bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Root tracking using time-varying autoregressive moving average models and sigma-point Kalman filters
Authors: Kostoglou Kyriaki , Lunglmayr Michael 
Published: February 2020

AbstractRoot tracking is a powerful technique that provides insight into the mechanisms of various time-varying processes. The poles and the zeros of a signal-generating system determine the spectral characteristics of the signal under consideration. In this work, time-frequency analysis is achieved by tracking the roots of time-varying processes using autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models in cascade form. A cascade ARMA model is essentially a high-order infinite impulse response (IIR) filter decomposed into a series of first- and second-order sections. Each section is characterized by real or conjugate pole/zero pairs. This filter topology allows individual root tracking as well as immediate stability monitoring and correction. Also, it does not suffer from high round-off error sensitivity, as is the case with the filter coefficients of the direct-form ARMA structure. Instead of using conventional gradient-based recursive methods, we investigate the performance of derivative-free sigma-point Kalman filters for root trajectory tracking over time. Based on simulations, the sigma-point estimators provide more accurate estimates, especially in the case of tightly clustered poles and zeros. The proposed framework is applied to real data, and more specifically, it is used to examine the time-frequency characteristics of raw ultrasonic signals from medical ultrasound images.
Bone mineral density is negatively correlated with ulcerative colitis: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhou Tianyu , Pan Jiaqi , Lai Bin , Cen Li , Jiang Wenxi , Yu Chaohui , Shen Zhe 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundNewer epidemiological studies suggest that the incidence of ulcerative colitis might be increasing rapidly. Furthermore, osteoporosis in ulcerative colitis patients has gained great attention, but the epidemiologic evidence remains controversial. Therefore, a meta‐analysis was performed to explore the association between bone density and ulcerative colitis.MethodsTwo investigators used PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases to identify all studies published before August 2019. Depending on the outcomes, investigators divided these studies into four groups (OR, SMD [BMD], SMD [z‐score] and SMD [t‐score]). To address the use of steroids, which is a major confounding factor in this analysis, another subgroup analysis of studies of steroid‐free patients was conducted. Additionally, heterogeneity, sensitivity and stratified analyses were also performed.ResultsA total of 13 cross‐sectional studies that involved 1154 participants were included in the present meta‐analysis, and three of them were included in the steroid‐free subgroup analysis. The pooled OR was 6.41 (95% CI 2.59–15.87) and the pooled SMD (BMD), SMD (t‐score) and SMD (z‐score) were − 0.24 (95% CI − 0.44 to − 0.04), − 0.55 (95% CI − 0.72 to − 0.37), and − 0.38 (95% CI − 0.56 and − 0.19), respectively. Since steroids are a significant confounder, the pooled SMD of the steroid‐free subgroup was − 0.55 (− 0.85 to − 0.25), which revealed a strong negative relationship between bone density and ulcerative colitis in steroid‐free patients. Additionally, other subgroup analyses also revealed a strong relationship.ConclusionsThis meta‐analysis provides evidence for the potential association between ulcerative colitis and decreased bone density. It is essential for clinicians to consider bone mineral density in ulcerative colitis patients regardless of steroid‐therapy.
The “wing-heeled” traveler
Authors: Kain Taylor , Weinstein Jordan , Thompson Aaron , Boggild Andrea K. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIntoxication syndromes may be travel acquired, and are related to intentional or accidental inhalational or percutaneous exposures or ingestions. Due to their myriad clinical presentations, initial differential diagnosis of such intoxications in returned travelers is broad, and typically requires detailed history and laboratory investigations to disentangle. We herein use a case-based clinical problem solving approach to illumination of a mercury intoxication syndrome, which presented in a 48-year-old VFR traveler to Guyana. Common clinical presentations, differential diagnoses, laboratory investigations, and therapeutic interventions are discussed.
