bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinic-based ultra-wide field retinal imaging in a pediatric population
Authors: Kothari Nikisha , Pineles Stacy , Sarraf David , Velez Federico , Heilweil Gad , Holland Gary , McCannel Colin A. , Onclinx Tania , McCannel Tara A. , Sadda SriniVas R. , Schwartz Steven D. , Tsui Irena 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Pediatric retinal disorders, although uncommon, can be challenging to assess in the clinic setting and often requires an exam under anesthesia. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the use of ultra-wide field retinal imaging in children without sedation in an outpatient clinic.

Methods
We performed a retrospective case series of patients 18 years or younger who received ultra-wide field imaging over a one year period. The age, gender, and clinical course were documented. Color fundus and red-free images were reviewed to assess field of view. Ultra-wide field autofluorescence (UWF-FAF) was evaluated for abnormal autofluorescence patterns and ultra-wide field fluorescein angiography (UWF-FA) was assessed for angiographic phase and field of view.

Results
A total of 107 eyes of 55 patients with a mean age of 11.1 years (SD 3.7 years, range 3–18 years) were evaluated. Twenty-seven (49%) patients were male. The most common diagnosis was retinopathy of prematurity (7 of 55 patients, 12.7%) followed by trauma (7.4%), Coats disease (7.4%), and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (7.4%). The number of quadrants visualized anterior to the equator correlated with patient age (r = 0.4, p < 0.01). On UWF-FA, 6 of 14 patients (43%) had images of the arterial phase captured and 14 of 14 patients (100%) had images of the venous phase or later captured.

Conclusions
We demonstrated that UWF imaging is obtainable in children as young as 3 years old without sedation. UWF fundus photography, UWF-FAF and UWF-FA were useful clinical adjuvants to examination and provide additional information for documenting and monitoring pediatric retinal diseases.
Service quality evaluation of international freight forwarders: an empirical research in East Asia
Authors: Huang Sheng Teng , Bulut Emrah , Duru Okan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to improve service quality of international freight forwarders and explore practical business solutions to enhance customer service level. Freight forwarder usually acts as an agent to source logistics service for shipper and work closely with carriers such as shipping line and airline companies. This business is characterized by lower capital investment and entry barrier comparing with carriers, and most of their major customers are small or medium size manufactures or traders. Providing high quality service to enhance customer satisfaction is the key mission since competition is extremely severe. This paper empirically investigates the leading freight forwarders to find important customer requirements in East Asian region such as Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Furthermore, the feature of the study by using quality function deployment approach would not only identify key technical measures but also explore meaningful business solutions as direction of quality improvement. The finding reveals key customer requirements are cheaper agency fees, door to door ability and instant response, and the key technical measures are customer relationship management, overall information system, service point and network. We would further discuss the empirical result and conclude managerial meaning for decision makers.
Case study of “Meilong model” ecological animal husbandry shareholding cooperatives in Qinghai
Authors: Yin Hubin , Gao Yaqi , Liu Wenyuan , Dongzhu Cairang , Jiang Wei 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis article examines Meilong animal husbandry cooperatives in the Haixi Prefecture of Qinghai Province, China as a study case, using information gathered through field surveys and questionnaires to explore the systemic structure and operational mechanisms of Meilong Cooperatives, as well as its impacts on pastoral areas and herdsmen. Based on the results, the main contribution of the Meilong Model is providing a new way for pastoral villages to pursue development through joint-stock cooperatives, and thus represents the long-term direction of pastoral area development. This model reforms the traditional cooperative concept that naturally arises among herdsmen; Meilong Share-holding Cooperative guarantees the equal rights of small or poor households to participate in the management of cooperatives on the basis of “one household, one vote”, rather than the principle of “shareholders have the right to manage, vote and speak according to the proportion of shareholding” found in the joint-stock systems of modern enterprises. It localizes the shareholding system theory to be more acceptable and feasible in order to ensure the survival of animal husbandry cooperatives.
Valuation of ecosystem services in the organic carbon of the Pinus densiflora forest at Mt. Namsan, Seoul Metropolitan City
Authors: Lee Eung-Pill , Lee Soo-In , Jeong Heon-Mo , Han Young-Sub , Lee Seung-Yeon , Park Jae-Hoon , Jang Rae-Ha , Hong Youg-Sik , Jung Young-Ho , Kim Eui-Joo , Lee Sang-Hun , You Young-Han 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Standing biomass, litter production, rate of litter decomposition, amount of litter on forest floor, and amount of soil organic carbon distribution were investigated from March 2016 to November 2018 in order to evaluate the ecosystem value through organic carbon distribution in the Pinus densiflora forest at Namsan, Seoul Metropolitan City.

