bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of CRMs and value-assigned quality controls: urea and uric Acid in human serum or plasma (CCQM-K142)
Authors: Teo Tang Lin , Liu Qinde , Cheow Pui Sze , Duewer David , Lippa Katrice , Toman Blaza , Osuna Mariana Arce , Serrano Victor , Arzate Claudia Marcela Salazar , Wong Lingkai , Chen Yizhao , Yong Sharon , Teo Hui Ling , Liu Hong , Tong Benny , Kang Dukjin , Lee Hwashim , Dai Xin Hua , Quan Can , Shi Lian Hua , Li Hong Mei , Pritchett Jeanita S 
Published: January 2019

The CCQM OAWG 2017 CCQM-K142 "Comparison of CRMs and Value-Assigned Quality Controls: Urea and Uric Acid in Human Serum or Plasma" is the third Model 2 Key Comparison coordinated by the OAWG directly testing the chemical measurement services provided to customers by National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) and Designated Institutes (DIs) through certified reference materials (CRMs). CRMs certified for urea and/or uric acid content in human serum or plasma were compared using measurements made on these materials under repeatability conditions. Four NMIs/DIs submitted 10 CRMs certified for urea; five NMIs/DIs submitted 12 CRMs certified for uric acid. These materials represent most of the higher-order reference materials available then for these clinically important measurands. Uncertainty-weighted generalised distance regression was used to establish the Key Comparison Reference Function (KCRF) relating the CRM certified values to the repeatability measurements. The urea results for all 10 CRMs were considered to be equivalent at the 95 % level of confidence and were used to define the KCRF for urea. The uric acid result for one of the 12 CRMs was found to be non-equivalent: the submitting NMI re-evaluated the result and withdrew the material from use in defining the KCRF for uric acid. The remaining 11 CRMs were used to define the KCRF for uric acid. Monte Carlo methods were used to estimate 95 % level-of-confidence coverage intervals for the relative degrees of equivalence of materials, %d ± U95 (%d), and of the participating NMIs/DIs, %D ± U95 (%D). For the urea materials, the %D ± U95(%D) intervals were within (-3 to 5) % of the consensus results. For the uric acid materials from four of the five NMIs/DIs, the %D ± U95(%D) intervals were within (-4 to 5) % of the consensus results. These results demonstrated that with the exception of one material, the participating institutions could value-assign CRMs for urea and/or uric acid in human serum and plasma.
KEY WORDS FOR SEARCH
Certified reference materials; urea; uric acid; human serum; key comparison reference function

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.
The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Clinical and Virological Characteristics of Acute Sinusitis in Children
Authors: DeMuri Gregory P , Eickhoff Jens C , Gern James C , Wald Ellen R 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Background
Acute bacterial sinusitis is a frequent complication of viral upper respiratory infection (URI). We describe the clinical and virologic features of URIs that remain uncomplicated and those that precede an episode of sinusitis. We hypothesize that certain viruses are more likely to lead to acute sinusitis, and we compare viruses identified at the time of diagnosis of sinusitis with those identified early in the URI.

Methods
Children aged 48–96 months were followed longitudinally for 1 year. Nasal samples were obtained at surveillance visits, on Day 3–4 of the URI, and on Day 10, when sinusitis was diagnosed. Molecular diagnostic testing was performed on nasal washes for common respiratory viruses and pathogenic bacteria. A standardized score was used to quantify symptom severity.

Results
We evaluated 519 URIs, and 37 illnesses in 31 patients met the criteria for sinusitis. Respiratory syncytial virus was detected more frequently in URI visits that led to sinusitis, compared to in uncomplicated URIs (10.8% vs 3.4%; P = .05). New viruses were detected in 29% of sinusitis episodes, and their pattern was different than those patterns observed at surveillance. The median number of URIs per subject per year was 1 (range 0–9) in uncomplicated URI subjects and 3 (range 1–9) in sinusitis subjects (P < .001).

