bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum and Urine Protein Electrophoresis and Serum-Free Light Chain Assays in the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Monoclonal Gammopathies
Authors: Singh Gurmukh 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundLaboratory methods for diagnosis and monitoring of monoclonal gammopathies have evolved to include serum and urine protein electrophoresis, immunofixation electrophoresis, capillary zone electrophoresis, and immunosubtraction, serum-free light chain assay, mass spectrometry, and newly described QUIET.ContentThis review presents a critical appraisal of the test methods and reporting practices for the findings generated by the tests for monoclonal gammopathies. Recommendations for desirable practices to optimize test selection and provide value-added reports are presented. The shortcomings of the serum-free light chain assay are highlighted, and new assays for measuring monoclonal serum free light chains are addressed.SummaryThe various assays for screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of monoclonal gammopathies should be used in an algorithmic approach to avoid unnecessary testing. Reporting of the test results should be tailored to the clinical context of each individual patient to add value. Caution is urged in the interpretation of results of serum-free light chain assay, kappa/lambda ratio, and myeloma defining conditions. The distortions in serum-free light chain assay and development of oligoclonal bands in patients‘ status post hematopoietic stem cell transplants is emphasized and the need to note the location of original monoclonal Ig is stressed. The need for developing criteria that consider the differences in the biology of kappa and lambda light chain associated lesions is stressed. A new method of measuring monoclonal serum-free light chains is introduced. Reference is also made to a newly defined entity of light chain predominant intact immunoglobulin monoclonal gammopathy. The utility of urine testing in the diagnosis and monitoring of light chain only lesions is emphasized.
Incorporating Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Biomarkers in Active Surveillance Protocols - Results From the Prospective Stockholm3 Active Surveillance Trial (STHLM3AS)
Authors: Olsson Henrik , Nordström Tobias , Jäderling Fredrik , Egevad Lars , Vigneswaran Hari T , Annerstedt Magnus , Grönberg Henrik , Eklund Martin , Lantz Anna 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
Active surveillance (AS) for men with low-risk prostate cancer (PC) can lead to patient morbidity and healthcare overutilization. The aim of this study was to evaluate an AS protocol using the Stockholm3 test and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to reduce biopsy intensity.

Methods
We conducted a prospective multicenter study of 280 invited men from a contemporary screening study (STHLM3), with Gleason Score (GS) 3 + 3 PC on a current AS protocol. Patients underwent prostate-MRI and blood sampling for analysis of the Stockholm3 test including protein biomarkers, genetic variants, and clinical variables to predict risk of GS ≥3 + 4 PC followed by systematic biopsies and targeted biopsies (for Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 ≥3 lesions) in all men. Primary outcomes were reclassification to GS ≥3 + 4 PC and clinically significant PC (csPCa), including unfavorable intermediate risk PC or higher based on National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines.

Results
Adding MRI-targeted biopsies to systematic biopsies increased sensitivity of GS ≥3 + 4 PC compared with systematic biopsies alone (relative sensitivity [RS] = 1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.28 to 1.85). Performing biopsies in only MRI positive increased sensitivity of GS ≥3 + 4 PC (RS = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.04 to 1.67) and reduced number of biopsy procedures by 49.3% while missing 7.2% GS ≥3 + 4 PC and 1.4% csPCa. Excluding men with negative Stockholm3 test reduced the number of MRI investigations at follow-up by 22.5% and biopsies by 56.8% while missing 6.9% GS ≥3 + 4 PC and 1.3% csPCa.

