bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Male Sex and the Risk of Childhood Cancer: The Mediating Effect of Birth Defects
Authors: Marcotte Erin L , Schraw Jeremy M , Desrosiers Tania A , Nembhard Wendy N , Langlois Peter H , Canfield Mark A , Meyer Robert E , Plon Sharon E , Lupo Philip J 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Background
There is a persistent, unexplained disparity in sex ratio among childhood cancer cases, whereby males are more likely to develop most cancers. This male predominance is also seen for most birth defects, which are strongly associated with risk of childhood cancer. We conducted mediation analysis to estimate whether the increased risk of cancer among males is partially explained by birth defect status.

Methods
We used a population-based birth cohort with linked data from birth certificates, birth defects registries, and cancer registries from Arkansas, Michigan, North Carolina, and Texas. We conducted counterfactual mediation analysis to estimate the natural direct and indirect effects of sex on cancer risk, modeling birth defect status as mediator. State; birth year; plurality; and maternal race and ethnicity, age, and education were considered confounders. We conducted separate analyses limited to cancers diagnosed younger than 1 year of age.

Results
Our dataset included 10 181 074 children: 15 110 diagnosed with cancer, 539 567 diagnosed with birth defects, and 2124 co-occurring cases. Birth defect status mediated 38% of the association between sex and cancer overall. The proportion mediated varied by cancer type, including acute myeloid leukemia (93%), neuroblastoma (35%), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (6%). Among children younger than 1 year of age at cancer diagnosis, the proportion mediated was substantially higher (82%).

