bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CT angiography vs echocardiography for detection of cardiac thrombi in ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Groeneveld Nina-Suzanne , Guglielmi Valeria , Leeflang Mariska M. G. , Matthijs Boekholdt S. , Nils Planken R. , Roos Yvo B. W. E. M. , Majoie Charles B. L. M. , Coutinho Jonathan M. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background and purpose
Cardiac thrombi are an important cause of embolic stroke. We studied the diagnostic yield and diagnostic accuracy of cardiac CT angiography (CTA) compared to echocardiography for detection of cardiac thrombi in ischemic stroke patients.

Methods
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on cardiac CTA versus echocardiography for detection of cardiac thrombi in ischemic stroke patients. We included studies (N ≥ 20) in which both cardiac CTA (index test) and echocardiography (reference test) were performed and data on cardiac thrombi were reported. Results were stratified for type of echocardiography: transesophageal (TEE) vs transthoracic (TTE).

Results
Out of 1530 studies, 14 were included (all single center cohort studies), with data on 1568 patients. Mean age varied between 52 and 69 years per study and 66% were men. Reported time intervals ranged from 0 to 21 days between stroke and first test, and from 0 to 199 days between tests. In ten studies that compared CTA to TEE, CTA detected cardiac thrombi in 87/1385 (6.3%) patients versus 68/1385 (4.9%) on TEE (p < 0.001). In four studies comparing CTA to TTE, CTA detected thrombi in 23/183 (12.5%) patients versus 12/183 (6.6%) on TTE (p = 0.010). Pooled sensitivity and specificity of CTA versus TEE were 86.0% (95% CI 65.6–95.2) and 97.4% (95% CI 95.0–98.7), respectively.

Conclusions
CTA may be a promising alternative to echocardiography for detection of cardiac thrombi in patients with ischemic stroke, especially now that CTA is standard care for patient selection for endovascular treatment. However, studies were too heterogeneous and of insufficient methodological quality to draw firm conclusions. Large, prospective studies on this topic are warranted.
The burden of high workload on the health-related quality of life among home care workers in Northern Sweden
Authors: Sjöberg André , Pettersson-Strömbäck Anita , Sahlén Klas-Göran , Lindholm Lars , Norström Fredrik 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectivePrevious studies have shown that high workload affects health negatively. However, studies are lacking among home care workers. The aim of this study is to examine the burden of perceived workload on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among home care workers and to determine whether psychosocial factors modify such a relationship.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in which 1162 (58% response rate) home care workers participated. The psychosocial factors were measured by QPSnordic. HRQoL was measured by EuroQol 5 dimensions, from which responses were translated into quality-adjusted life year scores (QALY). Propensity scores were used with absolute risk differences (RD). Stratified analysis was used to test the buffer hypothesis of the demand–control–support model.ResultsPersonnel with a high workload had a statistically significant 0.035 lower QALY than personnel with a normal workload. This difference was also statistically significant for the Visual Analogue Scale (RD 5.0) and the mobility (RD 0.033) and anxiety/depression scales (RD 0.20) dimensions of EQ-5D. For QALY, the effect of a high workload compared to a normal workload was higher, with low (RD 0.045, significant) compared with high (RD 0.015, non-significant) social support; while it was similar, and non-significant results, for low and high control.ConclusionsOur study shows that lowered work burden would be beneficial for home care personnel. Furthermore, our results suggest that interventions aimed at increasing social support could reduce work-related illness.
Inter-slice leakage and intra-slice aliasing in simultaneous multi-slice echo-planar images
Authors: McNabb Carolyn Beth , Lindner Michael , Shen Shan , Burgess Laura Grace , Murayama Kou , Johnstone Tom 
Published: March 2020

AbstractSimultaneous multi-slice (SMS) imaging is a popular technique for increasing acquisition speed in echo-planar imaging (EPI) fMRI. However, SMS data are prone to motion sensitivity and slice leakage artefacts, which spread signal between simultaneously acquired slices. Relevant to motion sensitivity, artefacts from moving anatomic structures propagate along the phase-encoding (PE) direction. This is particularly relevant for eye movement. As signal from the eye is acquired along with signal from simultaneously excited slices during SMS, there is potential for signal to spread in-plane and between spatially remote slices. After identifying an artefact temporally coinciding with signal fluctuations in the eye and spatially distributed in correspondence with multiband slice acceleration and parallel imaging factors, we conducted a series of small experiments to investigate eye movement artefacts in SMS data and the contribution of PE direction to the invasiveness of these artefacts. Five healthy adult volunteers were scanned during a blinking task using a standard SMS-EPI protocol with posterior-to-anterior (P ≫ A), anterior-to-posterior (A ≫ P) or right-to-left (R ≫ L) PE direction. The intensity of signal fluctuations (artefact severity) was measured at expected artefact positions and control positions. We demonstrated a direct relationship between eye movements and artefact severity across expected artefact regions. Within-brain artefacts were apparent in P ≫ A- and A ≫ P-acquired data but not in R ≫ L data due to the shift in artefact positions. Further research into eye motion artefacts in SMS data is warranted but researchers should exercise caution with SMS protocols. We recommend rigorous piloting of SMS protocols and switching to R ≫ L/L ≫ R PE where feasible.