Conclusion
Including MRI and targeted/systematic biopsies in the follow-up for men on AS increased sensitivity of PC reclassification. Incorporation of risk prediction models including biomarkers may reduce the need for MRI use in men with low-risk PC.
A case report of a unique aorto-bifemoral graft infection and its treatment
Authors: Uslu Hatim Yahya , Kurt Halil 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn this study, we report a unique case of aorto-bifemoral graft infection, which developed in a 47-year-old male patient after endovascular aortic aneurysmal repair (EVAR) and extra anatomic axillo-femoral bypass. The patient had previously been treated by EVAR for an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. Earlier, the EVAR was blocked by a thrombosis and treated with an extra-anatomic axillo femoral bypass, which then became occluded. The patient was then treated with an aorto-bifemoral bypass using a Dacron Y graft. A few months later, he was referred to our cardiovascular center with high body temperature, weight loss, inability to stand and walk, and very serious sepsis. A computed abdominal tomography scan revealed that a part of the graft proximal to the bifurcation had totally eroded into the proximal jejunum. We treated this patient with multiple surgeries, antibiotic administrations and hypochlorous acid irrigation without graft excision, which carries a high morbidity and mortality risks.
On-sky results for adaptive optics control with data-driven models on low-order modes
Authors: Sinquin Baptiste , Prengère Léonard , Kulcsár Caroline , Raynaud Henri-François , Gendron Eric , Osborn James , Basden Alastair , Conan Jean-Marc , Bharmal Nazim , Bardou Lisa , Staykov Lazar , Morris Tim , Buey Tristan , Chemla Fanny , Cohen Matthieu 
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACT
Dedicated tip–tilt loops are commonly implemented on adaptive optics (AO) systems. In addition, a number of recent high-performance systems feature tip–tilt controllers that are more efficient than the integral action controller. In this context, linear–quadratic–Gaussian (LQG) tip–tilt regulators based on stochastic models identified from AO telemetry have demonstrated their capacity to effectively compensate for the cumulated effects of atmospheric disturbance, windshake and vibrations. These tip–tilt LQG regulators can also be periodically retuned during AO operations, thus allowing to track changes in the disturbances’ temporal dynamics. This paper investigates the potential benefit of extending the number of low-order modes to be controlled using models identified from AO telemetry. The global stochastic dynamical model of a chosen number of turbulent low-order modes is identified through data-driven modelling from wavefront sensor measurements. The remaining higher modes are modelled using priors with autoregressive models of order 2. The loop is then globally controlled using the optimal LQG regulator build from all these models. Our control strategy allows for combining a dedicated tip–tilt loop with a deformable mirror that corrects for the remaining low-order modes and for the higher orders altogether, without resorting to mode decoupling. Performance results are obtained through evaluation of the Strehl ratio computed on H-band images from the scientific camera, or in replay mode using on-sky AO telemetry recorded in 2019 July on the CANARY instrument.
The fates of merging supermassive black holes and a proposal for a new class of X-ray sources
Authors: Zivancev Charles , Ostriker Jeremiah , Küpper Andreas H W 
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACT
We perform N-body simulations on some of the most massive galaxies extracted from a cosmological simulation of hierarchical structure formation with total masses in the range 1012 M⊙ &lt; Mtot &lt; 3 × 1013 M⊙ from 4 ≥ z ≥ 0. After galactic mergers, we track the dynamical evolution of the infalling black holes (BHs) around their host’s central BHs (CBHs). From 11 different simulations, we find that, of the 86 infalling BHs with masses &gt;104 M⊙, 36 merge with their host’s CBH, 13 are ejected from their host galaxy, and 37 are still orbiting at z = 0. Across all galaxies, 33 BHs are kicked to a higher orbit after close interactions with the CBH binary or multiple, after which only one of them merged with their hosts. These orbiting BHs should be detectable by their anomalous (not low-mass X-ray binary) spectra. The X-ray luminosities of the orbiting massive BHs at z = 0 are in the range $10^{28}-10^{43}\, \mathrm{erg}~\mathrm{s}^{-1}$, with a currently undetectable median value of $10^{33}\, \mathrm{erg}~\mathrm{s}^{-1}$. However, the most luminous ∼5 per cent should be detectable by existing X-ray facilities.
The clustering of the SDSS-IV extended baryon oscillation spectroscopic survey DR16 luminous red galaxy and emission-line galaxy samples: cosmic distance and structure growth measurements using multiple tracers in configuration space
Authors: Wang Yuting , Zhao Gong-Bo , Zhao Cheng , Philcox Oliver H E , Alam Shadab , Tamone Amélie , de Mattia Arnaud , Ross Ashley J , Raichoor Anand , Burtin Etienne , Paviot Romain , de la Torre Sylvain , Percival Will J , Dawson Kyle S , Gil-Marín Héctor , Bautista Julian E , Hou Jiamin , Koyama Kazuya , Peacock John A , Ruhlmann-Kleider Vanina , Bourboux Hélion du Mas des , Chuang Chia-Hsun , Comparat Johan , Escoffier Stephanie , Kneib Jean-Paul , Mueller Eva-Maria , Newman Jeffrey A , Rossi Graziano , Shafieloo Arman , Schneider Donald P 