Conclusions
Our results suggest that birth defects mediate a statistically significant proportion of the relationship between sex and childhood cancer. The proportion mediated varied by cancer type and diagnosis age. These findings improve our understanding of the causal pathway underlying male sex as a risk factor for childhood cancer.
Long-term clinical outcomes of salvage pelvic radiation therapy for oligo-recurrent pelvic lymph nodes after definitive external-beam radiation therapy for non-metastatic prostate cancer
Authors: Sato Genki Edward , Aizawa Rihito , Nakamura Kiyonao , Takayama Kenji , Inoue Takahiro , Yamasaki Toshinari , Kobayashi Takashi , Akamatsu Shusuke , Ogawa Osamu , Mizowaki Takashi 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Although salvage external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is an attractive treatment option for pelvic lymph nodal recurrence (PeNR) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa), limited data are available regarding its long-term efficacy. This study examined the long-term clinical outcomes of patients who underwent salvage pelvic radiation therapy (sPRT) for oligo-recurrent pelvic lymph nodes after definitive EBRT for non-metastatic PCa. Patients who developed PeNR after definitive EBRT and were subsequently treated with sPRT at our institution between November 2007 and December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The prescribed dose was 45–50.4 Gy (1.8–2 Gy per fraction) to the upper pelvis, with up to 54–66 Gy (1.8–2 Gy per fraction) for recurrent nodes. Long-term hormonal therapy was used as neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant therapy. The study population consisted of 12 consecutive patients with PeNR after definitive EBRT (median age: 73 years). The median follow-up period was 58.9 months. The 5-year overall survival, PCa-specific survival, biochemical failure-free, clinical failure-free, and castration-resistant PCa-free rates were 82.5, 100.0, 62.3, 81.8, and 81.8%, respectively. No grade 2 or higher sPRT-related late toxicities occurred. In conclusion, more than half of the study patients treated with sPRT had a long-term disease-free status with acceptable morbidities. Moreover, most of the patients maintained hormonal sensitivity. Therefore, this approach may be a promising treatment method for oligo-recurrent pelvic lymph nodes.
Clinical Value of Detecting Anti-Mutated Citrullinated Vimentin, Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide, Red Cell Distribution Width and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in the Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Tan Liming , Gong Yangyang , Zhang Qian , Zhang Haocheng , Lu Xiaoxia , Huang Huijin 
Published: June 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the clinical value of detecting anti–mutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV), anti-citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), red-blood-cell distribution width (RDW), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-[OH]D) in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsWe enrolled 119 patients with RA, 114 control individuals without RA (disease controls), and 40 healthy controls in our study (Han Chinese). Anti-CCP and anti-MCV were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), 25-(OH)D was detected by electrochemical luminescence, and RDW was calculated by erythrocyte parameters detected via the electric resistance method.ResultsThe serum levels of anti-CCP and anti-MCV in RA were higher than those in disease controls and healthy controls (P &lt;.01). The areas under the curve (AUCs) of anti-MCV, anti-CCP, RDW, and 25-(OH)D were 0.857, 0.890, 0.611, and 0.569 respectively (P &lt;.05). In various combinations of indicators, when RDW, 25-(OH)D, and anti-CCP; or RDW, 25-(OH)D, anti-CCP, and anti-MCV were connected in parallel, the sensitivity was the highest (all 94.1%). Also, when RDW, 25-(OH)D, anti-CCP, and anti-MCV were connected in series, the sensitivity was the lowest (13.4%).ConclusionsAnti-CCP and anti-MCV are ideal indices for RA diagnosis. Also, in combination with RDW and 25-(OH)D, the diagnostic level will be improved, as well as the sensitivity and specificity, which is significant for the differential diagnosis of RA.
ASAS census of twins
Authors: Bakış Volkan , Eker Zeki , Sarı Oğuzhan , Yücel Gökhan , Sonbaş Eda 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACT
Twin binaries were identified among the eclipsing binaries with δ &gt; –30° listed in the All Sky Automated Survey (ASAS) catalogue. In addition to the known twin binaries in the literature, 68 new systems have been identified and photometric and spectroscopic observations were done. Colour, spectral type, temperature, ratio of radii and masses of the components have been derived and are presented. Including 12 twin binary systems that exist in both ASAS and the catalogue of absolute parameters of detached eclipsing binary stars, a total of 80 twin detached binary systems have been statistically studied. A comparison of the spectral type distribution of the twins with those of detached eclipsing binary stars in the ASAS database shows that the spectral type distribution of twins is similar to that of detached systems. This result has been interpreted as indicating that there is no special formation mechanism for twins compared to normal detached binaries. As a result of our case study for HD 154010, a twin binary, we present the precise physical parameters of the system.
Thermal spectra of thin accretion discs of finite thickness around Kerr black holes
