bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chinese visceral adiposity index: A reliable indicator of visceral fat function associated with risk of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Han Minghui , Qin Pei , Li Quanman , Qie Ranran , Liu Leilei , Zhao Yang , Liu Dechen , Zhang Dongdong , Guo Chunmei , Zhou Qionggui , Tian Gang , Huang Shengbing , Wu Xiaoyan , Li Yang , Yang Xingjin , Zhao Yang , Feng Yifei , Liu Yu , Li Honghui , Sun Xizhuo , Chen Qing , Wang Tieqiang , Chen Xiaoliang , Hu Dongsheng , Zhang Ming 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe evidence of the association between Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is limited. We explored the association of CVAI with T2DM and directly compared with the predictive power of CVAI with other visceral obesity indices (visceral adiposity index, waist to height ratio, waist circumference and body mass index) based on a large prospective study.MethodsWe conducted a population‐based study of 12 237 Chinese participants. Cox proportional‐hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between CVAI and T2DM.ResultsDuring follow‐up (median: 6.01 years), the incidence of T2DM was 3.29, 7.34, 12.37 and 23.72 per 1000 person‐years for quartiles 1, 2, 3 and 4 of CVAI, respectively. The risk of T2DM was increased with quartiles 2, 3 and 4 vs quartile 1 of CVAI (HR 2.12 [95% CI 1.50‐3.00], 2.94 [2.10‐4.13] and 5.01 [3.57‐7.04], Ptrend < 0.001). Per‐SD increase in CVAI was associated with a 72% increased risk of T2DM (HR 1.72 [95% CI 1.56‐1.88]). Sensitivity analyses did not alter the association. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve was significantly higher for CVAI than other visceral obesity indices (all P <.001). Similar results were observed in stratified analyses by sex.ConclusionsOur findings show a positive association between CVAI and risk of T2DM. CVAI has the best performance in predicting incident T2DM, so the index might be a reliable and applicable indicator identifying people at high risk of T2DM.
Obesity and impairment of pancreatic β‐cell function in early adulthood, independent of obesity age of onset: The Santiago Longitudinal Study
Authors: Burrows Raquel , Correa‐Burrows Paulina , Bunout Daniel , Barrera Gladys , Rogan José , Kim Elissa , Blanco Estela , Gahagan Sheila 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAimWe investigated the relation of time of onset and length of obesity with biomarkers of β‐cell function in early adulthood in an infancy cohort.Material and methodsIn 1039 23‐year‐olds, body‐mass index (BMI) was measured at multiple time‐points from enrollment. BMI trajectories were interpolated with cubic polynomials. Fasting glucose, insulin and adiponectin were measured at 23 years. Homeostatic model assessment‐insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), HOMA‐S, HOMA‐β, HOMA‐adiponectin (AD) and disposition index (DI) were estimated. IR and non‐alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) were diagnosed. According to the BMI trajectory, five groups were defined: participants who were never obese (NOB); participants with obesity starting in adolescence and remained obese into adulthood (recent‐onset obesity, ROB); participants who were obese in early childhood but transitioned to non‐obesity as preadolescents (former obesity, FOB); participants who were obese in early childhood and remained obese into adulthood (persistent obesity, POB); participants with obesity starting in preadolescence and transitioned to non‐obesity as adolescents (transient obesity; TOB).ResultsObesity was present in 47% of participants during at least one time‐point. ROBs and POBs had higher insulin, HOMA‐IR and HOMA‐β, lower HOMA‐S and DI, and higher prevalence of IR and NAFL at 23 years than NOBs, TOBs and FOBs. No differences were found in the β‐cell functionality of NOBs, TOBs and FOBs.ConclusionsPersistent and recent obesity are both related to IR, NAFL and a decline of β‐cell function in emerging adulthood. Defeating obesity in childhood or adolescence allows reaching emerging adulthood with β‐cell functioning similar to that of subjects who were NOB.
Characterization of embryonic surface ectoderm cell protrusions
Authors: Magalhães Cecília G. , de Oliveira‐Melo Maraysa , Cruz Mario C. , Srinivas Shankar , Yan C. Y. Irene 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundDuring embryonic development, complex changes in cell behavior generate the final form of the tissues. Extension of cell protrusions have been described as an important component in this process. Cellular protrusions have been associated with generation of traction, intercellular communication or establishment of signaling gradients. Here, we describe and compare in detail from live imaging data the dynamics of protrusions in the surface ectoderm of chick and mouse embryos. In particular, we explore the differences between cells surrounding the lens placode and other regions of the head.ResultsOur results showed that protrusions from the eye region in mouse embryos are longer than those in chick embryos. In addition, protrusions from regions where there are no significant changes in tissue shape are longer and more stable than protrusions that surround the invaginating lens placode. We did not find a clear directionality to the protrusions in any region. Finally, we observed intercellular trafficking of membrane puncta in the protrusions of both embryos in all the regions analyzed.ConclusionsIn summary, the results presented here suggest that the dynamics of these protrusions adapt to their surroundings and possibly contribute to intercellular communication in embryonic cephalic epithelia.
