bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surveillance and control of asymptomatic carriers of drug‐resistant bacteria
Authors: Jamrozik Euzebiusz , Selgelid Michael J. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractDrug‐resistant bacterial infections constitute a major threat to global public health. Several key bacteria that are becoming increasingly resistant are among those that are ubiquitously carried by human beings and usually cause no symptoms (i.e. individuals are asymptomatic carriers) until and/or unless a precipitating event leads to symptomatic infection (and thus disease). Carriers of drug‐resistant bacteria can also transmit resistant pathogens to others, thus putting the latter at risk of resistant infections. Accumulating evidence suggests that such transmission occurs not only in hospital settings but also in the general community, although considerably more data are needed to assess the extent of this problem. Asymptomatic carriage of drug‐resistant bacteria raises important ethical questions regarding the appropriate public health response, including the degree to which it would be justified to impose burdens on asymptomatic carriers (and others) in order to prevent transmission. In this paper, we (i) summarize current evidence regarding the carriage of key drug‐resistant bacteria, noting important knowledge gaps; and (ii) explore the particular implications of existing public health ethics frameworks for policy‐making regarding asymptomatic carriers. Inter alia, we argue that the relative burdens imposed by public health measures on healthy carriers (as opposed to sick individuals) warrant careful consideration and should be proportionate to the expected public health benefits in terms of risks averted. We conclude that more surveillance and research regarding community transmission will be needed in order to clarify relevant risks and design proportionate policies, although extensive community surveillance itself would also require careful ethical consideration.
Biclustering via sparse clustering
Authors: Helgeson Erika S. , Liu Qian , Chen Guanhua , Kosorok Michael R. , Bair Eric 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIn identifying subgroups of a heterogeneous disease or condition, it is often desirable to identify both the observations and the features which differ between subgroups. For instance, it may be that there is a subgroup of individuals with a certain disease who differ from the rest of the population based on the expression profile for only a subset of genes. Identifying the subgroup of patients and subset of genes could lead to better‐targeted therapy. We can represent the subgroup of individuals and genes as a bicluster, a submatrix, , of a larger data matrix, , such that the features and observations in differ from those not contained in . We present a novel two‐step method, SC‐Biclust, for identifying . In the first step, the observations in the bicluster are identified to maximize the sum of the weighted between‐cluster feature differences. In the second step, features in the bicluster are identified based on their contribution to the clustering of the observations. This versatile method can be used to identify biclusters that differ on the basis of feature means, feature variances, or more general differences. The bicluster identification accuracy of SC‐Biclust is illustrated through several simulated studies. Application of SC‐Biclust to pain research illustrates its ability to identify biologically meaningful subgroups.
M7‐FLIPI is not prognostic in follicular lymphoma patients with first‐line rituximab chemo‐free therapy
Authors: Lockmer Sandra , Ren Weicheng , Brodtkorb Marianne , Østenstad Bjørn , Wahlin Björn E. , Pan‐Hammarström Qiang , Kimby Eva 
Published: August 2019

SummaryThe clinical course of follicular lymphoma (FL) is highly variable. Recently the m7‐FL international prognostic index (FLIPI) integrating performance status, FLIPI score and the mutational status of seven genes, was shown to stratify patients into “low‐risk” and “high‐risk” with respect to 5‐year failure‐free survival after first‐line immunochemotherapy. Our aim was to evaluate the model after rituximab without chemotherapy. The Nordic Lymphoma Group performed two randomized clinical trials on indolent lymphoma patients receiving single rituximab and rituximab with interferon‐α2a. In total, 95 FL patients had sufficient fresh‐frozen diagnostic material for sequencing. A targeted panel for the genes EZH2, ARID1A, MEF2B, EP300, FOXO1, CREBBP and CARD11 was utilized for m7‐FLIPI score calculation. With a median follow‐up of 10·6 years, 76% of patients were alive. No difference in time to treatment failure (TTF), defined as the interval between start of trial therapy and initiation of new therapy or death, nor overall survival (OS) was found between the m7‐FLIPI risk groups (log‐rank P = 0·94 and 0·99, respectively). EZH2 mutations were associated with longer TTF (log‐rank P = 0·04) and in EP300 mutations were associated with shorter TTF (log‐rank P = 0·01). We conclude that the prognostic value of the m7‐FLIPI clinicogenetic model seems dependent on therapeutic regimen.
