bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Pregnancy Outcomes
Authors: Wan Zhihua , Zhou Aifen , Zhu Huiping , Lin Xiaofang , Hu Dan , Peng Songxu , Zhang Bin , Du Yukai 
Published: July 2017

Goals:
To examine the impact of maternal hepatitis B virus infection on pregnancy outcomes.

Background:
Studies regarding hepatitis B virus infection and pregnancy outcomes are limited with inconsistent results, and none of them have evaluated the effect of maternal viral load in pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes.

Study:
A hospital-based case-control study was conducted. In total, 1728 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive women who delivered consecutively at Wuhan Women and Children Medical and Healthcare Center, Wuhan, China, from June 2008 to May 2015, were compared with 1497 HBsAg-negative women giving birth in the same hospital during the same period who were randomly identified and selected from the computerized medical record database in parallel. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were constructed.

Results:
After adjusting for confounding variables, maternal HBsAg carriage was associated with increased risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.20; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.30-3.73], fetal distress (aOR=1.40; 95% CI, 1.09-1.78), cesarean delivery (aOR=1.70; 95% CI, 1.45-1.99), and macrosomia (aOR=1.68; 95% CI, 1.19-2.37). Moreover, maternal viral load in the second trimester was significantly associated with risk of preterm birth (aOR for each log10 copy/mL increase, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.01-1.39) among HBsAg carriers after adjustment for maternal age, employment, parity, history of abortion, and prenatal body mass index.

Conclusions:
Maternal HBsAg carriage was associated with several adverse pregnancy outcomes. Furthermore, hepatitis B viral activity in pregnancy might have certain effects on pregnancy outcomes. Careful surveillance of maternal HBsAg status as well as viral activity in the second trimester among HBsAg carriers is warranted.
Obesity and pancreatitis
Authors: Khatua Biswajit , El-Kurdi Bara , Singh Vijay P. 
Published: July 2017

Purpose of review
The obesity pandemic poses a unique set of problems for acute pancreatitis – both by increasing acute pancreatitis incidence, and worsening acute pancreatitis severity. This review explores these associations, underlying mechanisms, and potential therapies.

Recent findings
We review how the obesity associated increase in gallstones, surgical, and endoscopic interventions for obesity management, diabetes, and related medications such as incretin-based therapies and hypertriglyceridemia may increase the incidence of acute pancreatitis. The mechanism of how obesity may increase acute pancreatitis severity are discussed with a focus on cytokines, adipokines, damage-associated molecular patterns and unsaturated fatty acid-mediated lipotoxicity. The role of obesity in exacerbating pancreatic necrosis is discussed; focusing on obesity-associated pancreatic steatosis. We also discuss how peripancreatic fat necrosis worsens organ failure independent of pancreatic necrosis. Last, we discuss emerging therapies including choice of intravenous fluids and the use of lipase inhibitors which have shown promise during severe acute pancreatitis.

Summary
We discuss how obesity may contribute to increasing acute pancreatitis incidence, the role of lipolytic unsaturated fatty acid release in worsening acute pancreatitis, and potential approaches, including appropriate fluid management and lipase inhibition in improving acute pancreatitis outcomes.
Prevention of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn: what have we learned from animal models?
Authors: Cruz-Leal Yoelys , Marjoram Danielle , Lazarus Alan H. 
Published: July 2017

Purpose of review
This review aims to highlight recent advances in our understanding of how anti-red blood cell (RBC) antibodies prevent erythrocyte immunization with an emphasis on new murine models.

Recent findings
New murine models with clinically relevant human erythrocyte antigens have been used to understand the alloimmunization process and its inhibition. The search to elucidate the mechanism of action of IgG-mediated inhibition of erythrocyte alloimmunization has provided new evidence in support of a potential role for epitope masking, immune deviation and/or antigen modulation in this process. In addition, recent evidence suggests that blends of monoclonal antibodies targeting nonoverlapping epitopes on the RBC surface can improve the efficacy of monoclonal antibodies approaching that of polyclonal IgG.

