bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Speckle tracking echocardiographically-based analysis of ventricular strain in children: an intervendor comparison
Authors: Ferraro Alessandra M. , Adar Adi , Ghelani Sunil J. , Sleeper Lynn A. , Levy Philip T. , Rathod Rahul H. , Marx Gerald R. , Harrild David M. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Strain and synchrony can be calculated from a variety of software packages, but there is a paucity of data with inter-vendor comparisons in children. To test the hypothesis that different packages may affect results, independent of acquisition, we compared values obtained using two commercially available analysis tool (QLAB and TomTec), with several different settings.

Methods
The study population included 108 children; patients were divided into three groups: (1) normal cardiac structure and conduction; (2) ventricular paced rhythm; and (3) flattened ventricular septum (reflecting right ventricular pressure or volume load lesions). We analyzed the same image acquired from the apical 4-chamber (AP4) and short-axis at the mid-papillary level (SAXM) views in both QLAB (versions 10.5 and 10.8) and TomTec (version 1.2). In QLAB version 10.8, low, medium, and high quantification smoothness settings were employed. In TomTec, images were analyzed with both low and high frame rates. Tracking quality for each package was graded. AP4 and SAXM strain and synchrony values were recorded. A mixed-effects linear regression model was used, with main effect considered significant if the p-value was < 0.05.

Results
Tracking scores were high for all packages except QLAB 10.5 in the SAXM view. AP4 and SAXM strain values varied significantly between QLAB 10.5 and the other packages. Synchrony values varied widely for all strain values (p < 0.001 for both) in all packages. Quantification smoothness changes in QLAB 10.8 did not impact strain significantly in any patient group; temporal resolution changes in TomTec resulted in strain differences in children with flat ventricular septums, but not those with normal or ventricular paced hearts.

Conclusion
Synchrony values varied substantially among all packages in children. Strain values varied widely between QLAB 10.5 and all other software packages, recommending avoidance of QLAB 10.5 for future studies. Quantification smoothness settings in QLAB 10.8 resulted in minimal strain differences. In TomTec, low and high frame rate strain values differed only in a subset of patients (flattened septum). These data suggest that reliable comparisons between strain values derived from QLAB and TomTec is possible in certain cases, but that caution should be used especially in different hemodynamics conditions.
Postoperative outcomes of gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma
Authors: Iwasaki Kenichi , Suda Takeshi , Takano Yuki , Ohno Yuki , Yamada Erika , Okazaki Naoto , Takahashi Kosuke , Watanabe Takafumi , Makuuchi Yosuke , Ota Yoshihiro , Osaka Yoshiaki , Seshimo Akiyoshi , Katsumata Kenji , Tsuchida Akihiko 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma (GCLS) is a rare subtype of gastric cancer. There have been several reports demonstrating the favorable prognosis of early GCLS without lymph node metastasis (LNM) compared with gastric adenocarcinomas. However, it remains unknown whether advanced GCLS (AGCLS) with LNM has a similar prognosis and clinicopathological features. This study aimed to assess the clinicopathological features of GCLS of all stages.

Methods
We retrospectively assessed 375 patients who were pathologically diagnosed with gastric cancer and underwent curative surgical resection at Tokyo Medical University, Japan, between September 2013 and October 2019. Of these patients, 357 (95.2%) patients were pathologically diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinomas, and 18 (4.8%) patients were diagnosed with GCLS. The GCLS patients (n = 18) were compared with the gastric adenocarcinoma patients (non-GCLS patients, control) (n = 357) in terms of their clinicopathological features and clinical outcome.

Results
The GCLS patients showed significantly predominant upper gastric locations (P = 0.003), lower number of LNM (P = 0.01), and better overall survival rate than the non-GCLS patients (P = 0.029). The predominant upper gastric locations (P = 0.0002), lower number of LNM (P = 0.003), and better overall survival rate (P = 0.04) were significantly correlated in the AGCLS with LNM patients compared with the advanced non-GCLS with LNM patients. For survival analyses, surgical procedure, tumor location, and numbers of positive LNM were adjusted by 1:1 propensity score matching. After adjustment, the overall survival rate was significantly higher in the AGCLS group than in the advanced non-GCLS group (P = 0.03).

