bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparing machine and deep learning‐based algorithms for prediction of clinical improvement in psychosis with functional magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Smucny Jason , Davidson Ian , Carter Cameron S. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPrevious work using logistic regression suggests that cognitive control‐related frontoparietal activation in early psychosis can predict symptomatic improvement after 1 year of coordinated specialty care with 66% accuracy. Here, we evaluated the ability of six machine learning (ML) algorithms and deep learning (DL) to predict “Improver” status (>20% improvement on Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale [BPRS] total score at 1‐year follow‐up vs. baseline) and continuous change in BPRS score using the same functional magnetic resonance imaging‐based features (frontoparietal activations during the AX‐continuous performance task) in the same sample (individuals with either schizophrenia (n = 65, 49M/16F, mean age 20.8 years) or Type I bipolar disorder (n = 17, 9M/8F, mean age 21.6 years)). 138 healthy controls were included as a reference group. “Shallow” ML methods included Naive Bayes, support vector machine, K Star, AdaBoost, J48 decision tree, and random forest. DL included an explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) procedure for understanding results. The best overall performances (70% accuracy for the binary outcome and root mean square error = 9.47 for the continuous outcome) were achieved using DL. XAI revealed left DLPFC activation was the strongest feature used to make binary classification decisions, with a classification activation threshold (adjusted beta = .017) intermediate to the healthy control mean (adjusted beta = .15, 95% CI = −0.02 to 0.31) and patient mean (adjusted beta = −.13, 95% CI = −0.37 to 0.11). Our results suggest DL is more powerful than shallow ML methods for predicting symptomatic improvement. The left DLPFC may be a functional target for future biomarker development as its activation was particularly important for predicting improvement.
Resource scarcity and prioritization decisions in medical care: A lab experiment with heterogeneous patient types
Authors: Brendel Franziska , Einhaus Lisa , Then Franziska 
Published: November 2020

AbstractDuring the COVID‐19 pandemic, health care systems around the world have received additional funding, while at other times, financial support has been lowered to consolidate public spending. Such budget changes likely affect provision behavior in health care. We study how different degrees of resource scarcity affect medical service provision and, in consequence, patients' health. In a controlled lab environment, physicians are paid by capitation and allocate limited resources to several patients. This implies a trade‐off between physicians' profits and patients' health benefits. We vary levels of resource scarcity and patient characteristics systematically and observe that most subjects in the role of physician devote a relatively stable share of budget to patient treatment, implying that they provide fewer services when they face more severe budget constraints. Average patient benefits decrease in proportion to physician budgets. The majority of subjects chooses an allocation that leads to equal patient benefits as opposed to allocating resources efficiently.
In vivogamma‐aminobutyric acid‐A/benzodiazepine receptor availability and genetic liability in asymptomatic individuals with high genetic loading of schizophrenia: A [11C]flumazenil positron emission tomography study
Authors: Lee Junhee , Yoon Youngwoo Bryan , Cho Kang Ik Kevin , Seo Seongho , Lee Jae Sung , Jeong Jae Min , Kim Euitae , Kim Minah , Lee Tae Young , Kwon Jun Soo 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectivesWhilst reduced signalling and gene expression related to gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) play a role in the presumed pathophysiology of schizophrenia, its origin is unclear. Studying asymptomatic individuals with high genetic liability to schizophrenia (AIs) would provide insights. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of genetic liability in GABAergic dysfunction of schizophrenia by exploringin vivoGABA‐A/benzodiazepine receptor (GABAR) availability in AIs.MethodsA total of 10 AIs with multiple relatives diagnosed as schizophrenia and 11 healthy controls underwent [11C]flumazenil positron emission tomography and neurocognitive function tests.ResultsThere was no significant difference in [11C]flumazenil availability based on the groups. GABAR availability in caudate nuclei had positive correlations with genetic liability of AIs. GABAR availability in caudate nuclei and verbal memory measures of AIs revealed positive correlations. Only the correlation between right caudate and short‐term verbal memory survived multiple‐comparison correction (p= 0.030).ConclusionsThis study, for the first time, reports correlations between the genetic liability of schizophrenia and GABAR availability. Correlations between [11C]flumazenil binding in caudate of individuals with high genetic liability to schizophrenia suggests that the GABAergic dysfunction may arise from shared genetic factors and also that it may be responsible for cognitive impairment of AIs.