Summary
Animal models with defined alloantigens have helped to identify important mechanistic components that lead to alloimmunization and its inhibition by IgG. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms leading to hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn is required to develop the most effective prevention strategies for future patients.
Wnt signaling in cardiovascular disease: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Gay Austin , Towler Dwight A. 
Published: July 2017

Purpose of reviewCardiometabolic diseases increasingly afflict our aging, dysmetabolic population. Complex signals regulating low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) and frizzled protein family members – the plasma membrane receptors for the cadre of Wnt polypeptide morphogens – contribute to the control of cardiovascular homeostasis.Recent findingsBoth canonical (β-catenin-dependent) and noncanonical (β-catenin-independent) Wnt signaling programs control vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cell phenotypic modulation in cardiometabolic disease. LRP6 limits VSM proliferation, reduces arteriosclerotic transcriptional reprogramming, and preserves insulin sensitivity while LRP5 restrains foam cell formation. Adipose, skeletal muscle, macrophages, and VSM have emerged as important sources of circulating Wnt ligands that are dynamically regulated during the prediabetes−diabetes transition with cardiometabolic consequences. Platelets release Dkk1, a LRP5/LRP6 inhibitor that induces endothelial inflammation and the prosclerotic endothelial−mesenchymal transition. By contrast, inhibitory secreted frizzled-related proteins shape the Wnt signaling milieu to limit myocardial inflammation with ischemia-reperfusion injury. VSM sclerostin, an inhibitor of canonical Wnt signaling in bone, restrains remodeling that predisposes to aneurysm formation, and is downregulated in aneurysmal vessels by epigenetic methylation.SummaryComponents of the Wnt signaling cascade represent novel targets for pharmacological intervention in cardiometabolic disease. Conversely, strategies targeting the Wnt signaling cascade for other therapeutic purposes will have cardiovascular consequences that must be delineated to establish clinically useful pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic relationships.
Teaching Incision and Drainage
Authors: Adams Cynthia M. , Nigrovic Lise E. , Hayes Gavin , Weinstock Peter H. , Nagler Joshua 
Published: July 2017

Objectives
Incision and drainage (I&D) of skin abscesses is an important procedural skill for pediatric emergency medicine providers. Practical skills training using simulation provides an opportunity to learn and gain confidence with this invasive procedure. Our objective was to assess the perceived educational value of 2 versions of an abscess model as part of an educational workshop for teaching I&D.

Methods
A combined didactic and practical skills workshop was developed for use at 2 national conferences. The didactic content was created through an iterative process. To facilitate hands-on training, 2 versions of an abscess model were created: 1 constructed from a negative mold and the other using a 3-dimensional printer. Participants were surveyed regarding prior experience with I&D, procedural confidence, and perceptions of the educational utility of the models.

Results
Seventy physicians and 75 nurse practitioners participated in the study. Procedural confidence improved after training using each version of the model, with the greatest improvements noted among novice learners. Ninety-four percent of physicians, and 99% of nurse practitioners rated the respective models as either “educational” or “very educational,” and 97% and 100%, respectively, would recommend the abscess models to others.

Conclusions
A combined didactic and practical skills educational workshop using novel abscess models was effective at improving learners' confidence. Our novel models provide an effective strategy for teaching procedural skills such as I&D and demonstrate a novel use of 3-dimensional printers in medical education. Further study is needed to determine if these educational gains translate into improvement in clinical performance or patient outcomes.
Does the Application of Heat Gel Pack After Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetic Cream Improve Venipuncture or Intravenous Cannulation Success Rate in Children? A Randomized Control Trial
Authors: Schreiber Silvana , Cozzi Giorgio , Patti Giuseppa , Taddio Andrea , Montico Marcella , Pierobon Chiara , Barbi Egidio 
Published: July 2017

Objective
Needle-related procedures are the most common sources of pain for children in the hospital setting. The most used topical anesthetic, eutectic mixture of local anesthetic (EMLA) cream, may cause transient vasoconstriction. It has been postulated that this vasoconstriction may decrease vein visualization. The application of heat gel pack after removal of EMLA cream in the site of venipuncture counteracts the vasoconstriction, improving vein visualization. We assessed using a prospective randomized controlled trial whether the application of heat gel pack increases the needle procedure success rate. The primary study outcome was procedural success rate at the first attempt.

