bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of MYC gene polymorphisms with neuroblastoma risk in Chinese children: A four‐center case–control study
Authors: Pan Jing , Zhu Jinhong , Wang Mi , Yang Tianyou , Hu Chao , Yang Jiliang , Zhang Jiao , Cheng Jiwen , Zhou Haixia , Xia Huimin , He Jing , Zou Yan 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundNeuroblastoma is one of the most common malignant tumors in childhood. Polymorphisms in proto‐oncogene MYC are implicated in many cancers, although their role in neuroblastoma remains unclear. In the present study, we attempted to investigate the association between MYC gene polymorphisms and neuroblastoma susceptibility in Chinese children.MethodsWe included two MYC polymorphisms (rs4645943 and rs2070583) and assessed their effects on neuroblastoma risk in 505 cases and 1070 controls via the Taqman method.ResultsIn single and combined locus analysis, no significant association was found between the two selected polymorphisms and neuroblastoma susceptibility. In stratification analysis, the rs4645943 CT/TT genotypes were significantly associated with a decreased neuroblastoma risk in subjects with tumors originating from other sites [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.21–0.84, p = 0.013]. Meanwhile, the presence of one or two protective genotypes was significantly associated with a decreased neuroblastoma risk in subjects with tumors arising from other sites (adjusted OR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.26–0.96, p = 0.036).ConclusionsThe present study indicates that MYC gene polymorphisms may have a weak effect on the neuroblastoma risk, which neeeds to be verified further.
Decentralization and Income Inequality in a Panel and Cross‐Section of Countries
Authors: Canare Tristan , Francisco Jamil Paolo , Caliso Rose Ann Camille 
Published: March 2020

AbstractDecentralization has been a common public finance reform among developing countries in the past few decades. Some advocates pushed for decentralization reform as an answer to the growing problem of income inequality. The primary argument for decentralization is that subnational governments have better information on the needs and preferences of local citizens, while the primary argument against it is that the central government has better economies of scale in delivering public services and usually has better access to important resources. This study tested for the relationship between decentralization and income inequality using both panel data and an annual averaged cross‐section data of countries with varying income levels. The results suggest that revenue decentralization is weakly associated with lower income inequality. In addition, there is also a weak evidence that fiscal independence is associated with higher income inequality, although this is moderated by government effectiveness. Expenditure decentralization has no significant relationship with inequality. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Arabinofuranose‐derived positron‐emission tomography radiotracers for detection of pathogenic microorganisms
Authors: Kalita Mausam , Parker Matthew F.L. , Luu Justin M. , Stewart Megan N. , Blecha Joseph E. , VanBrocklin Henry F. , Evans Michael J. , Flavell Robert R. , Rosenberg Oren S. , Ohliger Michael A. , Wilson David M. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPURPOSE: Detection of bacteria‐specific metabolism via positron emission tomography (PET) is an emerging strategy to image human pathogens, with dramatic implications for clinical practice. In silico and in vitro screening tools have recently been applied to this problem, with several monosaccharides including l‐arabinose showing rapid accumulation in Escherichia coli and other organisms. Our goal for this study was to evaluate several synthetically viable arabinofuranose‐derived 18F analogs for their incorporation into pathogenic bacteria. PROCEDURES: We synthesized four radiolabeled arabinofuranose‐derived sugars: 2‐deoxy‐2‐[18F]fluoro‐arabinofuranoses (d‐2‐18F‐AF and l‐2‐18F‐AF) and 5‐deoxy‐5‐[18F]fluoro‐arabinofuranoses (d‐5‐18F‐AF and l‐5‐18F‐AF). The arabinofuranoses were synthesized from 18F‐ via triflated, peracetylated precursors analogous to the most common radiosynthesis of 2‐deoxy‐2‐[18F]fluoro‐d‐glucose ([18F]FDG). These radiotracers were screened for their uptake into E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Subsequently, the sensitivity of d‐2‐18F‐AF and l‐2‐18F‐AF to key human pathogens was investigated in vitro. RESULTS: All 18F radiotracer targets were synthesized in high radiochemical purity. In the screening study, d‐2‐18F‐AF and l‐2‐18F‐AF showed greater accumulation in E. coli than in S. aureus. When evaluated in a panel of pathologic microorganisms, both d‐2‐18F‐AF and l‐2‐18F‐AF demonstrated sensitivity to most gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: Arabinofuranose‐derived 18F PET radiotracers can be synthesized with high radiochemical purity. Our study showed absence of bacterial accumulation for 5‐substitued analogs, a finding that may have mechanistic implications for related tracers. Both d‐2‐18F‐AF and l‐2‐18F‐AF showed sensitivity to most gram‐negative and gram‐positive organisms. Future in vivo studies will evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of these radiotracers in animal models of infection.
