bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biomarkers for the Early Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Parikh Neehar D. , Mehta Anand S. , Singal Amit G. , Block Timothy , Marrero Jorge A. , Lok Anna S. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and the cancer with the fastest increase in mortality in the United States, with more than 39,000 cases and 29,000 deaths in 2018. As with many cancers, survival is significantly improved by early detection. The median survival of patients with early HCC is &gt;60 months but &lt;15 months when detected at an advanced stage. Surveillance of at-risk patients improves outcome, but fewer than 20% of those at risk for HCC receive surveillance, and current surveillance strategies have limited sensitivity and specificity. Ideally, blood-based biomarkers with adequate sensitivity or specificity would be available for early detection of HCC; however, the most commonly used biomarker for HCC, alpha-fetoprotein, has inadequate performance characteristics. There are several candidate serum proteomic, glycomic, and genetic markers that have gone through early stages of biomarker validation and have shown promise for the early detection of HCC, but these markers require validation in well-curated cohorts. Ongoing prospective cohort studies will permit retrospective longitudinal (phase III biomarker study) validation of biomarkers. In this review, we highlight promising candidate biomarkers and biomarker panels that have completed phase II evaluation but require further validation prior to clinical use.
See all articles in this CEBP Focus section, “NCI Early Detection Research Network: Making Cancer Detection Possible.”
Quantification of Early-Stage Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Cancer Requires Excluding Basophils
Authors: Khan ANM Nazmul H. , Emmons Tiffany R. , Wong Jerry T. , Alqassim Emad , Singel Kelly L. , Mark Jaron , Smith Brandon E. , Tario Joseph D. , Eng Kevin H. , Moysich Kirsten B. , Odunsi Kunle , Abrams Scott I. , Segal Brahm H. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are a heterogeneous group of immature cells that accumulate in the peripheral blood and tumor microenvironment and are barriers to cancer therapy. MDSCs serve as prognostic biomarkers and are targets for therapy. On the basis of surface markers, three subsets of MDSCs have been defined in humans: granulocytic, monocytic, and early stage (e-MDSC). The markers attributed to e-MDSCs overlap with those of basophils, which are rare circulating myeloid cells with unrecognized roles in cancer. Thus, we asked whether e-MDSCs in circulation and the tumor microenvironment include basophils. On average, 58% of cells with e-MDSC surface markers in blood and 36% in ascites from patients with ovarian cancer were basophils based on CD123high expression and cytology, whereas cells with immature features were rare. Circulating and ascites basophils did not suppress proliferation of stimulated T cells, a key feature of MDSCs. Increased accumulation of basophils and basogranulin, a marker of basophil degranulation, were observed in ascites compared to serum in patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer. Basophils recruited to the tumor microenvironment may exacerbate fluid accumulation by their release of proinflammatory granular constituents that promote vascular leakage. No significant correlation was observed between peripheral basophil counts and survival in patients with ovarian cancer. Our results suggest that studies in which e-MDSCs were defined solely by surface markers should be reevaluated to exclude basophils. Both immaturity and suppression are criteria to define e-MDSCs in future studies.
Early‐Life Famine Exposure and Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases in Later Life: Findings From the REACTION Study
Authors: Du Rui , Zheng Ruizhi , Xu Yu , Zhu Yuanyue , Yu Xuefeng , Li Mian , Tang Xulei , Hu Ruying , Su Qing , Wang Tiange , Zhao Zhiyun , Xu Min , Chen Yuhong , Shi Lixin , Wan Qin , Chen Gang , Dai Meng , Zhang Di , Gao Zhengnan , Wang Guixia , Shen Feixia , Luo Zuojie , Qin Yingfen , Chen Li , Huo Yanan , Li Qiang , Ye Zhen , Zhang Yinfei , Liu Chao , Wang Youmin , Wu Shengli , Yang Tao , Deng Huacong , Chen Lulu , Zhao Jiajun , Mu Yiming , Li Donghui , Qin Guijun , Wang Weiqing , Ning Guang , Yan Li , Bi Yufang , Lu Jieli , Bloomgarden Zachary T. 
Published: April 2020

Background

Previous studies reported that early‐life exposure to undernutrition is associated with the risk of diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome in adulthood, but the association with risk of cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) later in life remains unclear. The current study aimed to investigate whether exposure to Chinese famine in early life is associated with risk of
CVD
.

