bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of the global lung initiative 2012 multi-ethnic spirometric reference equations in healthy urban Zimbabwean 7–13 year-old school children: a cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Madanhire Tafadzwa , Ferrand Rashida A. , Attia Engi F. , Sibanda Elopy N. , Rusakaniko Simba , Rehman Andrea M. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
The 2012 Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI2012) provide multi-ethnic spirometric reference equations (SRE) for the 3–95 year-old age range, but Sub-Saharan African populations are not represented. This study aimed to evaluate the fit of the African-American GLI2012 SRE to a population of healthy urban and peri-urban Zimbabwean school-going children (7–13 years).

Methods
Spirometry and anthropometry were performed on black-Zimbabwean children recruited from three primary schools in urban and peri-urban Harare, with informed consent and assent. Individuals with a history or current symptoms of respiratory disease or with a body mass index-z score (BMI) < − 2 were excluded. Spirometry z-scores were generated from African-American GLI2012 SRE, which adjust for age, sex, ethnicity and height, after considering all GLI2012 modules. Anthropometry z-scores were generated using the British (1990) reference equations which adjust for age and sex. The African-American GLI2012 z-score distribution for the four spirometry measurements (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC and MMEF) were evaluated across age, height, BMI and school (as a proxy for socioeconomic status) to assess for bias. Comparisons between the African-American GLI2012 SRE and Polgar equations (currently adopted in Zimbabwe) on the percent-predicted derived values were also performed.

Results
The validation dataset contained acceptable spirometry data from 712 children (344 girls, mean age: 10.5 years (SD 1.81)). The spirometry z-scores were reasonably normally distributed, with all means lower than zero but within the range of ±0.5, indicating a good fit to the African-American GLI2012 SRE. The African-American GLI2012 SRE produced z-scores closest to a normal distribution. Z-scores of girls deviated more than boys. Weak correlations (Pearson’s correlation coefficient < 0.2) were observed between spirometry and anthropometry z-scores, and scatterplots demonstrated no systematic bias associated with age, height, BMI or socioeconomic status. The African-American GLI2012 SRE provided a better fit for Zimbabwean paediatric spirometry data than Polgar equations.

Conclusion
The use of African-American GLI2012 SRE in this population could help in the interpretation of pulmonary function tests.
Incidence and location of heterotopic ossification following hip arthroscopy
Authors: Zheng Long , Hwang Jung-Mo , Hwang Deuk-Soo , Kang Chan , Lee Jeong-Kil , Park Young-Cheol 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundWe investigated the incidence and location of heterotopic ossification (HO) following hip arthroscopy.MethodsThis retrospective study enrolled 327 patients who underwent hip arthroscopy from January 2010 to December 2015. From this cohort, we extracted an HO group with simple radiographs or three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT). Findings consistent with HO were classified according to the Brooker classification aided with 3D CT for the location of HO. The indication for revision arthroscopic excision of HO was painful, functional impairment of the hip. Patient clinical outcomes were assessed pre- and postoperatively, with modified Harris Hip Scores (mHHS), a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, and the Hip Outcome Score-Activity of Daily Living (HOS-ADL) and Sport Specific Subscales (HOS-SSS).ResultsIn all, 14 (4.28%) of the 327 patients had confirmed HO radiographically. The mean follow-up was 39 months. In 13 patients, HO formed in the central area of the arthroscopic portals or capsulotomy. Ten patients had Brooker Grade 1 and four had Grade 2. At the last follow-up, 12 asymptomatic patients had significant (P < 0.001) improvements in all clinical outcome scores (mHHS, pain VAS, HOS-ADL, and HOS-SSS). Two patients developed symptoms sufficient to require revision hip arthroscopy for HO excision. After revision hip arthroscopy, both symptomatic patients had improved significantly in all clinical outcomes at the final follow-up.ConclusionsHO is a minor complication of hip arthroscopy, but sometimes induces severe pain and functional impairment. Usually, HO forms in the arthroscopic portal or capsulotomy area.
Electrolyte outpatient clinic at a local hospital – experience from diagnostics, treatment and follow-up
Authors: Tazmini Kiarash , Ranhoff Anette Hylen 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Electrolyte imbalances (EI) are common among patients. Many patients have repeated hospitalizations with the same EI without being investigated and treated. We established an electrolyte outpatient clinic (EOC) to diagnose and treat patients with EI to improve symptoms and increase their quality of life (QoL). In addition, we also wanted to reduce the number of admissions with the same EI.

