bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel Borrelia Genotypes from Brazil Indicate a New Group of Borrelia spp. Associated with South American Bats
Authors: Jorge Felipe R , Muñoz-Leal Sebastián , de Oliveira Glauber M B , Serpa Maria Carolina A , Magalhães Meylling M L , de Oliveira Lorena M B , Moura Francisco B P , Teixeira Bruno M , Labruna Marcelo B 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
The bacterial genus Borrelia comprises vector-borne spirochetes that have been classified into three major groups: the relapsing fever group (RFG), the Borrelia burgdorferi Johnson, Schmid, Hyde, Steigerwalt & Brenner sensu lato group (Bbsl), and the reptile-monotreme group (RMG). All three groups have been associated mainly with ticks and wild animals, especially rodents, birds, and reptiles. Here, we searched for Borrelia infection among 99 vampire bats [Desmodus rotundus (É. Geoffroy)] (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) from the Brazilian semiarid region. Through molecular investigation of bat internal organs, haplotypes of a potentially novel Borrelia organism were detected in 5% (5/99) of the bats. Borrelia DNA was detected in the liver, blood, spleen, kidney and brain, suggesting a systemic infection. Phylogenetic analyses inferred from partial sequences of the borrelial rrs and flaB genes indicated that the vampire bat-associated Borrelia sp. of this study form a monophyletic group with a newly reported Borrelia associated with a Colombia bat, distinct from the three main currently recognized groups of Borrelia spp., Bbsl, RFG, and RMG. These novel bat-associated Borrelia spp. from South America might have arisen through an independent event along the borrelial evolutionary history, since previous molecular reports of Borrelia organisms in bats or bat-associated ticks from Africa, Europe, and North America were all classified in the RFG.
Backlighting and Occlusion
Authors: Overgaard Søren 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIn the philosophy of perception, objects are typically frontlit. But according to Roy Sorensen, backlit objects have surprising lessons to teach us about perception. In backlit conditions, ‘the principles of occlusion are reversed’, Sorensen (2008, p. 25) maintains. In particular, he claims we see the back surfaces of backlit objects. But as I argue in this paper, Sorensen’s arguments in support of those claims are flawed. After criticizing Sorensen’s arguments, I attempt to address a residual puzzle about backlit objects. The upshot of the paper is that cases of backlighting do have important philosophical lessons to teach us after all – lessons concerning the notion of perceptual occlusion.
RNA cytometry of single-cells using semi-permeable microcapsules
Authors: Leonaviciene Greta , Mazutis Linas 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Analytical tools for gene expression profiling of individual cells are critical for studying complex biological systems. However, the techniques enabling rapid measurements of gene expression on thousands of single-cells are lacking. Here, we report a high-throughput RNA cytometry for digital profiling of single-cells isolated in liquid droplets enveloped by a thin semi-permeable membrane (microcapsules). Due to the selective permeability of the membrane, the desirable enzymes and reagents can be loaded, or replaced, in the microcapsule at any given step by simply changing the reaction buffer in which the microcapsules are dispersed. Therefore, complex molecular biology workflows can be readily adapted to conduct nucleic acid analysis on encapsulated mammalian cells, or other biological species. The microcapsules support sequential multi-step enzymatic reactions and remain intact under different biochemical conditions, freezing, thawing, and thermocycling. Combining microcapsules with conventional FACS provides a high-throughput approach for conducting RNA cytometry of individual cells based on their digital gene expression signature.
ICEscreen: a tool to detect Firmicute ICEs and IMEs, isolated or enclosed in composite structures
Authors: Lao Julie , Lacroix Thomas , Guédon Gérard , Coluzzi Charles , Payot Sophie , Leblond-Bourget Nathalie , Chiapello Hélène 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Mobile Genetic Elements (MGEs) are integrated in bacterial genomes and key elements that drive prokaryote genome evolution. Among them are Integrative and Conjugative Elements (ICEs) and Integrative Mobilizable Elements (IMEs) which are important for bacterial fitness since they frequently carry genes participating in important bacterial adaptation phenotypes such as antibiotic resistance, virulence or specialized metabolic pathways. Although ICEs and IMEs are widespread, they are as yet almost never annotated in public bacterial genomes. To address the need of dedicated strategies for the annotation of these elements, we developed ICEscreen, a tool that introduces two new features to detect ICEs and IMEs in Firmicute genomes. First, ICEscreen uses an efficient strategy to detect Signature Proteins of ICEs and IMEs based on a database dedicated to Firmicutes and composed of manually curated proteins and Hidden Markov Models (HMM) profiles. Second, ICEscreen includes a new original algorithm that detects composite structures of ICEs and IMEs that are frequent in genomes of Firmicutes but are currently not resolved by any other tool. We benchmarked ICEscreen on experimentally supported elements and on a public dataset of 246 manually annotated elements including the genomes of 40 Firmicutes and demonstrate its efficiency to detect ICEs and IMEs.
Making Friends and Making ‘Asia’: Sino-Indian Friendship, 1947–1957
Authors: Nasser Yasser Ali 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Despite their different political and economic systems throughout the 1950s, state and non-state actors in India pursued a fragile policy of friendship towards the People’s Republic of China. Instead of focusing on the failures of this relationship or its naivety, this article examines the intellectual moorings and political aspirations of its major organizational advocate, the India–China Friendship Association (ICFA). Through dynamic transnational exchanges of ideas, the ICFA imagined India’s friendship with China as the harbinger of an Asia that could overthrow imperialism and navigate the complexities of Cold War bloc politics. In doing so, it drew a contrast between a horizontal friendship that respected differences and saw them as productive in the shared struggle for nation-building and upholding regional peace, and the more hierarchical relationship augured by the Cold War’s security pacts and military alliances. Drawing on a rich collection of sources across numerous countries, this article argues that by invoking both countries’ colonial past and dreams of a shared postcolonial future, the ICFA and its backers in the Indian state promoted Sino-Indian friendship as the blueprint for a peaceful, decolonized Asia capable of creating a better world. At the same time, these visions of Asia were mediated by local renderings that both reinforced and complicated the ICFA’s vision.
12 Reliability of Two-Person Anthropometric Measurement of Young Children with Parent Facilitator
Authors: Rae Sarah , Ong Frank , Pullenayegum Eleanor , Carsley Sarah , Hamilton Jill , Maguire Jonathon , Dennis Cindy-Lee , Birken Catherine 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Body Mass Index is recommended by the World Health Organization for the measurement of growth and the diagnosis of overweight and obesity in children. The reliability of anthropometric measurements is important for assessment of child growth due to the challenges faced when measuring younger children, including the difficulty of having the child remain still during measurement collection. The current gold-standard for anthropometric measurement collection in children in a clinical research setting, set by the World Health Organization, requires the use of two trained anthropometrists.