Effect of Japanese herbal Kampo medicines on live birth rate in women with recurrent pregnancy loss
Authors: Shigemi Daisuke , Hashimoto Yohei , Michihata Nobuaki , Yasunaga Hideo 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of Japanese Kampo medicines on the overall live birth rate among patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in a real‐world setting.MethodsIn the current retrospective cohort study, we used the JMDC Claims Database to extract information on women diagnosed with RPL between January 1, 2005 and August 31, 2018. Eligible women were divided into two groups according to Kampo medicines administered as treatments for RPL. The primary outcome was the live birth rate during the study period. Propensity score matching, Kaplan‐Meier cumulative incidence plots, log‐rank test, and Cox proportional‐hazards regression model were used to compare the primary outcome between patients with and without Japanese herbal Kampo medicines.ResultsAmong 5517 eligible patients, 1652 used Kampo medicines and 3865 did not. After propensity score matching, the live birth rate at 2.0 years was 15.7% in the Kampo group and 11.2% in the non‐Kampo group. At 4.0 years, the difference between the two groups had slightly increased. The overall live birth rate differed significantly between the two groups (hazard ratio 1.32, 95% confidence interval 1.13–1.53; P < 0.001).ConclusionJapanese herbal Kampo medicines may improve the live birth rate in patients with RPL.
Factors affecting e‐government adoption in Liberia: A practitioner perspective
Authors: Mensah Ransford , Cater‐Steel Aileen , Toleman Mark 
Published: November 2020

AbstractGlobally, e‐government implementation is growing, including in sub‐Saharan Africa, evidenced by the frequently reported benefits of e‐government programs in developed countries. The government of Liberia is pursuing an e‐government agenda to improve governance through the effective and efficient use of technology in the public sector. Liberia, one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world is bedeviled by over 10 years of civil war and most recently an Ebola virus outbreak which created severe human capacity gaps. The government has realized that in order to accelerate development and enhance its peoples' livelihood, it must integrate technology into its public administration procedures. However, the implementation of e‐government in Liberia has had mixed success. The objective of this research is to identify critical factors affecting the implementation of e‐government in Liberia. To achieve this aim, a reflective practitioner approach is employed as a lens to collect and guide the analysis of qualitative data. The data are collected through focus group discussion with senior IT practitioners (CIOs) of Liberia who are leading the delivery of e‐initiatives in Liberia. The factors identified are intended to guide how e‐government initiatives are implemented in Liberia. This research contributes to raising awareness about Liberia's e‐government program.
Co‐option of PPARα in the regulation of lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation in CLA‐induced hepatic steatosis
Authors: Cai Demin , Li Yanwei , Zhang Kexin , Zhou Bo , Guo Feilong , Holm Lena , Liu Hao‐Yu 
Published: November 2020

AbstractNonalcoholic‐fatty‐liver‐disease (NAFLD) is the result of imbalances in hepatic lipid partitioning and is linked to dietary factors. We demonstrate that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) when given to mice as a dietary supplement, induced an enlarged liver, hepatic steatosis, and increased plasma levels of fatty acid (FA), alanine transaminase, and triglycerides. The progression of NAFLD and insulin resistance was reversed by GW6471 a small‐molecule antagonist of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α (PPARα). Transcriptional profiling of livers revealed that the genes involved in FA oxidation and lipogenesis as two core gene programs controlled by PPARα in response to CLA and GW6471 including Acaca and Acads. Bioinformatic analysis of PPARα ChIP‐seq data set and ChIP‐qPCR showed that GW6471 blocks PPARα binding to Acaca and Acads and abolishes the PPARα‐mediated local histone modifications of H3K27ac and H3K4me1 in CLA‐treated hepatocytes. Thus, our findings reveal a dual role of PPARα in the regulation of lipid homeostasis and highlight its druggable nature in NAFLD.