Methods
Uncontrolled before-after study reporting experiences from this outpatient clinic as a quality assurance project. From October 2010 to October 2015, doctors at our local hospital and general practitioners could refer adult patients with EI to the EOC. Ninety patients with EI were referred, of whom 60 were included. Medical history, clinical examination and laboratory tests were performed, and results registered. Admissions with the same EI were recorded 1 year before and 1 year after consultation at the EOC. Patients responded to a questionnaire, composed by the authors, about symptoms before the first consultation, as well as symptom and QoL improvement after the last consultation.

Results
Hyponatremia was the reason for referral in 45/60 patients. The total number of admissions with the same EI 1 year before the first consultation was 71, compared with 20 admissions 1 year after the last consultation. Improvement of symptoms was reported by 60% of patients, and 62% reported improvement in QoL.

Conclusions
An EOC may be an appropriate way to organize the assessment and treatment of patients with EI.
Remission of autoimmune diabetes by anti-TCR combination therapies with anti-IL-17A or/and anti-IL-6 in the IDDM rat model of type 1 diabetes
Authors: Jörns Anne , Ishikawa Daichi , Teraoku Hiroki , Yoshimoto Toshiaki , Wedekind Dirk , Lenzen Sigurd 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
The cytokine IL-17 is a key player in autoimmune processes, while the cytokine IL-6 is responsible for the chronification of inflammation. However, their roles in type 1 diabetes development are still unknown.

Methods
Therefore, therapies for 5 days with anti-IL-17A or anti-IL-6 in combination with a T cell-specific antibody, anti-TCR, or in a triple combination were initiated immediately after disease manifestation to reverse the diabetic metabolic state in the LEW.1AR1-iddm (IDDM) rat, a model of human type 1 diabetes.

Results
Monotherapies with anti-IL-6 or anti-IL-17 showed no sustained anti-diabetic effects. Only the combination therapy of anti-TCR with anti-IL-6 or anti-IL-17 at starting blood glucose concentrations up to 12 mmol/l restored normoglycaemia. The triple antibody combination therapy was effective even up to very high initial blood glucose concentrations (17 mmol/l). The β cell mass was raised to values of around 6 mg corresponding to those of normoglycaemic controls. In parallel, the apoptosis rate of β cells was reduced and the proliferation rate increased as well as the islet immune cell infiltrate was strongly reduced in double and abolished in triple combination therapies.