Enhancing glutaric acid production in Escherichia coli by uptake of malonic acid
Authors: Sui Xue , Zhao Mei , Liu Yingli , Wang Jing , Li Guohui , Zhang Xiaojuan , Deng Yu 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Glutaric acid is an important organic acid applied widely in different fields. Most previous researches have focused on the production of glutaric acid in various strains using the 5-aminovaleric acid (AMV) or pentenoic acid synthesis pathways. We previously utilized a five-step reversed adipic acid degradation pathway (RADP) in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) to construct strain Bgl146. Herein, we found that malonyl-CoA was strictly limited in this strain, and increasing its abundance could improve glutaric acid production. We, therefore, constructed a malonic acid uptake pathway in E. coli using matB (malonic acid synthetase) and matC (malonic acid carrier protein) from Clover rhizobia. The titer of glutaric acid was improved by 2.1-fold and 1.45-fold, respectively, reaching 0.56 g/L and 4.35 g/L in shake flask and batch fermentation following addition of malonic acid. Finally, the highest titer of glutaric acid was 6.3 g/L in fed-batch fermentation at optimized fermentation conditions.
Phase 1b/2a study of galunisertib, a small molecule inhibitor of transforming growth factor-beta receptor I, in combination with standard temozolomide-based radiochemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed malignant glioma
Authors: Wick Antje , Desjardins Annick , Suarez Cristina , Forsyth Peter , Gueorguieva Ivelina , Burkholder Tiana , Cleverly Ann Louise , Estrem Shawn T. , Wang Shuaicheng , Lahn Michael M. , Guba Susan C. , Capper David , Rodon Jordi 
Published: March 2020

SummaryPurpose Galunisertib, a TGF-β inhibitor, has demonstrated antitumor effects in preclinical and radiographic responses in some patients with malignant glioma. This Phase 1b/2a trial investigated the clinical benefit of combining galunisertib with temozolomide-based radiochemotherapy (TMZ/RTX) in patients with newly diagnosed malignant glioma (NCT01220271). Methods This is an open-label, 2-arm Phase 1b/2a study (N = 56) of galunisertib (intermittent dosing: 14 days on/14 days off per cycle of 28 days) in combination with TMZ/RTX (n = 40), versus a control arm (TMZ/RTX, n = 16). The primary objective of Phase 1b was to determine the safe and tolerable Phase 2 dose of galunisertib. The primary objective of Phase 2a was to confirm the tolerability and pharmacodynamic profile of galunisertib with TMZ/RTX, and the secondary objectives included determining the efficacy and pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of galunisertib with TMZ/RTX in patients with glioblastoma. This study also characterized the changes in the major T-cell subsets during TMZ/RTX plus galunisertib treatment. Results In the Phase 2a study, efficacy results for patients treated with galunisertib plus TMZ/RTX or TMZ/RTX were: median overall survival (18.2 vs 17.9 months), median progression-free survival (7.6 vs 11.5 months), and disease control rate (80% [32/40] vs 56% [9/16] patients) respectively. PK profile of galunisertib plus TMZ/RTX regimen was consistent with previously published PK data of galunisertib. The overall safety profile across treatment arms was comparable. Conclusion No differences in efficacy, safety or pharmacokinetic variables were observed between the two treatment arms.
Identifying typical trajectories in longitudinal data: modelling strategies and interpretations
Authors: Herle Moritz , Micali Nadia , Abdulkadir Mohamed , Loos Ruth , Bryant-Waugh Rachel , Hübel Christopher , Bulik Cynthia M. , De Stavola Bianca L. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIndividual-level longitudinal data on biological, behavioural, and social dimensions are becoming increasingly available. Typically, these data are analysed using mixed effects models, with the result summarised in terms of an average trajectory plus measures of the individual variations around this average. However, public health investigations would benefit from finer modelling of these individual variations which identify not just one average trajectory, but several typical trajectories. If evidence of heterogeneity in the development of these variables is found, the role played by temporally preceding (explanatory) variables as well as the potential impact of differential trajectories may have on later outcomes is often of interest. A wide choice of methods for uncovering typical trajectories and relating them to precursors and later outcomes exists. However, despite their increasing use, no practical overview of these methods targeted at epidemiological applications exists. Hence we provide: (a) a review of the three most commonly used methods for the identification of latent trajectories (growth mixture models, latent class growth analysis, and longitudinal latent class analysis); and (b) recommendations for the identification and interpretation of these trajectories and of their relationship with other variables. For illustration, we use longitudinal data on childhood body mass index and parental reports of fussy eating, collected in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.