Methods and Results

We used data from
REACTION
(Risk Evaluation of Cancers in Chinese Diabetic Individuals: A Longitudinal Study), which recruited a total of 259 657 community‐dwelling adults aged 40 years or older from 25 centers across mainland China between 2011 and 2012. Compared with the nonexposed participants, those who had been exposed to famine in early life had a significantly increased risk of total
CVD
, myocardial infarction, stroke, and coronary heart disease. In the multivariable‐adjusted logistic regression model, the odds ratios (95% CI) for total
CVD
, myocardial infarction, stroke, and coronary heart disease in fetal famine exposure were 1.35 (1.20–1.52), 1.59 (1.08–2.35), 1.40 (1.11–1.78), and 1.44 (1.26–1.65), respectively; those odds ratios in childhood famine exposure were 1.59 (1.40–1.81), 2.20 (1.52–3.20), 1.82 (1.45–2.28), and 1.80 (1.56–2.09), respectively; and those in adolescent famine exposure were 1.52 (1.27–1.81), 2.07 (1.28–3.35), 1.92 (1.42–2.58), and 1.83 (1.50–2.24), respectively. The main finding of our study is that, compared with those who lived in the less severely affected famine area, individuals in the severely affected famine area had significantly increased risk of total
CVD
in all 3 exposed groups.

Conclusions

Early‐life exposure to undernutrition is associated with significantly increased risk of
CVD
in later life, especially among those who were in the severely affected famine area.
Distributed Agency: Foreign Policy sans MFA
Authors: Dittmer Jason 
Published: April 2020

Summary
This short provocation argues for a diplomacy studies that is less focused on the rationality of states, with the ministry of foreign affairs (MFA) as an imagined black box in which calculation occurs, and more on the idea of ‘external’ agency as the emergent effect from a range of elements within and without the state. To illustrate this idea, the essay sketches out an example of foreign policy made in the absence of an MFA entirely: Gibraltar’s 2019 intervention in the Grace 1 controversy.
Tell a Styloperlidae from its wing venation: diagnostic traits of the family derived from a survey of intra-specific variability in Cerconychia livida Klapálek, 1913 and related species (Insecta: Plecoptera)
Authors: Liu Fangfang , Li Weihai , Cui Yingying , Béthoux Olivier 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Wing venation is a character system commonly used in the systematics of fossil insects, but the existing documentation for extant forms is often insufficient to allow robust identification of extinct forms. The existing literature suggests that the small stonefly family Styloperlidae Illies, 1966, for which no fossils have ever been identified, might possess a suite of distinctive traits. In order to assess their relevance, we conducted a comparative analysis based on a set of individuals of Cerconychia livida Klapálek, 1913, and of singletons belonging to four additional species. Our survey demonstrates that, in forewing, a fusion of the anterior-most branch of AA2 with AA1 occurs, a trait unique to the family. The occurrence of one to several cross-veins in the distal part of the ScP–RA area (both wing pairs), and of a supernumerary sigmoidal cross-vein in the MP–CuA area (hind wing), are also distinctive features, but are not unique to the family. A few other peculiar traits, which relevance remains unclear, are highlighted. Hopefully, our survey will allow close fossil relatives to be identified in the near future.
Per una storia incrociata tra l’Italia e la Libia: Il percorso dell’etnologa e arabista Ester Panetta (1894-1983)
Authors: Bruzzi Silvia 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
This paper is a contribution to the entangled history between Italy and Libya through the trajectory life of Ester Panetta (1894-1983), a leading scholar who devoted her life to develop the knowledge of the language, history and cultures of Libya. After her Arabic and colonial studies at the Oriental Institutes in Naples and in Paris, she lived in Libya until the outbreak of the Second World War when she definitively came back to Italy. Her experience as single woman in colonial lands is not isolated at all, as the stories of single women crossing the territory of the Empire as travellers, teachers and missionaries testify.
An Interlanguage Study of Request Perspective: Evidence from German, Greek, Polish and Russian Learners of English
Authors: Ogiermann Eva , Bella Spyridoula 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The present study examines request perspective, the least researched form of mitigation in requesting, while focusing on a type of request characterized by a strong preference for speaker perspective in English and for hearer perspective in most other languages researched to date. It examines requests produced by 900 speakers from nine different (inter)language groups: five groups of native speakers (English, German, Greek, Polish and Russian) and four groups of advanced learners of English as a foreign language (German, Greek, Polish and Russian L1s).
While our learners used more conventionally indirect forms than did the native speakers of the respective L1s, showing awareness of this English pragmatic norm, they retained a preference for the hearer perspective. These results suggest reliance on pragmatic universals as an alternative explanation to pragmatic transfer, also illustrating the need to address less salient pragmatic features in English language teaching.
In situ identification of Action 4, SECA and QD-PEP bullets from special police ammunitions by computed tomography
Authors: Gascho Dominic , Zoelch Niklaus , Deininger-Czermak Eva , Tappero Carlo , Richter Henning , Thali Michael J , Schaerli Sarah 
Published: April 2020