Typing methods based on whole genome sequencing data
Authors: Uelze Laura , Grützke Josephine , Borowiak Maria , Hammerl Jens Andre , Juraschek Katharina , Deneke Carlus , Tausch Simon H. , Malorny Burkhard 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWhole genome sequencing (WGS) of foodborne pathogens has become an effective method for investigating the information contained in the genome sequence of bacterial pathogens. In addition, its highly discriminative power enables the comparison of genetic relatedness between bacteria even on a sub-species level. For this reason, WGS is being implemented worldwide and across sectors (human, veterinary, food, and environment) for the investigation of disease outbreaks, source attribution, and improved risk characterization models. In order to extract relevant information from the large quantity and complex data produced by WGS, a host of bioinformatics tools has been developed, allowing users to analyze and interpret sequencing data, starting from simple gene-searches to complex phylogenetic studies. Depending on the research question, the complexity of the dataset and their bioinformatics skill set, users can choose between a great variety of tools for the analysis of WGS data. In this review, we describe the relevant approaches for phylogenomic studies for outbreak studies and give an overview of selected tools for the characterization of foodborne pathogens based on WGS data. Despite the efforts of the last years, harmonization and standardization of typing tools are still urgently needed to allow for an easy comparison of data between laboratories, moving towards a one health worldwide surveillance system for foodborne pathogens.
Opportunities for Maintenance of Certification to Better Reflect Scope of Practice Among Medical Oncologists
Authors: Vandergrift Jonathan L. , Gray Bradley M. , Barnhart Brendan J. , Lynn Lorna A. , Lipner Rebecca S. 
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE: Critics argue that the American Board of Internal Medicine’s medical oncology Maintenance of Certification examination requires medical oncologists with a narrow scope of practice to spend time studying material that is no longer relevant to their practice. However, no data are available describing the scope of practice for medical oncologists. METHODS: Using Medicare claims, we examined the scope of practice for 9,985 medical oncologists who saw 8.6 million oncology conditions in 2016, each of which was assigned to 1 of 23 different condition groups. Scope of practice was then measured as the percentage of oncology conditions within each of the 23 groups. We grouped physicians with similar scopes of practice by applying K-means clustering to the percentage of conditions seen. The scope of practice for each physician cluster was determined from the cancers that encompassed the majority of average oncology conditions seen among physicians composing the cluster. RESULTS: We found 20 distinct scope-of-practice clusters. The largest (n = 6,479 [65.5%]) had a general oncology scope of practice. The remaining physicians focused on a narrow scope of cancers, including 22.6% focused on ≥ 1 solid tumors and 11.9% focused on hematologic malignancies. The largest focused cluster accounted for 7.7% of physicians focused on breast cancer. CONCLUSION: A single American Board of Internal Medicine Maintenance of Certification assessment in medical oncology is most appropriate for approximately 65% of certified medical oncologists’ practices. However, the addition of assessments focused on breast cancer and hematologic malignancies could increase this figure to upwards of 85% of certified medical oncologists.
Efficacy of Temozolomide Therapy in Patients With Aggressive Pituitary Adenomas and Carcinomas—A German Survey
Authors: Elbelt Ulf , Schlaffer Sven M , Buchfelder Michael , Knappe Ulrich J , Vila Greisa , Micko Alexander , Deutschbein Timo , Unger Nicole , Lammert Alexander , Topuzoglu-Müller Tengü , Bojunga Jörg , Droste Michael , Johanssen Sarah , Kolenda Herbert , Ritzel Katrin , Buslei Rolf , Strasburger Christian J , Petersenn Stephan , Honegger Jürgen 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Context
Despite growing evidence that temozolomide (TMZ) therapy is effective for the treatment of aggressive pituitary tumors (APTs) or carcinomas (PCs), individual therapy decisions remain challenging.