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACTWe perform a multitracer analysis using the complete Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV (SDSS-IV) extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) DR16 luminous red galaxy (LRG) and the DR16 emission-line galaxy (ELG) samples in the configuration space, and successfully detect a cross-correlation between the two samples, and find the growth rate to be fσ8=0.342 ± 0.085 (∼25 per cent accuracy) from the cross-sample alone. We perform a joint measurement of the baryonic acoustic oscillation (BAO) and redshift space distortion (RSD) parameters at a single effective redshift of zeff = 0.77, using the autocorrelation and cross-correlation functions of the LRG and ELG samples, and find that the comoving angular diameter distance DM(zeff)/rd = 18.85 ± 0.38, the Hubble distance DH(zeff)/rd = 19.64 ± 0.57, and fσ8(zeff) = 0.432 ± 0.038, which is consistent with a ΛCDM model at $68{\ \rm per\ cent}$ CL. Compared to the single-tracer analysis on the LRG sample, the Figure of Merit of α⊥, α∥, andfσ8 is improved by a factor of 1.11 in our multitracer analysis, and in particular, the statistical uncertainty of fσ8 is reduced by $11.6{\ \rm per\ cent}$.
The Milky Way’s rotation curve with superfluid dark matter
Authors: Hossenfelder S , Mistele T 
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACT
Recent studies have shown that dark matter with a superfluid phase in which phonons mediate a long-distance force gives rise to the phenomenologically well-established regularities of Modified Newtonian Dynamics (mond). Superfluid dark matter, therefore, has emerged as a promising explanation for astrophysical observations by combining the benefits of both particle dark matter and mond, or its relativistic completions, respectively. We here investigate whether superfluid dark matter can reproduce the observed Milky Way rotation curve for $R \lt 25\, \rm {kpc}$ and are able to answer this question in the affirmative. Our analysis demonstrates that superfluid dark matter fits the data well with parameters in reasonable ranges. The most notable difference between superfluid dark matter and mond is that superfluid dark matter requires about $20{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ less total baryonic mass (with a suitable interpolation function). The total baryonic mass is then $5.96 \times 10^{10}\, \mathrm{ M}_\odot$, of which $1.03 \times 10^{10}\, \mathrm{ M}_\odot$ are from the bulge, $3.95 \times 10^{10}\, \mathrm{ M}_\odot$ are from the stellar disc, and $0.98 \times 10^{10}\, \mathrm{ M}_\odot$ are from the gas disc. Our analysis further allows us to estimate the radius of the Milky Way’s superfluid core (concretely, the so-called nfw and thermal radii) and the total mass of dark matter in both the superfluid and the normal phase. By varying the boundary conditions of the superfluid to give virial masses $M_{200}^{\rm {DM}}$ in the range of $0.5\!-\!3.0 \times 10^{12}\, \mathrm{ M}_\odot$, we find that the Navarro, Frenk, and White (nfw) radius RNFW varies between $65$ and $73\, \rm {kpc}$, while the thermal radius RT varies between about $67$ and $105\, \rm {kpc}$. This is the first such treatment of a non-spherically symmetric system in superfluid dark matter.
Rapid, robust plasmid verification by de novo assembly of short sequencing reads
Authors: Gallegos Jenna E , Rogers Mark F , Cialek Charlotte A , Peccoud Jean 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPlasmids are a foundational tool for basic and applied research across all subfields of biology. Increasingly, researchers in synthetic biology are relying on and developing massive libraries of plasmids as vectors for directed evolution, combinatorial gene circuit tests, and for CRISPR multiplexing. Verification of plasmid sequences following synthesis is a crucial quality control step that creates a bottleneck in plasmid fabrication workflows. Crucially, researchers often elect to forego the cumbersome verification step, potentially leading to reproducibility and—depending on the application—security issues. In order to facilitate plasmid verification to improve the quality and reproducibility of life science research, we developed a fast, simple, and open source pipeline for assembly and verification of plasmid sequences from Illumina reads. We demonstrate that our pipeline, which relies on de novo assembly, can also be used to detect contaminating sequences in plasmid samples. In addition to presenting our pipeline, we discuss the role for verification and quality control in the increasingly complex life science workflows ushered in by synthetic biology.
Test–Retest Instability of Temporal Summation and Conditioned Pain Modulation Measures in Older Adults
Authors: Naugle Kelly Marie , Ohlman Thomas , Wind Brandon , Miller Leah 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective
The temporal stability (test–retest reliability) of temporal summation of pain (TS) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) has yet to be established in healthy older adults. The purpose of this study was to compare the temporal stability of TS and CPM in healthy older and younger adults and to investigate factors that might influence TS and CPM stability.