Posing New Researchable Questions as a Dynamic Process in Educational Research
Authors: Stylianides Gabriel J. , Stylianides Andreas J. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we argue that posing new researchable questions in educational research is a dynamic process that reflects the field’s growing understanding of the web of potentially influential factors surrounding the examination of a particular phenomenon of interest. We illustrate this thesis by drawing on a strand of mathematics education research related to students’ justification schemes that has evolved rapidly during the past few decades. Also, we reflect on the possible boundaries of the domain of application of the thesis, and we hypothesize that it would apply equally to other strands of educational research. To support this hypothesis, we briefly consider how the thesis would be applicable in two additional research strands. We conclude by elaborating on three important implications of the thesis: (1) as new potentially influential factors about the phenomenon of interest are identified, findings from past research that had not accounted for those factors might prove to be insufficient or be put into question; (2) there are increased methodological challenges for researchers as they seek to design new studies that pay due regard to research advances about all relevant and potentially influential factors surrounding the phenomenon of interest; and (3) as a wider range of potentially influential factors get discovered and considered about a particular phenomenon, research knowledge becomes not only more refined, and presumably more accurate, but possibly more fragmented too.
Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis suppression by inhaled or nasal corticosteroids in HIV-infected patients
Authors: Besemer Femke , Kramers Cornelis , Brinkman Kees , Hermus Ad R. M. M. , van Herwaarden Antonius E. , Burger David M. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackground Inhaled or nasal corticosteroids can cause suppression of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Early detection is important because this suppression can be associated with significant morbidity. Objective To explore the adverse effect of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal suppression by local corticosteroids in HIV-infected patients. Method Ambulatory HIV-infected patients were selected if they used both antiretroviral treatment and inhaled or nasal corticosteroid. Suppression of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis was defined as a morning plasma cortisol below 80 nmol/L or a cortisol below 550 nmol/L during a 250 mcg adrenocorticotropic hormone-stimulation test. Results Twelve patients were tested; four of them were taking a CYP3A4 inhibitor. All patients had a normal morning plasma cortisol. Suppression of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis during the ACTH stimulation test was identified in three of the twelve patients. None of these three individuals were taking a CYP3A4 inhibitor. Conclusion Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis suppression is frequently identified in patients on inhaled or nasal corticosteroids. CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ritonavir or cobicistat may increase the chance of this adverse effect. In this study we did not identify HPA axis suppression in patients taking CYP3A4 inhibitors. This may be related to the fact that 2 of these 4 patients used beclomethasone, a corticosteroid not metabolized by CYP3A4.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02501486.
Developing a Smart Home Solution Based on Personalized Intelligent Interior Units to Promote Activity and Customized Healthcare for Aging Society
Authors: Hu Rongbo , Linner Thomas , Trummer Julian , Güttler Jörg , Kabouteh Amir , Langosch Katharina , Bock Thomas 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe world’s population is aging at an unprecedented pace. Aging society is not only a severe crisis in the developed world, but also a rigorous challenge in emerging economies. Many age-related diseases are fostered by the lack of physical, cognitive, and social activities. Increasing the activity level has many benefits for the elderly and can improve their independence. Based on the analysis of the state-of-the-art and shortcomings of the current smart home solutions, the EU-funded research project REACH aims to develop a service system that will turn clinical and care environments into personalized modular sensing, prevention, and intervention systems that encourage the elderly to become healthy through various activities. To achieve that goal, the research team developed a series of smart furniture (PI2Us) that materialize the research concepts and functionality seamlessly into the various environments. Specifically, the development process and the functionality testing results of the PI2Us are reported in detail. In addition, a simulated smart home solution concept (TRACK) integrating key assistive technologies developed is proposed to create a comprehensive interior living and care environment for elderly users. Due to its modularity and flexibility, the partial or entire solution can be easily adapted and rapidly deployed in different use case settings in Europe, which allows the project consortium to execute different testing activities. In the next phase, the research team will focus on enhancing the usability and performance of the prototypes in order to eventually push them to the market. In conclusion, this research provides an innovative smart home solution for the industry to mitigate the impact of aging society.