Has a river dam affected the life‐history traits of a freshwater prawn?
Authors: Silva Gicelle M. F. , Andrade Marcelo C. , Silva Breno R. M. , Palheta Ingrid S. , Gonçalves Liziane B. , Rocha Rossineide M. , Ferreira Maria A. P. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn recent years, species richness and diversity in aquatic ecosystems has declined as environments are increasingly impacted by anthropic actions. Freshwater prawns are well adapted to survive in a disturbed and heterogeneous environment. For instance, Amazon river prawn (Macrobrachium amazonicum) populations vary in migratory behavior between rivers and estuaries, depending on factors such as dams. However, there is limited information on the influence of environmental conditions on life‐history traits of this species, which we investigate here using two distinct and unconnected aquatic systems, a dammed river and an estuary, in the eastern Brazilian Amazon. The biological characteristics of M. amazonicum populations in the two environments were compared and related to environmental parameters, which differed significant differences between the two environments and between seasons. Dissolved oxygen, precipitation, and temperature varied most significantly with the seasons in both the estuary and river. M. amazonicum prawns in the estuary were larger and heavier than those in the river during rainy periods. The mass–length ratios and condition factor varied significantly between the M. amazonicum populations in the estuary and river, with negative allometric growth (grows faster in length than in weight) predominating in both populations, and condition factor was better in the estuary for males and in the river for females. The relative frequencies of occurrence of the different female maturation stages and the male morphotypes were related to precipitation and turbidity in both environments and also to salinity in the estuary. In these two distinct aquatic systems, the abiotic parameters determined by the seasonal precipitation cycle profoundly influenced the development of this crustacean, despite its ecological plasticity. Overall, the study showed that river damming triggered environmental changes in the freshwater river ecosystem and played a key role in determining the life‐history characteristics of M. amazonicum in these contrasting aquatic systems.
Quantifying the relative importance of stock level, river temperature and discharge on the abundance of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Glover Ross S. , Soulsby Chris , Fryer Robert J. , Birkel Christian , Malcolm Iain A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractFisheries scientists need to understand the relationships between river temperature, discharge and production of juvenile salmonids to inform evidence‐based management and regulation of rivers and to understand the potential effects of climate change. These relationships can be determined by characterising interannual variability in abundance and environmental conditions from long‐term monitoring data and assessing their inter‐relationships. Two major challenges are (1) the requirement to separate the relative effects of stock level and environment which both affect interannual variability in abundance and (2) obtaining long‐term environmental time‐series that do not suffer from temporal biases. This study built on recent advances in hydrological, river‐temperature and juvenile salmonid modelling to investigate the influence of temperature and discharge on interannual variability in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fry (age: 0 years) and parr (age: 1 year) production. The study used a unique long‐term dataset (>50 years) with detailed age‐differentiated census data collected for multiple life‐stages. The study shows that most of the interannual variability in recruitment was explained by stock level. Discharge had a comparatively small effect on fry recruitment, but a greater effect than artificial stocking. Discharge had no discernible effect on parr recruitment. Temperature had no effect on recruitment of either life‐stage. This study suggests that salmon are well adapted to current environmental variability in natural upland rivers in Scotland, but reductions in discharge during spawning and emergence could negatively affect fry recruitment with consequences for regulation of river flows. The study highlights the importance of high‐quality census data for accurately determining the effects of environmental variability on recruitment.
QRS fragmentation as a possible electrocardiographic diagnostic marker in patients with acute myocarditis: preliminary histopathological validation
Authors: Ferrero Paolo , Piazza Isabelle , Kühl Uwe , Grosu Aurelia , Tschöpe Carsten , Senni Michele 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAimsWe aim to assess the reproducibility of QRS fragmentation (fQRS) on a multi‐centre dataset of patients with acute myocarditis (AM), including a histopathological validation in a subgroup with biopsy‐proven disease. Electrocardiogram (ECG) in patients with myocarditis is usually considered aspecific. ST changes and conduction anomalies have been commonly reported so far. We have previously described fQRS in patients with AM.Methods and resultsPatients admitted between 2008 and 2019 in two centres with a diagnosis of AM were included. Standard ECG, echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) findings were recorded at baseline and at follow‐up (FU). Eighty patients were analysed, 66 men (82%), with median age of 34 (26–43) years. Twenty‐two patients had biopsy‐proven AM. At presentation, 61 patients (76%) displayed fQRS. Median ejection fraction (EF) was 55% (43–60). Seventy‐two patients (90%) underwent CMR and displayed late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). ECG leads showed that fQRS correlated with distribution of LGE. In patients with positive biopsy, fQRS was present in 18 (81%). Median FU was 419 days (224–956). Complete FU was available for 64 patients (80%), and 33 patients (52%) displayed persistence of fQRS. Median EF was 60% (57–64). Eleven patients underwent a repeated biopsy at FU, eight of whom had persistent inflammation and fQRS. Fifteen patients (23%) had ventricular tachycardia, 14 of whom still showed fQRS.ConclusionsIn this cohort fQRS was confirmed as an additional useful ECG sign. Persistence of fQRS was associated with ongoing inflammation and with a poorer outcome in terms of ventricular function and occurrence of arrhythmias.
