bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Precision angular diameters for 16 southern stars with VLTI/PIONIER
Authors: Rains Adam D , Ireland Michael J , White Timothy R , Casagrande Luca , Karovicova I 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACT
In the current era of Gaia and large, high signal-to-noise stellar spectroscopic surveys, there is an unmet need for a reliable library of fundamentally calibrated stellar effective temperatures based on accurate stellar diameters. Here, we present a set of precision diameters and temperatures for a sample of 6 dwarf, 5 sub-giant, and 5 giant stars observed with the PIONIER beam combiner at the VLTI. Science targets were observed in at least two sequences with five unique calibration stars each for accurate visibility calibration and to reduce the impact of bad calibrators. We use the standard PIONIER data reduction pipeline, but bootstrap over interferograms, in addition to employing a Monte Carlo approach to account for correlated errors by sampling stellar parameters, limb darkening coefficients, and fluxes, as well as predicted calibrator angular diameters. The resulting diameters were then combined with bolometric fluxes derived from broad-band Hipparcos–Tycho photometry and MARCS model bolometric corrections, plus parallaxes from Gaia to produce effective temperatures, physical radii, and luminosities for each star observed. Our stars have mean angular diameter and temperatures uncertainties of 0.8 per cent and 0.9 per cent, respectively, with our sample including diameters for 10 stars with no pre-existing interferometric measurements. The remaining stars are consistent with previous measurements, with the exception of a single star which we observe here with PIONIER at both higher resolution and greater sensitivity than was achieved in earlier work.
Abnormal uterine inflammation in obstetric syndromes: molecular insights into the role of chemokine decoy receptor D6 and inflammasome NLRP3
Authors: Tersigni Chiara , Vatish Manu , D’Ippolito Silvia , Scambia Giovanni , Di Simone Nicoletta 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe adaptation of the uterine environment into a favorable immunological and inflammatory milieu is a physiological process needed in normal pregnancy. A uterine hyperinflammatory state, whether idiopathic or secondary to hormonal or organic uterine disorders (polycystic ovary syndromes, endometriosis/adenomyosis and fibroids), negatively influences the interactions between decidua and trophoblast, early in gestation, and between chorion and decidua later in pregnancy. Abnormal activation of uterine inflammatory pathways not only contributes to the pathogenesis of the obstetric syndromes, i.e. recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), pre-term delivery (PTD) and pre-eclampsia (PE), but also to correlates with severity. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the knowledge of uterine molecular mechanisms of inflammatory modulation in normal pregnancy and obstetric syndromes (RPL, PTD and PE). In particular, we focus on two regulators of uterine/placental inflammation: the NLRP3 inflammasome and the chemokines decoy receptor D6. We performed comprehensive review of the literature in PubMed and Google Scholar databases from 1994 to 2018. The available evidence suggests that: (i) the expression of inflammasome NLRP3 is increased in the endometrium of women with unexplained RPL, in the chorioamniotic membranes of women with PTL and in the placenta of women with PE; (ii) there is a role for abnormal expression and function of D6 decoy receptor at the feto–maternal interface in cases of RPL and PTD and (iii) the function of placental D6 decoy receptor is impaired in PE. A wider comprehension of the inflammatory molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of the obstetric syndromes might lead to the identification of new potential therapeutic targets.
Targeted next-generation sequencing of 565 neuro-oncology patients at UCLA: A single-institution experience
Authors: Ji Matthew S , Eldred Blaine S C , Liu Regina , Pianka Sean T , Molaie Donna , Kevan Bryan , Pan Stephanie , Lai Thomas J , Nguyen Nhung T , Chow Frances E , Yong William H , Cox Christopher D , Reeh Devin N , Li Tie , Liau Linda M , Nghiemphu Phioanh L , Cloughesy Timothy F , Li Gang , Lai Albert 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) is frequently obtained at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for clinical characterization of CNS tumors. In this study, we describe the diagnostic reliability of the Foundation Medicine (FM) targeted NGS platform and its ability to explore and identify tumor characteristics of prognostic significance in gliomas.