Objective
We therefore aimed to report on clinical characteristics leading to initiation of TMZ therapy and to add evidence on TMZ long-term effectiveness.

Design and subjects
Retrospective survey on TMZ treatment in patients with APTs or PCs. TMZ therapy was initiated in 47 patients (22 females) with APTs (n = 34) or PCs (n = 13). Mean age at diagnosis was 45 ± 15 years. The immunohistochemical subtypes were corticotroph (n = 20), lactotroph (n = 18), and nonfunctioning (n = 9) tumors. TMZ therapy started 8 years after initial diagnosis using a standard regimen (median 6 cycles) for the majority of patients.

Results
Long-term radiological response to TMZ after a median follow-up of 32 months with 4 patients still on TMZ therapy was tumor regression for 9 (20%), stable disease for 8 (17%), and tumor progression for 29 patients (63%) (outcome data available for 46 patients). Progression occurred 16 months after initiation of TMZ. Median estimated progression-free survival was 23 months. Disease stabilization and median progression-free survival did not differ between patients with APTs or PCs. Predictors of tumor response were not identified. Overall, TMZ was well tolerated.

Conclusion
We performed a nationwide survey on TMZ therapy in patients with APTs and PCs. While early response rates to TMZ are promising, long-term outcome is less favorable. Prolonged TMZ administration should be considered. We were not able to confirm previously reported predictors of tumor response to TMZ.
Evidence that Nitric Oxide Is Critical for LH Surge Generation in Female Sheep
Authors: McCosh Richard B , Lopez Justin A , Szeligo Brett M , Bedenbaugh Michelle N , Hileman Stanley M , Coolen Lique M , Lehman Michael N , Goodman Robert L 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Elevated and sustained estradiol concentrations cause a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) surge that is necessary for ovulation. In sheep, several different neural systems have been implicated in this stimulatory action of estradiol and this study focused on somatostatin (SST) neurons in the ventral lateral region of the ventral medial nucleus (vlVMN) which express c-Fos during the surge. First, we determined if increased activity of SST neurons could be related to elevated GnRH secretion by assessing SST synapses onto GnRH neurons and neurons coexpressing kisspeptin, neurokinin B, dynorphin (KNDy). We found that the percentage of preoptic area GnRH neurons that receive SST input increased during the surge compared with other phases of the cycle. However, since SST is generally inhibitory, and pharmacological manipulation of SST signaling did not alter the LH surge in sheep, we hypothesized that nitric oxide (NO) was also produced by these neurons to account for their activation during the surge. In support of this hypothesis we found that (1) the majority of SST cells in the vlVMN (&gt;80%) contained neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS); (2) the expression of c-Fos in dual-labeled SST-nNOS cells, but not in single-labeled cells, increased during the surge compared with other phases of the cycle; and (3) intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, completely blocked the estrogen-induced LH surge. These data support the hypothesis that the population of SST-nNOS cells in the vlVMN are a source of NO that is critical for the LH surge, and we propose that they are an important site of estradiol positive feedback in sheep.
Environmental Obesogens and Their Impact on Susceptibility to Obesity: New Mechanisms and Chemicals
Authors: Egusquiza Riann Jenay , Blumberg Bruce 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe incidence of obesity has reached an all-time high, and this increase is observed worldwide. There is a growing need to understand all the factors that contribute to obesity to effectively treat and prevent it and associated comorbidities. The obesogen hypothesis proposes that there are chemicals in our environment termed obesogens that can affect individual susceptibility to obesity and thus help explain the recent large increases in obesity. This review discusses current advances in our understanding of how obesogens act to affect health and obesity susceptibility. Newly discovered obesogens and potential obesogens are discussed, together with future directions for research that may help to reduce the impact of these pervasive chemicals.
Presenting Features in 269 Patients With Clinically Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas Enrolled in a Prospective Study
Authors: Freda Pamela U , Bruce Jeffrey N , Khandji Alexander G , Jin Zhezhen , Hickman Richard A , Frey Emily , Reyes-Vidal Carlos , Otten Marc , Wardlaw Sharon L , Post Kalmon D 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Context
Clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (CNFPAs) typically remain undetected until mass effect symptoms develop. However, currently, head imaging is performed commonly for many other indications, which may increase incidental discovery of CNFPAs. Since current presentation and outcome data are based on older, retrospective series, a prospective characterization of a contemporary CNFPA cohort was needed.