Methods
The study enrolled 400 children, 200 of whom applied heat gel pack after removing EMLA (treatment group) and 200 did not (control group). Procedural success rate at the first attempt, vein perception before procedure, procedural pain, and adverse events were recorded in both groups.

Results
Eighty-eight percent of the procedures were successful at the first attempt in the treatment group and 89% in the control group (P = 0.876). Vein perception was not significantly different in the 2 groups (P = 0.081). Pain score after the procedure was similar in the 2 groups.

Conclusions
This study shows that the application of heat gel pack after removal of EMLA cream does not improve venipuncture or intravenous cannulation success rate.
Identification of Hypotensive Emergency Department Patients with Cardiogenic Etiologies
Authors: Henning Daniel J. , Kearney Kathleen E. , Hall Michael Kennedy , Mahr Claudius , Shapiro Nathan I. , Nichol Graham 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT

Objective:
Identify predictors of cardiogenic etiology among emergency department (ED) patients with hypotension, and use these predictors to create a clinical tool to discern cardiogenic etiology of hypotension.

Methods:
This secondary analysis evaluated a prospective cohort of consecutive patients with hypotension in an urban, academic, tertiary care ED from November 2012 to September 2013. We included adults with hypotension, defined as a new vasopressor requirement, systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 90 mm Hg after at least 1 L of crystalloid or 2 units packed red blood cells, or SBP < 90 mm Hg and fluids withheld due to concern for fluid overload. The primary outcome was cardiogenic etiology, adjudicated by two physician chart review, with 25% paired chart review (kappa = 0.92). We used multivariable logistic regression to predict cardiogenic etiology, utilizing clinical data abstracted from the electronic medical record. We created a prediction score from significant covariates and calculated its test characteristics for cardiogenic hypotension.

Results:
Of 700 patients with hypotension, 107 (15.3%, 95% CI: 12.6%–18.0%) had cardiogenic etiology. Independent predictors of cardiogenic etiology were shortness of breath (OR 4.1, 95% CI: 2.5–6.7), troponin > 0.1 ng/mL (37.5, 7.1–198.2), electrocardiographic ischemia (8.9, 4.0–19.8), history of heart failure (2.0, 1.1–3.3), and absence of fever (4.5, 2.3–8.7) (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.83). The prediction score created from these predictors yielded 78% sensitivity and 77% specificity for cardiogenic etiology (AUC = 0.827).

Conclusions:
Clinical predictors offer reasonable ED screening sensitivity for cardiogenic hypotension, while demonstrating sufficient specificity to facilitate early cardiac interventions.
Antithrombin III Attenuates AKI Following Acute Severe Pancreatitis
Authors: Kong Yiwei , Yin Jianyong , Cheng Dongsheng , Lu Zeyuan , Wang Niansong , Wang Feng , Liang Mingyu 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT

Background:
Antithrombin III (ATIII), the predominant coagulation factor inhibitor, possesses anti-inflammatory properties and exerts renoprotective effects on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in animal models. However, the ATIII's protective effects of ATIII on acute kidney injury (AKI) following severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) need to be confirmed.

Methods:
We assessed the association between ATIII activities and the incidence of AKI in patients with SAP, and explored therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of ATIII on kidney injury in sodium taurocholate induced SAP rat model. Rats were intravenously injected with ATIII (500 μg/kg) before or after the induction of SAP.

Results:
The results demonstrated ATIII did not attenuate pancreatic injury, but significantly ameliorate renal dysfunction and renal histological injury. ATIII administration alleviated renal inflammation response, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis. Moreover, ATIII attenuated tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)-stimulated intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1(ICAM-1) and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) upregulation in cultured renal tubular epithelial cells.