Conclusions
Children who developed sinusitis experienced more frequent URIs, compared to children whose URIs remained uncomplicated. When nasal samples were obtained on the day of diagnosis of acute sinusitis, nearly 30% of children had a new virus identified, suggesting that some children deemed to have sinusitis were experiencing sequential viral infections.
The European Renal Association – European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) Registry Annual Report 2016: a summary
Authors: Kramer Anneke , Pippias Maria , Noordzij Marlies , Stel Vianda S , Andrusev Anton M , Aparicio-Madre Manuel I , Arribas Monzón Federico E , Åsberg Anders , Barbullushi Myftar , Beltrán Palma , Bonthuis Marjolein , Caskey Fergus J , Castro de la Nuez Pablo , Cernevskis Harijs , De Meester Johan , Finne Patrik , Golan Eliezer , Heaf James G , Hemmelder Marc H , Ioannou Kyriakos , Kantaria Nino , Komissarov Kirill , Korejwo Grzegorz , Kramar Reinhard , Lassalle Mathilde , Lopot František , Macário Fernando , Mackinnon Bruce , Pálsson Runólfur , Pechter Ülle , Piñera Vicente C , Santiuste de Pablos Carmen , Segarra-Medrano Alfons , Seyahi Nurhan , Slon Roblero Maria F , Stojceva-Taneva Olivera , Vazelov Evgueniy , Winzeler Rebecca , Ziginskiene Edita , Massy Ziad , Jager Kitty J 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Background
This article summarizes the ERA-EDTA Registry’s 2016 Annual Report, by describing the epidemiology of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in 2016 within 36 countries.

Methods
In 2017 and 2018, the ERA-EDTA Registry received data on patients undergoing RRT for ESRD in 2016 from 52 national or regional renal registries. In all, 32 registries provided individual patient data and 20 provided aggregated data. The incidence and prevalence of RRT and the survival probabilities of these patients were determined.

Results
In 2016, the incidence of RRT for ESRD was 121 per million population (pmp), ranging from 29 pmp in Ukraine to 251 pmp in Greece. Almost two-thirds of patients were men, over half were aged ≥65 years and almost a quarter had diabetes mellitus as their primary renal diagnosis. Treatment modality at the start of RRT was haemodialysis for 84% of patients. On 31 December 2016, the prevalence of RRT was 823 pmp, ranging from 188 pmp in Ukraine to 1906 pmp in Portugal. In 2016, the transplant rate was 32 pmp, varying from 3 pmp in Ukraine to 94 pmp in the Spanish region of Catalonia. For patients commencing RRT during 2007–11, the 5-year unadjusted patient survival probability on all RRT modalities combined was 50.5%. For 2016, the incidence and prevalence of RRT were higher among men (187 and 1381 pmp) than women (101 and 827 pmp), and men had a higher rate of kidney transplantation (59 pmp) compared with women (33 pmp). For patients starting dialysis and for patients receiving a kidney transplant during 2007–11, the adjusted patient survival probabilities appeared to be higher for women than for men.
Branch mass allocation increases wind throw risk for Fagus grandifolia
Authors: Ver Planck Neil R , MacFarlane David W 
Published: January 2019

AbstractWind is a major force of disturbance in forests throughout the world, causing trees to break or uproot and topple over, depending on tree morphology and growing conditions. Previous research has suggested that trees that are more massive or which have lower height–diameter ratios are less at risk to wind throw, but the influence of crown size and branching architecture has been more difficult to elucidate. In general, there has been more research on coniferous trees, which have more simplified and symmetrical crown structures, relative to broad-leaved, deciduous trees. Here, we modelled the probability of wind throw for American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.), a broad-leaved, deciduous species common in the eastern USA, for trees covering a broad range of sizes (5.6–79.8 cm, diameter at breast height), in two nearby stands, in an experimental forest in southwestern Michigan, USA, where a wind event occurred. After a major blow-down of more than 200 trees in one of the stands, a subset of trees was destructively sampled after the storm. Analysis of the characteristics of the wind-thrown versus non-wind-thrown, residual trees, indicated that a very large branch fraction of total tree mass was a key factor leading to toppling of the wind-thrown trees. This study provides new empirical data related to the characteristics of wind-thrown American beech trees and suggests a potentially important role for branch to stem mass ratios as a predictor of wind throw risk for this species and possibly other broad-leaved, deciduous tree species, with a deliquescent branching architecture.
Contrasting effects of mangroves and armoured shorelines on fish assemblages in tropical estuarine seascapes
Authors: Henderson Christopher J , Gilby Ben L , Schlacher Thomas A , Connolly Rod M , Sheaves Marcus , Flint Nicole , Borland Hayden P , Olds Andrew D 
Published: January 2019

