bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Verifying participant-reported clinical outcomes: challenges and implications
Authors: Breeman Suzanne , Constable Lynda , Duncan Anne , Starr Kath , McDonald Alison , Wileman Samantha , Cotton Seonaidh 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Researchers often rely on trial participants to self-report clinical outcomes (for example, fractures, re-operations). Little information exists as to the ‘accuracy’ of participant-reported clinical outcomes, particularly in randomised controlled trials (RCTs). To help address this evidence gap, we report four case studies, nested within different RCTs where participant-reported clinical outcome data were compared with those reported by clinicians or extracted from medical notes.

Methods
Four publicly-funded RCTs with different methods of verifying participant-reported outcomes were identified. In KAT, the participants were asked about hospital admissions for any reason. Where it was thought to be relevant to the trial knee, further information was sought from the lead surgeon at the admitting site to confirm whether or not the admission was relevant to the trial knee. In REFLUX, participants were asked about hospital admissions for any reason. For participants who reported a re-operation, further information was sought from the lead surgeon at the admitting site to confirm this. In RECORD, participants were asked three questions regarding broken bones. Where low-trauma fractures were reported, clinical verification was sought, initially from the research nurse at the site.
In CATHETER, participants were asked about urinary tract infections (UTIs), and a prescription of antibiotics was provided for the treatment of UTIs following urethral catheterisation. The GPs of those who reported a UTI were contacted to confirm that an antibiotic prescription had been issued for the suspected UTI.

Results
In KAT, 397 of 6882 (6%) participant-reported hospital admissions were confirmed as relevant to the trial knee. In REFLUX, 16 of 19 participants (84%) who appeared to have had a re-operation were confirmed as having had one. In RECORD, 473 of 781 (61%) fractures reported by participants were confirmed as being low-trauma fractures. In CATHETER, 429 of 830 participant-reported UTIs (52%) were confirmed as such by the GPs.

Conclusions
We used different approaches in our verification of participant-reported outcomes in clinical trials, and we believe there is no one optimal solution. Consideration of issues such as what information is sought from participants, the phrasing of questions, whether the medical records are a true ‘gold standard’ and costs and benefits to the RCT may help determine the appropriate approach.
Giving radiologists a voice: a review of podcasts in radiology
Authors: Clarke Christopher G. D. , Nnajiuba Uzoma , Howie Jamie , Khan Muhammad , Pinto dos Santos Daniel , Ranschaert Erik 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Objectives
Podcasts are audio recordings distributed via the Internet. We review the availability of podcasts on the topic of radiology.

Methods
A search for podcasts relating to radiology was performed using search engines and free public websites that either hosted or distributed podcasts. Only English language podcast series were included, and video podcasts were excluded. Data was gathered by manually interrogating the metadata on the primary hosting platform and related websites.

Results
Forty-one podcast series met the inclusion criteria. The earliest was from 2005. In total, 56.1% of podcasts were defined as active and 43.9% inactive at the time of publication. Number of episodes for each podcast series ranged from 1 to 269 with 56.1% of podcasts having ≤ 10 episodes. There was a wide variation in podcast series’ frequency/schedules. The most common subject topic was ‘radiology current affairs’ (43.9%), with the least common ‘exam revision’ (7.3%) and ‘radiography’ (7.3%). The majority of podcasts were targeted at radiologists (87.8%) and originated from the USA (70.1%). Podcast hosts consisted of doctors (63.4%), other professionals (29.3%) or unknown (7.3%). Additional supplementary media or information as show notes were provided by 26.8% of radiology podcast series.

Conclusions
This gives a new insight into the world of ‘radiology podcasting’. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first review in the literature and highlights the increasing availability of podcasting in radiology.
Priming with inflammatory cytokines is not a prerequisite to increase immune-suppressive effects and responsiveness of equine amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors: Lange-Consiglio Anna , Romele Pietro , Magatti Marta , Silini Antonietta , Idda Antonella , Martino Nicola Antonio , Cremonesi Fausto , Parolini Ornella 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Equine amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells (AMSCs) and their conditioned medium (CM) were evaluated for their ability to inhibit in vitro proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with and without priming. Additionally, AMSC immunogenicity was assessed by expression of MHCI and MHCII and their ability to counteract the in vitro inflammatory process.