Conclusion
AGCLS has distinct clinicopathological features and clinical behavior that are similar to those of early GCLS. AGCLS with LNM patients showed a significantly lower number of LNM and a better survival rate than advanced non-GCLS with LNM patients. To our knowledge, this study is the first report to describe the clinicopathological features of AGCLS.
The lethal sex gap: COVID-19
Authors: Márquez Eladio J. , Trowbridge Jennifer , Kuchel George A. , Banchereau Jacques , Ucar Duygu 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWhile Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is disrupting lives across the globe for everyone, it has a more devastating impact on the health of older adults, especially that of older men. This pandemic has highlighted the crucial importance of considering an individual’s age and biological sex in the clinic in addition to other confounding diseases (Kuchel, G.A, J Am Geriatr Soc, 67, 203, 2019, Tannenbaum, C., Nature, 575 451-458, 2009) As an interdisciplinary team of scientists in immunology, hematology, genomics, bioinformatics, and geriatrics, we have been studying how age and sex shape the human immune system. Herein we reflect on how our recent findings on the alterations of the immune system in aging might contribute to our current understanding of COVID-19 infection rate and disease risk.
Trends, Patterns, and Treatment Outcomes of Cancer Among Older Patients in Jordan: A Retrospective Analysis of National Cancer Registry and Institutional Outcome Data
Authors: Abdel-Razeq Hikmat , Mansour Asem , Bater Rayan 
Published: May 2020

PURPOSE Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and the second leading cause of mortality in Jordan and worldwide. Because of their age and comorbidities, older patients may receive suboptimal cancer therapy. This article addresses trends in cancer incidence and reports key treatment outcomes in this age group. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a retrospective study using data obtained from the national Jordan Cancer Registry (JCR) and our institutional cancer registry. The first data set reports only on demographics, whereas the second data set reports also on treatment outcomes. Older patients were defined as those age 65 years or older at time of diagnosis. RESULTS Between 2001 and 2015, a total of 19,397 older patients were diagnosed with cancer, representing 29.8% of the total 65,050 patients with cancer diagnosed during this time. More men than women developed cancer, and colorectal, breast, lung, prostate, and bladder cancers were the most commonly reported cancers. Among this age group over the 15-year study period, cancer diagnoses increased by a rate of 77%, much higher than the 55% increment among all ages during the same study period. The 5-year survival rate for all of the 3,821 older patients diagnosed, treated, and followed up at our institution was 33% but varied by stage (63% for stage I disease and 14% for stage IV disease). CONCLUSION Cancer diagnoses among older patients are increasing at a rate higher than that of all ages and much higher than the witnessed increase in Jordanian population in same age group, which highlights the importance of looking for factors other than just aging to explain this increase. Strategies to offer better care for this rapidly expanding group are highly needed.
Intragenic Deletions of GNAS in Pseudohypoparathyroidism Type 1A Identify a New Region Affecting Methylation of Exon A/B
Authors: Li Dong , Bupp Caleb , March Michael E , Hakonarson Hakon , Levine Michael A 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Context
Pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1A (PHP1A) and pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism (PPHP) are caused by inactivating mutations in the exons of GNAS that encode the alpha-subunit of the stimulatory G protein (Gsα). In some cases abnormal methylation of exon A/B of GNAS, a hallmark of PHP1B, has been reported.

Objective
To identify the underlying genetic basis for PHP1A/PPHP in patients in whom molecular defects were not detected by GNAS sequencing and microarray-based analysis of copy number variations.

Methods
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and pyrosequencing of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of GNAS using genomic deoxyribonucleic acid from affected patients.

Results
We identified 2 novel heterozygous GNAS deletions: a 6.4 kb deletion that includes exon 2 of GNAS in the first proband that was associated with normal methylation (57%) of exon A/B DMR, and a 1438 bp deletion in a second PHP1A patient that encompasses the promoter region and 5′ untranslated region of Gsα transcripts, which was inherited from his mother with PPHP. This deletion was associated with reduced methylation (32%) of exon A/B DMR.

