bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experiences and expectations in the first trimester of pregnancy: a qualitative study
Authors: Lou Stina , Frumer Michal , Schlütter Mette M. , Petersen Olav B. , Vogel Ida , Nielsen Camilla P. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundA dominant context for pregnant women in the Western world is medical technologies such as ultrasound and screening. It has been argued that such technologies may result in tentative pregnancies, which may be particularly prominent in the first trimester. However, little is known about how women experience early pregnancy.ObjectiveTo explore the everyday experiences and expectations of first trimester pregnant women in a medicalized context of comprehensive and routine prenatal screening.DesignQualitative, semi‐structured interviews analysed using thematic analysis.SettingBetween May 2015 and January 2016, participants were recruited from two general practices and one obstetric ultrasound unit in Aarhus, Denmark.ParticipantsTwenty, first trimester pregnant women (15 primiparae, five multiparae) aged 21‐39 years.ResultsEarly pregnancy is often kept secret in the first trimester due to a higher risk of miscarriage. However, the pregnancy is very real in the lives of the pregnant women who make it meaningful through practices of information seeking, listening to the body and anticipating the different milestones in pregnancy. First trimester screening represents one such milestone that is expected to mark a new and more certain phase in the pregnancy. A majority expects to terminate following a prenatal diagnosis, but this does not seem to influence their engagement with the pregnancy.ConclusionsThe pregnant women use medical technologies to mark a milestone in pregnancy but do not expect all concerns to disappear upon a normal screening result. The majority of women acknowledge that pregnancy involves simultaneous feelings of happiness and worry.
The need for better preventative strategies for inflammatory bowel disease patients at risk of herpes zoster virus
Authors: Bye William A. , Sparrow Miles P. , Connor Susan J. , Andrews Jane M. , Ellard Katie , Ng Watson , Hume Georgia , Antoniades Sally , Walsh Alissa J. 
Published: May 2017

BackgroundImmunosuppressed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients have an increased risk of herpes zoster virus (HZV) infection. The existing live‐attenuated HZV vaccine is contraindicated in some of these patients and can only be used with caution in others.AimsTo describe characteristics of IBD patients suffering HZV to enable implementation of risk mitigation strategies for those at highest risk.MethodsGastroenterologists completed a proforma for IBD patients who experienced HZV infection: IBD phenotype, details of HZV infection, immunosuppression and any change to treatment upon diagnosis of HZV.ResultsA total of 30 cases was identified: Crohn disease (CD) (n = 25) and ulcerative colitis (n = 5). In total, 80% (20/25) of the CD patients had penetrating, stricturing or perianal disease. Time from commencement of immunosuppression to HZV infection was highly variable (range: 3 months to over 10 years). A total of 90% (27/30) of patients was on at least one immunosuppressive therapy; of those, one‐third was on monotherapy (9/27) and two‐thirds (18/27) on dual therapy. A total of 89% (24/27) of immunosupressed patients was on a thiopurine (monotherapy; 6/27) or in combination (18/27). Complications of HZV occurred in 27% (8/30) of patients.ConclusionOur series is consistent with existing epidemiological analysis that identified more severe IBD and the use of multiple immunosuppressive therapies as risk factors for HZV. If the promise of an investigational subunit HZV vaccine is realised in immunocompromised patients, better protection may be possible in the future. Thiopurine medications were the most commonly used immunosuppressant in this series. Age and duration of immunosuppressive therapy do not appear to predict HZV infection.
Modification of the Schottky barrier height at the RuO2 cathode during resistance degradation of Fe‐doped SrTiO3
Authors: Giesecke Ruth , Hertwig Ramis , Bayer Thorsten J. M. , Randall Clive A. , Klein Andreas 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe long‐term stability of electronic devices at high temperatures and electric fields might be strongly influenced by the electronic properties of interfaces. A modification of Schottky barrier heights at electrode interfaces of functional oxides upon changes of the external oxygen partial pressure is well documented in literature. In this work, an experimental approach using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy is presented, which enables to study transient changes in the Schottky barrier height induced by electrical degradation. A rise of the Fermi level at the RuO2 cathode interface of Fe‐doped SrTiO3 single crystals by 0.6 eV is observed in the course of resistance degradation. The change of the effective barrier height is associated to the migration of oxygen vacancies towards the cathode and accompanied by the observed reduction of Ti. Different scenarios are discussed to explain the origin of barrier modification and the localization of the reduced Ti.
Correlation between socio‐economic status and atopic dermatitis in Korean adults: the Korea national health and nutrition examination survey (2007–2014)
Authors: Lee J.S. , Kim J.M. , Seok J. , Kim B.J. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIntroductionAtopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common allergic diseases. Its prevalence has been increasing in recent decades. Socio‐economic status is well‐known risk factor of allergic diseases.ObjectiveThis study was performed to investigate the relationship between socio‐economic status and AD in Korean adults.MethodsData were acquired from 47 351 men and women, ≥19 years of age who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) conducted from 2007 to 2014. The presence of AD was based on self‐reported physician diagnosis of AD in the Health Interview Surveys.ResultsThe prevalence of AD was 3.1%, which decreased with increasing age. In univariate analysis, adults with AD were prone to be female, younger, never‐married, well educated, lower household members, and urban dwelling (all P < 0.01). Monthly family income and smoking status were not associated with the presence of AD. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and asthma was higher in AD subjects (all P < 0.01), while obesity was not associated with adult AD. After adjusting for confounders, logistic regression analysis showed female sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.483, 95% CI: 1.268–1.734), age (P < 0.01), marital status (Single: aOR: 1.307, 95% CI: 1.012–1.690; Never‐married: aOR: 1.938, 95% CI: 1.513–2.482), urban residence (aOR: 1.281, 95% CI: 1.045–1.569) and asthma (aOR: 1.788, 95% CI: 1.416–2.258) were associated with higher prevalence of AD (all P < 0.01).ConclusionFemale sex, age, marital status, urban residence, and the presence of asthma are important risk factors of the prevalence of AD in Korean adults.
Effects of Estradiol and Testosterone on the Expression of Growth‐related Genes in Female and Male Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus
Authors: Yue Mengmeng , Zhao Jinliang , Tang Shoujie , Zhao Yan 
Published: May 2017