Methods
Neuro-oncology patients seen at UCLA who have received FM testing between August 2012 and March 2019 were included in this study, and all mutations from FM test reports were recorded. Initial tumor diagnoses and diagnostic markers found via standard clinical methods were obtained from pathology reports. With overall and progression-free survival data, elastic net regularized Cox regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine whether any mutations of unknown significance detected by FM could predict patient outcome in glioblastoma (GBM).

Results
Six hundred and three samples tested by FM from 565 distinct patients were identified. Concordance of diagnostic markers was high between standard clinical testing methods and FM. Oligodendroglial markers detected via FM were highly correlated with 1p19q codeletion in IDH mutated gliomas. FM testing of multiple tumor samples from the same patient demonstrated temporal and spatial mutational heterogeneity. Mutations in BCORL1, ERBB4, and PALB2, which are mutations of unknown significance in GBM, were shown to be statistically significant in predicting patient outcome.

Conclusions
In our large cohort, we found that targeted NGS can both reliably and efficiently detect important diagnostic markers in CNS tumors.
Cutaneous sensitization to aziridine preceding the onset of occupational asthma
Authors: Mason P , Liviero F , Crivellaro M , Maculan P , Maestrelli P , Guarnieri G 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We describe a 47-year-old non-atopic woman, working as a spray painter in a tannery for 23 years, with a 16-year history of cutaneous symptoms and a subsequent 2-year history of asthmatic symptoms after exposure to aerosol and vapour of polyfunctional aziridine (PFA) at work. To confirm the occupational origin of the dermatitis and asthma we performed a skin prick test with PFA and a specific inhalation challenge (SIC) with PFA. Prick test with PFA elicited an immediate positive skin reaction. She developed an immediate asthmatic reaction upon SIC with PFA. The onset of occupational dermatitis before asthma is consistent with the hypothesis that the sensitization to PFA was triggered in the skin. The observation that the reactions elicited in skin and airways upon exposure to PFA exhibited the same time course, suggests a similar mechanism at both sites. Thus, the avoidance of both skin and airway exposure to PFA should be recommended in workplace hygiene practice.
Multiple-Dose Oral Fosfomycin for Treatment of Complicated Urinary Tract Infections in the Outpatient Setting
Authors: Derington Catherine G , Benavides Nancy , Delate Thomas , Fish Douglas N 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Few published studies exist to describe the off-label use of multiple-dose fosfomycin for outpatient treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (UTI). The purpose of this study was to characterize the patients, infections, drug susceptibilities, and outcomes of multiple-dose fosfomycin episodes for outpatient UTI treatment.

Methods
This retrospective study evaluated patients who received an outpatient prescription for multiple-dose fosfomycin between July 1999 and June 2018. Multiple-dose fosfomycin prescriptions dispensed for UTI prophylaxis were excluded. The primary outcome was clinical resolution (complete resolution of signs and symptoms) of infection within 30 days. Secondary outcomes included descriptions of antibiotics and cultures before and after treatment, 30-day bacteriologic resolution (posttreatment urine culture &lt;103 colony-forming units of the original pathogen), and 90-day healthcare utilizations for UTI or pyelonephritis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results
Of 171 multiple-dose fosfomycin treatment episodes, the most common regimen was 1 dose every 3 days, mean duration of 6.1 days. Clinical resolution occurred in 115 of 171 (67.3%) episodes, and bacteriologic resolution occurred in 37 of 76 (48.7%) episodes with posttreatment cultures. Most patients used antibiotics or had urine cultures before treatment (81.9% and 97.7%, respectively). Additional antibiotic use, urine cultures, and healthcare utilizations within 90 days posttreatment occurred in 51.5%, 66.1%, and 24.6% of patients, respectively.