Age limits for participation in child protection court proceedings in Sweden
Authors: Hultman Elin , Höjer Staffan , Larsson Monica 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAccording to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Swedish legislation, children have the right to participate in child protection proceedings. The aim of this paper is to describe and analyse the notion of age and maturity in child protection proceedings in order to elucidate how these aspects could influence children's rights to participate. We focus on the view of three groups of actors involved in child protection proceedings in Sweden—social workers, lawyers, and laypersons in social welfare boards and administrative courts—and on how children's age and maturity should be taken into consideration in decisions on their participation in court. The analysis is based on survey data. The study found that social workers, laypersons, and lawyers have different views on when children are old enough to have the right to litigate in court. Additionally, there is no consensus on how the maturity of the child can be assessed to inform the decision about participation. More discussion is needed about what competences a child needs to participate in court and to what extent this right should be limited by their age. Importantly, courts and decision‐making proceedings can be made more child friendly.
Effect of single‐session transcranial direct current stimulation on cognition in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Lau Chi‐ieong , Liu Mu‐N , Chang Kae‐Chwen , Chang Anna , Bai Chyi‐Huey , Tseng Ching‐Shiang , Walsh Vincent , Wang Han‐Cheng 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAimsNonmotor symptoms (NMS) such as cognitive impairment and impulse‐control disorders in Parkinson's disease (PD) remain a therapeutic challenge. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a promising alternative, although its immediate effects on NMS have been less well defined. In this randomized, sham‐controlled, crossover study, we aimed to explore the single‐session tDCS effects on cognitive performance in PD.MethodsTen nondemented patients with PD completed two sessions in counterbalanced order, receiving 20 minutes of either 2 mA anodal or sham tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). During stimulation, they performed the visual working memory and go/no‐go tasks. Performance of the tasks was compared between the two conditions.ResultsSingle‐session anodal tDCS over the left DLPFC did not significantly improve cognitive tasks in PD compared with sham (P > .05).ConclusionSingle‐session tDCS is ineffective in improving visual working memory and inhibitory control in PD. Further research may worth exploring alternative tDCS parameters, ideally with repeated sessions and concomitant training.
Making space: Putting landscape‐level mitigation into practice in Mongolia
Authors: Heiner Michael , Galbadrakh Davaa , Batsaikhan Nyamsuren , Bayarjargal Yunden , Oakleaf James , Tsogtsaikhan Battsengel , Evans Jeffrey , Kiesecker Joseph 
Published: August 2019

AbstractGrowing resource demands are driving rapid development to new frontiers in developing countries with important biological diversity. The mitigation hierarchy is a critical tool to manage the impacts of development projects on biodiversity, embedded into numerous government, lender, and corporate policies. However, implementation faces obstacles, in particular deciding when impacts should be avoided. Offset design, the last step, faces difficult questions about location of offsets relative to impacts and how to address uncertainty and conflicts with future development. Planning for conservation and development are typically separate processes, and environmental impact assessments are typically conducted on a project‐by‐project basis that does not consider the landscape context and cumulative impacts of multiple projects. Here we present a mitigation framework for Mongolia with an example from the Mongolian Gobi Desert, a landscape with globally significant biodiversity facing rapid development. This landscape‐level planning approach has been replicated across Mongolia to produce a national level mitigation framework to guide both the government policy commitment to protect 30% of all natural lands and application of the mitigation hierarchy. This has led to protection of 177,000 km2in new national and local protected areas, and development of an offset design mechanism based on the conservation plans.