Authors: Zhou Menglei , Abdikamalov Askar B , Ayzenberg Dimitry , Bambi Cosimo , Grinberg Victoria , Tripathi Ashutosh 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACT
The analysis of the thermal spectrum of geometrically thin and optically thick accretion discs of black holes, the so-called continuum-fitting method, is one of the leading techniques for measuring black hole spins. Current models normally approximate the disc as infinitesimally thin, while in reality the disc thickness is finite and increases as the black hole mass accretion rate increases. Here we present an XSPEC model to calculate the multitemperature blackbody spectrum of a thin accretion disc of finite thickness around a Kerr black hole. We test our new model with an RXTE observation of the black hole binary GRS 1915+105. We find that the spin value inferred with the new model is slightly higher than the spin value obtained with a model with an infinitesimally thin disc, but the difference is small and the effect is currently subdominant with respect to other sources of uncertainties in the final spin measurement.
LOFAR observations of X-ray cavity systems
Authors: Bîrzan L , Rafferty D A , Brüggen M , Botteon A , Brunetti G , Cuciti V , Edge A C , Morganti R , Röttgering H J A , Shimwell T W 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTWe present LOFAR observations at 120–168 MHz of 42 systems with possible X-ray cavities in their hot atmosphere, of which 17 are groups or ellipticals, 19 are nearby clusters (z &lt; 0.3), and six are higher redshift clusters (z &gt; 0.3). The X-ray cavities, formed by the radio lobes of the central active galactic nucleus (AGN), are evidence of radio-mode AGN feedback. In the groups and ellipticals sample, half of the systems have X-ray cavities for which no associated lobe emission was detected. Conversely, we report the discovery of large radio lobes in NGC 6338, extending far beyond the emission reported previously in the literature. In the case of the nearby clusters, our observations show that there is little low-frequency radio emission that extends beyond the cavities (e.g. MS 0735.6+7421, A2052). For the first time, we report secure cavity-radio associations in 2A 0335+096, ZwCl 2701, and ZwCl 8276 that strengthens their interpretation as AGN-created cavities. However, in some known cavity systems (e.g. A1795 and ZwCl 3146) we report the lack of detectable low-frequency radio emission associated with the cavities. Our sample of higher redshifts systems is small, and unfortunately the present LOFAR observations are not able to resolve the lobes in many of them. Nevertheless, our sample represents one of the best available for investigating the connection between radio and jet power in radio-mode AGN feedback.
The Herschel SPIRE Fourier Transform Spectrometer Spectral Feature Finder I. The Spectral Feature Finder and Catalogue
Authors: Hopwood R , Valtchanov I , Spencer L D , Scott J , Benson C , Marchili N , Hładczuk N , Polehampton E T , Lu N , Makiwa G , Naylor D A , Gom B G , Noble G , Griffin M J 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACT
We provide a detailed description of the Herschel/SPIRE Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) Spectral Feature Finder (FF). The FF is an automated process designed to extract significant spectral features from SPIRE FTS data products. Optimizing the number of features found in SPIRE-FTS spectra is challenging. The wide SPIRE-FTS frequency range (447–1568 GHz) leads to many molecular species and atomic fine structure lines falling within the observed bands. As the best spectral resolution of the SPIRE-FTS is ∼1.2 GHz, there can be significant line blending, depending on the source type. In order to find, both efficiently and reliably, features in spectra associated with a wide range of sources, the FF iteratively searches for peaks over a number of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) thresholds. For each threshold, newly identified features are rigorously checked before being added to the fitting model. At the end of each iteration, the FF simultaneously fits the continuum and features found, with the resulting residual spectrum used in the next iteration. The final FF products report the frequency of the features found and the associated SNRs. Line flux determination is not included as part of the FF products, as extracting reliable line flux from SPIRE-FTS data is a complex process that requires careful evaluation and analysis of the spectra on a case-by-case basis. The FF results are 100 per cent complete for features with SNR greater than 10 and 50–70 per cent complete at SNR of 5. The FF code and all FF products are publicly available via the Herschel Science Archive.
High and Highly Variable Spontaneous Mutation Rates in Daphnia
Authors: Ho Eddie K H , Macrae Fenner , Latta Leigh C , McIlroy Peter , Ebert Dieter , Fields Peter D , Benner Maia J , Schaack Sarah 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