Objectives
The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of anthropometric measurements between two trained anthropometrists working in a pair and one trained anthropometrist working with a child’s parent/caregiver in a primary healthcare setting.

Design/Methods
An observational study to determine measurement reliability was conducted in a primary care child research network in Canada. 76 children 0 – 5 years old had their length/height, weight, head, arm, and waist circumference measured a total of four consecutive times: twice by two trained anthropometrists working in a pair (researcher-researcher team) and twice by one trained anthropometrist working with a child’s parent/caregiver (researcher-parent team). Inter- and intra- observer reliability was calculated using the technical error of measurement (TEM), relative TEM (%TEM) and the coefficient of reliability (R).

Results
The %TEM values across both age groups, children 0 - &lt; 2 and 2 – 5 years of age, for length/height and weight were &lt; 2% and the R coefficient values were &gt;0.99, indicating a high degree of inter- and intra- observer reliability. The TEM values were greater for inter- and intra- observer reliability across all age groups for length/height in comparison to other anthropometric measurement parameters, with greater variation seen in the length for children 0 - &lt; 2 years of age. The TEM values across both age groups for inter- and intra- observer reliability of arm circumference was outside of the acceptable range of &lt; 2%, indicating greater measurement error. There was greater variation seen in waist circumference across both age groups.