Conclusions
The anti-TCR combination therapy with anti-IL-17 preferentially raised the β cell mass as a result of β cell proliferation while anti-IL-6 strongly reduced β cell apoptosis and the islet immune cell infiltrate with a modest increase of the β cell mass only. The triple combination therapy achieved both goals in a complimentary anti-autoimmune and anti-inflammatory action resulting in sustained normoglycaemia with normalized serum C-peptide concentrations.
HDAC8 inhibitor attenuates airway responses to antigen stimulus through synchronously suppressing galectin-3 expression and reducing macrophage-2 polarization
Authors: Li Meng-lu , Su Xin-ming , Ren Yuan , Zhao Xuan , Kong Ling-fei , Kang Jian 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundThis study was to investigate of the mechanism by which histone deacetylase (HDAC) 8 inhibitor ameliorated airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and allergic airway inflammation.MethodsMice were sensitized and then treated with budesonide (BUD) or PCI-34051 (PCI) prior to exposing to normal saline (NS) or ovalbumin (OVA). The raw264.7 cells were treated with interleukin (IL)-4 and PCI or shRNA alone. Repetitive measurements of enhanced pause (Penh) were executed by increasing concentrations of acetyl-β-methacholine chloride (0 - 50 mg/ml). Cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and pathological changes of lungs were examined, respectively. The expression levels of HDAC8, Galecitn (Gal)-3, CD68, CD86, CD163, Arg1 and NOS2 in lungs were measured. Co-regulation of HDAC8 and Gal-3 proteins was observed by immunofluorescence staining and co-immunoprecipitation assay (Co-IP).ResultsSignificant increases in Penh and IL-4 level were detected with a large inflammatory infiltrate, comprised predominantly of macrophages and eosinophils, into the BALF in OVA-exposed lungs. HDAC8, Gal-3, CD68, CD86, CD163, Arg1 and NOS2 proteins were over-expressed with the significant changes in the Arg1 and NOS2 mRNA levels in the lungs and the IL-4-treated cells. PCI intervention obviously reduced the counts of CD163+cells. Furthermore, Gal-3 knockdown suppressed Arg1 expression in the cells. Immunofluorescence staining displayed simultaneous changes in HDAC8 and Gal-3 expression in the investigated samples. Treatment with PCI resulted in synchronous reduction of HDAC8 and Gal-3 expression in the Co-IP complexes.ConclusionsThe HDAC8 inhibitor ameliorates AHR and airway inflammation in animal model of allergic asthma through reducing HDAC8-Gal-3 interaction and M2 macrophage polarization.
METTL14 suppresses proliferation and metastasis of colorectal cancer by down-regulating oncogenic long non-coding RNA XIST
Authors: Yang Xiao , Zhang Sen , He Changyu , Xue Pei , Zhang Luyang , He Zirui , Zang Lu , Feng Bo , Sun Jing , Zheng Minhua 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent RNA epigenetic regulation in eukaryotic cells. However, understanding of m6A in colorectal cancer (CRC) is very limited. We designed this study to investigate the role of m6A in CRC.

Methods
Expression level of METTL14 was extracted from public database and tissue array to investigate the clinical relevance of METTL14 in CRC. Next, gain/loss of function experiment was used to define the role of METTL14 in the progression of CRC. Moreover, transcriptomic sequencing (RNA-seq) was applied to screen the potential targets of METTL14. The specific binding between METTL14 and presumed target was verified by RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. Furthermore, rescue experiment and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (Me-RIP) were performed to uncover the mechanism.

Results
Clinically, loss of METTL14 correlated with unfavorable prognosis of CRC patients. Functionally, knockdown of METTL14 drastically enhanced proliferative and invasive ability of CRC cells in vitro and promoted tumorigenicity and metastasis in vivo. Mechanically, RNA-seq and Me-RIP identified lncRNA XIST as the downstream target of METTL14. Knockdown of METTL14 substantially abolished m6A level of XIST and augmented XIST expression. Moreover, we found that m6A-methylated XIST was recognized by YTHDF2, a m6A reader protein, to mediate the degradation of XIST. Consistently, XIST expression negatively correlated with METTL14 and YTHDF2 in CRC tissues.

Conclusion
Our findings highlight the function and prognostic value of METTL14 in CRC and extend the understanding of the importance of RNA epigenetics in cancer biology.
Personality traits and the risk of becoming lonely in old age: A 5-year follow-up study
Authors: Ormstad Heidi , Eilertsen Grethe , Heir Trond , Sandvik Leiv 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Although many people experience loneliness in old age, there is little knowledge of predisposing personality factors. The aim of the present study was to explore to what extent personality traits are associated with the risk of becoming lonely, in women and men aged 60–79 years at baseline.

Methods
The panel data are from The Norwegian study on Life course, Ageing and Generations (NorLAG). Our sample consisted of 516 men and 419 women aged 60–79 years, who were surveyed in both 2002–2003 (baseline) and 2007–2008 (follow-up), and who reported not being lonely at baseline. Personality traits were measured by the Big Five scale. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the association between a personality trait and the risk of becoming lonely, with adjustment for age, mental health and living with a partner.

Results
At follow-up 59 women and 54 men reported loneliness (14.1% vs. 10.5%, p = 0.092). Among women, high agreeableness at baseline was significantly associated with a higher risk of becoming lonely. Among men, low agreeableness, low conscientiousness and high neuroticism at baseline were significantly associated with a higher risk of becoming lonely.