Methods
In a test–retest study, 40 healthy older adults and 30 healthy younger adults completed two sessions of quantitative sensory testing within a two-week period that included TS of heat pain, TS of mechanical pain, and CPM with pressure pain thresholds and suprathreshold heat pain as test stimuli and a cold water immersion as a conditioning stimulus. Participants also completed self-report measures of situational catastrophizing, anxiety, clinical pain, and physical activity. Absolute and relative stability were examined for each variable. Bivariate correlations examined the associations of age, clinical, behavioral, and psychological variables with the intra-individual stability of TS and CPM.

Results
The results revealed moderate to excellent stability for the TS measures and poor to moderate stability for CPM. The results also revealed significant age differences for two of the TS measures and CPM, with younger adults having greater stability compared with older adults. Additionally, the magnitude and stability of psychological factors were correlated with stability of TS.

Conclusions
These findings suggest that TS and CPM may be more reliable in younger compared with older adults. Furthermore, psychological states may be an important factor influencing the stability of TS in healthy adults.
The cut-off values for the intima–media complex thickness assessed by colour Doppler sonography in seven cranial and aortic arch arteries
Authors: Ješe Rok , Rotar Žiga , Tomšič Matija , Hočevar Alojzija 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objectives
Colour Doppler sonography (CDS) is becoming ever more important in the diagnosis of GCA. Data on cut-off values for intima–media complex thickness (IMT) that can be used in clinical practice to distinguish between normal and inflamed arteries are limited. We aimed to derive potential cut-off values for IMT of seven preselected arteries by comparing IMT between GCA patients and a control group.

Methods
We performed CDS of the preselected temporal, facial, occipital, carotid, vertebral, subclavian and axillary arteries in consecutive newly diagnosed GCA patients between October 2013 and September 2019. A ‘halo’ with positive compression sign was considered a positive finding. We measured the maximum IMT in the preselected arteries and compared it with the maximum IMT of the control group.

Results
We were able to demonstrate a halo sign in at least one of the examined arteries of 244/248 (98.4%) GCA patients. Temporal arteries were the most commonly affected vessels, involved in 192 (77.4%) patients. We found extracranial large vessel involvement in 87 (35.1%) patients. The following cut-off values showed high levels of diagnostic accuracy: ≥0.4 mm for temporal, facial and occipital arteries, ≥0.7 mm for vertebral arteries, and ≥1 mm for carotid, subclavian and axillary arteries.