Conclusion
This study suggests that anthropometric measurement, including length/height and weight, taken by one trained anthropometrist with the assistance of a parent/caregiver is reliable. These findings can be used to encourage the utilization of a child’s parent/caregiver to assist with anthropometric measurement collection in clinical setting(s) to enhance feasibility and efficiency and reduce the research costs of including a second trained anthropometrist.
14 Understanding the Paediatric Workforce in British Columbia: A Survey of B.C. Paediatricians
Authors: Miller Kirsten , Ward Valerie 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
In some areas of British Columbia, accessing consulting paediatric care is particularly challenging. Attracting paediatricians to all regions of the province is critical to ensure equitable access.

Objectives
In order to understand the current and intended future work patterns of B.C.’s community general paediatricians better, the BC Pediatric Society developed an online survey.

Design/Methods
A 22-question survey was distributed electronically in late 2019 to 427 paediatricians (BC Pediatric Society members and University of British Columbia Department of Pediatrics clinical faculty). The survey asked respondents about what factors influenced where they chose to practice, the nature of their clinical work, engagement in administration and education, time spent on various work responsibilities, source(s) of income, future practice plans and plans for retirement. The data was evaluated as a whole and was stratified based on gender, region of practice, size of community, and number of years in practice.

Results
153 surveys were completed (response rate 35.8%). Surveys completed by general paediatricians practicing in locations other than BC Children’s Hospital and not working in a locum capacity were included. 94 (61.4%) completed surveys met inclusion criteria. 70% of these respondents identified as female. 72% worked in communities with populations of 300,000 or less (16% in communities of 50,000 or less and 56% in communities of 50,001 to 300,000). 25% had been in practice for 0 to 5 years, 40% for 6 to 20 years and 28% for over 20 years. Of the 94 respondents, only 7.4% were providing primary care paediatrics. The median reported time spent on various aspects of work were: 55 hours per week total time spent working, 19 days per month direct clinical care, and 25 hours per month indirect clinical care. The responses identified some differences based on community size; paediatricians in small communities (population 50,000 or less) reported the median time spent “on call” was 168 hours per month, compared to 48 hours per month reported by those in large communities (population over 300,000). 36% of respondents stated that they planned to retire within the next 10 years; this was true for only 23% of those in large communities (population &gt;300,000).

Conclusion
This study provides information about the nature of B.C. community general paediatricians’ work and identifies some differences between paediatricians in large cities and those in medium-sized or small communities. The results should inform discussions about the paediatric workforce and how best to address potential future gaps in in B.C.
19 Quality Improvement bundled approach reduces the use of inotropes in extremely premature babies
Authors: Venkata Sujith Kumar Reddy Gurram , Srivastava Ankur , Murthy Prashanth , Scott James , Zein Hussein , Leijser Lara , Ghosh Anirban , Momin Sarfaraz , Thomas Sumesh , Mohammad Khorshid 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Consensus on definition and management of hypotension in preterm neonates is lacking. Owing to this, there are wide variations in the reported incidence of hypotension in premature infants, especially during first week of life. Inotropes can often cause vasoconstriction, which may alter brain perfusion especially in the absence of established cerebral autoregulation. Use of these drugs is associated with multiple short- and long-term morbidities.

Objectives
To evaluate the effect of quality improvement (QI) bundle on rate of inotrope use and associated morbidities.