Introduction Special deformation bullets were developed for police forces to achieve a defined penetration depth (avoiding over-penetration) and a controlled energy transfer (avoiding collateral damage). This article focuses on Action 4, SECA and QD-PEP bullets. These 9 mm bullets were specially designed for controlled deformation. The characteristic slight mushrooming with a front cross-section of approximately 11.5 mm after entering a ballistic simulant was verified in ballistic tests. To achieve such slight mushrooming, the projectile’s core is hollowed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of visualising the hollowed cores of Action 4, SECA and QD-PEP bullets using a standard clinical computed tomography (CT) scanner for non-invasive identification of these special bullets from police ammunitions. Methods First, undeformed specimens were scanned to reveal the shape of the hollowed core of each type of special bullet. Second, Action 4, SECA and QD-PEP bullets were fired towards animal cadaver models to visualise their hollow core after deformation inside biological tissue. Third, two reviewers were tasked with identifying special bullets from police ammunition (Action 4 bullets: n = 3) among 10 CT examinations of humans with lodged projectiles who were selected by the supervisor of the study. Results The CT scans of the undeformed specimens revealed the special design of the bullets’ metal core. All special bullets from police ammunitions that were fired towards an animal cadaver model demonstrated the characteristic slight mushrooming. In accordance with the CT scans of the undeformed bullets, visualisation of the individual internal cavities of the special bullets allowed the Action 4, SECA and QD-PEP bullets to be clearly distinguished. With regard to the real forensic cases, both reviewers clearly identified each of the three Action 4 bullets among all other lodged projectiles. Conclusions This study demonstrates the feasibility of identifying Action 4, SECA and QD-PEP bullets from special police ammunitions by CT. The individual shapes of the cavity inside the bullets were clearly visible on CT. In situ identification of these bullets can aid in the assessment of injuries, and since these bullets are fabricated from non-ferromagnetic metals, their clear identification allows for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without the risk of bullet movement inside the body due to the magnetic pull of the MRI unit. Furthermore, this approach could be of great interest to forensic investigators if patients who received gunshot wounds underwent non-operative treatments and the projectile remains in the body. Since the use of CT is also increasing for medico-legal post-mortem examinations, the identification of lodged projectiles is of interest for a virtual autopsy or ‘Virtopsy’.
Psychometric Properties of a New Scale Measuring Neglect and Abuse of Older Adults in the Community: Implications for Social Activity
Authors: Asiamah Nestor , Kouveliotis Kyriakos , Eduafo Richard , Borkey Richard 
Published: April 2020