AbstractCoastal seascapes are composed of a diversity of habitats that are linked in space and time by the movement of organisms. The context and configuration of coastal ecosystems shapes many important properties of animal assemblages, but potential seascape effects of natural and artificial habitats on nearby habitats are typically considered in isolation. We test whether, and how, the seascape context of natural and urban habitats modified fish assemblages across estuaries. Fish were sampled with underwater videos in five habitat types (mangroves, rock bars, log snags, unvegetated sediments, armoured shorelines) in 17 estuaries in eastern Australia. Different habitats supported distinct fish assemblages, but the spatial context of mangroves and armoured shorelines had pervasive ecological effects that extended across entire estuaries. In most estuarine habitats, fish diversity and abundance was greatest when they were in close proximity of mangroves, and decreased due to the proximity of armoured shorelines. Many cities are centred on estuaries, and urban expansion is often associated with the fragmentation of mangrove forests. Our findings emphasize that these transformations of urban estuarine landscapes are likely to propagate to broader ecological impacts detectable in multiple habitats beyond mangrove forests.
Systems engineering and human factors support of a system of novel EHR-integrated tools to prevent harm in the hospital
Authors: Dalal Anuj K , Fuller Theresa , Garabedian Pam , Ergai Awatef , Balint Corey , Bates David W , Benneyan James 
Published: January 2019