AbstractNile tilapia exhibits strong sexual growth dimorphism. The potential role of sex steroid hormones in sexual growth dimorphism is not fully understood. We investigated the effects of estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) on growth rate, plasma sex hormones, and expression of growth hormone (GH)‐insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) axis genes and muscle regulatory factor (MRF) genes in female and male Nile tilapia. The results revealed that serum concentrations of E2 and T were significantly higher after correlative injection (P < 0.05). Compared to male fish, female fish had lower growth rates. E2 increased growth performance in females with no significant effects on males, whereas T significantly increased growth performance in males, with no significant effects on females. In females, E2 significantly increased expression of ghr1, ghr2, igf1, and igf2, while T decreased igf2 and increased ghr1 and ghr2 expression. In males, T increased expression of igf1, igf2, ghr1, and ghr2, and E2 decreased expression of igf1, ghr1, and ghr2. Additionally, E2 and T enhanced the expression of MRF genes (myod1, myod2, myog, and myf5) in female and male fish, respectively. The results suggest that sex steroid hormones play a role in sexual growth dimorphism by regulating the expression of GH‐IGF axis and MRF genes.
Verticillium dahliae transcription factor VdFTF1 regulates the expression of multiple secreted virulence factors and is required for full virulence in cotton
Authors: Zhang Wen‐Qi , Gui Yue‐Jing , Short Dylan P. G. , Li Ting‐Gang , Zhang Dan‐Dan , Zhou Lei , Liu Chun , Bao Yu‐Ming , Subbarao Krishna V. , Chen Jie‐Yin , Dai Xiao‐Feng 
Published: May 2017