Tight gas production model considering TPG as a function of pore pressure, permeability and water saturation
Authors: Zafar Atif , Su Yu-Liang , Li Lei , Fu Jin-Gang , Mehmood Asif , Ouyang Wei-Ping , Zhang Mian 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThreshold pressure gradient has great importance in efficient tight gas field development as well as for research and laboratory experiments. This experimental study is carried out to investigate the threshold pressure gradient in detail. Experiments are carried out with and without back pressure so that the effect of pore pressure on threshold pressure gradient may be observed. The trend of increasing or decreasing the threshold pressure gradient is totally opposite in the cases of considering and not considering the pore pressure. The results demonstrate that the pore pressure of tight gas reservoirs has great influence on threshold pressure gradient. The effects of other parameters like permeability and water saturation, in the presence of pore pressure, on threshold pressure gradient are also examined which show that the threshold pressure gradient increases with either a decrease in permeability or an increase in water saturation. Two new correlations of threshold pressure gradient on the basis of pore pressure and permeability, and pore pressure and water saturation, are also introduced. Based on these equations, new models for tight gas production are proposed. The gas slip correction factor is also considered during derivation of this proposed tight gas production models. Inflow performance relationship curves based on these proposed models show that production rates and absolute open flow potential are always be overestimated while ignoring the threshold pressure gradients.
Fertility History and Biomarkers Using Prospective Data: Evidence From the 1958 National Child Development Study
Authors: Sironi Maria , Ploubidis George B. , Grundy Emily M. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Research on the later-life health implications of fertility history has predominantly considered associations with mortality or self-reported indicators of health. Most of this previous research has either not been able to account for selection factors related to both early-life and later-life health or has had to rely on retrospectively reported accounts of childhood circumstances. Using the 1958 National Child Development Study, and in particular the biomedical survey conducted in 2002–2003, we investigate associations between fertility histories (number of children and age at first and at last birth) and biomarkers for cardiometabolic risk and respiratory function in midlife among both men and women. Results from models that adjusted for a very wide range of childhood factors, including early-life socioeconomic position, cognitive ability, and mental health, showed weak associations between parity and biomarkers. However, we found an inverse association between age at first birth and biomarkers indicative of worse cardiometabolic health, with poorer outcomes for those with very young ages at entry to parenthood and increasingly better outcomes for those becoming parents at older ages. A very young age at last birth was also associated with less favorable biomarker levels, especially among women. Results highlight the value of prospectively collected data and the availability of biomarkers in studies of life course determinants of health in midlife and later.
Hybrid projective combination–combination synchronization in non-identical hyperchaotic systems using adaptive control
Authors: Khan Ayub , Chaudhary Harindri 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we investigate a hybrid projective combination–combination synchronization scheme among four non-identical hyperchaotic systems via adaptive control method. Based on Lyapunov stability theory, the considered approach identifies the unknown parameters and determines the asymptotic stability globally. It is observed that various synchronization techniques, for instance, chaos control problem, combination synchronization, projective synchronization, etc. turn into particular cases of combination–combination synchronization. The proposed scheme is applicable to secure communication and information processing. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to demonstrate the effectivity and correctness of the considered technique by using MATLAB.
Psychometric concerns with the 10-item Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ10) as a measure of trait autism in the general population
Authors: Taylor Emily C. , Livingston Lucy A. , Clutterbuck Rachel A. , Shah Punit 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe 10-item Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ10) is a self-report questionnaire used in clinical and research settings as a diagnostic screening tool for autism in adults. The AQ10 is also increasingly being used to quantify trait autism along a unitary dimension and correlated against performance on other psychological/medical tasks. However, its psychometric properties have yet to be examined when used in this way. By analysing AQ10 data from a large non-clinical sample of adults (n = 6,595), we found that the AQ10 does not have a unifactorial factor structure, and instead appears to have several factors. The AQ10 also had poor internal reliability. Taken together, whilst the AQ10 has important clinical utility in screening for diagnosable autism, it may not be a psychometrically robust measure when administered in non-clinical samples from the general population. Therefore, we caution against its use as a measure of trait autism in future research.
Saccharide sources do not influence the biofilm formation in Scedosporium/Lomentospora species
Authors: de Mello Thaís Pereira , Branquinha Marta Helena , dos Santos André Luis Souza 
Published: March 2020

AbstractScedosporium and Lomentospora species are ubiquitous saprophytic filamentous fungi that emerged as human pathogens with impressive multidrug-resistance profile. The ability to form biofilm over several biotic and abiotic surfaces is one of the characteristics that contributes to their resistance patterns against almost all currently available antifungals. Herein, we have demonstrated that Scedosporium apiospermum, Scedosporium minutisporum, Scedosporium aurantiacum and Lomentospora prolificans were able to form biofilm, in similar amounts, when conidial cells were incubated in a polystyrene substrate containing Sabouraud medium supplemented or not with different concentrations (2%, 5% and 10%) of glucose, fructose, sucrose and lactose. Likewise, the glucose supplementation of culture media primarily composed of amino acids (SCFM, synthetic cystic fibrosis medium) and salts (YNB, yeast nitrogen base) did not modulate the biofilm formation of Scedosporium/Lomentospora species. Collectively, the present data reinforce the ability of these opportunistic fungi to colonize and to build biofilm structures under different environmental conditions.