AbstractWe established a Patient Safety Learning Laboratory comprising 2 core and 3 individual project teams to introduce a suite of digital health tools integrated with our electronic health record to identify, assess, and mitigate threats to patient safety in real time. One of the core teams employed systems engineering (SE) and human factors (HF) methods to analyze problems, design and develop improvements to intervention components, support implementation, and evaluate the system of systems as an integrated whole. Of the 29 participants, 19 and 16 participated in surveys and focus groups, respectively, about their perception of SE and HF. We identified 7 themes regarding use of the 12 SE and HF methods over the 4-year project. Qualitative methods (interviews, focus, groups, observations, usability testing) were most frequently used, typically by individual project teams, and generated the most insight. Quantitative methods (failure mode and effects analysis, simulation modeling) typically were used by the SE and HF core team but generated variable insight. A decentralized project structure led to challenges using these SE and HF methods at the project and systems level. We offer recommendations and insights for using SE and HF to support digital health patient safety initiatives.
Dark Energy Survey Year 1: An independent E/B-mode cosmic shear analysis
Authors: Asgari Marika , Heymans Catherine 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
We present an independent cosmic shear analysis of the non-cosmological B-mode distortions within the public first year data from the Dark Energy Survey (DES). We find no significant detection of B-modes in a full tomographic analysis of the primary metacalibrationshear catalogue. This is in contrast to the secondary im3shapeshear catalogue, where we detect B-modes at a significance of ∼3σ with a pattern that is consistent with the B-mode signature of a repeating additive shear bias across the survey. We use the COSEBIs statistic to cleanly separate the B-modes from the gravitational lensing signal (E-modes). We find good agreement between the measured E-modes and their theoretical expectation given the DES cosmological parameter constraints.
Repair of Thoracic Spinal Cord Herniation: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Khalsa Siri Sahib S , Saadeh Yamaan S , Smith Brandon W , Joseph Jacob R , Oppenlander Mark E 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Spinal cord herniation is an uncommon surgically treatable cause of thoracic myelopathy and progressive paraplegia. The thoracic spinal cord focally protrudes through a defect in the dura, resulting in progressive weakness, numbness, and spasticity affecting the lower extremities, in addition to possible urinary symptoms. In this video, we present the case of a 69-yr-old female who presented with 3 yr of progressive thoracic myelopathy due to a thoracic spinal cord herniation at T4-T5. We demonstrate the surgical steps to lyse arachnoid webs, mobilize the spinal cord, reduce the spinal cord herniation, and repair the dural defect. Appropriate patient consent was obtained.
A multi-reporter bacterial 2-hybrid assay for the fast, simple, and dynamic assay of PDZ domain – peptide interactions
Authors: Ichikawa David M. , Corbi-Verge Carles , Shen Michael J. , Snider Jamie , Wong Victoria , Stagljar Igor , Kim Philip M. , Noyes Marcus B. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe accurate determination of protein-protein interactions is an important goal of molecular biology and much progress has been made with modern methods emerging in the past decade. However, current methods have limitations, including scale and restriction to high affinity interactions. This has limited our understanding of the large subset of protein-motif interactions. Here we describe a modified bacterial-hybrid assay that employs a combined selectable and scalable reporter system that allows the screen of large protein-peptide libraries and their sort by relative strength. We have applied this tool to characterize a set of human and E. coli PDZ domains. Our results are consistent with prior characterization of these proteins and the improved sensitivity increases our ability to predict known and novel in vivo binding partners. This approach allows for the recovery of a wide range of affinities with a high throughput method that does not sacrifice the scale of the screen.
Natural variation for unusual host responses and flagellin-mediated immunity againstPseudomonas syringaein genetically diverse tomato accessions
Authors: Roberts Robyn , Mainiero Samantha , Powell Adrian F. , Liu Alexander E. , Shi Kai , Hind Sarah R. , Strickler Susan R. , Collmer Alan , Martin Gregory B. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe interaction between tomato andPseudomonas syringaepv. tomato (Pst) is a well-developed model for investigating the molecular basis of the plant immune system. There is extensive natural variation inSolanum lycopersicum(tomato) but it has not been fully leveraged to enhance our understanding of the tomato-Pst pathosystem. We screened 216 genetically diverse accessions of cultivated tomato and a wild tomato species for natural variation in their response to three strains ofPst. The screen uncovered a broad range of previously unseen host symptoms in response toPst, and one of these, stem galls, was found to be simply inherited. The screen also identified tomato accessions that showed enhanced responses to flagellin in bacterial population assays and in reactive oxygen species assays upon exposure to flagellin-derived peptides, flg22 and flgII-28. Reporter genes confirmed that the host responses were due primarily to pattern recognition receptor-immunity. This study revealed extensive natural variation in tomato for susceptibility and resistance toPstand will enable elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying these host responses.
Dissociable electrophysiological correlates of semantic access of motor and non-motor concepts