Emission reduction process for dechlorinating flue‐gas desulfurization gypsum and reducing wastewater effluents: Application prospects from laboratory‐scale studies
Authors: Chen Shaojie , Jiang Tianqi , Zhang Huawei , Kong Kai , Bie Longshuai 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe treatment of flue‐gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum, a common solid waste material that is often affected by chloride ions, typically occupies large amounts of land, causes resource waste, and results in environmental pollution. An emission reduction process involving the dechlorination of FGD gypsum and reducing its emissions has been proposed to solve these problems. Laboratory experiments were conducted to verify the feasibility of the emission reduction process and study any differences from the conventional process. The test results indicated that the average dechlorination rate of the emission reduction process was 80.4%, which is equivalent to 97.5% of the conventional process. The average dechlorination wastewater volume of the emission reduction process was 0.22 L, which is equivalent to 4.9% of the conventional process. The results show that the emission reduction process can effectively reduce the chlorine content of FGD gypsum and its related wastewater discharge. This novel gypsum dechlorination process effectively reduces the chlorine content of FGD gypsum and related wastewater. In addition, the emission reduction process can lead to greater recovery of renewable resources and can result in a cleaner energy conversion process. This process is an alternative method for recovering residues and resources without secondary pollution. Therefore, if this technology is integrated into existing FGD facilities, costly chemical processes could be replaced by those that recover a renewable resource and incorporate a clean energy conversion process.
Post‐collision fires in road vehicles between 2002 and 2015
Authors: Otxoterena Paul , Björnstig Ulf , Lindkvist Mats 
Published: June 2020

SummaryThe loss of human lives and body injuries due to post‐crash fires, either by smoke inhalation or due to burn injuries, are unfortunately not uncommon. The literature indicates that fire events related to crashes are still a significant problem. The increased combustible load in newer vehicles is an important factor to be taken into account for the fire safety, as well as their potential to release toxic fumes while burning. Trends indicate that the survivable collision energy will continue to increase, and, at the same time, the probability of post‐crash fires rises with the collision energy. This means that the occupants of a vehicle may probably survive a high‐energy collision but might sustain severe injuries or death due to a post‐collision fire. This work reports a literature and interview study about post‐crash fires including statistics on the causes and dynamics of post‐crash fires in road vehicles based on the literature, crash and incident reports, as well as on interviews with medicine specialists. Results from this study indicate that fires in vehicles which originated by a collision event are a problem that remains to be solved.
Estimating the volatility of asset pricing factors
Authors: Becker Janis , Leschinski Christian 
Published: June 2020

AbstractModels based on factors such as size or value are ubiquitous in asset pricing. Therefore, portfolio allocation and risk management require estimates of the volatility of these factors. While realized volatility has become a standard tool for liquid assets, this measure is difficult to obtain for asset pricing factors such as size and value that include smaller illiquid stocks that are not traded at a high frequency. Here, we provide a simple approach to estimate the volatility of these factors. The efficacy of this approach is demonstrated using Monte Carlo simulations and forecasts of the market volatility.
Association between nutritional risk index and outcomes for head and neck cancer patients receiving concurrent chemo‐radiotherapy
Authors: Oh Justin , Liu Alvin , Tran Eric , Berthelet Eric , Wu Jonn , Olson Robert A. , Chau Nicole , Bowman Angie , Hamilton Sarah N. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundPatients receiving chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC) are often malnourished. We assessed the utility of nutritional risk index (NRI) in HNC patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy.MethodsA population‐based retrospective review of HNC patients treated with curative chemoradiation was performed. Demographics, anthropometrics, overall survival (OS), and the composite treatment complication rate (G‐tube dependence, radiation incompletion, 90‐day mortality, and unplanned hospitalization) were collected.ResultsTwo hundred ninety‐two patients were identified. Average pretreatment and posttreatment NRI were 110 (SD 3) and 99 (SD 12), respectively (P < .01). Pretreatment NRI risk category, age, ECOG status, and tumor subsites were associated with OS on multivariate analysis. Pretreatment NRI risk category was associated with risk of treatment related complications.ConclusionsThere was a significant decrease between pretreatment and posttreatment NRI in HNC patients receiving chemoradiation. Pretreatment NRI risk category may predict OS and composite treatment complications. Investigation of NRI as a prognostic factor is warranted.