Conclusions
WGS can detect exonic and intronic mutations, including deletions that are too small to be identified by microarray analysis, and therefore is more sensitive than other techniques for molecular analysis of PHP1A/PPHP. One of the deletions we identified led to reduced methylation of exon A/B DMR, further refining a region needed for normal imprinting of this DMR. We propose that deletion of this region can explain why some PHP1A patients have reduced of methylation of the exon A/B DMR.
The Peripubertal Decline in Makorin Ring Finger Protein 3 Expression is Independent of Leptin Action
Authors: Roberts Stephanie A , Abreu Ana Paula , Navarro Victor M , Liang Joy N , Maguire Caroline A , Kim Han Kyeol , Carroll Rona S , Kaiser Ursula B 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
A critical body weight is necessary for pubertal development, an effect mediated in part by leptin. The potential regulation by leptin of Makorin Ring Finger Protein 3 (MKRN3), in which loss-of-function mutations are the most common genetic cause of central precocious puberty, has not been previously explored. In mice, expression of Mkrn3 in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus is high early in life and declines before the onset of puberty. Therefore, we aimed to explore if leptin contributes to the decrease in hypothalamic Mkrn3 mRNA levels observed in mice during pubertal development. We first used a leptin-deficient (ob/ob) mouse model. Mkrn3 mRNA levels in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH), which includes the arcuate nucleus, and in the preoptic area (POA), both showed a significant decrease with age from postnatal day (PND) 12 to PND30 in ob/ob mice in both males and females, similar to that observed in wild-type mice. To further explore the effects of leptin on Mkrn3 expression, we exposed prepubertal wild-type mice to high levels of leptin from age PND9-12, which did not result in any significant difference in Mkrn3 expression levels in either the MBH or POA. In summary, regulation of Mkrn3 expression by leptin was not observed in either the MBH or the POA, 2 hypothalamic sites important for pubertal maturation. These data suggest that the decline in Mkrn3 at the onset of puberty may occur independently of leptin and support our hypothesis that MKRN3 is a bona fide controller of puberty initiation.
Borders Be Damned!
Authors: Hobson Geary 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis article provides a summary of Canadian First Nations writing and publishing within the context of Native American literature, with references to the entire area of Western Hemisphere Native writing. Admittedly, some readers and scholars will notice the omission of certain writers and their works, but it is maintained that this is somewhat the essence of the article: Native writing in the Western Hemisphere is still in the process of being identified, read, and recognized as such. Thus this article underpins the notion that the work of recognizing and categorizing such work is a continuing, necessary, and wonderful endeavor.
Restitution of Human Remains and Landscape Resignification
Authors: Curtoni Rafael Pedro , Heider Guillermo , Chaparro María Gabriela , Tuninetti Ángel T. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe restitution of human remains is a process wherein diverse agencies and meanings emerge. In Argentina there has been a significant increase of these processes, as well as claims of human bodies, during the early twenty-first century, allowing the appearance of new actors, the reconfiguration of public policies, and varied academic approaches. This article deals with a seldom-studied phenomenon—resignification of the territory as a consequence of a restitution—focusing on a recent example that involved the Rankülche Nation, an Indigenous nation in central Argentina, and its relationship with the government of La Pampa province, with scientists, and with members of the local community.
Indigenous-Inspired Authorial Figures and Networks of Rural-Urban Migrants inThe Fox from Up Above and the Fox from Down Below(1971), by José María Arguedas
Authors: Muñoz-Diaz Javier Alonso 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis article discusses the representation of Indigenous-inspired authorial figures in The Fox from Up Above and the Fox from Down Below, by José María Arguedas. In the context of the 1960s Latin American Boom, Arguedas’s novel includes a reflection on the professionalization of literary writing, as well as the impact of commodification on Indigenous migrants in Chimbote. This article draws parallels between the diarist Arguedas (who defines himself as a nonprofessional writer attached to Indigenous cultures), the fishing entrepreneur Braschi (a mythical figure and the begetter of Chimbote’s industrialization), and the networks of rural-urban migrants (which assimilate the “gringo” Maxwell, performer of Andean folklore). As a model for Indigenous-inspired authorial figures, this article suggests the importance of Arguedas’s articles about the mestizo retablista Joaquín Lopez Antay, who defended the artistic integrity of his craftwork against economic demands. On that note, the networks of rural-urban migrants negotiate their standing in the modernizing process with a strong and flexible Indigenous identity.
The atypical histone variant H3.15 promotes callus formation in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Yan An , Borg Michael , Berger Frédéric , Chen Zhong 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACT
Plants are capable of regenerating new organs after mechanical injury. The regeneration process involves genome-wide reprogramming of transcription, which usually requires dynamic changes in the chromatin landscape. We show that the histone 3 variant HISTONE THREE RELATED 15 (H3.15) plays an important role in cell fate reprogramming during plant regeneration in Arabidopsis. H3.15 expression is rapidly induced upon wounding. Ectopic overexpression of H3.15 promotes cell proliferation to form a larger callus at the wound site, whereas htr15 mutation compromises callus formation. H3.15 is distinguished from other Arabidopsis histones by the absence of the lysine residue 27 that is trimethylated by the POLYCOMB REPRESSIVE COMPLEX 2 (PRC2) in constitutively expressed H3 variants. Overexpression of H3.15 promotes the removal of the transcriptional repressive mark H3K27me3 from chromatin, which results in transcriptional de-repression of downstream genes, such as WUSCHEL RELATED HOMEOBOX 11 (WOX11). Our results reveal a new mechanism for a release from PRC2-mediated gene repression through H3.15 deposition into chromatin, which is involved in reprogramming cell fate to produce pluripotent callus cells.
Minimizing contrast media dose in CT pulmonary angiography with high-pitch technique
Authors: Alobeidi Hanan , Alshamari Muhammed , Widell Jonas , Eriksson Tomas , Lidén Mats 
Published: May 2020