Design/Methods
Inborn preterm neonates born at &lt;29weeks gestational age (GA) and admitted to level III NICU were included. Neonates with major congenital malformations, congenital heart diseases, antenatal diagnosed genetic defects, and neonates admitted after 72 hours of age were excluded from the study. We implemented a QI bundle (Figure 1) focussing on first 72hours from birth which included delayed cord clamping, avoidance of routine echocardiography, addition of clinical criteria to define hypotension, factoring iatrogenic causes of hypotension (ruling out lung hyperinflation), and standardization of respiratory management. Rate of use of inotropes in the first 72hours of life along with acute brain injury and mortality before and after implementation of the QI bundle were compared. The balancing measure was the rate of ischemic lesions in the form of cPVL. Cranial ultrasound was performed to screen for brain injury. Study was approved by the local research ethics board (REB14-1466).

Results
We included 671 neonates (301 before and 364 after the implementation of the bundle) among which 6 neonates were excluded based on the criteria. QI bundle implementation was associated with significant reduction in overall use of inotropes (24% vs 7%, p&lt;0.001), dopamine (18% vs 5%, p&lt;0.001), and dobutamine (17% vs 4%, p&lt;0.001). Rate of acute brain injury decreased significantly: Acute brain injury of any grade (34% vs 20%, p&lt;0.001) and severe brain injury (15% vs 6%, p&lt;0.001). There was no difference in incidence of cPVL (1% vs 1.4%, p=0.66). Associations remained significant after adjusting for confounding factors. The QI bundle implementation was associated with a significant reduction in the use of inotropes when analyzed based on the 6 monthly time intervals (p = 0.006) (Figure 2)

Conclusion
Our QI bundled approach resulted in reduction in inotrope use and associated brain morbidities in premature babies. Follow-up studies evaluating the impact of this initiative on long-term outcomes in survivors are required to complement findings of improved short-term outcomes seen in this study.
22 Neonatal regional outreach education in Quebec – a formal needs assessment
Authors: Assaad Michael-Andrew , Filion-Ouellet Emilie , Khouzam Yasmine , Lynch Bonnie 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
In Montreal (Quebec, Canada), newborn care is provided in either highly specialized hospitals for complex/critically ill patients or community hospitals for healthier patients. Community health care practitioners (CHP) have varying levels of comfort and competency in newborn care. Also, because of the unpredictable nature of obstetrics, CHP will need to manage critically ill newborns throughout their careers. Such high acuity, low frequency events can be difficult to manage even in experienced hands. Therefore, there is an imperative to develop a neonatal training curriculum for CHP, with an emphasis on critical newborns.

Objectives
As a first step, the objective of this study was to perform a comprehensive needs assessment of neonatal outreach education for CHP working in the Greater Montreal Area (Quebec, Canada).

Design/Methods
Using a mixed methods design (figure), the needs assessment was divided in 3 sections. First, the felt educational needs of the target population (CHP) using an online questionnaire. Second, through focus group discussion, the normative needs of the medical personnel who transport critical newborns. Third, the expressed educational needs of CHP through analysis of neonatal transport data between 2017-2020. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, including means and medians. Qualitative data was coded using conventional content analysis, with the primary technique being descriptive and pattern coding.

Results
The questionnaire reached 158 participants across 13 community hospitals. CHP are seeking training with procedures, critical situations, and resuscitation. Also, resource sharing, more field expertise, and additional resources for training (time, credits) were identified. Three focus groups (15 participants) also revealed that procedural training, critical newborn management and ventilation were important, as well as Crisis Resource Management (CRM) training. Both the questionnaire and focus groups identified specific medical conditions of interest. The expressed needs (transport data, 947 transports) helped reinforce felt and normative needs. Simulation was identified as a key educational technique.

Conclusion
A neonatal educational outreach curriculum will need to include procedural training, CRM teaching and certain specific medical conditions including extreme prematurity, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and pneumothorax. Procedural training and the principles of ventilation are also critically important. Simulation should be integral, in situ and with varied content. The fear of being judged is omnipresent and should be recognized during outreach education. Educational resources should be shared on an easily accessible, central website.
24 Persistent pulmonary hypertension and short-term neurological outcomes in infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy undergoing therapeutic hypothermia
Authors: Ismail Rana , Vorhies Erika , Mohammad Khorshid , Soraisham Amuchou , Scott James , Stritzke Amelie 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) after perinatal asphyxia is a serious clinical condition that may result in permanent neurologic deficits or death. There is an increased incidence of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) in asphyxiated infants. Due to the high disease burden of HIE, studying its altered cardiopulmonary hemodynamics might identify those patients at highest risk for adverse outcome early on.