SummaryFungal transcription factors (TFs) implicated in the regulation of virulence gene expression have been identified in a number of plant pathogens. In Verticillium dahliae, despite its agricultural importance, few regulators of transcription have been characterized. In this study, a T‐DNA insertion mutant with significantly reduced virulence towards cotton was identified. The T‐DNA was traced to VdFTF1, a gene encoding a TF containing a Fungal_trans domain. Transient expression in onion epidermal cells indicated that VdFTF1 is localized to the nucleus. The VdFTF1‐deletion strains displayed normal vegetative growth, mycelial pigmentation and conidial morphology, but exhibited significantly reduced virulence on cotton, suggesting that VdFTF1 is required exclusively for pathogenesis. Comparisons of global transcription patterns of wild‐type and VdFTF1‐deletion strains indicated that VdFTF1 affected the expression of 802 genes, 233 of which were associated with catalytic processes. These genes encoded 69 potentially secreted proteins, 43 of which contained a carbohydrate enzyme domain known to participate in pathogenesis during infection of cotton. Targeted gene deletion of one VdFTF1‐regulated gene resulted in significantly impaired vascular colonization, as measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, as well as aggressiveness and symptom severity in cotton. In conclusion, VdFTF1, which encodes a TF containing a Fungal_trans domain, regulates the gene expression of plant cell wall degradation enzymes in V. dahliae, which are required for full virulence on cotton.
Spatial patterns and broad‐scale weather cues of beech mast seeding in Europe
Authors: Vacchiano Giorgio , Hacket‐Pain Andrew , Turco Marco , Motta Renzo , Maringer Janet , Conedera Marco , Drobyshev Igor , Ascoli Davide 
Published: May 2017

Summary

Mast seeding is a crucial population process in many tree species, but its spatio‐temporal patterns and drivers at the continental scale remain unknown .

Using a large dataset (8000 masting observations across Europe for years 1950–2014) we analysed the spatial pattern of masting across the entire geographical range of European beech, how it is influenced by precipitation, temperature and drought, and the temporal and spatial stability of masting–weather correlations.

Beech masting exhibited a general distance‐dependent synchronicity and a pattern structured in three broad geographical groups consistent with continental climate regimes. Spearman's correlations and logistic regression revealed a general pattern of beech masting correlating negatively with temperature in the summer 2 yr before masting, and positively with summer temperature 1 yr before masting (i.e. 2T model). The temperature difference between the two previous summers (DeltaT model) was also a good predictor. Moving correlation analysis applied to the longest eight chronologies (74–114 yr) revealed stable correlations between temperature and masting, confirming consistency in weather cues across space and time.

These results confirm widespread dependency of masting on temperature and lend robustness to the attempts to reconstruct and predict mast years using temperature data.
Efficacy of a Targeted Drug Delivery on‐Demand Bolus Option for Chronic Pain
Authors: Bolash Robert B. , Niazi Tariq , Kumari Meera , Azer Gerges , Mekhail Nagy 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesIntrathecal targeted drug delivery systems historically required physician office visits for dose adjustment to manage fluctuating pain. A wireless device now enables patients to supplement their basal intrathecal infusion with a programmed on‐demand bolus dose. We sought to quantify the change in oral breakthrough opioid need associated with the use of an intrathecal bolus in comparison to those treated with the basal infusion alone.MethodsDemographic, dosage, bolus usage and longevity data were extracted from the historical medical record of 69 patients (18/51 bolus/nonbolus) followed continuously at our center. Medication consumption and Pain Disability Index measures were obtained at baseline and most recent follow‐up.ResultsAmong patients with the bolus option, only 2 (11%; confidence interval [CI] 0% to 26%) continued to require oral opiates to manage breakthrough pain compared to 29 (57%; CI 43% to 71%) without the bolus option. The Pain Disability Index score decreased by 19% in patients with the bolus option and by 25% in those with the basal infusion. Total daily intrathecal opioid intake was 34% lower in the group with the bolus device.ConclusionsUtilizing an intrathecal bolus to treat incident pain was a safe way to manage unpredictable breakthrough pain and may represent a cost‐saving opportunity by eliminating the need for oral analgesic medications.
Multiple red blood cell transfusions and iron overload in very low birthweight infants
Authors: Treviño‐Báez J. D. , Briones‐Lara E. , Alamillo‐Velázquez J. , Martínez‐Moreno M. I. 
Published: May 2017