Normal reference values of left ventricular strain parameters in healthy adults: Real‐life experience from the single‐center three‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiographic MAGYAR‐Healthy Study
Authors: Nemes Attila , Kormányos Árpád , Kalapos Anita , Domsik Péter , Gyenes Nándor , Ambrus Nóra , Lengyel Csaba 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIntroductionA number of studies defined normal reference values of three‐dimensional (3D) speckle‐tracking echocardiography (3DSTE)‐derived left ventricular (LV) strains. The present study aimed to quantify normal reference values of LV strains in healthy adult population in real clinical world settings in different age groups, and to determine age‐ and gender‐dependence of these variables in a high volume single center.MethodsThe present prospective study included 296 healthy adult subjects. Among them, 124 were excluded due to inferior image quality during the 6‐year recruitment period (2011‐2017). The remaining population was further divided into four subgroups based on age decades.ResultsWhile global radial (RS) strain showed an increase‐decrease‐increase pattern with age, circumferential, longitudinal, and area strains (CS, LS, AS, respectively) were nonsignificantly lower in older ages. Only global LV‐LS showed gender‐dependency with higher values in females. Although moderately higher RS and 3DS and lower LS, and AS were observed in males, clear gender‐dependency could not be detected in different age decades.ConclusionsThis study provides normal reference values of 3DSTE‐derived global, segmental, mean segmental, and regional LV strains in healthy adult subjects based on real‐life clinical experience. Age‐, gender‐, and functional nonuniformity of LV strains were also defined.
Elucidating the early signaling cues involved in zebrafish chondrogenesis and cartilage morphology
Authors: Zinck Nicholas W. , Jeradi Shirine , Franz‐Odendaal Tamara A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAcross the teleost skeleton, cartilages are diverse in their composition suggesting subtle differences in their developmental mechanisms. This study aims to elucidate the regulatory role of bone morphogenetic protein (BMPs) during the morphogenesis of two cartilage elements in zebrafish: the scleral cartilage in the eye and the caudal fin endoskeleton. Zebrafish larvae were exposed to a BMP inhibitor (LDN193189) at a series of timepoints preceding the initial appearance of the scleral cartilage and caudal fin endoskeleton. Morphological assessments of the cartilages in later stages, revealed that BMP‐inhibited fish harbored striking disruptions in caudal fin endoskeletal morphology, regardless of the age at which the inhibitor treatment was performed. In contrast, scleral cartilage morphology was unaffected in all age groups. Morphometric and principal component analysis, performed on the caudal fin endoskeleton, revealed differential clustering of principal components one and two in BMP‐inhibited and control fish. Additionally, the expression of sox9a and sox9b were reduced in BMP‐inhibited fish when compared to controls, indicating that LDN193189 acts via a Sox9‐dependent pathway. Further examination of notochord flexion also revealed a disruptive effect of BMP inhibition on this process. This study provides a detailed characterization of the effects of BMP inhibition via LDN193189 on zebrafish cartilage morphogenesis and development. It highlights the specific, localized role of the BMP‐signaling pathways during the development of different cartilage elements and sheds some light on the morphological characteristics of fossil teleosts that together suggest an uncoupling of the developmental processes between the upper and lower lobes of the caudal fin.
Reconstruction of cold front frequency over Cape Town, South Africa, using daily mean sea level pressure values: 1834–1899
Authors: Picas Jessica A. , Grab Stefan W. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSurface pressure observations are invaluable for meteorological investigations as they enable reconstructions of and insights to historical large‐scale tropospheric circulation. This article endeavours to use a daily reduced mean sea level pressure (MSLP) series to reconstruct the monthly frequency of cold fronts, associated with mid‐latitude cyclones, overpassing Cape Town (southwestern Cape region of South Africa) during the 19th century. Using modern (2011–2017) daily MSLP data and synoptic charts, the relationship between MSLP values and the probability of a cold front overpassing, is established and applied to historical (1834–1899) MSLP data. Although no significant trend in cold front frequency is measured, greater interannual variability is noted during the first half of the study period (1837–1867). Results indicate a link between lower (higher) cold front frequencies and El Niño (La Niña) events, although not statistically significant. Additionally, correlations between cold front frequency and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) appear to be weak. Although not statistically robust, we also note an apparent 1–2 year lagged association between years with above (below) average numbers of sunspots and above (below) average numbers of cold fronts.