Objectives:
To perform CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) using a minimal amount of iodinated contrast media.

Methods:
47 patients (25 females) with mean age 69 years (range 41–82 years) referred for contrast-enhanced chest CT were prospectively included in this Phase IV clinical drug trial. All participants underwent a study specific CTPA in addition to the chest CT. The participants received 80 mg I/kg body weight Iohexol contrast media using a preparatory saline bolus, a dual flow contrast/saline bolus and a saline flush, and a scanner protocol with 80 kVp dual source high-pitch mode. Three readers independently assessed the image quality on the 3-point scale non-diagnostic, adequate or good-excellent image quality. Additionally, the pulmonary arterial contrast opacification was measured.

Results:
On average, the patients received 16.8 ml Iohexol 350 mg I/mL (range 12–20 ml). Mean patient weight was 71 kg (range 50–85 kg). Identically for all readers, pulmonary embolism (PE) was detected in 1/47 participants. The median number of examinations visually scored concerning pulmonary embolism as good–excellent was 47/47 (range 44–47); adequate 0/47 (0–3) and non-diagnostic 0/47 (range 0–0). The proportion adequate or better examinations was for all readers 47/47, 100% [95% confidence interval 92–100%]. The mean attenuation ± standard deviation in the pulmonary trunk was 325 ± 72 Hounsfield unit (range 165–531 Hounsfield unit).

Conclusions:
Diagnostic CTPA with 17 ml contrast media is possible in non-obese patients using low kVp, high pitch and carefully designed contrast media administration.

Advances in knowledge:
By combining several procedures in a CTPA protocol, the contrast media dose can be minimized.
The impact of restricted length of treatment field and anthropometric factors on selection of head and neck cancer patients for treatment on the MR-Linac
Authors: Ng-Cheng-Hin Brian , Nutting Christopher , Newbold Kate , Bhide Shreerang , McQuaid Dualta , Dunlop Alex , Harrington Kevin , Wong Kee Howe 
Published: May 2020

Objective:
This study investigates the impact of a restricted craniocaudal (CC) field length of &lt;20 cm on the selection of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients who can be treated on the MR-Linac using a single isocentre technique. We also assess the effects of anthropometric factors and the neck position on the CC field length.

Methods:
110 HNC patients who underwent radical primary or adjuvant radiotherapy were retrospectively analysed. We assessed the proportion of treatment fields with a CC length of &lt;20 cm and the effects of gender, height, hyo-sternal neck length (distance from superior surface of hyoid to sternal notch measured on the coronal reconstruction of the planning CT) and neck position on CC length.

