bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conductive Plastic Electrodes Reduce EEG Artifact During Pediatric ECMO Therapy
Authors: Matsumoto Joyce H. , McArthur David L. , Szeliga Conrad W. , Lerner Jason T. , Rao Lekha M. , Hussain Shaun A. , Wu Joyce Y. , Nuwer Marc R. , Sankar Raman 
Published: February 2016

Purpose:
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving heart and lung bypass procedure that can cause substantial EEG artifact. Continuous EEG monitoring is nonetheless a helpful neuromonitoring tool for patients receiving ECMO therapy because neurologic complications are frequent, but factors such as sedation, neuromuscular blockade, and hemodynamic instability limit clinical and radiographic evaluation. We examined whether using conductive plastic electrodes in place of conventional gold electrodes reduces artifact in clinical EEG studies of pediatric ECMO patients.

Methods:
Four masked electroencephalographers assessed artifact and its impact on overall EEG interpretation in samples from 21 consecutive EEGs recorded during ECMO therapy (14 gold and 7 plastic). A spectral power analysis then quantified 50- to 70-Hz artifact in a larger group of 14 gold and 34 plastic electrode studies during ECMO and 4 non-ECMO gold electrode studies.

Results:
The masked electroencephalographers identified less artifact (P < 0.001) and indicated greater confidence in the accuracy of EEG interpretation (P < 0.001) among studies recorded with plastic electrodes. In quantitative analyses, ECMO was associated with greater 50- to 70-Hz power among studies using gold electrodes (P < 0.001) and gold electrodes exhibited greater 50- to 70-Hz power than plastic electrodes (P < 0.001). Contrasting studies in which most of the electroencephalographers believed that interpretation was (n = 12; 7 gold and 5 plastic) or was not (n = 7; all gold) compromised by artifact, 50- to 70-Hz power was similarly higher among the compromised studies (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:
Plastic electrodes substantially reduce the burden of electrical artifact in EEG studies performed on pediatric ECMO patients and improve confidence in EEG interpretation.
Uncrossed Asymmetry in Pattern Visual Evoked Potentials: A Reappraisal
Authors: Ericson Eric J. , Lubin Jonathan , Minieka Michael M. , Nishida Takashi 
Published: February 2016

Purpose:
To demonstrate the utility of an uncrossed asymmetry in full-field pattern reversal visual evoked potentials (FF-PVEPs) will accurately predict a retrochiasmal lesion confirmed by MRI.

Methods:
During an 8-year period, 754 patients had FF-PVEPs performed and analyzed without knowledge of their clinical histories and imaging studies. Interhemispheric amplitude ratios were calculated between N75-P100 and P100-N145 and deemed significant if both demonstrated greater than 50% amplitude asymmetry no matter which eye was stimulated (uncrossed symmetry).

Results:
We identified 11 patients of 754 patients evaluated for 8 years (1.5%) whose FF-PVEP fulfilled our amplitude criteria. Ten of 11 had retrochiasmal lesions confirmed with MRI for a calculated positive predictive value of 91%.