Results
The amount of organic carbon in the Pinus densiflora forest was 261.09 ton C ha−1 during the research period, and fixed organic carbon in plant through net photosynthesis was 3.2 ton C ha−1 year−1. The organic carbon in plant was 62.77 ton C ha−1 (24.04%), in litter on the forest floor was 3.65 ton C ha−1 (1.40%), and in soil was 194.67 ton C ha−1 (74.56%). The value of plant, litter on forest floor, and soil organic carbon distribution were each 6,277,000 won ha−1, 365,000 won ha−1, and 19,467,000 won ha−1. The value per ton of fixed organic carbon in plant through net photosynthesis was 320,000 won ha−1 year−1 and the value of ecosystem services stored in carbon in the Namsan forest ecosystem was about 26.1 million won ha−1 for 3 years.

Conclusions
The results of this study suggest that the pine forests of Namsan rapidly decompose leaves due to the high atmospheric temperature and accumulate a large amount of organic carbon in the soil to provide climate control regulatory service function.
Phosphogypsum waste as additives to lime stabilization of bentonite
Authors: Oumnih Safae , Bekkouch Nadia , Gharibi El Khadir , Fagel Nathalie , Elhamouti Kamal , El Ouahabi Meriam 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWaste recycling with increasing the lifecycle of resource is a novel approach for enhancing circular economy. Within this context, this study aims to give a second life cycle to phosphogypsum (PG) waste, which is a by-product from phosphoric acid manufacture, as useful resources. This study evaluates the sustainability of this harmful waste, which is accumulated in large stockpiles and becomes hazardous during storage, and to stabilize bentonite-based concrete intended for road construction.The effect of raw bentonite (Ca-Na montmorillonite), PG, and lime on the properties of cementitious materials has been investigated through various tests. The properties examined include chemistry (X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry), mineralogy (X-ray Powder Diffraction and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), calorimetry (Differential Thermal Analysis/Thermogravimetry) and microstructure (Scanning Electron Microscopy) of the mortar based on different mixtures of bentonite, PG and lime. The result show that lime and PG addition involves in the formation of new nanocrystalline phases and the disappearance of certain minerals as portlandite. Calcium silicate hydrate gel appeared in the mixture with 8% of lime, whereas strätlingite was neoformed in the mixture with 8% of lime and 8% of PG. These nanocrystalline phases are responsible for enhancing mechanical strength through the pozzoloanic reaction.
Ameliorated in vitro anticancer efficacy of methotrexate d-α-Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate ester against breast cancer cells
Authors: Manjappa Arehalli S. , Kumbhar Popat S. , Kasabe Rohini , Diwate Sonali K. , Disouza John I. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Methotrexate (MTX), a folate anti-metabolite, has been used widely in the treatment of plenty of malignancies. However, the clinical use is limited because of its poor water solubility (BCS class II drug), nonspecific distribution, drug resistance, short circulation half-life, and toxicity. The objective of the present research was to synthesize the ester prodrug of MTX with d-α-Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) and characterize for in vitro anticancer efficacy.

Results
The FTIR and NMR results revealed the successful synthesis of the prodrug. The assay and saturation solubility of the prodrug is found to be 23 ± 2.5% and 6.7 ± 1.3 mg/mL (MTX equivalent) respectively. The CMC of the prodrug in distilled water at room temperature is found to be 36.9 ± 2.6 μg/mL. The prepared prodrug micelles showed a mean particle size of 166 ± 10 nm (PDI, 0.325 ± 0.09). Further, the TEM results confirmed the self-assembling character of the prodrug into micelles with a nearly spherical shape. The prodrug caused the significantly (p < 0.01) less hemolysis (16.8 ± 1.5%) when compared to plain MTX solution and significantly higher (p < 0.01) in vitro cytotoxicity, cell cycle arresting, and apoptosis against human breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231).