Conclusions
Personality traits related differently to loneliness depending on gender. These findings may be useful when developing strategies for preventing loneliness in old age.
Adaptive multichannel FES neuroprosthesis with learning control and automatic gait assessment
Authors: Müller Philipp , del Ama Antonio J. , Moreno Juan C. , Schauer Thomas 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) neuroprostheses have long been a permanent feature in the rehabilitation and gait support of people who had a stroke or have a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Over time the well-known foot switch triggered drop foot neuroprosthesis, was extended to a multichannel full-leg support neuroprosthesis enabling improved support and rehabilitation. However, these neuroprostheses had to be manually tuned and could not adapt to the persons’ individual needs. In recent research, a learning controller was added to the drop foot neuroprosthesis, so that the full stimulation pattern during the swing phase could be adapted by measuring the joint angles of previous steps.

Methods
The aim of this research is to begin developing a learning full-leg supporting neuroprosthesis, which controls the antagonistic muscle pairs for knee flexion and extension, as well as for ankle joint dorsi- and plantarflexion during all gait phases. A method was established that allows a continuous assessment of knee and foot joint angles with every step. This method can warp the physiological joint angles of healthy subjects to match the individual pathological gait of the subject and thus allows a direct comparison of the two. A new kind of Iterative Learning Controller (ILC) is proposed which works independent of the step duration of the individual and uses physiological joint angle reference bands.

Results
In a first test with four people with an incomplete SCI, the results showed that the proposed neuroprosthesis was able to generate individually fitted stimulation patterns for three of the participants. The other participant was more severely affected and had to be excluded due to the resulting false triggering of the gait phase detection. For two of the three remaining participants, a slight improvement in the average foot angles could be observed, for one participant slight improvements in the averaged knee angles. These improvements where in the range of 4circat the times of peak dorsiflexion, peak plantarflexion, or peak knee flexion.

Conclusions
Direct adaptation to the current gait of the participants could be achieved with the proposed method. The preliminary first test with people with a SCI showed that the neuroprosthesis can generate individual stimulation patterns. The sensitivity to the knee angle reset, timing problems in participants with significant gait fluctuations, and the automatic ILC gain tuning are remaining issues that need be addressed. Subsequently, future studies should compare the improved, long-term rehabilitation effects of the here presented neuroprosthesis, with conventional multichannel FES neuroprostheses.
Three-dimensional surface imaging in breast cancer: a new tool for clinical studies?
Authors: Koban Konstantin Christoph , Etzel Lucas , Li Zhouxiao , Pazos Montserrat , Schönecker Stephan , Belka Claus , Giunta Riccardo Enzo , Schenck Thilo Ludwig , Corradini Stefanie 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Three-dimensional Surface Imaging (3DSI) is a well-established method to objectively monitor morphological changes in the female breast in the field of plastic surgery. In contrast, in radiation oncology we are still missing effective tools, which can objectively and reproducibly assess and document adverse events in breast cancer radiotherapy within the framework of clinical studies. The aim of the present study was to apply structured-light technology as a non-invasive and objective approach for the documentation of cosmetic outcome and early effects of breast radiotherapy as a proof of principle.

Methods
Weekly 3DSI images of patients receiving either conventionally fractionated radiation treatment (CF-RT) or hypofractionated radiation treatment (HF-RT) were acquired during the radiotherapy treatment and clinical follow-up. The portable Artec Eva scanner (Artec 3D Inc., Luxembourg) recorded 3D surface images for the analysis of breast volumes and changes in skin appearance. Statistical analysis compared the impact of the two different fractionation regimens and the differences between the treated and the contralateral healthy breast.