Conclusions:
These data provide initial support for the hypothesis that specified amplitude criteria in FF-PVEPs can provide evidence for a retrochiasmal lesion. An abnormal interhemispheric amplitude ratio in FF-PVEPs is underrecognized as a diagnostic criterion for retrochiasmal lesion prediction.
Rules of tissue packing involving different cell types: human muscle organization
Authors: Sánchez-Gutiérrez Daniel , Sáez Aurora , Paradas Carmen , Escudero Luis M. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractNatural packed tissues are assembled as tessellations of polygonal cells that do not leave empty spaces between them. They include the epithelial sheets and the skeletal muscles. Epithelia are formed by equivalent cells that change shape and organization through development. The skeletal muscles appear as a mosaic composed by two different types of cells: the slow and fast fibres that are determined by the identities of the motor neurons that innervate them. Their relative distribution is important for the muscle function and can be altered in some neuromuscular diseases. Little is known about how the spatial organization of fast and slow fibres is established and maintained. In this work we use computerized image analysis and mathematical concepts to capture the organizational pattern in two different healthy muscles: biceps brachii and quadriceps. Here we show that each type of muscle portrays a characteristic topological pattern that allows distinguishing between them. The biceps brachii muscle presents a particular arrange based on the different size of slow and fast fibres, contrary to the quadriceps muscle where an unbiased distribution exists. Our results indicate that the relative size of each cellular type imposes an intrinsic organization into the tissue. These findings establish a new framework for the analysis of packed tissues where two or more cell types exist.
A practical guide for improving transparency and reproducibility in neuroimaging research
Authors: Gorgolewski Krzysztof J. , Poldrack Russell A. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractRecent years have seen an increase in alarming signals regarding the lack of replicability in neuroscience, psychology, and other related fields. To avoid a widespread crisis in neuroimaging research and consequent loss of credibility in the public eye, we need to improve how we do science. This article aims to be a practical guide for researchers at any stage of their careers that will help them make their research more reproducible and transparent while minimizing the additional effort that this might require. The guide covers three major topics in open science (data, code, and publications) and offers practical advice as well as highlighting advantages of adopting more open research practices that go beyond improved transparency and reproducibility.
DNA from dust: comparative genomics of large DNA viruses in field surveillance samples
Authors: Pandey Utsav , Bell Andrew S. , Renner Daniel , Kennedy David A. , Shreve Jacob , Cairns Chris L. , Jones Matthew J. , Dunn Patricia A. , Read Andrew F. , Szpara Moriah L. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe intensification of the poultry industry over the last sixty years facilitated the evolution of increased virulence and vaccine breaks in Marek’s disease virus (MDV-1). Full genome sequences are essential for understanding why and how this evolution occurred, but what is known about genome-wide variation in MDV comes from laboratory culture. To rectify this, we developed methods for obtaining high quality genome sequences directly from field samples without the need for sequence-based enrichment strategies prior to sequencing. We applied this to the first characterization of MDV-1 genomes from the field, without prior culture. These viruses were collected from vaccinated hosts that acquired naturally circulating field strains of MDV-1, in the absence of a disease outbreak. This reflects the current issue afflicting the poultry industry, where virulent field strains continue to circulate despite vaccination, and can remain undetected due to the lack of overt disease symptoms. We found that viral genomes from adjacent field sites had high levels of overall DNA identity, and despite strong evidence of purifying selection, had coding variations in proteins associated with virulence and manipulation of host immunity. Our methods empower ecological field surveillance, make it possible to determine the basis of viral virulence and vaccine breaks, and can be used to obtain full genomes from clinical samples of other large DNA viruses, known and unknown.
Stochastic processes dominate community assembly in cichlid communities in Lake Tanganyika
Authors: Janzen Thijs , Alzate Adriana , Muschick Moritz , van der Plas Fons , Etienne Rampal S. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTThe African Great Lakes are characterized by an extraordinary diversity of endemic cichlid fish species. The cause of this diversity is still largely unknown. Most studies have tried to solve this question by focusing on macro-evolutionary processes, such as speciation. However, the ecological processes determining local cichlid diversity have so far been understudied, even though knowledge on these might be crucial for understanding larger scale biodiversity patterns.Using trait, environmental and abundance data of cichlid fishes along 36 transects, we have studied how differences in local environmental conditions influence cichlid community assembly in the littoral of Lake Tanganyika, Zambia. We investigated changes in average trait values and in trait-based community assembly processes along three key environmental gradients.Species diversity and local abundance decreased with increasing sand cover and diet-associated traits changed with depth. Analyses on within-community trait diversity patterns indicated that cichlid community assembly was mainly driven by stochastic processes, to a smaller extent by processes that limit the similarity among co-existing species and least by filtering processes that limit the range of species traits occurring in an environment. Despite, the low impact of habitat filtering processes, we find community dissimilarity to increase with increasing environmental difference.Our results suggest that local environmental conditions determine cichlid abundance, while the predominance of stochastic community assembly across all environments explains why the communities with the highest abundances contain most species.
Model-based projections of Zika virus infections in childbearing women in the Americas
Authors: Perkins T. Alex , Siraj Amir S. , Ruktanonchai Corrine Warren , Kraemer Moritz U.G. , Tatem Andrew J. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractZika virus is a mosquito-borne pathogen that is rapidly spreading across the Americas. Due to associations between Zika virus infection and a range of fetal maladies1,2, the epidemic trajectory of this viral infection poses a significant concern for the nearly 15 million children born in the Americas each year. Ascertaining the portion of this population that is truly at risk is an important priority. One recent estimate3suggested that 5.42 million childbearing women live in areas of the Americas that are suitable for Zika occurrence. To improve on that estimate, which did not take into account the protective effects of herd immunity, we developed a new approach that combines classic results from epidemiological theory with seroprevalence data and highly spatially resolved data about drivers of transmission to make location-specific projections of epidemic attack rates. Our results suggest that 1.65 (1.45–2.06) million childbearing women and 93.4 (81.6–117.1) million people in total could become infected before the first wave of the epidemic concludes. Based on current estimates of rates of adverse fetal outcomes among infected women2,4,5, these results suggest that tens of thousands of pregnancies could be negatively impacted by the first wave of the epidemic. These projections constitute a revised upper limit of populations at risk in the current Zika epidemic, and our approach offers a new way to make rapid assessments of the threat posed by emerging infectious diseases more generally.
The Next Generation Precision Medical Record - A Framework for Integrating Genomes and Wearable Sensors with Medical Records
Authors: Waggott Daryl , Bog Anja , Singh Enakshi , Batra Prag , Wright Mark H , Ashley Euan , Fisk Dianna , Shcherbina Anna , Torresl Jessica , Wheeler Matthew , Merker Jason , Bustamante Carlos D 
Published: February 2016