Objective
To determine the prevalence of incidental presentation and hypopituitarism and its predictors in a CNFPA cohort that spanned 6 to 9 mm micro- to macroadenoma included observational and surgical therapy.

Methods
At enrollment in a prospective, observational study, 269 patients with CNFPAs were studied by history, examination, blood sampling, and pituitary imaging analysis and categorized into incidental or symptoms presentation groups that were compared.

Results
Presentation was incidental in 48.7% of patients and due to tumor symptoms in 51.3%. In the symptoms and incidental groups, 58.7% and 27.4% of patients had hypopituitarism, respectively, and 25% of patients with microadenomas had hypopituitarism. Many had unappreciated signs and symptoms of pituitary disease. Most tumors were macroadenomas (87%) and were larger in the symptoms than incidental and hypopituitary groups than in the eupituitary groups. The patients in the incidental group were older, and males were older and had larger tumors in both the incidental and symptoms groups.

Conclusions
Patients with CNFPAs commonly present incidentally and with previously unrecognized hypopituitarism and symptoms that could have prompted earlier diagnosis. Our data support screening all large micro and macro-CNFPAs for hypopituitarism. Most patients with CNFPAs still have mass effect signs at presentation, suggesting the need for more awareness of pituitary disease. Our ongoing, prospective observation of this cohort will assess outcomes of these CNFPA groups.
AstroDot – a new method for studying the spatial distribution of mRNA in astrocytes
Authors: Oudart Marc , Tortuyaux Romain , Mailly Philippe , Mazaré Noémie , Boulay Anne-Cécile , Cohen-Salmon Martine 
Published: February 2020

ABSTRACT
Astrocytes are morphologically complex and use local translation to regulate distal functions. To study the distribution of mRNA in astrocytes, we combined mRNA detection via in situ hybridization with immunostaining of the astrocyte-specific intermediate filament glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). mRNAs at the level of GFAP-immunolabelled astrocyte somata, and large and fine processes were analysed using AstroDot, an ImageJ plug-in and the R package AstroStat. Taking the characterization of mRNAs encoding GFAP-α and GFAP-δ isoforms as a proof of concept, we showed that they mainly localized on GFAP processes. In the APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, the density and distribution of both α and δ forms of Gfap mRNA changed as a function of the region of the hippocampus and the astrocyte's proximity to amyloid plaques. To validate our method, we confirmed that the ubiquitous Rpl4 (large subunit ribosomal protein 4) mRNA was present in astrocyte processes as well as in microglia processes immunolabelled for ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1; also known as IAF1). In summary, this novel set of tools allows the characterization of mRNA distribution in astrocytes and microglia in physiological or pathological settings.
Increased host ATP efflux and its conversion to extracellular adenosine is crucial for establishing Leishmania infection
Authors: Basu Moumita , Gupta Purnima , Dutta Ananya , Jana Kuladip , Ukil Anindita 
Published: February 2020

ABSTRACT
Intracellular survival of Leishmania donovani demands rapid production of host ATP for its sustenance. However, a gradual decrease in intracellular ATP in spite of increased glycolysis suggests ATP efflux during infection. Accordingly, upon infection, we show here that ATP is exported and the major exporter was pannexin-1, leading to raised extracellular ATP levels. Extracellular ATP shows a gradual decrease after the initial increase, and analysis of cell surface ATP-degrading enzymes revealed induction of the ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73. Ectonucleotidase-mediated ATP degradation leads to increased extracellular adenosine (eADO), and inhibition of CD39 and CD73 in infected cells decreased adenosine concentration and parasite survival, documenting the importance of adenosine in infection. Inhibiting adenosine uptake by cells did not affect parasite survival, suggesting that eADO exerts its effect through receptor-mediated signalling. We also show that Leishmania induces the expression of adenosine receptors A2AR and A2BR, both of which are important for anti-inflammatory responses. Treating infected BALB/c mice with CD39 and CD73 inhibitors resulted in decreased parasite burden and increased host-favourable cytokine production. Collectively, these observations indicate that infection-induced ATP is exported, and after conversion into adenosine, propagates infection via receptor-mediated signalling.
Dispersion is essential in crop residue application
Authors: Oda Masato 
Published: February 2020