Conclusion:
ATIII appears to ameliorate SAP-induced kidney injury by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. ATIII supplementation may have a potential prophylactic and therapeutic effect on SAP induced AKI.
Songbird organotypic culture as anin vitromodel for interrogating sparse sequencing networks
Authors: Shen Jun , Blute Todd A. , Liberti William A. , Yen William , Liberti Derek C. , Kotten Darrell N. , Cruz-Martín Alberto , Gardner Timothy J. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTSparse sequences of neuronal activity are fundamental features of neural circuit computation; however, the underlying homeostatic mechanisms remain poorly understood. To approach these questions, we have developed a method for cellular-resolution imaging in organotypic cultures of the adult zebra finch brain, including portions of the intact song circuit. Thesein vitronetworks can survive for weeks, and display mature neuron morphologies. Neurons within the organotypic slices exhibit a diversity of spontaneous and pharmacologically induced activity that can be easily monitored using the genetically encoded calcium indicator GCaMP6. In this study, we primarily focus on the classic song sequence generator HVC and the surrounding areas. We describe proof of concept experiments including physiological, optical, and pharmacological manipulation of these exposed networks. This method may allow the cellular rules underlying sparse, stereotyped neural sequencing to be examined with new degrees of experimental control.HighlightsOrganotypic brain slices from adult zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), expressing the calcium indicator GCaMP6, can be cultured and maintained for at least several weeks and display spontaneous and evoked calcium transients.
GAS Power Calculator: web-based power calculator for genetic association studies
Authors: Johnson Jennifer Li , Abecasis Gonçalo R. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractMotivation:Statistical power calculations are crucial in designing genetic association studies. They help guide tradeoffs between large sample sizes and detailed assessments of genotype and phenotype, help determine which studies are viable, and help interpret research findings. To facilitate widespread use of power analysis in the design and interpretation of genetic studies, it is important to enable users to calculate power and visualize the effect of different models and design choices in convenient, interactive tools that are easily accessible.Results:We developed the Genetic Association Study (GAS) Power Calculator to provide users with a simple interface that can be compute the power of genetic association studies in a convenient browser based interface.Availability:The GAS Power Calculator can be accessed from the web interface at http://csg.sph.umich.edu/abecasis/gas_power_calculator/. Source code is available at https://github.com/jenlij/GAS-power-calculator.
Evolutionary rewiring of the human regulatory network by waves of genome expansion
Authors: Marnetto Davide , Mantica Federica , Molineris Ivan , Grassi Elena , Pesando Igor , Provero Paolo 
Published: July 2017

AbstractGenome expansion is believed to be an important driver of the evolution of gene regulation. To investigate the role of newly arising sequence in rewiring the regulatory network we estimated the age of each region of the human genome by applying maximum parsimony to genome-wide alignments with 100 vertebrates. We then studied the age distribution of several types of functional regions, with a focus on regulatory elements. The age distribution of regulatory elements reveals the extensive use of newly formed genomic sequence in the evolution of regulatory interactions. Many transcription factors have expanded their repertoire of targets through waves of genomic expansions that can be traced to specific evolutionary times. Repeated elements contributed a major part of such expansion: many classes of such elements are enriched in binding sites of one or a few specific transcription factors, whose binding sites are localized in specific portions of the element and characterized by distinctive motif words. These features suggest that the binding sites were available as soon as the new sequence entered the genome, rather than being created later by accumulation of point mutations. By comparing the age of regulatory regions to the evolutionary shift in expression of nearby genes we show that rewiring through genome expansion played an important role in shaping the human regulatory network.
Transition metal binding selectivity in proteins and its correlation with the phylogenomic classification of the cation diffusion facilitator protein family
Authors: Barber-Zucker Shiran , Shaanan Boaz , Zarivach Raz 
Published: July 2017