The rate and spectrum of spontaneous mutations are critical parameters in basic and applied biology because they dictate the pace and character of genetic variation introduced into populations, which is a prerequisite for evolution. We use a mutation–accumulation approach to estimate mutation parameters from whole-genome sequence data from multiple genotypes from multiple populations of Daphnia magna, an ecological and evolutionary model system. We report extremely high base substitution mutation rates (µ-n,bs = 8.96 × 10−9/bp/generation [95% CI: 6.66–11.97 × 10−9/bp/generation] in the nuclear genome and µ-m,bs = 8.7 × 10−7/bp/generation [95% CI: 4.40–15.12 × 10−7/bp/generation] in the mtDNA), the highest of any eukaryote examined using this approach. Levels of intraspecific variation based on the range of estimates from the nine genotypes collected from three populations (Finland, Germany, and Israel) span 1 and 3 orders of magnitude, respectively, resulting in up to a ∼300-fold difference in rates among genomic partitions within the same lineage. In contrast, mutation spectra exhibit very consistent patterns across genotypes and populations, suggesting the mechanisms underlying the mutational process may be similar, even when the rates at which they occur differ. We discuss the implications of high levels of intraspecific variation in rates, the importance of estimating gene conversion rates using a mutation–accumulation approach, and the interacting factors influencing the evolution of mutation parameters. Our findings deepen our knowledge about mutation and provide both challenges to and support for current theories aimed at explaining the evolution of the mutation rate, as a trait, across taxa.
More Than One-to-Four via 2R: Evidence of an Independent Amphioxus Expansion and Two-Gene Ancestral Vertebrate State for MyoD-Related Myogenic Regulatory Factors (MRFs)
Authors: Aase-Remedios Madeleine E , Coll-Lladó Clara , Ferrier David E K 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe evolutionary transition from invertebrates to vertebrates involved extensive gene duplication, but understanding precisely how such duplications contributed to this transition requires more detailed knowledge of specific cases of genes and gene families. Myogenic differentiation (MyoD) has long been recognized as a master developmental control gene and member of the MyoD family of bHLH transcription factors (myogenic regulatory factors [MRFs]) that drive myogenesis across the bilaterians. Phylogenetic reconstructions within this gene family are complicated by multiple instances of gene duplication and loss in several lineages. Following two rounds of whole-genome duplication (2R WGD) at the origin of the vertebrates, the ancestral function of MRFs is thought to have become partitioned among the daughter genes, so that MyoD and Myf5 act early in myogenic determination, whereas Myog and Myf6 are expressed later, in differentiating myoblasts. Comparing chordate MRFs, we find an independent expansion of MRFs in the invertebrate chordate amphioxus, with evidence for a parallel instance of subfunctionalization relative to that of vertebrates. Conserved synteny between chordate MRF loci supports the 2R WGD events as a major force in shaping the evolution of vertebrate MRFs. We also resolve vertebrate MRF complements and organization, finding a new type of vertebrate MRF gene in the process, which allowed us to infer an ancestral two-gene state in the vertebrates corresponding to the early- and late-acting types of MRFs. This necessitates a revision of previous conclusions about the simple one-to-four origin of vertebrate MRFs.
A sensitive assay for dNTPs based on long synthetic oligonucleotides, EvaGreen dye and inhibitor-resistant high-fidelity DNA polymerase
Authors: Purhonen Janne , Banerjee Rishi , McDonald Allison E , Fellman Vineta , Kallijärvi Jukka 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDeoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) are vital for the biosynthesis and repair of DNA. Their cellular concentration peaks during the S phase of the cell cycle. In non-proliferating cells, dNTP concentrations are low, making their reliable quantification from tissue samples of heterogeneous cellular composition challenging. Partly because of this, the current knowledge related to the regulation of and disturbances in cellular dNTP concentrations derive mostly from cell culture experiments with little corroboration at the tissue or organismal level. Here, we fill the methodological gap by presenting a simple non-radioactive microplate assay for the quantification of dNTPs with a minimum requirement of 4–12 mg of biopsy material. In contrast to published assays, this assay is based on long synthetic single-stranded DNA templates (50–200 nucleotides), an inhibitor-resistant high-fidelity DNA polymerase, and the double-stranded-DNA-binding EvaGreen dye. The assay quantified reliably less than 50 fmol of each of the four dNTPs and discriminated well against ribonucleotides. Additionally, thermostable RNAse HII-mediated nicking of the reaction products and a subsequent shift in their melting temperature allowed near-complete elimination of the interfering ribonucleotide signal, if present. Importantly, the assay allowed measurement of minute dNTP concentrations in mouse liver, heart and skeletal muscle.
Multicenter registry analysis comparing survival on home hemodialysis and kidney transplant recipients in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Ethier Isabelle , Cho Yeoungjee , Hawley Carmel , Pascoe Elaine M , Roberts Matthew A , Semple David , Nadeau-Fredette Annie-Claire , Wong Germaine , Lim Wai H , Sypek Matthew P , Viecelli Andrea K , Campbell Scott , van Eps Carolyn , Isbel Nicole M , Johnson David W 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Background
In the era of organ shortage, home hemodialysis (HHD) has been identified as the possible preferential bridge to kidney transplantation. Data are conflicting regarding the comparability of HHD and transplantation outcomes. This study aimed to compare patient and treatment survival between HHD patients and kidney transplant recipients.