Background and ObjectivesTo estimate the risk of iron overload in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants who receive more than two red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, in comparison with those who receive two or less during their hospital stay.Materials and MethodsProspective open cohort study in VLBW infants with >2 (exposed) and ≤2 (non‐exposed) RBC transfusions. Ferritin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured at birth and after each RBC transfusion. The incidence of iron overload was determined. Risk factors were analysed using a logistic regression model. RBC transfusion volume correlations with ferritin, ALT and AST were calculated with Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, as well as correlations between ferritin and aminotransferases.ResultsA total of 63 patients were enrolled, 18 of which were exposed and 45 non‐exposed. Twelve patients developed severe iron overload, eight exposed (44·5%) vs. four (8·8%) non‐exposed (RR: 5, 95% CI: 1·7–14·6). Multivariate analysis showed that the number of transfusions increased the risk of iron overload (OR: 2·07, 95% CI: 1·36–2·14) while a higher one‐minute Apgar score was associated with a lower risk (OR: 0·56, 95% CI: 0·32–0·99). Severe iron overload mainly occurred with a transfusion volume higher than 120 ml/kg. There was a positive correlation between ferritin and transfusion (r = 0·53; P < 0·001).ConclusionThere was a higher risk of iron overload in exposed infants in comparison with non‐exposed infants. Severe iron overload in VLBW infants may occur with a total transfusion volume >120 ml/kg.
Assessment of a New Lower-Cost Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus: Useful for Cervical Screening in Limited-Resource Settings?
Authors: Fokom Domgue Joel , Schiffman Mark , Wentzensen Nicolas H. , Gage Julia C. , Castle Philip E. , Raine-Bennett Tina R. , Fetterman Barbara , Lorey Thomas , Poitras Nancy E. , Befano Brian , Xie Yi , Miachon Lais S. , Dean Michael 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

Inexpensive and easy-to-perform human papillomavirus (HPV) tests are needed for primary cervical cancer screening in lower-resource regions. In a convenience sample of 516 residual exfoliative cervical specimens from the Kaiser Permanente Northern California and U.S. National Cancer Institute Persistence and Progression Study, we assessed the agreement and clinical performance of a simple, inexpensive real-time PCR assay for the detection of 13 carcinogenic HPV types (the H13 assay; Hybribio, Hong Kong) that is marketed in limited-resource settings compared to previous testing by the Hybrid Capture 2 assay (HC2; Qiagen, Germantown, MD) and the Onclarity assay (BD Diagnostics, Sparks, MD). The test set was chosen to include many HPV-positive specimens. The reference standard was a combination of HC2 and Onclarity results for HPV detection and histologic diagnosis of controls (less than cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 [<CIN2]) or cases (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or higher [CIN2+]) for disease status. In this enriched convenience sample, H13 tested positive for 94.4% of the 108 HC2- and Onclarity-positive CIN2+ specimens and negative for 88.2% of the 51 HC2- and Onclarity-negative <CIN2 specimens. H13 positivity was significantly lower than that of HC2 among women with CIN2+ (89.9% versus 98.7%, respectively) (
P
< 0.001) and <CIN2 (53.5% versus 72.4%, respectively) (
P
< 0.001). In conclusion, H13 corresponds well to the combination of HC2 and Onclarity and has good clinical accuracy compared to histologic diagnosis, with less cross-reactivity with untargeted HPV types than HC2. H13 is a lower-cost HPV DNA test that might be useful for primary screening in limited-resource settings.
A Diverse Range of Novel RNA Viruses in Geographically Distinct Honey Bee Populations
Authors: Remnant Emily J. , Shi Mang , Buchmann Gabriele , Blacquière Tjeerd , Holmes Edward C. , Beekman Madeleine , Ashe Alyson 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