Methods
Horse PBMC proliferation was induced with phytohemagglutinin. AMSC priming was performed with 10 ng/ml of TNF-α, 100 ng/ml of IFN-γ, and a combination of 5 ng/ml of TNF-α and 50 ng/ml of IFN-γ.
The CM generated from naïve unprimed and primed AMSCs was also tested to evaluate its effects on equine endometrial cells in an in vitro inflammatory model induced by LPS. Immunogenicity marker expression (MHCI and II) was evaluated by qRT-PCR and by flow cytometry.

Results
Priming does not increase MHCI and II expression. Furthermore, the inhibition of PBMC proliferation was comparable between naïve and conditioned cells, with the exception of AMSCs primed with both TNF-α and IFN-γ that had a reduced capacity to inhibit T cell proliferation. However, AMSC viability was lower after priming than under other experimental conditions. CM from naïve and primed AMSCs strongly inhibited PBMC proliferation and counteracted the inflammatory process, rescuing about 65% of endometrial cells treated by LPS.

Conclusion
AMSCs and their CM have a strong capacity to inhibit PBMC proliferation, and priming is not necessary to improve their immunosuppressive activity or reactivity in an inflammatory in vitro model.
Characterization of dendritic cells and follicular dendritic cells in the hepatic lymph nodes and liver of sheep experimentally infected with Fasciola hepatica
Authors: Ruiz-Campillo María Teresa , Molina-Hernández Verónica , Bautista María José , Pacheco Isabel L. , Zafra Rafael , Buffoni Leandro , Martínez-Moreno Francisco Javier , Martínez-Moreno Alvaro , Pérez José 
Published: March 2020

AbstractFasciola hepaticahas been shown to have a high capacity for immunomodulation of the host response, making the development of protective vaccines extremely difficult. One of these immunomodulation mechanisms is the impairment of dendritic cells (DC) maturation and, therefore, suppression of antigenic presentation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pathological changes as well as the characterization of two antigen presenting cells, DC (CD1b, CD83 and MHC-II positive) and follicular dendritic cells (FDC) (CNA.42, S100 and CD83 positive) by immunohistochemistry in the hepatic lymph nodes (HLN) and livers of sheep during the early stages of infection withF. hepatica[9 and 18 days post-infection (dpi)], compared with an uninfected group (UC) as a control. The results revealed a marked hyperplasia of HLN germinal centres at 9 and, in particular, 18 dpi, with respect to the UC group, with coincidental increased expression of CNA.42 in FDC of lymphoid follicles and CD1b in the DC of paracortical areas at 18 dpi. However, the expression of MHC-II and CD83 decreased at 9 and, particularly, at 18 dpi in HLN compared with that in the UC group. Since both markers are related to active presentation of antigens by DC and FDC, the results of the present study suggest that, despite the marked hyperplasia of HLN and increase in DC and FDC numbers during early stages of infection, the DC and FDC antigenic presentation capacity, as suggested by the expression of the markers MHC-II and CD83, is suppressed by the parasite. This suppression was not observed in the liver, probably because of the low number of DC. This is the first study of the immunophenotype of DCs and FDC in sheep infected withF. hepatica.
Risk factors of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children
Authors: Xu Zhifei , Wu Yunxiao , Tai Jun , Feng Guoshuang , Ge Wentong , Zheng Li , Zhou Zhe , Ni Xin 
Published: March 2020