COVID‐19 pandemic and health care disparities in head and neck cancer: Scanning the horizon
Authors: Graboyes Evan , Cramer John , Balakrishnan Karthik , Cognetti David M. , López‐Cevallos Daniel , de Almeida John R. , Megwalu Uchechukwu C. , Moore Charles E. , Nathan Cherie‐Ann , Spector Matthew E. , Lewis Carol M. , Brenner Michael J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic has profoundly disrupted head and neck cancer (HNC) care delivery in ways that will likely persist long term. As we scan the horizon, this crisis has the potential to amplify preexisting racial/ethnic disparities for patients with HNC. Potential drivers of disparate HNC survival resulting from the pandemic include (a) differential access to telemedicine, timely diagnosis, and treatment; (b) implicit bias in initiatives to triage, prioritize, and schedule HNC‐directed therapy; and (c) the marked changes in employment, health insurance, and dependent care. We present four strategies to mitigate these disparities: (a) collect detailed data on access to care by race/ethnicity, income, education, and community; (b) raise awareness of HNC disparities; (c) engage stakeholders in developing culturally appropriate solutions; and (d) ensure that surgical prioritization protocols minimize risk of racial/ethnic bias. Collectively, these measures address social determinants of health and the moral imperative to provide equitable, high‐quality HNC care.
Oriented distance regularized level set evolution for image segmentation
Authors: Liu Panpan , Xu Xianze 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe conventional distance regularized level set evolution method has been very popular in image segmentation, but usually it cannot converge to the desired boundary when there are multiple and unwanted boundaries in the image. By observation, the gradient direction between the target boundaries and the unwanted boundaries are usually different in one image. The gradient direction information of the boundaries can guide the orientation of the level set function evolution. In this study, the authors improved the conventional distance regularized level set evolution method, introduced new edge indicator functions and proposed an oriented distance regularized level set evolution method for image segmentation. The experiment results show the proposed method has a better segmentation result in images with multiple boundaries. Moreover, alternately selecting the edge indicator functions we proposed during the level set evolution can lead the zero level set contour to converge to the desired boundaries in complicated images.
Robust political economy correlates of major product and labor market reforms in advanced economies: Evidence from BAMLE for logit models
Authors: Duval Romain , Furceri Davide , Miethe Jakob 
Published: June 2020

SummaryThe political economy literature has put forward a multitude of hypotheses regarding the drivers of structural reforms, but few, if any, empirically robust findings have emerged thus far. To make progress, we draw a parallel with model uncertainty in the growth literature and provide a new version of the Bayesian averaging of maximum likelihood estimates (BAMLE) technique tailored to binary logit models. Relying on a new database of major past labor and product market reforms in advanced countries, we test a large set of variables for robust correlation with reform in each area. We find widespread support for the crisis‐induces‐reform hypothesis, as high unemployment and economic crises are robustly correlated to structural reforms. We also find evidence of reform convergence—that is, countries with tighter regulation are more prone to liberalize. Reforms are more likely when other countries also undertake them and when there is formal pressure to implement them. Other robust correlates are more specific to certain areas—for example, international pressure and political factors are most relevant for product market and job protection reforms, respectively.
4‐O‐methylascochlorin activates autophagy by activating AMPK and suppressing c‐Myc in glioblastoma
Authors: Hwang Soon‐Kyung , Han Si‐Yoon , Jeong Yun‐Jeong , Magae Junji , Bae Young‐Seuk , Chang Young‐Chae 
Published: June 2020

AbstractA prior study identified that 4‐O‐methylascochlorin (MAC), a methylated derivative of ascochlorin (ASC) from the fungus Ascochyta viciae, activates autophagy in leukemia cells by suppressing c‐Myc phosphorylation. However, the effects of MAC on autophagy in other cancer cells remain unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated that MAC activated autophagy in human glioblastoma. MAC increased expression of autophagy‐related proteins, such as LC3‐II and Beclin‐1. Moreover, MAC stimulated AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and suppressed phosphorylation of the mTOR, p70S6K, and 4EBP1. The well‐known AMPK activator metformin increased LC3‐II levels, which were augmented by MAC cotreatment. AMPK knockdown decreased LC3‐II levels and inhibited MAC activation of autophagy. Furthermore, MAC suppression of c‐Myc expression activated autophagy. Treatment with the c‐MYC inhibitor, 10058‐FA, induced autophagy, as did c‐Myc small interfering RNA knockdown. These effects were augmented by MAC cotreatment. Taken together, these findings indicated that MAC induces autophagy in human glioblastoma by activating AMPK signaling and inhibiting c‐Myc protein expression in human glioblastoma.