Discharge frailty following lung transplantation
Authors: Courtwright Andrew M. , Zaleski Derek , Tevald Michael , Adler Joe , Singer Jonathan P. , Cantu Edward E. , A. Bermudez Christian , Diamond Joshua M. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIntroductionFrailty at listing for lung transplant has been associated with waitlist and post‐transplant mortality. Frailty trajectories following transplant, however, have been less well characterized, including whether recipient frailty improves. The objective of this study was to identify prevalence and risk factors for frailty at discharge and to evaluate changes in frail recipients enrolled in an outpatient physical therapy program.MethodsThis was a single‐center prospective cohort study of lung transplant recipients. Enrollees completed a short physical performance battery (SPPB) to assess frailty at listing and at initial hospital discharge.ResultsOf the 111 enrolled recipients, none were frail at listing and 18 (16.2%) were prefrail. At discharge, however, 60 (54.1%) patients were frail. Discharge frailty was associated with prefrailty at listing, acute kidney injury post‐transplant, and longer intensive care unit stay. Among the 35 patients who were frail at discharge and who were enrolled in an outpatient PT program, the median improvement in SPPB was 6 points (IQR = 5‐7 points), and 85.7% became not frail over a median of 6 weeks.ConclusionDischarge frailty is common following lung transplantation. In most frail patients, an intensive outpatient physical therapy program is associated with improvement in frailty, as assessed by the SPPB.
Tricuspid regurgitation occurring in the early‐diastolic phase in a case of heart failure: Insights from echocardiographic and invasive hemodynamic findings
Authors: Murayama Michito , Iwano Hiroyuki , Tsujinaga Shingo , Sarashina Miwa , Ishizaka Suguru , Chiba Yasuyuki , Nakabachi Masahiro , Yokoyama Shinobu , Nishino Hisao , Okada Kazunori , Kaga Sanae , Shibuya Hitoshi , Nishida Mutsumi , Anzai Toshihisa 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAlthough the presence and physiological significance of late‐diastolic tricuspid regurgitation (TR) have been reported, those in TR occurring in early diastole have not been well known. We herein first presented a case of heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy showing functional TR occurring in the early‐diastolic phase in whom the mechanism for its genesis could be precisely assessed from echocardiographic findings and intra‐cardiac pressure recordings.
Relating soil salinity, clay content and water vapour sorption isotherms
Authors: Chen Mingyuan , Zeng Wenzhi , Arthur Emmanuel , Gaiser Thomas , Lei Guoqing , Zha Yuanyuan , Ao Chang , Fang Yuanhao , Wu Jingwei , Huang Jiesheng 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAn accurate description of soil water vapour sorption isotherms (WSIs) is significant for modelling numerous soil processes. Soil clay content predictions from WSIs can be cost effective and convenient, although the approach has only been investigated on non‐saline soils. To investigate relationships among the clay content, water vapour sorption characteristics and salinity of soils, the WSIs of 35 soil samples were measured at four salinity levels. The characterization of the isotherms indicated that the double log polynomial (DLP) model was optimal for fitting the WSIs of soils with various salinity levels. Moreover, existing clay content prediction models based on WSIs had poor applicability to saline soils, and soil salinity had a greater influence than the soil clay content on the shape of the WSIs. Therefore, multiple linear regression (MLR) models were established to explain the relationships among the soil clay content, salt content and geometrical characteristics of the WSIs. Specifically, a significant correlation was observed between the soil salt content and the sub‐area at the end interval of the WSIs (relative vapour pressure (RH) = 0.83 to 0.93, coefficient of determination (R2) > 0.9) and the hysteresis sub‐area in the middle of the WSIs (RH = 0.53 to 0.63, R2 > 0.8). Furthermore, a strong linear relationship existed between the clay content and the sub‐areas of desorption and hysteresis at the end interval of the WSIs (RH = 0.73 to 0.83, R2 > 0.9) in the non‐saline soils only. Based on the investigated samples, the geometrical characteristics of WSIs were affected predominantly by the soil clay content when the salt content was low (electrical conductivity (EC) < 4.5 dS m−1), whereas salinity was the main influencing factor for samples that have high salt content (EC ≥ 4.5 dS m−1). Moreover, the WSIs' geometric characteristics had the potential to predict soil salt content and clay content under certain limited conditions. Isotherm models that accurately describe water sorption isotherms of saline soils were identified. Soil clay content and salinity affect water sorption isotherms differently depending on soil salinity level. Robust relationships between the soil salinity, clay content and WSI shape properties were established.Highlights
Isotherm models that accurately describe water sorption isotherms of saline soils were identified.