Tropospheric thermal field variability over Poland in the context of climate change
Authors: Urban Grzegorz , Kowalewski Michał K. , Kuchar Leszek 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBased on the results of radiosounding measurements from all Polish aerological stations, an analysis of temperature changes in the troposphere and tropopause over Poland was carried out. The study was performed for data from 1981 to 2018 at 00 UTC for five main isobaric surfaces (MISs): 850, 700, 500, 300 and 200 hPa and for the tropopause. It was found that the tropospheric temperature variability is highest in the cold months of the year and lowest in summer. Annual temperature variability in the upper troposphere is less than in the lower. Temperature trends for the MISs from 850 to 300 hPa for the year and summer are positive and almost everywhere statistically significant at a significance level of .05. For a year, they average from about 0.2°C to 0.5°C/decade. In summer, they are slightly greater and are 0.4–0.5°C. On the MIS of 200 hPa over Poland, however, there are negative thermal trends, both in the year and in summer. They are approximately −0.1°C/decade. In winter, the trends are much smaller than in the summer or for the year. In the lower troposphere they are weak and positive, while in the upper troposphere they are weak and negative. Negative tendencies in the thermal tropopause over Poland were found. For the year and seasons, this trend ranges from −0.2 to −0.3°C/decade. The obtained results regarding the temperature of the troposphere and tropopause over Poland correspond with the results of earlier studies from Europe and the around world. They confirm the warming of the lower and cooling of the upper troposphere with the tropopause, which has been taking place in the last few decades.
Design and synthesis of boron complexes as new Raman reporter molecules for sensitive SERS nanotags
Authors: Javaid Rashid , Sayyadi Nima , Mylvaganam Kausala , Venkatesan Koushik , Wang Yuling , Rodger Alison 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA new series of boron complexes consisting of pyridine‐pyrazole ligands has been designed, synthesized and evaluated for its Raman activity using solid‐state Raman spectroscopy. The detailed surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) study of selected dye 2‐(3‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐yl) pyridine (P4) on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of size 40 nm revealed that it can detect as small as the nanomole level with signal quality that is superior to structurally similar commercially available reporter molecules (RMs), rendering it a suitable RM for sensitive SERS nanotags.
Identification, taste characterization and molecular docking study of novel umami peptides from the Chinese anchovy sauce
Authors: Zhu Wenhui , Luan Hongwei , Bu Ying , Li Xuepeng , Li Jianrong , Zhang Yuyu 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDFish sauce has a subtle flavor with prominent umami and salty taste, and is accompanied by a certain sweetness and bitterness. In order to identify a wider range of umami peptides, Chinese southern and northern anchovy sauce were selected for the study.RESULTSSeventeen peptides were obtained by separation and purification, and their taste activity was predicted. Through the taste characterization and descriptive analysis, it was found that the synthesized peptides were umami and umami‐enhancing peptides. Seventeen umami peptides were simulated and embedded into the umami receptor T1R1/T1R3 by inserting into the Venus flytrap domain (VFTD) of the T1R3 subunit; the interaction forces were mainly hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interaction, van der Waals force and hydrophobic interaction. According to the docking interaction energies, long‐chain peptides may be easier to bind to the receptor than short‐chain peptides. Asp196, Glu128 and Glu197 were the main binding sites for docking, and could affect umami synergism.CONCLUSIONFor the first time, novel umami peptides in Chinese anchovy sauce have been reported. This study is helpful for discovering umami marine resource peptides, and can provide a basis for further understanding the flavor system of anchovy sauce. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Automated micro‐solid‐phase extraction clean‐up of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in food oils for analysis by gas chromatography–orbital ion trap mass spectrometry
Authors: Eyring Philipp , Preiswerk Thomi , Frandsen Henrik Lauritz , Duedahl‐Olesen Lene 
Published: November 2020

AbstractFood can contain unwanted compounds and need to be analyzed for compounds like carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to ensure consumer safety. The analytes need to be extracted from the sample matrix and cleaned‐up to enable detection. However, established methods for clean‐up are labor intensive and have a high expenditure on organic solvents. Here, we show a newly developed micro‐solid‐phase extraction cartridge method to automate the clean‐up for analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sunflower oil using gas chromatography with quadrupole‐orbitrap mass spectrometry with a TriPlus autosampler. This automated micro‐solid‐phase extraction cartridge method needs only 4 μL of vegetable oil sample and requires only 360 μL acetonitrile for elution, and, therefore, it needs only small amounts of organic solvent. Two different micro‐solid‐phase extraction cartridge methods were developed, one using two commercially available cartridges with florisil and octadecylsilane/Z‐Sep/CarbonX, and the other method using one commercially available cartridge with florisil followed by one self‐made cartridge with octadecylsilane/Z‐Sep. The latter method showed successful lipid removal and was further validated for 22 of 24 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds in sunflower oil at a spiked level of 1090 μg/kg with recoveries ranging from 53 to 118% and relative standard deviation below 22%. This method shows promising short‐time clean‐up with low expenditure of solvents.