AbstractDivalent d-block metal cations (DDMCs), such as Fe, Zn and Mn, participate in many biological processes. Understanding how specific DDMCs are transported to and within the cell and what controls their binding selectivity to different proteins is crucial for defining the mechanisms of metalloproteins. To better understand such processes, we scanned the RCSB Protein Data Bank, performed ade novostructural-based comprehensive analysis of seven DDMCs and found their amino acid binding and coordination geometry propensities. We then utilized these results to characterize the correlation between metal selectivity, specific binding site composition and phylogenetic classification of the cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) protein family, a family of DDMC transporters found throughout evolution and sharing a conserved structure, yet with different members displaying distinct metal selectivity. Our analysis shows that DDMCs differ, at times significantly, in terms of their binding propensities, and that in each CDF clade, the metal selectivity-related binding site has a unique and conserved sequence signature. However, only limited correlation exists between the composition of the DDMC binding site in each clade and the metal selectivity shown by its proteins.
Integrating linguistics, social structure, and geography to model genetic diversity within India
Authors: Bose Aritra , Platt Daniel E. , Parida Laxmi , Drineas Petros , Paschou Peristera 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIndia represents an intricate tapestry of population substructure shaped by geography, language, culture and social stratification. While geography closely correlates with genetic structure in other parts of the world, the strict endogamy imposed by the Indian caste system and the large number of spoken languages add further levels of complexity to understand Indian population structure. To date, no study has attempted to model and evaluate how these factors have interacted to shape the patterns of genetic diversity within India. We merged all publicly available data from the Indian subcontinent into a data set of 891 individuals from 90 well-defined groups. Bringing together geography, genetics and demographic factors, we developed COGG (Correlation Optimization of Genetics and Geodemographics) to build a model that explains the observed population genetic substructure. We show that shared language along with social structure have been the most powerful forces in creating paths of gene flow in the subcontinent. Furthermore, we discover the ethnic groups that best capture the diverse genetic substructure highlighted by COGG. Integrating data from India with a data set of additional 1,323 individuals from 50 populations we find that Europeans show shared genetic drift with the Indo-European and Dravidian speakers of India, whereas the East Asians have the maximum shared genetic drift with Tibeto-Burman speaking tribal groups.
The Cryo-Electron Microscopy Structure of the Type 1 Chaperone-Usher Pilus Rod
Authors: Hospenthal Manuela K. , Costa Tiago R. D. , Redzej Adam , Lillington James , Waksman Gabriel 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTChaperone-usher pili are long, polymeric protein fibres displayed on the surface of many bacterial pathogens. These critical virulence factors allow bacteria to specifically attach to host cells during infection. The type 1 and P pili of uropathogenicEscherichia coli(UPEC) play important roles during UPEC’s colonisation of the urinary tract, mediating bacterial attachment to the bladder and kidney, respectively. Also, their biomechanical properties that allow them to reversibly uncoil in response to flow-induced forces are critical for UPEC’s ability to retain a foothold in the unique and hostile environment of the urinary tract. Here we provide the 4.2 Å resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the type 1 pilus rod, which together with the previous structure of the P pilus rod, enables us to understand the remarkable “spring-like” properties of chaperone-usher pili in more detail.
Resilience of small intestinal beneficial bacteria to the toxicity of soybean oil fatty acids
Authors: Di Rienzi Sara C. , Jacobson Juliet , Kennedy Elizabeth A. , Bell M. Elizabeth , Shi Qiaojuan , Waters Jillian L. , Lawrence Peter , Brenna J. Thomas , Britton Robert A. , Walter Jens , Ley Ruth E. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractOver the past century, soybean oil (SBO) consumption in the United States increased dramatically. The main SBO fatty acid, linoleic acid (18:2), inhibitsin vitrothe growth of lactobacilli, beneficial members of the small intestinal microbiota. Human-associated lactobacilli have declined in prevalence in Western microbiomes, but how dietary changes may have impacted their ecology is unclear. Here, we compared thein vitroandin vivoeffects of 18:2 onLactobacillus reuteriandL. johnsonii. Directed evolutionin vitroin both species led to strong 18:2 resistance with mutations in genes for lipid biosynthesis, acid stress, and the cell membrane or wall. Small-intestinalLactobacilluspopulations in mice were unaffected by chronic and acute 18:2 exposure, yet harbored both 18:2- sensitive and resistant strains. This work shows that extant small intestinal lactobacilli are protected from toxic dietary components via the gut environment as well as their own capacity to evolve resistance.