Conclusions
For treating complicated UTI with multiple-dose fosfomycin, clinical resolution occurred in 2 of 3 treatment episodes and bacteriologic resolution occurred in one-half of treatment episodes. Future research is necessary to determine the relative efficacy and safety and optimal dosing regimen, duration, and population for UTI treatment with multiple-dose fosfomycin.
The Effect of Conditioned Pain Modulation on Tonic Heat Pain Assessed Using Participant-Controlled Temperature
Authors: Sirucek Laura , Jutzeler Catherine Ruth , Rosner Jan , Schweinhardt Petra , Curt Armin , Kramer John Lawrence Kipling , Hubli Michèle 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Objective
Descending pain modulation can be experimentally assessed by way of testing conditioned pain modulation. The application of tonic heat as a test stimulus in such paradigms offers the possibility of observing dynamic pain responses, such as adaptation and temporal summation of pain. Here we investigated conditioned pain modulation effects on tonic heat employing participant-controlled temperature, an alternative tonic heat pain assessment. Changes in pain perception are thereby represented by temperature adjustments performed by the participant, uncoupling this approach from direct pain ratings. Participant-controlled temperature has emerged as a reliable and sex-independent measure of tonic heat.

Methods
Thirty healthy subjects underwent a sequential conditioned pain modulation paradigm, in which a cold water bath was applied as the conditioning stimulus and tonic heat as a test stimulus. Subjects were instructed to change the temperature of the thermode in response to variations in perception to tonic heat in order to maintain their initial rating over a two-minute period. Two additional test stimuli (i.e., lower limb noxious withdrawal reflex and pressure pain threshold) were included as positive controls for conditioned pain modulation effects.

Results
Participant-controlled temperature revealed conditioned pain modulation effects on temporal summation of pain (P = 0.01). Increased noxious withdrawal reflex thresholds (P = 0.004) and pressure pain thresholds (P &lt; 0.001) in response to conditioning also confirmed inhibitory conditioned pain modulation effects.

Conclusions
The measured interaction between conditioned pain modulation and temporal summation of pain supports the participant-controlled temperature approach as a promising method to explore dynamic inhibitory and facilitatory pain processes previously undetected by rating-based approaches.
Assessing Arm Volume in People During and After Treatment for Breast Cancer: Reliability and Convergent Validity of the LymphaTech System
Authors: Binkley Jill M , Weiler Michael J , Frank Nathan , Bober Lauren , Dixon J Brandon , Stratford Paul W 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
There are challenges related to the accurate and efficient measurement of lymphedema in people with breast cancer. The LymphaTech 3D Imaging System (LymphaTech, Atlanta, GA, USA) is a mobile, noninvasive platform that provides limb geometry measurements.

Objective
The objective of this study was to estimate the reliability and validity of the LymphaTech for measuring arm volume in the context of women seeking care in a specialty breast cancer rehabilitation clinic.

Design
This was a cross-sectional reliability and convergent validity study.

Methods
People who had stage I to IV breast cancer with lymphedema or were at risk for it were included. Arm volume was measured in 66 participants using the LymphaTech and perometer methods. Test-retest reliability for a single measure, limb volume difference, and agreement between methods was analyzed for 30 participants. A method-comparison analysis was also used to assess convergent validity between methods.

Results
Both LymphaTech and perometer methods displayed intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of ≥0.99. The standard errors of measurement for the LymphaTech and length-matched perometer measurements were nearly identical. Similar intraclass correlation coefficients (0.97) and standard errors of measurement (38.0–40.7 mL) were obtained for the between-limb volume difference for both methods. The convergent validity analyses demonstrated no systematic difference between methods.

Limitations
The sample size was not based on a formal sample size calculation. LymphaTech measurements included interrater variance, and perometer measurements contained intrarater variance.