Evaluation of the Graft Kidney in the Early Postoperative Period
Authors: Goyal Ankur , Hemachandran Naren , Kumar Atin , Sharma Raju , Shamim Shamim Ahmed , Bansal Virinder Kumar , Das Chandan Jyoti , Kandasamy Devasenathipathy , Agarwal Sanjay Kumar , Dinda Amit Kumar , Seenu V. 
Published: November 2020

ObjectivesTo evaluate the various quantitative parameters of Doppler ultrasound, contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), and shear wave elastography (SWE) of graft kidneys in the early postoperative period and to explore their utility in the diagnosis of parenchymal causes of graft dysfunction.MethodsIn this ethically approved study, consecutive patients who underwent renal transplantation from March 2017 to August 2018 were recruited, and those with urologic or vascular complications and those who denied consent were excluded. All patients underwent ultrasound with Doppler, SWE, CEUS (using sulfur hexafluoride), and renal scintigraphic examinations 3 to 10 days after transplantation. A composite reference standard was used, including the clinical course, renal function test results, urine output, and histopathologic results for graft dysfunction. Cortical SWE values, quantitative CEUS parameters (generated from a time‐intensity curve), and their ratios were analyzed to identify graft dysfunction and differentiate acute tubular necrosis (ATN) from acute rejection (AR).ResultsOf the 105 patients included, 19 developed graft dysfunction (18.1%; 12 ATN, 5 AR, and 2 drug toxicity) in the early postoperative period. The peak systolic velocity in the interpolar artery showed a significant difference between control and graft dysfunction groups (P < .001) as well as between ATN and AR (P = .019). Resistive indices and SWE did not show significant differences. Ratios of the time to peak showed a significant difference between control and graft dysfunction groups (P < .05). The rise time and fall time of the large subcapsular region of interest and the rise time ratio were significantly different between ATN and AR (P = .03).ConclusionsContrast‐enhanced ultrasound can be used to diagnose parenchymal causes of early graft dysfunction with reasonable diagnostic accuracy.
Seven Solutions for Neuroprotection in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Devos David , Hirsch Etienne , Wyse Richard 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTParkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and accumulation of iron and alpha‐synuclein; it follows a characteristic pattern throughout the nervous system. Despite decades of successful preclinical neuroprotective studies, no drug has then shown efficacy in clinical trials. Considering this dilemma, we have reviewed and organized solutions of varying importance that can be exclusive or additive, and we outline approaches to help generate successful development of neuroprotective drugs for PD: (1) select patients in which the targeted mechanism is involved in the pathological process associated with the monitoring of target engagement, (2) combine treatments that target multiple pathways, (3) establish earliest interventions and develop better prodromal biomarkers, (4) adopt rigorous methodology and specific disease‐relevant designs for disease‐modifying clinical trials, (5) customize drug with better brain biodistribution, (6) prioritize repurposed drugs as a first line approach, and (7) adapt preclinical models to the targeted mechanisms with translational biomarkers to increase their predictive value. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society