Background: Crop residue application can maintain soil fertility and sustain agriculture. However, the effects of residue application are unstable because of variable weather conditions and the residual effects of crop residue application. Furthermore, residue application often reduces crop yields. Therefore, I tried to clarify effective residue application factors in an environment which was has stable weather conditions and low residual effects. Methods: Majuro atoll, a coral sand atoll near the equator, was selected for the experiment site because of its stable weather and low residual effect of coral sand. A factorial design experiment using sweet corn was conducted based on the following four factors: fungi propagation before application, cutting residue into pieces, dispersion (or accumulation) of applied residue, and placement (on the surface or incorporation) with an equal amount of crop residue. The effects of each factors on the corn yields were evaluated using Cohen’s power analysis. Results: The dispersion showed the largest effect (1.2 in Cohen’s), which exceeded the effect of incorporation (0.7). The interaction of dispersion and incorporation showed a huge effect (4.9) on corn yield. Discussion: The effect of dispersion was not positive but it avoided the negative effects of residue clustering. Because, the toxicity of the plant residue and generation of toxic substances by anaerobic decomposition are widely known. Anaerobic decomposition occurs inside the residue clusters. However, dispersion reduced the toxicity by adsorption in soil and avoiding anaerobic decomposition. Furthermore, incorporation showed an interaction effect, but surface placement did not. Conclusion: The dispersion of crop residue enhanced the positive effect of crop residue incorporation by avoiding the toxicity from crop residue. This finding adds a new viewpoint for the controversy between conventional and conservation agriculture
The effects of interventions preventing self-harm and suicide in children and adolescents: an overview of systematic reviews
Authors: Morken Ida Sund , Dahlgren Astrid , Lunde Ingeborg , Toven Siri 
Published: February 2020

Background: Self-harm and suicide in children and adolescents are of serious consequence and increase during the adolescent years. Consequently, there is need for interventions that prevent such behaviour. The objective of this paper: to evaluate the effects of interventions preventing self-harm and suicide in children and adolescents in an overview of systematic reviews.Methods: We conducted an overview of systematic reviews (OoO). We included reviews evaluating any preventive or therapeutic intervention. The methodological quality of the included reviews was assessed independently, and data was extracted by two reviewers. We report the review findings descriptively. The certainty of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).Results: Moderate certainty evidence suggests that school-based interventions prevent suicidal ideation and attempts short term, and possibly suicide attempts long term. The effects of community-based interventions following suicide clusters and local suicide plans are unknown, as are the benefits and harms of screening young people for suicide risk.The effects of most interventions targeting children and adolescents with known self-harm are unknown. However, low certainty evidence suggests that dialectical behavioural therapy and developmental group therapy are equally as effective on repetition of self-harm as enhanced treatment as usual.Conclusions: Research on several recommended practices, such as local suicide plans, prevention of suicide clusters and approaches to risk assessment, is lacking. When such interventions are implemented, the effects should be closely evaluated. There is also need for more research on treatment of repeated self-harm. Further research should include long term follow-up, and investigate possible adverse effects.In prevention of self-harm and suicide in children and adolescents, policy makers and health providers should consider evidence from population-based studies with mixed-age samples, adult samples, and studies on conditions associated with self-harm and/or suicidality, such as depression and psychosis.PROSPERO registration: CRD42019117942 08/02/19