Clinical analysis of pregnant women with 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia
Authors: Chen Siyu , Liao E. , Cao Dongmei , Gao Ying , Sun Guoqiang , Shao Yong 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe aim is to evaluate pregnant women infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and provide help for clinical prevention and treatment. All five cases of pregnant women confirmed COVID‐19 were collected among patients who admitted to the Maternal and Child Hospital of Hubei Province between January 20 and February 10, 2020. All patients, aging from 25 to 31 years old, had the gestational week from 38th weeks to 41st weeks. All pregnant women did not have an antepartum fever but developed a low‐grade fever (37.5℃‐38.5℃) within 24 hours after delivery. All patients had normal liver and renal function, two patients had elevated plasma levels of the myocardial enzyme. Unusual chest imaging manifestations, featured with ground‐grass opacity, were frequently observed in bilateral (three cases) or unilateral lobe (two cases) by computed tomography (CT) scan. All labors smoothly processed, the Apgar scores were 10 points 1 and 5 minutes after delivery, no complications were observed in the newborn. Pregnancy and perinatal outcomes of patients with COVID‐19 should receive more attention. It is probable that pregnant women diagnosed with COVID‐19 have no fever before delivery. Their primary initial manifestations were merely low‐grade postpartum fever or mild respiratory symptoms. Therefore, the protective measures are necessary on admission; the instant CT scan and real‐time reverse‐transcriptase polymerase‐chain‐reaction assay should be helpful in early diagnosis and avoid cross‐infection on the occasion that patients have fever and other respiratory signs.
A 216‐year tree‐ring reconstruction of April–July relative humidity from Mt. Shiren, central China
Authors: Peng Jianfeng , Li Jinbao , Yang Liu , Li Jingru , Huo Jiaxin 
Published: March 2020

AbstractLong‐term relative humidity change in central China has been rarely studied due to the shortness of instrumental records. In this study, we developed an annually resolved tree‐ring width chronology dating back to 1727 coefficient of efficiency (CE) with Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) samples from Mt. Shiren, central China. Relative humidity of current April–July (RHAJ) was reconstructed for the region from 1801 to 2016 CE using a linear regression model, which explains 43.9% of the variance in the instrumental records from 1960 to 2016 CE. The reconstructed RHAJ revealed that there were 33 extremely dry years, accounting for 15.28% of the past 216 years. The five driest years and the corresponding anomalies were 1835 (60.05%), 1955 (60.24%), 1929 (60.50%), 1907 (60.71%), and 1801 (60.83%). In agreement with the PDSI reconstruction for Mt. Shennong and the drought/flood series in Zhengzhou, the reconstructed RHAJ captured common droughts in 1813–1814, 1847, 1876–1880, 1900, 1923–1945, 1960–1961, and wet periods in 1863–1872, 1882–1885, 1897–1898, 1954–1956, and 1983–1984. Spatial correlation analyses showed that the reconstructed RHAJ for Mt. Shiren had significant positive correlations with vapour pressure, precipitation, and relative humidity of 850 hPa around the study area, which indicates that the reconstructed RHAJ reflects regional humidity change in central China. To sum up, these results may be provide us with a better understanding of drought variation in central China.