AbstractCurrent medical records are rigid with regards to emerging big biomedical data. Examples of poorly integrated big data that already exist in clinical practice include whole genome sequencing and wearable sensors for real time monitoring. Genome sequencing enables conventional diagnostic interrogation and forms the fundamental baseline for precision health throughout a patient’s lifetime. Mobile sensors enable tailored monitoring regimes for both reducing risk through precision health interventions and acute condition surveillance. In order to address the absence of these data in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR), we worked with the SAP Personalized Medicine team to re-envision a modern medical record with these components. The pilot project used 37 patient families with complex medical records, whole genome sequencing and some level of wearable monitoring. Core functionality included patient timelines with integrated text analytics, personalized genomic curation and wearable alerts. The current phase is being rolled out to over 1500 patients in clinics across the hospital system. While fundamentally research, we believe this proof of principle platform is the first of its kind and represents the future of data driven clinical medicine.
Human Security and the New Global Threats: Discourse, Taxonomy and Implications
Authors: Madrueño‐Aguilar Rogelio 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe metamorphosis of human security has become a topic of major importance in the context of globalisation. While its external appearance contains central tenets of the conception of security in the 20th century, human security has become increasingly sensitive to characteristics which are indissoluble from the loss of state capacity and legitimacy regarding the use of violence. These features have a direct influence on the contemporary conception of global threats. This article provides an in‐depth examination of the discursive logic behind the notion of human security from the United Nations perspective, as well as how this connects with the recent characterisation of new global threats. Likewise, it has carried out an empirical estimation by using multivariate statistical techniques in the form of a nonhierarchical cluster analysis. This enables us to establish a multidimensional taxonomy of developed and developing countries that could help us to better understand the new discursive framework of global threats and human security. Finally, some implications of these findings for the current debate on country classifications are discussed.
RNA‐seq analysis reveals new candidate genes for drip loss in a Pietrain × Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire population
Authors: Li Bojiang , Liu Kaiqing , Weng Qiannan , Li Pinghua , Wei Wei , Li Qifa , Chen Jie , Huang Ruihua , Wu Wangjun , Liu Honglin 
Published: February 2016