Results
Overall, 38 patients and a total of 214 breast imaging sessions were analysed. Patients receiving CF-RT showed a significantly higher frequency of breast erythema compared to HF-RT (93.3% versus 34.8%, p = 0.003) during all observed imaging sessions. Moreover, we found a statistically significant (p < 0.05) volumetric increase of the treated breast of the entire cohort between baseline (379 ± 196 mL) and follow-up imaging at 3 months (437 ± 224 mL), as well as from week 3 of radiotherapy (391 ± 198 mL) to follow-up imaging. In both subgroups of patients undergoing either CF-RT or HF-RT, there was a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) in breast volumes between baseline and 3 months follow-up. There were no statistically significant skin or volumetric changes of the untreated healthy breasts.

Conclusions
This is the first study utilizing 3D structured-light technology as a non-invasive and objective approach for the documentation of patients receiving breast radiotherapy. 3DSI offers potential as a non-invasive tool to objectively and precisely monitor the female breast in a radiooncological setting, allowing clinicians to objectively distinguish outcomes of different therapy modalities.
Underestimated effect of intragenic HIV-1 DNA methylation on viral transcription in infected individuals
Authors: Kint Sam , Trypsteen Wim , De Spiegelaere Ward , Malatinkova Eva , Kinloch-de Loes Sabine , De Meyer Tim , Van Criekinge Wim , Vandekerckhove Linos 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
The HIV-1 proviral genome harbors multiple CpG islands (CpGIs), both in the promoter and intragenic regions. DNA methylation in the promoter region has been shown to be heavily involved in HIV-1 latency regulation in cultured cells. However, its exact role in proviral transcriptional regulation in infected individuals is poorly understood or characterized. Moreover, methylation at intragenic CpGIs has never been studied in depth.

Results
A large, well-characterized HIV-1 patient cohort (n = 72), consisting of 17 long-term non-progressors and 8 recent seroconverters (SRCV) without combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), 15 early cART-treated, and 32 late cART-treated patients, was analyzed using a next-generation bisulfite sequencing DNA methylation method. In general, we observed low level of promoter methylation and higher levels of intragenic methylation. Additionally, SRCV showed increased promoter methylation and decreased intragenic methylation compared with the other patient groups. This data indicates that increased intragenic methylation could be involved in proviral transcriptional regulation.

Conclusions
Contrasting in vitro studies, our results indicate that intragenic hypermethylation of HIV-1 proviral DNA is an underestimated factor in viral control in HIV-1-infected individuals, showing the importance of analyzing the complete proviral genome in future DNA methylation studies.
Interobserver agreement of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT images interpretation in men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer
Authors: Derwael Céline , Lavergne Olivier , Lovinfosse Pierre , Nechifor Vlad , Salvé Mallory , Waltregny David , Hustinx Roland , Withofs Nadia 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligand PET/CT has already provided promising results in prostate cancer (PC) imaging, yet simple and reproductible reporting criteria are still lacking. This study aimed at retrospectively evaluating interobserver agreement of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT images interpretation according to PC molecular imaging standardized evaluation (PROMISE) criteria and reproducibility of PSMA reporting and data systems (RADS).

Methods
Forty-three patients with newly diagnosed, histologically proven intermediate- or high-risk PC, eligible for radical prostatectomy and who underwent [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT before surgery were retrospectively included. Three nuclear medicine physicians (2 experienced and 1 resident) independently reviewed PET/CT images. Interpretation of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT images was based on PROMISE criteria including miTNM staging and lesions miPSMA expression score visual estimation and PSMA-RADS version 1.0 for a given scan. Readers’ agreement was measured using Krippendorff’s coefficients

Results
Agreement between observers was almost perfect (coefficient ≥ 0.81) for miM; it was substantial (coefficient ≥ 0.61) for the following criteria: miT, miN, PSMA-RADS, and miPSMA expression score of primary PC lesion and metastases. However, agreement was moderate (coefficient = 0.41–0.60) for miPSMA score of positive lymph nodes and for detection of PC primary lesion.

Conclusion
Visual interpretation of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT images in patients with newly diagnosed PC in a clinical setting leads to at least substantial agreement for PROMISE criteria and PSMA-RADS classification except for PC primary lesion detection and for miPSMA expression scoring of positive lymph nodes that might have been hampered by the interindividual variability of reference organs PSMA expression.