Results:
95% of HNC patients had a CC field length &lt;20 cm. Female patients showed a significantly shorter median CC length than male patients in both extended (p = 0.0003) and neutral (p = 0.008) neck positions. Neck position influenced the median CC length with neutral neck being significantly shorter than extended neck (p = 0.0119). Patient height and hyo-sternal neck length showed positive correlation with the CC length, with neck length in neutral position having the strongest correlation (r = 0.65, p = 0.0001 and r = 0.63, p &lt; 0.0001, respectively for extended neck; r = 0.55, p = 0.0070 and r = 0.80, p &lt; 0.0001, respectively for neutral neck). A hyo-sternal neck length of &lt;14.6 cm predicted a CC length of &lt;20 cm in neutral neck position.

Conclusion:
The majority of patients with HNC at the Royal Marsden Hospital have anthropometric features compatible with their being treated on the MR-Linac using a single isocentre technique. The absolute CC field size may vary according to primary tumour site, patient factors and neck position. A hyo-sternal neck length cut-off of 14.6 cm in the neutral neck position can be used as a surrogate marker for suitability of treatment on MR-Linac.

Advances in knowledge:
This paper highlights the potential impact of a restricted CC field in HNC patient selection for the MR-Linac treatment. This is the first report to suggest the use of neck length as a surrogate marker for suitability of treatment on the MR-Linac.
Lizbona – miasto zawłaszczone
Authors: Golemo Karolina 
Published: May 2020

Lisbon – A City Taken Over. Who Does the Portuguese Capital Belong to?
Dynamic development of tourism is a force transforming many of today’s cities. Changes caused by growing tourism mobility are visible at different levels: economic (imbalance of housing market, increasing prices), socio-cultural (gentrification and its consequences: change of inhabitants’ profiles, new neighborhood relations, new styles of consumption) and aesthetic-symbolic (intervention in urban landscapes through modernization and reorganization of traditional spaces). As an answer to these processes different forms of social protest appear against the uncontrolled development of mass tourism. The aim of this paper is to show the dynamics between the inhabitants of historical zones of Lisbon and visitors, as well as to explain the consequences of touristification on social relations in urban space.
Identyfikacja społeczno-kulturowa oraz samoocena kompetencji ogólnych do komunikacji międzykulturowej wśród studentów obcokrajowców
Authors: Majcher-Legawiec Urszula 
Published: May 2020

Socio-cultural Identification and Self-Appraisal of General Competence in Multicultural Communication in Foreign Students
The article presents the results of research on socio-cultural identification and self-assessment of general competences for intercultural communication carried out among foreign students preparing for studies in Polish under the socalled zero year. The behaviors of participants in the communication process, including intercultural communication, are conditioned by situational factors that are based on the socio-cultural context. Interaction participants set the situation in a known cultural context, which in the case of intercultural communication can lead to misunderstanding and frustration. Therefore, negotiating the meanings in the interaction of multicultural partners faces many conditions. Among those conditions, knowledge of the language (or lack thereof ) is just one of many elements. The remaining elements are general, cognitive and cultural competences as well as a set of competences including knowledge, practical skills and mindsets relating to social and communication behavior. The research was conducted among MCK PK students and it pertained to competences for multicultural communication. To reach this goal, slightly modified research tools prepared by a research team from the University of Bialystok were used. The collected data has been subjected to statistical analysis and interpretation.
Pozycja ustrojowa Prezydenta RP w systemie konstytucyjnym Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej w kontekście członkostwa w Unii Europejskiej
Authors: Budzanowska Anna 
Published: May 2020

The Constitutional Role of the President of the Republic of Poland in the Context of Membership of the European Union
The article presents a synthetic analysis of issues related to the constitutional position of the President of the Republic of Poland in constitutional and institutional order in the context of Poland’s membership in the structures of the European Union. The text mentions the basics of not only legal but also functional elements of the constitutional system. The purpose of this article is also to indicate how much the constitutional model of the executive bodies is sufficient to resolving problematic political issues when there is a particular kind of relationship between the head of state and the government administration.