Authors: Sokoliuk Rodika , Calzolari Sara , Cruse Damian 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe notion of semantic embodiment posits that concepts are represented in the same neural sensorimotor systems that were involved in their acquisition. However, evidence in support of embodied semantics – in particular the hypothesised contribution of motor and premotor cortex to the representation of action concepts – is varied. Here, we tested the hypothesis that, consistent with semantic embodiment, sensorimotor cortices will rapidly become active while healthy participants access the meaning of visually-presented motor and non-motor action verbs. Event-related potentials revealed early differential processing of motor and non-motor verbs (164-203ms) within distinct regions of cortex likely reflecting rapid cortical activation of differentially distributed semantic representations. However, we found no evidence for a specific role of sensorimotor cortices in supporting these representations. Moreover, we observed a later modulation of the alpha band (8-12Hz) from 555-785ms over central electrodes, with estimated generators within the left superior parietal lobule, which may reflect post-lexical activation of the object-directed features of the motor action concepts. In conclusion, we find no evidence for a specific role of sensorimotor cortices when healthy participants judge the meaning of visually-presented action verbs. However, the relative contribution of sensorimotor cortices to action comprehension may vary as a function of task goals.
Diversity and biogeography of SAR11 bacteria from the Arctic Ocean
Authors: Kraemer Susanne , Ramachandran Arthi , Colatriano David , Lovejoy Connie , Walsh David A. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe Arctic Ocean is relatively isolated from other oceans and consists of strongly stratified water masses with distinct histories, nutrient, temperature and salinity characteristics, therefore providing an optimal environment to investigate local adaptation. The globally distributed SAR11 bacterial group consists of multiple ecotypes that are associated with particular marine environments, yet relatively little is known about Arctic SAR11 diversity. Here, we examined SAR11 diversity using ITS analysis and metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). Arctic SAR11 assemblages were comprised of the S1a, S1b, S2, and S3 clades, and structured by water mass and depth. The fresher surface layer was dominated by an ecotype (S3-derived P3.2) previously associated with Arctic and brackish water. In contrast, deeper waters of Pacific origin were dominated by the P2.3 ecotype of the S2 clade, within which we identified a novel subdivision (P2.3s1) that was rare outside the Arctic Ocean. Arctic S2-derived SAR11 MAGs were restricted to high latitudes and included MAGs related to the recently defined S2b subclade, a finding consistent with bi-polar ecotypes and Arctic endemism. These results place the stratified Arctic Ocean into the SAR11 global biogeography and have identified SAR11 lineages for future investigation of adaptive evolution in the Arctic Ocean.
Targeted antifungal liposomes
Authors: Ambati Suresh , Ferarro Aileen R. , Khang S. Earl , Lin Xiaorong , Momany Michelle , Lewis Zachary , Meagher Richard B. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAspergillus speciescause pulmonary invasive aspergillosis resulting in nearly a hundred thousand deaths each year. Patients at the greatest risk of developing life-threatening aspergillosis have weakened immune systems and/or various lung disorders. Patients are treated with antifungals such as amphotericin B (AmB), casofungin acetate, or triazoles (itraconazole, voriconazole etc.), but these antifungal agents have serious limitations due to lack of sufficient fungicidal effect and human toxicity. Liposomes with AmB intercalated into the lipid membrane (AmBisomes, AmB-LLs), have several-fold reduced toxicity compared to detergent solubilized drug. However, even with the current antifungal therapies, one-year survival among patients is only 25 to 60%. Hence, there is a critical need for improved antifungal therapeutics.Dectin-1 is a mammalian innate immune receptor in the membrane of some leukocytes that binds as a dimer to beta-glucans found in fungal cell walls, signaling fungal infection. Using a novel protocol, we coated AmB-LLs with Dectin-1’s beta-glucan binding domain to make DEC-AmB-LLs. DEC-AmB-LLs bound rapidly, efficiently, and with great strengthAspergillus fumigatusand toCandida albicansandCryptococcus neoformans, highly divergent fungal pathogens of global importance. By contrast, un-targeted AmB-LLs and BSA-coated BSA-AmB-LLs showed 200-fold lower affinity for fungal cells. DEC-AmB-LLs reduced the growth and viability ofA. fumigatusan order of magnitude more efficiently than untargeted control liposomes delivering the same concentrations of AmB, in essence increasing the effective dose of AmB. Future efforts will focus on examining pan-antifungal targeted liposomal drugs in animal models of disease.TweetWe coated anti-fungal drug loaded liposomes to fungal cell walls with a beta-glucan binding protein and thereby increased drug effectiveness by an order of magnitude.ImportanceThe fungusAspergillus fumigatuscauses pulmonary invasive aspergillosis resulting in nearly a hundred thousand deaths each year. Patients are often treated with antifungal drugs such as amphotericin B loaded into liposomes, AmB-LLs, but all antifungal drugs including AmB-LLs have serious limitations due to human toxicity and insufficient fungal cell killing. Even with the best current therapies, one-year survival among patients with invasive aspergillosis is only 25 to 60%. Hence, there is a critical need for improved antifungal therapeutics.Dectin-1 is a mammalian protein that binds to beta-glucan polysaccharides found in nearly all fungal cell walls. We coated AmB-LLs with Dectin-1 to make DEC-AmB-LLs. DEC-AmB-LLs bond strongly to fungal cells, while AmB-LLs had little affinity. DEC-AmB-LLs killed or inhibitedA. fumigatusten times more efficiently than untargeted lipsomes, increasing the effective dose of AmB. Dectin-1 coated liposomes targeting fungal pathogens have the potential to greatly enhance antifungal therapeutics.