Soil clay content and salinity affect water sorption isotherms differently depending on soil salinity level.
Robust relationships between the soil salinity, clay content and WSI shape properties were established.
The underlying etiology of infantile spasms (West syndrome): Information from the International Collaborative Infantile Spasms Study (ICISS)
Authors: Osborne John P. , Edwards Stuart W. , Dietrich Alber Fabienne , Hancock Eleanor , Johnson Anthony L. , Kennedy Colin R. , Likeman Marcus , Lux Andrew L. , Mackay Mark , Mallick Andrew , Newton Richard W. , Nolan Melinda , Pressler Ronit , Rating Dietz , Schmitt Bernhard , Verity Christopher M. , O'Callaghan Finbar J. K. ,   the participating investigators
Published: August 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the underlying etiologies in a contemporary cohort of infants with infantile spasms and to examine response to treatment.MethodsIdentification of the underlying etiology and response to treatment in 377 infants enrolled in a clinical trial of the treatment of infantile spasms between 2007 and 2014 using a systematic review of history, examination, and investigations. They were classified using the pediatric adaptation of International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD‐10).ResultsA total of 219 of 377 (58%) had a proven etiology, of whom 128 (58%) responded, 58 of 108 (54%) were allocated hormonal treatment, and 70 of 111 (63%) had combination therapy. Fourteen of 17 (82%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 59% to 94%) infants with stroke and infarct responded (compared to 114 of 202 for the rest of the proven etiology group (56%, 95% CI 48% to 62%, chi‐square 4.3, P = .037): the better response remains when treatment allocation and lead time are taken into account (odds ratio 5.1, 95% CI 1.1 to 23.6, P = .037). Twenty of 37 (54%, 95% CI 38% to 70%) infants with Down syndrome had cessation of spasms compared to 108 of 182 (59%, 95% CI 52% to 66%, chi‐square 0.35, P = .55) for the rest of the proven etiology group. The lack of a significant difference remains after taking treatment modality and lead‐time into account (odds ratio 0.8, 95% CI 0.4 to 1.7, P = .62). In Down syndrome infants, treatment modality did not appear to affect response: 11 of 20 (55%) allocated hormonal therapy responded, compared to 9 of 17 (53%) allocated combination therapy.SignificanceThis classification allows easy comparison with other classifications and with our earlier reports. Stroke and infarct have a better outcome than other etiologies, whereas Down syndrome might not respond to the addition of vigabatrin to hormonal treatment.
Characteristics of KCNQ2 variants causing either benign neonatal epilepsy or developmental and epileptic encephalopathy
Authors: Goto Ayako , Ishii Atsushi , Shibata Mami , Ihara Yukiko , Cooper Edward C. , Hirose Shinichi 
Published: August 2019

AbstractObjectivePathogenic variants of KCNQ2, which encode a potassium channel subunit, cause either benign (familial) neonatal epilepsy—B(F)NE)—or KCNQ2 encephalopathy (KCNQ2 DEE). We examined the characteristics of KCNQ2 variants.MethodsKCNQ2 pathogenic variants were collected from in‐house data and two large disease databases with their clinical phenotypes. Nonpathogenic KCNQ2 variants were collected from the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD). Pathogenicity of all variants was reevaluated with clinical information to exclude irrelevant variants. The cumulative distribution plots of B(F)NE, KCNQ2 DEE, and gnomAD KCNQ2 variants were compared. Several algorithms predicting genetic variant pathogenicity were evaluated.ResultsA total of 259 individuals or pedigrees with 216 different pathogenic KCNQ2 variants and 2967 individuals with 247 different nonpathogenic variants were deemed eligible for the study. Compared to the distribution of nonpathogenic variants, B(F)NE and KCNQ2 DEE missense variants occurred in five and three specific KCNQ2 regions, respectively. Comparison between B(F)NE and KCNQ2 DEE sets showed that B(F)NE missense variants frequently localized to the intracellular domain between S2 and S3, whereas those of KCNQ2 DEE were more frequent in S6, and its adjacent pore domain, as well as in the intracellular domain between S6 and helix A. The scores of Protein Variation Effect Analyzer (PROVEAN) and Percent Accepted Mutation (PAM) 30 prediction algorithms were associated with phenotypes of the variant loci.SignificanceMissense variants in the intracellular domain between S2 and S3 are likely to cause B(F)NE, whereas those in S6 and its adjacent regions are more likely to cause KCNQ2 DEE. With such regional specificities of variants, PAM30 is a helpful tool to examine the possibility that a novel KCNQ2 variant is a B(F)NE or KCNQ2 DEE variant in genetic analysis.