Background Neglect and abuse of older adults are still prevalent in communities of developing countries, a situation that could discourage active and healthy behaviors in community-dwelling older adults. Methods This study used the cross-sectional and correlational approaches to construct a scale measuring neglect and abuse in older adults living in the community. The study population was all (3,211) older adults who were resident in Accra and were part of the database of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust. Participants were 515 individuals who met some inclusion criteria. Three steps were followed to determine an initial set of 11 items, and principal component analysis with varimax rotation and confirmatory factor analysis were used to select relevant items and assess the psychometric properties of the final scale. Results Principal component analysis with varimax rotation yielded a two-factor solution on all 11 items. The first factor extracted was “discrimination and exploitation,” which accounted for a variance of 53.9% out of total variance of 70.8%. The scale had a good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .90, factor loading ≥0.50). Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the two-factor solution and produced satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity. Conclusion It is concluded that 11 items that make up 2 factors are potential indicators of neglect and abuse of older adults at the community level. Finally, neglect and abuse of older people in the community can contribute to an increase or decrease in social activity.
Ten-year outcomes following a cohort of ASR XL total hip arthroplasties
Authors: Kelly Gerard A , Hill Janet C , O’Brien Seamus , McChesney Jane , Dennison Janice , Stevenson Michael , Beverland David E 
Published: April 2020

Aims: To determine the outcome at 10 years of a cohort of ASR XL total hip arthroplasties (THAs) and reasons for revision. Methods: Between November 2005 and May 2007, 122 ASR XL THAs were implanted. All patients had a routine review at 6 weeks and 1 year, followed by a review in 2009 because of clinical concern and thereafter annual review up to 10 years with MRI. Review also included functional scores, radiographs, pain scores and blood metal ions. Results: 67 (54.9%) ASR XLs had been revised by 11.1 years. Reasons for revision included pain (89.6%), high levels of cobalt and chromium ions (50.7%) and radiographic or MRI changes (80.6%). All 3 factors were present in 23 (34.3%). Pain at 1 year did not predict revision, but pain at the 2009 review did. At 10 years the revised patients had an average Oxford Hip Score (OHS) of 25.38 (12–42) and the non-revised 23.61 (2–21), the difference was not significant ( p  = 0.48). 3 patients (4.5%) have had a further revision; 2 for a previously unrevised stem and the other for instability. Conclusions: Our arthroplasty care practitioner service allowed us to identify increased pain and stop using the ASR XL over 3 years before the implant was recalled. The revised patients had similar functional outcome to those unrevised. Poorly performing implants need to be identified earlier.
Incidence and predictors of neonatal mortality among neonates admitted in Amhara regional state referral hospitals, Ethiopia: prospective follow up study
Authors: Mengistu Banchigizie Adane , Yismaw Ayenew Engida , Azene Zelalem Nigussie , Mihret Muhabaw Shumye 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Globally, about 2.7 million neonates die annually and more than 99% of these deaths happened in developing countries. Although most neonatal deaths are preventable and attempts had been taken to tackle these deaths, an aggregate of 30 neonatal deaths per 1000 live births had been reported in Ethiopia. In this regard, identifying the predictors could be an important step. However, evidence on the incidence and predictors of neonatal mortality has been limited in Ethiopia, in the study area in particular. Even the available studies were limited in scope and were retrospective or cross section in nature. Thus, this study is aimed at assessing the incidence and predictors of neonatal mortality among neonates admitted in Amhara regional state referral hospitals, Ethiopia..

Method
A multi center prospective follow up study was conducted on 612 neonates admitted in Amhara region referral hospitals from July 01 to August 30, 2018. A simple random sampling technique was used to select three of all referral hospitals in the study settings and all neonates admitted in the selected hospitals were included. Data were entered into Epi info version 7.0 and exported to STATA 14.0 for analysis. Cox proportional hazard regression model was fitted to identify predictors of neonatal mortality. Crude and Adjusted hazard ratio with 95% confidence interval was computed and variables’ statistical significance was declared based on its AHR with 95% CI and p-value ≤0.05.

Result
Overall, 144 (18.6%) neonates died with a total person-time of 4177.803 neonate-days which is equivalent to the neonatal mortality rate of 186 per 1000 admitted neonates with 95% CI (157,219). The incidence rate of neonatal mortality was 27 per 1000 admitted neonates with 95%CI (23, 33). Maternal age ≥ 35 years (AHR = 2.60; 95%CI: 1.44, 4.72), mothers unable to read and write (AHR = 1.40; 95%CI: 1.23, 2.44), multiple pregnancy (AHR = 3.96; 95%CI: 2.10, 7.43) and positive maternal HIV status (AHR = 6.57; 95%CI: 2.53, 17.06) were predictors of neonatal mortality.