Uncertainties in simulating central Asia: Sensitivity to physical parameterizations using Weather Research and Forecasting model
Authors: Wang Yongli , Feng Jinming , Luo Meng , Wang Jun , Qiu Yuan 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) comprises a number of parameterization schemes, and therefore the different combined physical parameterization schemes should be discussed before determining optimal configurations. The regional climate of central Asia is simulated from 2003 to 2008 using the WRFv4.0.1 with nine physical combinations (microphysics [MP], cumulus [CU], planetary boundary layer [PBL]) on a 25‐km horizontal grid. The goal is to identify a reasonable configuration assemble of physical parameterization schemes for long‐term simulations through the sensitivity experiments of regional climate respond to microphysics, convection, and boundary layer processes. Compared to the observation data, all the groups mostly simulate the daily and seasonal variations of precipitation but with a shift from wet bias to dry bias based on the daily precipitation categories of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). The large‐scale precipitation caused by the microphysics schemes is 3–4 times the amount of precipitation caused by the subscale precipitation generated by the cumulus schemes. The simulated difference of the vertical temperature shows results similar to those of the surface air temperature. The microphysics schemes play the dominant role among the three physical options, and the Thompson scheme addresses better precipitation and surface temperature simulations in contrast to the WDM6 scheme. By combining with the bias, correlation and root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) between the reproduced temperature and precipitation, it can be concluded that the best optimal physical schemes combination is the Thompson–Tiedtke–YSU, which can be used for long‐term simulations.
Adult ovine chondrocytes in expansion culture adopt progenitor cell properties that are favorable for cartilage tissue engineering
Authors: Kisiday John D. , Liebig Bethany E. , Goodrich Laurie R. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractHuman chondrocytes in expansion culture can become progenitor‐like in their ability to proliferate extensively and secrete neocartilage in chondrogenic culture. Sheep are used as a large animal model for cartilage tissue engineering, although for testing progenitor‐like chondrocytes it is important that ovine chondrocytes resemble human in the ability to adopt progenitor properties. Here, we investigate whether ovine chondrocytes can adopt progenitor properties as indicated by rapid proliferation in a colony‐forming fashion, and high levels of neocartilage secretion in chondrogenic culture. In conditions known to promote expansion of mesenchymal stromal cells, ovine chondrocytes proliferated through approximately 12 population doublings in 10 days. Time‐lapse imaging indicated rapid proliferation in a colony‐forming pattern. Expanded ovine chondrocytes that were seeded into agarose and cultured in chondrogenic medium accumulated neocartilage over 2 weeks, to a greater extent than primary chondrocytes. These data confirm that ovine chondrocytes resemble human chondrocytes in their ability to acquire progenitor properties that are important for cartilage tissue engineering. Given the broad interest in using progenitor cells to heal connective tissues, next we compared proliferation and trilineage differentiation of ovine chondrocytes, meniscus cells, and tenocytes. Meniscus cells and tenocytes experienced more than 13 population doublings in 10 days. In chondrogenic culture, cartilage matrix accumulation, and gene expression were largely similar among the cell types. All cell types resisted osteogenesis, while expanded tenocytes and meniscal cells were capable of adipogenesis. While ovine connective tissue cells demonstrated limited lineage plasticity, these data support the potential to promote certain progenitor properties with expansion.
Antireflection displays with ambient contrast enhancement for extended device battery lifetime and reduced energy consumption
Authors: Koch Karl W. , Hathaway Brooke , Kosik Williams Carlo , Amin Jaymin , Mayolet Alexandre , Aurongzeb Deeder , McDonald Joseph , Hart Shandon 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAntireflection (AR) coatings can improve the viewing experience of a display, including mobile electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops that are typically operated on battery power and protected with chemically strengthened glass. In this work, we discuss the trade‐offs between optimal user viewing experience in brightly lit environments and battery lifetime for an AR versus a non‐AR mobile display. We show that under 400–1,000 lux ambient illumination, an AR‐based display can be operated at >30% lower luminance than a non‐AR display with similar human perception of contrast based on a perceptual contrast length model, resulting in a potential improvement of >15% in device battery lifetime and a similar proportion of energy savings.