Diet and trophic role of octopus on an abalone sea ranch
Authors: Greenwell Claire N. , Loneragan Neil R. , Tweedley James R. , Wall Mark 
Published: August 2019

AbstractGastric tract (crop and stomach) and stable isotope analyses (SIA) were used to evaluate the dietary composition of resident, commercially important Octopus aff. O. tetricus Gould, and its importance as a predator of Haliotis laevigata Donovan, on artificial abalone habitats. Taxonomic diversity and resolution of diet were higher in crops (13 taxa) than stomachs (10 taxa), with the latter dominated by unidentifiable material (%Volume = 74%). Crops contained mainly molluscs (~54%, including 31% abalone) and crustaceans (33%), suggesting octopus are important predators of abalone on the sea ranch. Dietary composition of crops did not differ with increasing octopus weight (<300 g, 300–999 g, ≥1,000 g wet weight), paralleling the findings of SIA and reflecting the high stocking densities of abalone that are able to be consumed by octopus of all sizes. The SIA also revealed that octopus occupy a mid‐trophic level, slightly below teleosts and loliginid squids.
Juvenile pheomelanin‐based plumage coloration has evolved more frequently in carnivorous species
Authors: Rodríguez‐Martínez Sol , Galván Ismael 
Published: August 2019

Distinctive pheomelanin‐based plumage coloration in juvenile birds has been proposed as a signal of immaturity to avoid aggression by older conspecifics, but recent findings suggest a detoxifying strategy. Pheomelanin synthesis implies the consumption of cysteine, a semi‐essential amino acid that is necessary for the synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) but that may be toxic if in excess in the diet. As the nestling stage probably represents a low‐stress period with limited requirement for GSH protection, the synthesis of pheomelanin in developing birds may help to maintain cysteine homeostasis, particularly in species with a high content of protein in the diet (i.e. carnivores). Here we confirm this hypothesis showing that, among 53 species of Western Palaearctic birds, juvenile pheomelanin‐based coloration has evolved more frequently in strictly carnivorous species than in species with other diets.
Predictable shorebird departure patterns from a staging site can inform collision risks and mitigation of wind energy developments
Authors: Howell Jessica E. , McKellar Ann E. , Espie Richard H. M. , Morrissey Christy A. 
Published: August 2019

High‐quality staging sites are critical for long‐distance migratory shorebirds to rest and refuel but are under threat from human development, including expansion of wind energy projects. However, predicting migration timing and movements in relation to weather conditions at staging sites can increase our understanding and mitigate effects of wind turbine collisions. Here we assessed northward migration timing and orientation in relation to environmental conditions at an inland staging area in Saskatchewan, Canada, with active and proposed wind energy developments. The area is known to host ~25% of North America's Sanderling Calidris alba population and 16 other Arctic‐breeding migrant shorebird species. We quantified arrival and departure time of day in relation to weather using data from 140 of 237 Sanderlings radiotagged locally and at a southern staging site in the Gulf of Mexico with the Motus Wildlife Tracking System (April–June, 2015–2017). Although Sanderling arrival times were not related to time of day or weather, departures were more likely at sunset in winds blowing towards the northwest at intermediate speeds (<22 km/h). Departure flights were also primarily oriented north‐northwest in the direction of a proposed wind energy development site at a mean ground speed of 21.4 m/s. Based on published climb rates and flight speed data, we estimated that shorebirds needed between 2 and 14 km setback distance to clear maximum turbine heights of 165 m. Given that departure events were predictable in time and space, adaptive mitigation may be useful for planning wind energy developments while reducing risk for staging Arctic‐breeding shorebirds.