SummaryDrip loss, one of the most important meat quality traits, is characterized by low heritability. To date, the genetic factors affecting the drip loss trait have not been clearly elucidated. The objective of this study was to identify critical candidate genes affecting drip loss. First, we generated a Pietrain × Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire commercial pig population and obtained phenotypic values for the drip loss trait. Furthermore, we constructed two RNA libraries from pooled samples of longissimus dorsi muscles with the highest (H group) and lowest (L group) drip loss and identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between these extreme phenotypes using RNA‐seq technology. In total, 25 883 genes were detected in the H and L group libraries, and none was specifically expressed in only one library. Comparative analysis of gene expression levels found that 150 genes were differentially expressed, of which 127 were upregulated and 23 were downregulated in the H group relative to the L group. In addition, 68 drip loss quantitative trait loci (QTL) overlapping with 63 DEGs were identified, and these QTL were distributed mainly on chromosomes 1, 2, 5 and 6. Interestingly, the triadin (TRDN) gene, which is involved in muscle contraction and fat deposition, and the myostatin (MSTN) gene, which has a role in muscle growth, were localized to more than two drip loss QTL, suggesting that both are critical candidate genes responsible for drip loss.
Optimum dose of neostigmine to reverse shallow neuromuscular blockade with rocuronium and cisatracurium
Authors: Choi E. S. , Oh A. Y. , Seo K. S. , Hwang J. W. , Ryu J. H. , Koo B. W. , Kim B. G. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryWe examined the use of neostigmine for reversing shallow (defined as train‐of‐four ratio of 0.5), cisatracurium‐ and rocuronium‐induced neuromuscular block in 112 patients, by use of 0 μg.kg−1, 10 μg.kg−1, 20 μg.kg−1 or 40 μg.kg−1 dose of neostigmine for reversal. The times from neostigmine administration to train‐of‐four ratios of 0.7, 0.9 and 1.0 were evaluated. Analysis of variance showed that the duration of action was significantly longer after cisatracurium compared with rocuronium. The time to reach a train‐of‐four ratio of 1.0 was significantly shorter with neostigmine 40 μg.kg−1 compared with lower neostigmine doses, and at this dose the time did not differ between cisatracurium and rocuronium. The recovery time from a train‐of‐four ratio of 0.5–1.0 did not differ between cisatracurium and rocuronium, and was significantly shortened by the administration of neostigmine. We conclude that a neostigmine dose of 40 μg.kg−1 was the most effective at reducing recovery time after neuromuscular blockade.
Radiation safety for anaesthesia providers in the orthopaedic operating room
Authors: Rhea E. B. , Rogers T. H. , Riehl J. T. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryIn many orthopaedic operating rooms, anaesthesia providers routinely wear lead aprons for protection from radiation, but some studies have questioned whether this is needed. We conducted a systematic review to identify studies that measured the amount of radiation that anaesthetists were exposed to in the orthopaedic operating room. Multiple studies have shown that at 1.5 m from the source of radiation, anaesthetists received no radiation, or amounts so small that a person would have to be present in an unreasonable number of operations to receive cumulative doses of any significance. Radiation doses at this distance were often at the limits of the sensitivity of the measuring dosimeter. We question the need to wear lead protection for anaesthesia providers who are routinely at 1.5 m or a greater distance from standard fluoroscopy units.
Prolonged propofol infusion for mechanically ventilated children
Authors: Sasabuchi Y. , Yasunaga H. , Matsui H. , Lefor A. K. , Fushimi K. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryWe retrospectively analysed 30‐day mortality and duration of intubation for 8016 children ventilated for three or more days, sedated with midazolam (n = 7716) or propofol (n = 300). We matched the propensity scores of 263 pairs of children. The propensity‐matched 30‐day mortality (95% CI) was similar: 17/263 (6.5%) with midazolam vs. 24/263 (9.1%) with propofol, p = 0.26. Weaning from mechanical ventilation of children sedated with midazolam was slower than weaning of children sedated with propofol, subhazard ratio (95% CI) 1.43 (1.18–1.73), p < 0.001.
Conventional testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and non‐obstructive azoospermia: is there still a chance in the era of microdissection TESE? Results from a single non‐academic community hospital
Authors: Saccà A. , Pastore A. L. , Roscigno M. , Naspro R. , Pellucchi F. , Fuschi A. , Maruccia S. , Territo A. , Pisano F. , Zanga L. , Capitanio E. , Carbone A. , Fusi F. , Chinaglia D. , Da Pozzo L. F. 
Published: February 2016