Conclusions
The LymphaTech had excellent test-retest reliability, and convergent validity was supported. This technology is efficient and portable and has a potential role in prospective surveillance and management of lymphedema in clinical, research, and home settings.
Comparing three models of arousal in the human brain
Authors: Haj-Ali Hadeel , Anderson Adam K , Kron Assaf 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The bipolar valence–arousal model is assumed by many to be an underlying structure of conscious experience of core affect and emotion. In this work, we compare three versions of the bipolar valence–arousal model at the neural domain, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Specifically, we systematically contrast three models of arousal: model 1—‘arousal as a separate quale from valence’, model 2—‘arousal as intensity of bipolar valence’ and model 3—‘arousal as a linear combination of unipolar pleasant and unpleasant’. Using parametric modulation analysis, we estimated the ability of each model to predict activation in arousal-related brain regions, in response to affective stimuli. The results suggest that arousal is not separable from valence in its ability to predict arousal-related neural activity. The relevance of the results to the theory of conscious affect is discussed.
Traversing the Muddy Waters—Legality, Tenability, and Reliability of Co-defendant’s Confession under the Indian Evidence Act
Authors: Yadav Prabhakar 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
This article critiques the Indian jurisprudence on section 30 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. Under the present legal framework, a confession of a co-defendant in a joint criminal trial may be utilized by the Courts to corroborate other pieces of evidence, in order to determine the guilt of non-confessing defendants, also. However, this article argues that the ‘original meaning’ of section 30 makes the confession of a testifying defendant, admissible as against its maker—alone. And not against the other co-defendants. This position is supported by the drafting history behind section 30, and further, is the tradition and practice across common law jurisdictions. In this connection, the author argues that in the absence of any cross-examination or oath, admitting such a confession under section 30 prejudices the fair trial right of non-confessing co-defendants. Hence, it must be excluded altogether by the Courts—as a bright-line rule—while the guilt of those non-confessing co-defendants is determined. Conversely, the author argues that the interpretation of section 30 in light of its original meaning, which makes confession admissible against its maker alone, would automatically safeguard constitutional due process guarantees and the fair trial right of the non-confessing defendants.
Effects of Electrical Stimulation on hiPSC-CM Responses to Classic Ion Channel Blockers
Authors: Wei Feng , Pourrier Marc , Strauss David G , Stockbridge Norman , Pang Li 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) hold great potential for personalized cardiac safety prediction, particularly for that of drug-induced proarrhythmia. However, hiPSC-CMs fire spontaneously and the variable beat rates of cardiomyocytes can be a confounding factor that interferes with data interpretation. Controlling beat rates with pacing may reduce batch and assay variations, enable evaluation of rate-dependent drug effects, and facilitate the comparison of results obtained from hiPSC-CMs with those from adult human cardiomyocytes. As electrical stimulation (E-pacing) of hiPSC-CMs has not been validated with high-throughput assays, herein, we compared the responses of hiPSC-CMs exposed with classic cardiac ion channel blockers under spontaneous beating and E-pacing conditions utilizing microelectrode array technology. We found that compared with spontaneously beating hiPSC-CMs, E-pacing: (1) reduced overall assay variabilities, (2) showed limited changes of field potential duration to pacemaker channel block, (3) revealed reverse rate dependence of multiple ion channel blockers on field potential duration, and (4) eliminated the effects of sodium channel block on depolarization spike amplitude and spike slope due to a software error in acquiring depolarization spike at cardiac pacing mode. Microelectrode array optogenetic pacing and current clamp recordings at various stimulation frequencies demonstrated rate-dependent block of sodium channels in hiPSC-CMs as reported in adult cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, pacing enabled more accurate rate- and concentration-dependent drug effect evaluations. Analyzing responses of hiPSC-CMs under both spontaneously beating and rate-controlled conditions may help better assess the effects of test compounds on cardiac electrophysiology and evaluate the value of the hiPSC-CM model.
Artificial Intelligence Assisted Early Warning System for Acute Kidney Injury Driven by Multi-Center ICU Database