Understanding the diversity and consequences of viruses present in honey bees is critical for maintaining pollinator health and managing the spread of disease. The viral landscape of honey bees (
Apis mellifera
) has changed dramatically since the emergence of the parasitic mite
Varroa destructor
, which increased the spread of virulent variants of viruses such as deformed wing virus. Previous genomic studies have focused on colonies suffering from infections by
Varroa
and virulent viruses, which could mask other viral species present in honey bees, resulting in a distorted view of viral diversity. To capture the viral diversity within colonies that are exposed to mites but do not suffer the ultimate consequences of the infestation, we examined populations of honey bees that have evolved naturally or have been selected for resistance to
Varroa
. This analysis revealed seven novel viruses isolated from honey bees sampled globally, including the first identification of negative-sense RNA viruses in honey bees. Notably, two rhabdoviruses were present in three geographically diverse locations and were also present in
Varroa
mites parasitizing the bees. To characterize the antiviral response, we performed deep sequencing of small RNA populations in honey bees and mites. This provided evidence of a Dicer-mediated immune response in honey bees, while the viral small RNA profile in
Varroa
mites was novel and distinct from the response observed in bees. Overall, we show that viral diversity in honey bee colonies is greater than previously thought, which encourages additional studies of the bee virome on a global scale and which may ultimately improve disease management.

IMPORTANCE
Honey bee populations have become increasingly susceptible to colony losses due to pathogenic viruses spread by parasitic
Varroa
mites. To date, 24 viruses have been described in honey bees, with most belonging to the order
Picornavirales
. Collapsing
Varroa
-infected colonies are often overwhelmed with high levels of picornaviruses. To examine the underlying viral diversity in honey bees, we employed viral metatranscriptomics analyses on three geographically diverse
Varroa-
resistant populations from Europe, Africa, and the Pacific. We describe seven novel viruses from a range of diverse viral families, including two viruses that are present in all three locations. In honey bees, small RNA sequences indicate that these viruses are processed by Dicer and the RNA interference pathway, whereas
Varroa
mites produce strikingly novel small RNA patterns. This work increases the number and diversity of known honey bee viruses and will ultimately contribute to improved disease management in our most important agricultural pollinator.
Influenza A Virus NS1 Protein Promotes Efficient Nuclear Export of Unspliced Viral M1 mRNA
Authors: Pereira Carina F. , Read Eliot K. C. , Wise Helen M. , Amorim Maria J. , Digard Paul 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

Influenza A virus mRNAs are transcribed by the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase in the cell nucleus before being exported to the cytoplasm for translation. Segment 7 produces two major transcripts: an unspliced mRNA that encodes the M1 matrix protein and a spliced transcript that encodes the M2 ion channel. Export of both mRNAs is dependent on the cellular NXF1/TAP pathway, but it is unclear how they are recruited to the export machinery or how the intron-containing but unspliced M1 mRNA bypasses the normal quality-control checkpoints. Using fluorescent
in situ
hybridization to monitor segment 7 mRNA localization, we found that cytoplasmic accumulation of unspliced M1 mRNA was inefficient in the absence of NS1, both in the context of segment 7 RNPs reconstituted by plasmid transfection and in mutant virus-infected cells. This effect was independent of any major effect on steady-state levels of segment 7 mRNA or splicing but corresponded to a ∼5-fold reduction in the accumulation of M1. A similar defect in intronless hemagglutinin (HA) mRNA nuclear export was seen with an NS1 mutant virus. Efficient export of M1 mRNA required both an intact NS1 RNA-binding domain and effector domain. Furthermore, while wild-type NS1 interacted with cellular NXF1 and also increased the interaction of segment 7 mRNA with NXF1, mutant NS1 polypeptides unable to promote mRNA export did neither. Thus, we propose that NS1 facilitates late viral gene expression by acting as an adaptor between viral mRNAs and the cellular nuclear export machinery to promote their nuclear export.

IMPORTANCE
Influenza A virus is a major pathogen of a wide variety of mammalian and avian species that threatens public health and food security. A fuller understanding of the virus life cycle is important to aid control strategies. The virus has a small genome that encodes relatively few proteins that are often multifunctional. Here, we characterize a new function for the NS1 protein, showing that, as well as previously identified roles in antagonizing the innate immune defenses of the cell and directly upregulating translation of viral mRNAs, it also promotes the nuclear export of the viral late gene mRNAs by acting as an adaptor between the viral mRNAs and the cellular mRNA nuclear export machinery.