SummarySpermatozoa can be retrieved in non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients despite the absence of ejaculated spermatozoa in their semen because of the presence of isolated foci with active spermatogenesis. Conventional testicular sperm extraction (c‐TESE) in patients with NOA has been partially replaced by micro‐TESE. It is still under debate the problem regarding the higher costs related to micro‐TESE when compared with c‐TESE. In this study, we evaluated sperm retrieval rate (SRR) of c‐TESE in naive NOA patients. Sixty‐three NOA patients were referred to our centre for a c‐TESE. For every subject, we collected demographic data, cause of infertility, time to first infertility diagnosis, serum levels of LH, FSH, total testosterone and prolactin. A statistical analysis was conducted to correlate all the clinical variables, the histology and the Johnsen score with the SRR. Sixty‐three consecutive NOA patients with a mean age of 37.3 years were included. The positive SRR was 47.6%. No statistical differences were observed between positive vs. negative SRR regarding mean FSH (17.12 vs. 19.03 mUI/mL; p = 0.72), and LH (9.72 vs. 6.92 mUI/mL; p = 0.39) values. Interestingly, we found a statistically significant difference in terms of time to first infertility diagnosis (+SRR vs. −SRR; 44.5 vs. 57 months; p = 0.02) and regarding to age (+SSR vs. −SRR; 40.1 vs. 35.3; p = 0.04). There was a statistically significant decrease in SRRs with the decline in testicular histopathology from hypospermatogenesis to maturation arrest, and SCO. The mean Johnsen score was 5.9 with a mean percentage of Johnsen score ≥8 tubules equal to 19%. The overall pregnancy rate was 26.6%. In our prospective cohort of patients successful SRR with c‐TESE was 47.6%. Lower costs and high reproducibility of this technique still support this procedure as an actual reliable option in NOA patients for sperm retrieval.
Results from the National Perinatal Patient Safety Program in Sweden: the challenge of evaluation
Authors: Millde Luthander Charlotte , Källen Karin , Nyström Monica E. , Högberg Ulf , Håkansson Stellan , Härenstam Karin P. , Grunewald Charlotta 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIntroductionWe studied the effects of the national Perinatal Patient Safety Program in Sweden, addressing local improvement measures, changes in the proportion of low Apgar score and the number of settled injury claims due to asphyxia.Material and methodsFinal reports on achieved improvements from all Swedish obstetric units were analyzed and categories of the improvement measures taken in perinatal risk areas were established. Data on all term newborns during 2006–12 were obtained from the Medical Birth Registry. Incidence of 5‐min Apgar score <7 was analyzed before, during and after the intervention. The odds ratio for low Apgar score in period ÍII vs. period I was calculated. Patient injury claims from The Swedish National Patient Insurance Company (LÖF) were analyzed.ResultsNumerous local improvement initiatives were reported. The incidence of 5‐min Apgar score <7 on a national level remained unchanged during the study periods. The units with the highest rate of Apgar score <7 showed a significant decrease in Apgar score of 4–6 after the intervention, whereas units with the lowest rate of Apgar score <7 showed a significant increase in Apgar score <7 after the intervention. A decline in settled claims due to substandard care was observed (7.5%, 2012–14; p for trend 0.049).ConclusionThe national incidence of low Apgar score remained unchanged but a reduction of settled claims of severely asphyxiated neonates was observed. The study highlights the need for robust designs when evaluating large‐scale initiatives for improving patient safety at delivery, along with the difficulties in performing them.