Conclusion
In this study, the neonatal mortality rate was higher than the national figure. Its most predictors were found to be modifiable. Thus, the stakeholders would better consider the aforementioned predictors to decrease this higher burden.
Feasibility of combining two individualized lung recruitment maneuvers at birth for very low gestational age infants: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kanaan Zalfa , Bloch-Queyrat Coralie , Boubaya Marouane , Lévy Vincent , Bolot Pascal , Waszak Paul 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Lung recruitment at birth has been advocated as an effective method of improving the respiratory transition at birth. Sustained inflations (SI) and dynamic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were assessed in clinical and animal studies to define the optimal level. Our working hypothesis was that very low gestational age infants (VLGAI) < 32 weeks’ gestation require an individualized lung recruitment based on combining both manoeuvers.

Methods
Between 2014 and 2016, 91 and 72 inborn VLGAI, requiring a respiratory support beyond a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) = 5 cmH2O, were enrolled before and after introducing these manoeuvers based on progressive increase in SI up to 15 s, with simultaneous gradual increase in PEEP up to 15 cmH2O, according to the cardiorespiratory response. Retrospective comparisons of the incidence of mechanical ventilation (MV) < 72 h of life, short-term and before discharge morbidity were then performed.

Results
Among extremely low gestational age infants (ELGAI) < 29 weeks’ gestation, the following outcomes decreased significantly: intubation (90 to 55%) and surfactant administration (54 to 12%) in the delivery room, MV (92 to 71%) and its mean duration < 72 h of life (45 h to 13 h), administration of a 2nd dose of surfactant (35 to 12%) and postnatal corticosteroids (52 to 19%), and the rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (23 to 5%). Among VLGAI, all of these results were also significant. Neonatal mortality and morbidity were not different.

Conclusions
In our setting, combining two individualized lung recruitment maneuvers at birth was feasible and may be beneficial on short-term and before discharge pulmonary outcomes. A randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm these results.
Weight development between age 5 and 10 years and its associations with dietary patterns at age 5 in the ABCD cohort
Authors: Rashid Viyan , Streppel Martinette T. , Engberink Marielle F. , Weijs Peter J. M. , Nicolaou Mary , Verhoeff Arnoud P. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Social inequalities in bodyweight start early in life and track into adulthood. Dietary patterns are an important determinant of weight development in children, towards both overweight and underweight. Therefore, we aimed to examine weight development between age 5 and 10 years by ethnicity, SES and thereafter by BMI category at age 5, to explore its association with dietary patterns at age 5.

Methods
Participants were 1765 children from the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development (ABCD) cohort that had valid data on BMI at age 5 and 10 and diet at age 5. Linear mixed model analysis was used to examine weight development between age 5 and 10 years and to assess if four previously identified dietary patterns at age 5 (snacking, full-fat, meat and healthy) were associated with weight development. Analyses were adjusted for relevant confounders, stratified by ethnicity and SES and thereafter stratified per BMI category at age 5.

Results
Overall, weight decreased in Dutch and high SES children and increased in non-Dutch and low/middle SES children. Across the range of bodyweight categories at age 5, we observed a conversion to normal weight, which was stronger in Dutch and high SES children but less pronounced in non-Dutch and low/middle SES children. Overall, the observed associations between weight development and dietary patterns were mixed with some unexpected findings: a healthy dietary pattern was positively associated with weight development in most groups, regardless of ethnicity and SES (e.g. Dutch B 0.084, 95% CI 0.038;0.130 and high SES B 0.096, 95% CI 0.047;0.143) whereas the full-fat pattern was negatively associated with weight development (e.g. Dutch B -0.069, 95% CI -0.114;-0.024 and high SES B -0.072, 95% CI -0.119;-0.026).

Conclusions
We observed differential weight development per ethnic and SES group. Our results indicate that each ethnic and SES group follows its own path of weight development. Associations between dietary patterns and weight development showed some unexpected findings; follow-up research is needed to understand the association between dietary patterns and weight development.