Objectives
To investigate the relationship between severity of PPHN and the extent of short-term brain injury in infants with moderate to severe HIE who received therapeutic hypothermia (TH).

Design/Methods
Retrospective cohort study of 230 TH-treated HIE infants. PPHN was defined and graded clinically and based on echocardiography findings. The primary outcome was the presence of HIE changes on brain MRI and/or death within the first month of life according to the diagnosis and severity of PPHN. Secondary outcomes were the pattern of HIE on brain MRI; abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG) background, clinical, or electrographic seizures, or need for anti-ictal treatment; clinical and laboratory differences between HIE babies with and without PPHN. A logistic regression model was performed to identify PPHN severity as risk factor for moderate-to-severe brain injury or death.

Results
Brain injury was not found to be different between the two groups according to presence of PPHN whether clinically or based on echocardiography. However, the combined outcome of severe brain injury or death was higher in the clinical PPHN group vs non-PPHN (32.6 vs 22.8%, p=0.014), and early exit from TH due to severe PPHN was associated with the highest mortality (71.4%). Death was found to have a relationship with the severity of PPHN based on echocardiography, with the highest incidence in severe PPHN (36.0 vs 7.7% and 10.0% in the severe, moderate, and mild PPHN groups, respectively, p=0.002). Infants with clinical PPHN were sicker with higher ventilation needs and worse laboratory values compared to those without PPHN. None of the other outcomes were different among the two groups.

Conclusion
In infants with HIE treated with TH, PPHN was not associated with increased risk of brain injury as evident on MRI, nor clinical or electrographic seizure burden. However, mortality was higher in the most severe PPHN categories.
28 Blood culture collection practices in NICU; A national survey
Authors: Hajjar Nicole , Ting Yuk , Khurshid Faiza 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Blood cultures are the gold standard in the investigation of neonatal sepsis, which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, there are currently no consensus guidelines for blood collection for culture in newborns. In addition, it can be challenging to obtain sufficient blood volume in infants, which can affect the validity of culture results.

Objectives
To examine current practices in blood collection for culture in the investigation of neonatal sepsis in NICUs across Canada.

Design/Methods
A 9-item electronic survey (Appendix A) was sent to each of the 29 level 3 NICUs in Canada, which are equipped to provide highly specialized care for newborns.

Results
Responses were received from 26 (90%) of the 29 level 3 NICUs. Fifty-six percent of NICUs have blood collection guidelines for the investigation of neonatal sepsis. Forty-eight percent of NICUs routinely collect 1.0 mL of blood per culture bottle. By contrast, 32% of NICUs determine adequate blood volume using body weight and 8% using gestational age. In late-onset neonatal sepsis (LONS), 58% of centres process one aerobic culture bottle. Four NICUs (15%) routinely add anaerobic culture bottles. Few centres draw blood for culture from an indwelling catheter when present as a first-line option in LONS. Specifically, one NICU routinely draws blood from a central venous line and four NICUs (17%) routinely draw from a peripheral arterial line. In early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS), 73% of NICUs draw blood for culture from umbilical lines, while 72% use peripheral venepuncture. Two centres routinely collect cord blood from the placenta for culture in EONS. Only one NICU applies the concept of differential time-to-positivity (DTP) in suspected central-line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) to determine whether a colonized catheter is the true source of infection.

Conclusion
There is significant practice variation in blood collection for culture in level 3 NICUs across Canada. Standardization of blood collection practices will improve antimicrobial stewardship and appropriate resource utilization, as well as provide reliable estimates of the true incidence of neonatal sepsis in Canada.