Conclusion
Our study results revealed the remarkable in vitro anticancer activity of MTX following its esterification with TPGS. However, further, in vivo studies are needed to prove its efficacy against different cancers.
The clinical assessment of acts of violence: mental mechanisms and subjectivity
Authors: Nathan Rajan , Wilson Peter 
Published: December 2019

SUMMARYApproaches to assessing violence in clinical practice have been influenced by developments in the field of risk assessment. As a result, there has been a focus on identifying and describing factors associated with violence. However, a factor-based approach to assessing violence in individual cases has limited clinical utility. In response, the benefits of a formulation-based approach have been promoted. This approach is enhanced by an understanding of the specific mental mechanisms that increase the likelihood of violence in the individual case. Although there is an empirical evidence base for mental mechanisms associated with violence, this literature has not been distilled and synthesised in a way that informs routine clinical practice. In this article the authors present the key mechanisms that are known to be associated with violence in a way that is relevant to the clinical assessment of violence and, in turn, can inform clinical and risk management.
Long-Term Results of NRG Oncology RTOG 0617: Standard- Versus High-Dose Chemoradiotherapy With or Without Cetuximab for Unresectable Stage III Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Bradley Jeffrey D. , Hu Chen , Komaki Ritsuko R. , Masters Gregory A. , Blumenschein George R. , Schild Steven E. , Bogart Jeffrey A. , Forster Kenneth M. , Magliocco Anthony M. , Kavadi Vivek S. , Narayan Samir , Iyengar Puneeth , Robinson Clifford G. , Wynn Raymond B. , Koprowski Christopher D. , Olson Michael R. , Meng Joanne , Paulus Rebecca , Curran Walter J. , Choy Hak 
Published: December 2019

PURPOSE RTOG 0617 compared standard-dose (SD; 60 Gy) versus high-dose (HD; 74 Gy) radiation with concurrent chemotherapy and determined the efficacy of cetuximab for stage III non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS The study used a 2 × 2 factorial design with radiation dose as 1 factor and cetuximab as the other, with a primary end point of overall survival (OS). RESULTS Median follow-up was 5.1 years. There were 3 grade 5 adverse events (AEs) in the SD arm and 9 in the HD arm. Treatment-related grade ≥3 dysphagia and esophagitis occurred in 3.2% and 5.0% of patients in the SD arm v 12.1% and 17.4% in the HD arm, respectively ( P = .0005 and < .0001). There was no difference in pulmonary toxicity, with grade ≥3 AEs in 20.6% and 19.3%. Median OS was 28.7 v 20.3 months ( P = .0072) in the SD and HD arms, respectively, 5-year OS and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 32.1% and 23% and 18.3% and 13% ( P = .055), respectively. Factors associated with improved OS on multivariable analysis were standard radiation dose, tumor location, institution accrual volume, esophagitis/dysphagia, planning target volume and heart V5. The use of cetuximab conferred no survival benefit at the expense of increased toxicity. The prior signal of benefit in patients with higher H scores was no longer apparent. The progression rate within 1 month of treatment completion in the SD arm was 4.6%. For comparison purposes, the resultant 2-year OS and PFS rates allowing for that dropout rate were 59.6% and 30.7%, respectively, in the SD arms. CONCLUSION A 60-Gy radiation dose with concurrent chemotherapy should remain the standard of care, with the OS rate being among the highest reported in the literature for stage III NSCLC. Cetuximab had no effect on OS. The 2-year OS rates in the control arm are similar to the PACIFIC trial.
Pediatric Somatic Tumor Sequencing Identifies Underlying Cancer Predisposition
Authors: MacFarland Suzanne P. , Zelley Kristin , Surrey Lea F. , Gallo Daniel , Luo Minjie , Raman Pichai , Wertheim Gerald , Hunger Stephen P. , Li Marilyn M. , Brodeur Garrett M. 
Published: December 2019

