial of motivational interviewing and shared decision-making is warranted.
Circular RNA Pleiotrophin promotes carcinogenesis in glioma via regulation of microRNA-122/SRY-box transcription factor 6 axis
Authors: Chen Chen , Deng Lu , Nie De-Kang , Jia Feng , Fu Lin-Shan , Wan Zheng-Qiang , Lan Qing 
Published: October 2019

Background:
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are recently identified as gene regulators in mammals and play important roles in carcinogenesis of cancer. For example, circRNA_PTN has been recognized as a biomarker of human cancer and is overexpressed in glioma. The molecular function of circRNA_PTN and its downstream targets in glioma, however, remains elusive.

Methods:
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to measure the expression of circular RNA pleiotrophin (circ_PTN) and miR-122. 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide, propidium iodide and Annexin-V/propidium iodide assay were performed to determine cell proliferation and apoptosis of glioma cells. Circular RNA Interactome and TargetScan were used to predict the potential microRNA targeting of circ_PTN and the potential targets of miR-122, respectively. Luciferase activity assay was used to validate these interactions. Downstream molecular mechanisms, including SRY-box transcription factor 6 (SOX6), extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), Cyclin D1, B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) and BCL2 associated X, apoptosis regulator (BAX), were determined by western blot.

Results:
Circ_PTN was overexpressed in glioma cells, and its knockdown induced cell proliferation inhibition, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in glioma cells. The target microRNA of circ_PTN was predicted to be miR-122, the expression of which was negatively correlated with circ_PTN in glioma cells. Moreover, SOX6 was predicted as a potential target of miR-122, and miR-122 overexpression decreased SOX6 expression. MiR-122 inhibitor reversed the tumor-suppressing effects of circ_PTN knockdown, while overexpression of SOX6 impaired the miR-122 overexpression-induced cell growth inhibition and apoptosis. In addition, mitogen activated kinase-like protein (MAPK)/ERK pathway was involved in circ_PTN/miR-122/SOX6 axis.

Conclusions:
Circ_PTN acted as a sponge of miR-122 and upregulated miR-122 target SOX6, thus promoting carcinogenesis of glioma cells.
Navigating Barriers to Patient Access and Reimbursement in Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Authors: Krausz Aimee E. , Manning Jamie R. , Vinelli Gian L. , Ciocon David H. 
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND
Insurance companies have implemented new policies including excessive prior authorization (PA) requirements, high-deductible plans, and complicated billing structures in an effort to curb rising health care costs. Studies investigating the real-time impact on providers and patients are emerging, but few within the field of dermatology have been published.

OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of cost-cutting policies on patients and physicians.

METHODS
A survey was electronically distributed to members of the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS).

RESULTS
The majority of respondents (78.2%) practiced in a private setting, with no other demographic differences. The majority of respondents (70%) dedicated 1 to 2 employees to obtaining PAs. Fifty percent reported an average time of 30 minutes spent per PA. Fifty-six percent of respondents obtained PA from private insurance before Mohs surgery, whereas only 24.5% obtained PA from Medicare. Forty-nine percent of practitioners provided patients with a financial disclosure prior to Mohs surgery. Moreover, many practitioners reported screening patients for high-deductible policies and request an advanced deposit against the deductible. Sixty percent reported difficulty obtaining payment for service in the absence of an advanced deposit.

CONCLUSION
The burden of restrictive health care policies will have long-term consequences for the patient–provider interaction and patient outcomes.
Pelvic floor physical therapy in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction in women
Authors: Wallace Shannon L. , Miller Lucia D. , Mishra Kavita 
Published: October 2019

Purpose of review
To describe the principles of pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT), review the evidence for PFPT as a treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction, and summarize the current recommendations for PFPT as a first-line conservative treatment option for pelvic floor disorders.

Recent findings
Pelvic floor dysfunction can cause voiding and defecation problems, pelvic organ prolapse (POP), sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain. PFPT is a program of functional retraining to improve pelvic floor muscle strength, endurance, power, and relaxation in patients with pelvic floor dysfunction. Based on the available evidence, PFPT with or without supplemental modalities can improve or cure symptoms of urinary incontinence, POP, fecal incontinence, peripartum and postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and hypertonic pelvic floor disorders, including pelvic floor myofascial pain, dyspareunia, vaginismus, and vulvodynia. Currently, there is conflicting evidence regarding the effectiveness of perioperative PFPT before or after POP and urinary incontinence surgery.