Effect of Predeployment Psychiatric Diagnoses on Postdeployment Long‐Term Sickness Absence and Mental Health Problems Among Danish Military Personnel
Authors: Stoltenberg Christian D. G. , Nissen Lars R. , Nielsen Anni B. S. , Vedtofte Mia S. , Marott Jacob L. , Gyntelberg Finn , Guldager Bernadette 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMilitary personnel may withhold information on mental health problems (MHPs) for fear of not being permitted to deploy. Past or current MHPs may, however, increase the risk of postdeployment MHPs. Using psychiatric diagnoses rather than self‐report assessments in predeployment screening may be a more effective screening strategy for determining deployment fitness. This retrospective follow‐up study investigated (a) the extent to which predeployment childhood and adult psychiatric diagnoses predicted postdeployment MHPs, measured as psychiatric diagnosis and the purchase of psychiatric drugs, and long‐term sickness absence among formerly deployed Danish military personnel and (b) whether perceived combat exposure moderated or mediated the effect of predeployment psychiatric diagnoses. Complete data were available for 7,514 Danish military personnel who answered questions on perceived combat exposure between 6–8 months after returning from their first deployment to the Balkans, Iraq, or Afghanistan. Data on all psychiatric diagnoses given at Danish hospitals, all medicine purchases, and all sickness absences were retrieved from nationwide research registers. Personnel with predeployment psychiatric diagnoses had a statistically significant higher risk for both postdeployment long‐term sickness absence, hazard ratio (HR) = 2.06, 95% CI [1.52, 2.80]; and postdeployment MHPs, HR = 2.38, 95% CI [1.73, 3.27], than personnel without a predeployment psychiatric diagnosis. Personnel with a predeployment psychiatric diagnosis demonstrated a higher risk of reporting high levels of perceived combat exposure. Perceived combat exposure was not found to moderate or mediate the effect of a predeployment psychiatric diagnosis on the two outcomes. Additional findings, limitations, and implications are discussed.
A broadband dual‐polarized antenna with irregular polygon patches and trapezoidal coupling plates
Authors: Torabi Mamaghani Iraj , Nourinia Javad , Ghobadi Changiz 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn this article, a small broadband dual‐polarized antenna is presented. The main structure consists of the four irregular polygon patches printed on the bottom layer of the substrate, two trapezoidal coupling plates printed on the top layer of the substrate, and a box‐shaped reflector at the back of the substrate at resonance distance. Design principles are based on the rules of complementary antennas, cross dual‐polarized antennas, and aperture antennas. The proposed antenna has technical specifications such as impedance bandwidth 48% (1.7‐2.7 GHz) with lower than 15 dB return loss, port‐to‐port isolation about 32 dB, high pattern stability, and half‐power beam width about 63 ± 9°. The antenna measurement results confirm these. At the end, a comparison between the proposed antenna and the other antennas of this type is presented. The proposed antenna has smaller dimensions, high gain, high port isolation, and excellent pattern stability over the whole bandwidth. The proposed antenna can be used in the base transceiver stations (BTSs) and multi input–multi output (MIMO) systems.