PURPOSE The diagnosis of cancer predisposition in pediatric patients with cancer is vital for treatment decisions, surveillance, and management of at-risk family members. Somatic tumor testing can identify potential underlying constitutional variants that confer increased cancer risk. Here, we report the characteristics of constitutional variants identified through tumor testing. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data were abstracted from medical record review of 1,023 patients who received in-house somatic tumor testing over a 28-month period. Patients were identified for testing using referral criteria developed as a collaboration between genomic diagnostics, pathology, and oncology. Characteristics of patients who underwent constitutional testing, including family history and variant loss of heterozygosity, were tracked. RESULTS From 1,023 patients who underwent somatic tumor sequencing in a 28-month period, 210 variants were identified in 141 patients (13.8%) that were concerning for cancer predisposition syndromes requiring intervention. A total of 73 variants in 41 patients have undergone clinical confirmatory testing thus far. Of these, 26 variants were confirmed to be constitutionally present (35.6%). Among patients tested, 23 (56.1%) of 41 total patients were diagnosed with a cancer predisposition syndrome. CONCLUSION Our data demonstrate that more than one third of variants in tumor somatic sequencing that were concerning for underlying cancer predisposition were constitutionally confirmed. Overall, somatic tumor testing identified potential cancer predisposition syndromes in pediatric patients, and some would not have been identified on the basis of clinical history alone.
Marked Influence of Adiposity on Laboratory Biomarkers in a Healthy Cohort of Children and Adolescents
Authors: Higgins Victoria , Omidi Arghavan , Tahmasebi Houman , Asgari Shervin , Gordanifar Kian , Nieuwesteeg Michelle , Adeli Khosrow 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe prevalence of pediatric obesity is increasing worldwide and strongly associates with metabolic abnormalities, including inflammation, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. This study assessed the influence of 3 measures of adiposity on levels of routinely assessed biochemical markers in apparently healthy children and adolescents.MethodsThe influence of adiposity on 35 biochemical markers was examined in the Canadian Laboratory Initiative on Pediatric Reference Intervals (CALIPER) cohort of healthy children and adolescents by comparing serum biomarker levels between subjects with a normal weight, overweight, and obese body mass index (BMI). The cohort comprised 1332 subjects 5.1 to 19.0 years of age with a BMI ranging from 13.4 to 65.0 kg/m2. The association between each biochemical marker and BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio z-scores was assessed, while adjusting for age and sex. Reference intervals were established for all biochemical markers before and after removing overweight/obese subjects.ResultsIn children and adolescents, levels of 13 routinely assessed biochemical markers, including alanine aminotransferase, apolipoprotein B, complement components 3 and 4, cholinesterase, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, gamma-glutamyl transferase, haptoglobin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, iron, transferrin, triglycerides, and uric acid, were significantly different between BMI categories. BMI, waist circumference, and/or waist-to-height ratio were significantly associated with the serum concentration of 24 of the 35 markers examined, after adjusting for age and sex.ConclusionsExcess adiposity significantly influences circulating levels of routinely assessed laboratory markers, most notably liver enzymes, lipids/lipoproteins, inflammatory markers, and uric acid in children and adolescents. Although it is unknown whether altered biochemical marker levels in subjects with overweight/obesity reflect health or indolent disease, clinicians should be aware of the effect of weight status on several laboratory tests.
Leptin Controls Glutamatergic Synaptogenesis and NMDA-Receptor Trafficking via Fyn Kinase Regulation of NR2B
Authors: Bland Tyler , Zhu Mingyan , Dillon Crystal , Sahin Gulcan Semra , Rodriguez-Llamas Jose Luis , Appleyard Suzanne M , Wayman Gary A 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Activation of the leptin receptor, LepRb, by the adipocytokine/neurotrophic factor leptin in the central nervous system has procognitive and antidepressive effects. Leptin has been shown to increase glutamatergic synaptogenesis in multiple brain regions. In contrast, mice that have a mutation in the LepRb gene show abnormal synapse development in the hippocampus as well as deficits in cognition and increased depressive-like symptoms. Leptin increases glutamatergic synaptogenesis, in part, through enhancement of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor function; yet the underlying signaling pathway is not known. In this study, we examine how leptin regulates surface expression of NR2B-containing NMDA receptors in hippocampal neurons. Leptin stimulation increases NR2BY1472 phosphorylation, which is inhibited by the Src family kinase inhibitor, PP1. Moreover, we show that Fyn, a member of the Src family kinases, is required for leptin-stimulated NR2BY1472 phosphorylation. Furthermore, inhibiting Y1472 phosphorylation with either a dominant negative Fyn mutant or an NR2B mutant that lacks the phosphorylation site (NR2BY1472F) blocks leptin-stimulated synaptogenesis. Additionally, we show that LepRb forms a complex with NR2B and Fyn. Taken together, these findings expand our knowledge of the LepRb interactome and the mechanisms by which leptin stimulates glutamatergic synaptogenesis in the developing hippocampus. Comprehending these mechanisms is key for understanding dendritic spine development and synaptogenesis, alterations of which are associated with many neurological disorders.
Absence of p.R50X Pygm read-through in McArdle disease cellular models
Authors: Tarrasó Guillermo , Real-Martinez Alberto , Parés Marta , Romero-Cortadellas Lídia , Puigros Laura , Moya Laura , de Luna Noemí , Brull Astrid , Martín Miguel Angel , Arenas Joaquin , Lucia Alejandro , Andreu Antoni L. , Barquinero Jordi , Vissing John , Krag Thomas O. , Pinós Tomàs 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT
McArdle disease is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by the absence of muscle glycogen phosphorylase, which leads to blocked muscle glycogen breakdown. We used three different cellular models to evaluate the efficiency of different read-through agents (including amlexanox, Ataluren, RTC13 and G418) in McArdle disease. The first model consisted of HeLa cells transfected with two different GFP-PYGM constructs presenting the Pygm p.R50X mutation (GFP-PYGM p.R50X and PYGM Ex1-GFP p.R50X). The second cellular model was based on the creation of HEK293T cell lines stably expressing the PYGM Ex1-GFP p.R50X construct. As these plasmids encode murine Pygm cDNA without any intron sequence, their transfection in cells would allow for analysis of the efficacy of read-through agents with no concomitant nonsense-mediated decay interference. The third model consisted of skeletal muscle cultures derived from the McArdle mouse model (knock-in for the p.R50X mutation in the Pygm gene). We found no evidence of read-through at detectable levels in any of the models evaluated. We performed a literature search and compared the premature termination codon context sequences with reported positive and negative read-through induction, identifying a potential role for nucleotide positions −9, −8, −3, −2, +13 and +14 (the first nucleotide of the stop codon is assigned as +1). The Pygm p.R50X mutation presents TGA as a stop codon, G nucleotides at positions −1 and −9, and a C nucleotide at −3, which potentially generate a good context for read-through induction, counteracted by the presence of C at −2 and its absence at +4.
Impact of Neoadjuvant Therapy in Resected Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreatic Body or Tail on Surgical and Oncological Outcome: A Propensity-Score Matched Multicenter Study
Authors:   for the European Consortium on Minimally Invasive Pancreatic Surgery (E-MIPS), Lof Sanne , Korrel Maarten , van Hilst Jony , Alseidi Adnan , Balzano Gianpaolo , Boggi Ugo , Butturini Giovanni , Casadei Riccardo , Dokmak Safi , Edwin Bjørn , Falconi Massimo , Keck Tobias , Malleo Giuseppe , de Pastena Matteo , Tomazic Ales , Wilmink Hanneke , Zerbi Alessandro , Besselink Marc G. , Abu Hilal Mohammed 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Several studies have suggested a survival benefit of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in the pancreatic head. Data concerning NAT for PDAC located in pancreatic body or tail are lacking.