Summary
PFPT has robust evidence-based support and clear benefit as a first-line treatment for most pelvic floor disorders. Standards of PFPT treatment protocols, however, vary widely and larger well designed trials are recommended to show long-term effectiveness.
Prevalence of pulmonary embolism in emergency department patients with isolated syncope: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Raynal Pierre-Alexis , Cachanado Marine , Truchot Jennifer , Damas-Perrichet Clara , Feral-Pierssens Anne-Laure , Goulet Hélène , Deltour Sandrine , Boussouar Samia , Donciu Victoria , Simon Tabassome , Freund Yonathan , Philippon Anne-Laure 
Published: October 2019

Backgrounds
Paramount to guide the diagnostic strategy, the prevalence of pulmonary embolism in patients with syncope and no other symptoms is uncertain. We aimed to assess the pulmonary embolism prevalence in patients that present to the emergency department (ED) with syncope and no chest pain nor dyspnea.

Methods
Multicenter prospective cohort study in seven EDs in France. Adult patients who presented to the ED with syncope (transient loss of consciousness) were included. Patients with chest pain or dyspnea were excluded. Included patients underwent formal work-up for pulmonary embolism, including D-dimer testing and further imaging if positive. Cases of pulmonary embolism were adjudicated by two independent expert radiologists with the review of imaging studies. Secondary objectives included the pulmonary embolism prevalence in the subgroup of patients with cancer, in patients with negative Pulmonary Embolism Rule Out criteria (PERC) score, and according to the clinical probability assessed either by Wells or revised Geneva score.

Results
We analyzed 411 patients, in whom 128 (31%) underwent a computed tomographic pulmonary angiogram and 9 (2%) a ventilation-perfusion scan. A pulmonary embolism was confirmed in nine patients (prevalence of 2.2%, 95% confidence interval, 1.1–4.3%), including one subsegmental pulmonary embolism. This prevalence was of 18% (3–52%) in patients with cancer and 0.7% (0.1–4%) in PERC negative patients.

Conclusion
In our sample of patients with isolated syncope, the prevalence of pulmonary embolism was 2.2%. This value is not sufficiently low to negate the requirement for a formal work up in the ED, even in the absence of chest pain or dyspnea. However, the large confidence interval precludes any strong conclusion.
Insula Activity to Visceral Stimulation and Endocrine Stress Responses as Associated With Alexithymia in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Kano Michiko , Muratsubaki Tomohiko , Yagihashi Mao , Morishita Joe , Mugikura Shunji , Dupont Patrick , Takase Kei , Kanazawa Motoyori , Van Oudenhove Lukas , Fukudo Shin 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACT

Objective
Few studies have investigated associations between alexithymia and physiological mechanisms in psychosomatic diseases. We examined associations between alexithymia and 1) perception and brain processing of visceral stimulation and 2) the endocrine responses to corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) in healthy individuals and patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Methods
The study included 29 patients with IBS and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). Alexithymia was measured using the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Brain responses to rectal distention and its anticipation were measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging and analyzed at a voxel-level threshold of p
uncorrected < .001 combined with a cluster-level threshold of p
FWE-corrected < .05. On a different day, plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol responses after intravenous CRH administration were measured.

Results
TAS-20 scores did not differ significantly between patients with IBS and HCs (p = .18). TAS-20 scores correlated positively with the individual rectal discomfort thresholds (βrobust = 0.49, p = .03) and negatively with the rating of fear before rectal distention (βrobust = −1.63, p = .04) in patients with IBS but not in HCs. Brain responses to rectal distention in the right insula and other brain regions were positively associated with TAS-20 scores to a greater extent in patients with IBS than in HCs. Individuals with higher TAS-20 scores (both patients with IBS and HCs) demonstrated stronger adrenocorticotropic hormone responses to CRH administration (F(4,224) = 3.54, p = .008).

Conclusion
Higher alexithymia scores are associated with stronger physiological responses, but lower anticipatory fear ratings and higher discomfort thresholds, particularly in patients with IBS.