Methods
The Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry was used to include incident HHD patients on Day 90 after initiation of kidney replacement therapy and first kidney-only transplant recipients in Australia and New Zealand from 1997 to 2017. Survival times were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier product-limit method comparing HHD patients with subtypes of kidney transplant recipients using the log-rank test. Adjusted analyses were performed with multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models for time to all-cause mortality. Time-to-treatment failure or death was assessed as a composite secondary outcome.

Results
The study compared 1411 HHD patients with 4960 living donor (LD) recipients, 6019 standard criteria donor (SCD) recipients and 2427 expanded criteria donor (ECD) recipients. While LD and SCD recipients had reduced risks of mortality compared with HHD patients [LD adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.46–0.71; SCD HR = 0.65 95% CI 0.52–0.79], the risk of mortality was comparable between ECD recipients and HHD patients (HR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.73–1.12). LD, SCD and ECD kidney recipients each experienced superior time-to-treatment failure or death compared with HHD patients.

Conclusions
This large registry study showed that kidney transplant offers a survival benefit compared with HHD but that this advantage is not significant for ECD recipients.
Hypoperfusion warm ischaemia time in renal transplants from donors after circulatory death
Authors: Kostakis Ioannis D , Kassimatis Theodoros , Flach Clare , Karydis Nikolaos , Kessaris Nicos , Loukopoulos Ioannis 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe donor hypoperfusion phase before asystole in renal transplants from donors after circulatory death (DCD) has been considered responsible for worse outcomes than those from donors after brain death (DBD).MethodsWe included 10 309 adult renal transplants (7128 DBD and 3181 DCD; 1 January 2010–31 December 2016) from the UK Transplant Registry. We divided DCD renal transplants into groups according to hypoperfusion warm ischaemia time (HWIT). We compared delayed graft function (DGF) rates, primary non-function (PNF) rates and graft survival among them using DBD renal transplants as a reference.ResultsThe DGF rate was 21.7% for DBD cases, but ∼40% for DCD cases with HWIT ≤30 min (0–10 min: 42.1%, 11–20 min: 43%, 21–30 min: 38.4%) and 60% for DCD cases with HWIT &gt;30 min (P &lt; 0.001). All DCD groups showed higher DGF risk than DBD renal transplants in multivariable analysis {0–10 min: odds ratio [OR] 2.686 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.352–3.068]; 11–20 min: OR 2.531 [95% CI 2.003–3.198]; 21–30 min: OR 1.764 [95% CI 1.017–3.059]; &gt;30 min: OR 5.814 [95% CI 2.798–12.081]}. The highest risk for DGF in DCD renal transplants with HWIT &gt;30 min was confirmed by multivariable analysis [versus DBD: OR 5.814 (95% CI 2.798–12.081) versus DCD: 0–10 min: OR 2.165 (95% CI 1.038–4.505); 11–20 min: OR 2.299 (95% CI 1.075–4.902); 21–30 min: OR 3.3 (95% CI 1.33–8.197)]. No significant differences were detected regarding PNF rates (P = 0.713) or graft survival (P = 0.757), which was confirmed by multivariable analysis.ConclusionsHWIT &gt;30 min increases the risk for DGF greatly, but without affecting PNF or graft survival.
Experience With the Pipeline Embolization Device for Posterior Circulations Aneurysms: A Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Griessenauer Christoph J , Enriquez-Marulanda Alejandro , Taussky Philipp , Biswas Arundhati , Grandhi Ramesh , Xiang Sissi , Hong Tao , Rinaldo Lorenzo , Lanzino Giuseppe , Brinjikji Waleed , Burkhardt Jan-Karl , Kan Peter , Ghuman Mandeep , Yang Victor X D , Chen Karen , Aziz-Sultan Mohammad A , Ghorbani Mohammad , Schirmer Clemens M , Goren Oded , Dalal Shamsher S , Killer-Oberpfalzer Monika , Müller-Thies-Broussalis Erasmia , Koch Matthew J , Stapleton Christopher J , Patel Aman B , Foreman Paul M , Cress Marshall C , Hirschl Robert A , Krings Timo , Zhang Hongqi , Dmytriw Adam A 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The Pipeline Embolization Device (PED; Medtronic) has been used off-label for the treatment of challenging posterior circulation aneurysms. Data on this modality are primarily limited to small retrospective single-center series.

OBJECTIVE
To assess safety and efficacy of this treatment by establishing an international, multicenter collaboration.

METHODS
Consecutive posterior circulation aneurysms treated with the PED from 2012 to 2019 across 11 neurovascular centers were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline demographics, aneurysm and treatment characteristics, complications, occlusion status, and functional outcome were assessed.

RESULTS
There were 149 posterior circulation aneurysms treated with PED in 146 patients. A total of 24 (16.4%) patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Most aneurysms were dissecting/blister (36.2%) in morphology, followed by saccular (35.6%) and fusiform (28.2%). The most common locations were the vertebral (51.7%) and basilar arteries (22.8%). Complete or near-complete occlusion (>90%) was achieved in 90.9% of aneurysms at a median follow-up of 12 mo. Dissecting/blister aneurysms were most likely to occlude (P = .06). Symptomatic neurologic complications occurred in 9.4% of aneurysms, associated with larger size, ruptured presentation, presentations with brain stem compression, cranial nerve palsy, or stroke. Favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Score 0-2) was achieved in 86.2% of patients. There were 6 fatalities of which 4 occurred in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients.

CONCLUSION
This multicenter study shows that PED for the treatment of posterior circulation is preferentially used for the treatment of fusiform and dissecting/blister aneurysm morphologies. Despite the challenges presented by these less-common morphologies, flow diversion may be performed with a neurologic complication rate of about 10% and favorable long-term aneurysm occlusion rates.