Deficiency in IκBα in the intestinal epithelium leads to spontaneous inflammation and mediates apoptosis in the gut
Authors: Mikuda Nadine , Schmidt‐Ullrich Ruth , Kärgel Eva , Golusda Laura , Wolf Jana , Höpken Uta E , Scheidereit Claus , Kühl Anja A , Kolesnichenko Marina 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe IκB kinase (IKK)–NF‐κB signaling pathway plays a multifaceted role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): on the one hand, it protects from apoptosis; on the other, it activates transcription of numerous inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Although several murine models of IBD rely on disruption of IKK–NF‐κB signaling, these involve either knockouts of a single family member of NF‐κB or of upstream kinases that are known to have additional, NF‐κB‐independent, functions. This has made the distinct contribution of NF‐κB to homeostasis in intestinal epithelium cells difficult to assess. To examine the role of constitutive NF‐κB activation in intestinal epithelial cells, we generated a mouse model with a tissue‐specific knockout of the direct inhibitor of NF‐κB, Nfkbia/IκBα. We demonstrate that constitutive activation of NF‐κB in intestinal epithelial cells induces several hallmarks of IBD including increased apoptosis, mucosal inflammation in both the small intestine and the colon, crypt hyperplasia, and depletion of Paneth cells, concomitant with aberrant Wnt signaling. To determine which NF‐κB‐driven phenotypes are cell‐intrinsic, and which are extrinsic and thus require the immune compartment, we established a long‐term organoid culture. Constitutive NF‐κB promoted stem‐cell proliferation, mis‐localization of Paneth cells, and sensitization of intestinal epithelial cells to apoptosis in a cell‐intrinsic manner. Increased number of stem cells was accompanied by a net increase in Wnt activity in organoids. Because aberrant Wnt signaling is associated with increased risk of cancer in IBD patients and because NFKBIA has recently emerged as a risk locus for IBD, our findings have critical implications for the clinic. In a context of constitutive NF‐κB, our findings imply that general anti‐inflammatory or immunosuppressive therapies should be supplemented with direct targeting of NF‐κB within the epithelial compartment in order to attenuate apoptosis, inflammation, and hyperproliferation. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Quality and completeness of diagnoses recorded in the new CPRD Aurum Database: evaluation of pulmonary embolism
Authors: Jick Susan S. , Hagberg Katrina Wilcox , Persson Rebecca , Vasilakis‐Scaramozza Catherine , Williams Tim , Crellin Elizabeth , Myles Puja 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPurposeThe Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) now provides a new medical record database, CPRD Aurum. This is the first of several studies being undertaken to assess the quality and completeness of CPRD Aurum data for research endeavors.MethodsWe identified patients with a pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosis from a random sample of 50 000 patients in CPRD Aurum and compared the diagnoses using data from Hospital Episode Statistics (HES). We calculated the proportion of PE cases recorded in CPRD Aurum who also had a PE diagnosis recorded in HES. We also evaluated completeness by identifying all PE diagnoses in HES and calculating the proportion also present in CPRD Aurum.ResultsThe study included 781 PE patients: 580 had a PE in CPRD Aurum, 632 had a PE in HES, and 431 had a PE in both. The proportion of patients with anticoagulated PE in CPRD Aurum confirmed by HES was 76.8%. The completeness of primary hospitalized PE HES events compared to CPRD Aurum was 79.1%. In most instances, there was a plausible explanation for the presence of a PE in only one of the two data sources.ConclusionsThe results of this study are reassuring and suggest that the correctness (eg, quality, accuracy) and completeness of diagnosis information in CPRD Aurum are promising with respect to serious acute conditions that require medical attention. Evaluation of other data elements will provide additional insight into this new data resource and its utility for medical research.
Psychometric properties of Science Motivation Questionnaire II‐Chinese version in two waves of longitudinal data
Authors: Dong Zehua , Li Min , Minstrell Jim , Cui Yunhuo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractScience motivation is an important factor that directly influences students’ science learning. Numerous studies have been undertaken to develop and validate questionnaire items for measuring students’ motivation in science learning. This study is the first longitudinal examination of the Chinese version of Science Motivation Questionnaire II (SMQ II‐C) in a Chinese cultural context. Using two waves of surveys, we evaluated its internal structure validity and criterion‐related validity. Results showed that at each time point, scores were internally consistent and the hypothesized five‐factor model was confirmed as the best model fit for the data. Results of multigroup invariance revealed the structure of the SMQ II‐C was equivalent within gender subgroups. Furthermore, the present study added longitudinal invariance evidence of the SMQ II‐C by sampling two‐time points. Overall, this study suggests the SMQ II‐C is a robust instrument for evaluating Chinese high school students’ motivation to learn science. Furthermore, boys yielded higher scores than girls among all five subscales of science motivation and significant gender differences were observed in both waves. Implications and limitations of these results are discussed.