Conclusion
The involvement of a large array of arteries is easily and commonly detected by CDS and provides a high diagnostic yield in patients with suspected GCA. Proposed IMT cut-off values might further improve the diagnostic utility of CDS in these patients.
Systemic overexpression of interleukin-22 induces the negative immune-regulator SOCS3 and potently reduces experimental arthritis in mice
Authors: Aarts Joyce , Roeleveld Debbie M , Helsen Monique M , Walgreen Birgitte , Vitters Elly L , Kolls Jay , van de Loo Fons A , van Lent Peter L , van der Kraan Peter M , Koenders Marije I 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective
High levels of IL-22 are present in serum and synovial fluid of patients with RA. As both pro- and anti-inflammatory roles for IL-22 have been described in studies using animal models of RA, its exact function in arthritis remains poorly defined. With this study we aimed to further unravel the mechanism by which IL-22 exerts its effects and to decipher its therapeutic potential by overexpression of IL-22 either locally or systemically during experimental arthritis.

Methods
CIA was induced in DBA-1 mice by immunization and booster injection with type II collagen (col II). Before arthritis onset, IL-22 was overexpressed either locally by intra-articular injection or systemically by i.v. injection using an adenoviral vector and clinical arthritis was scored for a period of 10 days. Subsequently, joints were isolated for histological analysis of arthritis severity and mRNA and protein expression of various inflammatory mediators was determined in the synovium, spleen and serum.

Results
Local IL-22 overexpression did not alter arthritis pathology, whereas systemic overexpression of IL-22 potently reduced disease incidence, severity and pathology during CIA. Mice systemically overexpressing IL-22 showed strongly reduced serum cytokine levels of TNF-α and macrophage inflammatory protein 1α that correlated significantly with the enhanced expression of the negative immune regulator SOCS3 in the spleen.

Conclusion
With this study, we revealed clear anti-inflammatory effects of systemic IL-22 overexpression during CIA. Additionally, we are the first to show that the protective effect of systemic IL-22 during experimental arthritis is likely orchestrated via upregulation of the negative regulator SOCS3.
Socioeconomic Inequality in Children’s Achievement from Infancy to Adolescence: The Case of Germany
Authors: Skopek Jan , Passaretta Giampiero 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
When in children’s lives do gaps by family socioeconomic status (SES) in cognitive skills emerge, how large are they before children enter school, and how do they develop over schooling? We study the evolution of achievement gaps by parental education from birth to adolescence in Germany. We exploit data from fifty-seven tests taken from the age of seven months to sixteen years by the National Educational Panel Study. Because Germany has one of the most stratified education systems in the Western World, we hypothesized that achievement gaps will grow particularly during tracked secondary schooling. However, our findings show that SES gaps emerge and expand long before children enter school and then remain stable throughout their school careers. Because gaps stop growing, we tentatively conclude that schooling decreases inequality in learning by family SES.
Astrocytic Regulation of Synchronous Bursting in Cortical Cultures: From Local to Global
Authors: Kumar Ravi , Huang Yu-Ting , Chen Chun-Chung , Tzeng Shun-Fen , Chan Chi-Keung 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Synchronous bursting (SB) is ubiquitous in neuronal networks and independent of network structure. Although it is known to be driven by glutamatergic neurotransmissions, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Recent studies show that local glutamate recycle by astrocytes affects nearby neuronal activities, which indicate that the local dynamics might also be the origin of SBs in networks. We investigated the effects of local glutamate dynamics on SBs in both cultures developed on multielectrode array (MEA) systems and a tripartite synapse simulation. Local glutamate uptake by astrocytes was altered by pharmacological targeting of GLT-1 glutamate transporters, whereas neuronal firing activities and synaptic glutamate level was simultaneously monitored with MEA and astrocyte-specific glutamate sensors (intensity-based glutamate-sensing fluorescent reporter), respectively. Global SB properties were significantly altered on targeting GLT-1. Detailed simulation of a network with astrocytic glutamate uptake and recycle mechanisms, conforming with the experimental observations, shows that astrocytes function as a slow negative feedback to neuronal activities in the network. SB in the network can be realized as an alternation between positive and negative feedback in the neurons and astrocytes, respectively. An understanding of glutamate trafficking dynamics is of general application to explain how astrocyte malfunction can result in pathological seizure-like phenomena in neuronal systems.