Authors: Huang Sai , Chen Li , Wang Lili , Cui Xiang , Feng Cong , Zhang Zhengbo , Li Tanshi 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo improve the performance of early acute kidney injury (AKI) prediction in intensive care unit (ICU), we developed and externally validated machine learning algorithms in two large ICU databases.MethodsUsing eICU® Collaborative Research Database (eICU) and MIMIC-III databases, we selected all adult patients (age ≥ 18). The detection of AKI was based on both the oliguric and serum creatinine criteria of the KDIGO (Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes). We developed an early warning system for forecasting the onset of AKI within the first week of ICU stay, by using 6- or 12-hours as the data extraction window and make a prediction within a 1-hour window after a gap window of 6- or 12-hours. We used 52 features which are routinely available ICU data as predictors. eICU was used for model development, and MIMIC-III was used for externally validation. We applied and experimented on eight machine learning algorithms for the prediction task.Results3,816 unique admissions in multi-center eICU database were selected for model development, and 5,975 unique admissions in single-center MIMIC-III database were selected for external validation. The incidence of AKI within the first week of ICU stay in eICU and MIMIC-III cohorts was 52.1% (n=1,988) and 31.3% (n=1,870), respectively. In eICU cohort, the performance of AKI prediction is better with shorter extraction window and gap window. We found that the AdaBoost algorithm yielded the highest AUC (0.8859) on the model with 6-hours data extraction window and 6-hours gap window (model 6-6) rather than other prediction models. In MIMIC-III cohort, AdaBoost also performed well.ConclusionsWe developed the machine learning-based early AKI prediction model, which considered clinical important features and has been validated in two datasets.
MAPK-induced miR-29 targets MAFG and suppresses melanoma development
Authors: Vera Olga , Bok Ilah , Jasani Neel , Nakamura Koji , Xu Xiaonan , Mecozzi Nicol , Angarita Ariana , Wang Kaizhen , Tsai Kenneth Y. , Karreth Florian A. 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTThe tumor suppressive miR-29 family of microRNAs is encoded by two clusters, miR-29b1∼a and miR-29b2∼c, and is regulated by several oncogenic and tumor suppressive stimuli. Here we investigated whether oncogenic MAPK hyperactivation regulates miR-29 abundance and how this signaling axis impacts melanoma development. Using mouse embryonic fibroblasts and human melanocytes, we found that oncogenic MAPK signaling stimulates p53-independent and p53-dependent transcription of pri-miR-29b1∼a and pri-miR-29b2∼c, respectively. Expression analyses revealed that while pri-miR-29a∼bl remains elevated, pri-miR-29b2∼c levels decrease during melanoma progression. Using a rapid mouse modeling platform, we showed that inactivation of miR-29 in vivo accelerates melanoma development and decreases overall survival. We identified the transcription factor MAFG as abona fidemiR-29 target that has oncogenic potential in melanocytes and is required for growth of melanoma cells. Our findings suggest that MAPK-induced miR-29 contributes to a tumor suppressive barrier by targeting MAFG, which is overcome by attenuation of miR-29b2∼c expression.
The increase in paraoxonase-1 is associated with a decrease in left ventricular volume in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Connelly Philip W. , Yan Andrew T. , Nash Michelle M. , Wald Rachel , Lok Charmaine , Gunaratnam Lakshman , Kirpalani Anish , Prasad G.V. Ramesh 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundPatients on dialysis have impaired cardiac function, in part due to increased fluid volume and ventricular stress. Restored kidney function through transplantation reduces left ventricular volume in both systole and diastole. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is reduced in patients on dialysis, which may be related to their impaired cardiac function. We tested the hypothesis that change in PON1 is associated with changes in left ventricular (LV) end-volume and LV mass after kidney transplantation.MethodsPatients were studied before and 12 months after kidney transplantation. The control group was patients on dialysis not expected to receive a transplant in the next 12 months. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume and LV mass. PON1 was measured by arylesterase activity and by mass.ResultsPON1 mass and activity were not different between the groups at baseline. Both PON1 mass and activity were increased post-kidney transplantation (p<0.0001 for change). The change in PON1 mass (p=0.0062) and PON1 arylesterase activity (p=0.0254) were inversely correlated with the change in NT-proBNP for patients receiving a kidney transplant. However, only the change in the PON1 mass, but not the change in PON1 arylesterase, was inversely correlated with the change in left ventricular volume (ml/m2.7) (p=0.0146 and 0.0114 for diastolic and systolic, respectively) and with the change in hemoglobin (p=0.0042).ConclusionsPON1 mass and activity increase after kidney transplantation. The increase in PON1 mass is consistent with a novel relationship to the increase in hemoglobin and the decrease in LV end-systolic and end-diastolic volume.