Methods
Post hoc analysis of an international multicenter retrospective cohort of distal pancreatectomy for PDAC in 34 centers from 11 countries (2007–2015). Patients who underwent resection after NAT were matched (1:1 ratio), using propensity scores based on baseline characteristics, to patients who underwent upfront resection. Median overall survival was compared using the stratified log-rank test.

Results
Among 1236 patients, 136 (11.0%) received NAT, most frequently FOLFIRINOX (25.7%). In total, 94 patients receiving NAT were matched to 94 patients undergoing upfront resection. NAT was associated with less postoperative major morbidity (Clavien–Dindo ≥ 3a, 10.6% vs. 23.4%, P = 0.020) and pancreatic fistula grade B/C (9.6% vs. 21.3%, P = 0.026). NAT did not improve overall survival [27 (95% CI 14–39) versus 31 months (95% CI 19–42), P = 0.277], as compared with upfront resection. In a sensitivity analysis of 251 patients with radiographic tumor involvement of splenic vessels, NAT (n = 37, 14.7%) was associated with prolonged overall survival [36 (95% CI 18–53) versus 20 months (95% CI 15–24), P = 0.049], as compared with upfront resection.

Conclusion
In this international multicenter cohort study, NAT for resected PDAC in pancreatic body or tail was associated with less morbidity and pancreatic fistula but similar overall survival in comparison with upfront resection. Prospective studies should confirm a survival benefit of NAT in patients with PDAC and splenic vessel involvement.