Background The known risk factors of childhood OSAS include tonsillar and adenoidhypertrophy, obesity, craniofacial anomalies, neuromuscular disorders and African-American (AA) ancestry. Whether other factors such as allergic rhinitis (AR), premature, environmental tobacco smoking (ETS) are associated with OSAS are inconsistent in different studies. Our study enrolled children of a broad age range and included potential risk factors of OSAS derived from previous studies and our own experience. Our objective is to identify risk factors of OSAS in children in a clinical setting. Methods Children between 2 and 15 years of age exhibiting snoring symptoms who visited the sleep center for polysomnography (PSG) were enrolled. All children completed a questionnaire, physical examination and PSG. The questionnaire included demographic data and information related to potential risk factors for sleep disorders. A physical examination included measurements of height, weight, neck circumference, waist and hip ratio, visual evaluation of the tonsils and the degree of adenoid obstruction. Children with obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI) ≥ 1 were defined as OSAS. Results A total of 1578 children were enrolled and1009 children exhibited OSAS. Univariate analyses showed that snoring occurring for ≥ 3 months, male gender, preterm birth, breastfeeding, obesity, neck circumference ≥ 30 cm, waist/hip ratio ≥ 0.95, tonsillar hypertrophy, and adenoid hypertrophy were associated with OSAS. The proportion of low educational level was higher in parents who breastfed their babies than those who didn't. Multivariate analysis showed that snoring for ≥ 3 months, male gender, obesity, breastfeeding, tonsillar hypertrophy, and adenoid hypertrophy were associated with OSAS. Confounders such as socioeconomic status, parental occupation, and health-related behaviors should be explored further to investigate the relationship between breastfeeding and OSAS. Conclusion The independent risk factors for OSAS in children included snoring ≥ 3 months, male gender, obesity, breastfeeding, tonsillar and adenoid hypertrophy. The study was registered on Clinical Trials government (NCT02447614). The name of the trial is “Follow-up Studies of Primary Snoring (PS) and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS) in Chinese Children” and the URL is https://clinicaltrials.gov/ .
Inelastic behavior and mechanical strength of the shallow upper crust controlled by layer-parallel slip in the high-strain zone of the Niigata region, Japan
Authors: Otsubo Makoto , Katayama Ikuo , Miyakawa Ayumu , Sagiya Takeshi 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWe investigated the relationship between contractional deformation of sedimentary mass in the upper crust and the geodetic strain rate in a high-strain zone (part of the Niigata–Kobe Tectonic Zone) of the mid-Niigata region, Central Japan. We observed numerous examples of layer-parallel slip (bedding-plane slip) generated by folding. The slip layers have an average spacing of ~ 3.6 m (measured normal to bedding planes) at the Katagai site. In shallow sedimentary units of the upper crust, numerous bedding-plane slip events act to reduce the mechanical strength (effective elastic thickness) of sedimentary rocks under contractional deformation. The results support an existing model, based on geodetic observations, of mechanical decoupling between the weak sedimentary layers and basement. On the layer-parallel slip, we measured the friction coefficient of gouge generated by bedding-plane slip and of mud around non-slip surfaces using double-direct shear tests, and found no difference in frictional coefficient between slip and non-slip surfaces.
Impact of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease on healthcare resource utilization and costs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a real-world setting
Authors: Weng Wayne , Tian Ye , Kong Sheldon X. , Ganguly Rahul , Hersloev Malene , Brett Jason , Hobbs Todd 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundThis study evaluated the impact of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) on healthcare resource utilization and costs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsThis study was a retrospective, cross-sectional study using US claims data. Adult patients with T2DM were stratified by presence or absence of ASCVD and compared regarding annual (2015) healthcare resource utilization and associated costs. Subgroup analyses were conducted for three age groups (18–44, 45–64, and ≥ 65 years).ResultsAmong 1,202,596 eligible patients with T2DM, 45.2% had documented ASCVD. The proportions of patients with inpatient and ER-based resource utilization during 2015 were three-to-four times greater in the ASCVD cohort as compared to the non-ASCVD cohort for the categories of inpatient visits (15.6% vs 4.4% of patients), outpatient ER visits (18.4% vs 5.2% of patients), and inpatient ER visits (4.3% vs 0.9% of patients). Outpatient utilization also was higher among patients with ASCVD as compared to those without ASCVD (mean number of annual office visits per patient, 9.1 vs 5.6), and more than twice as many patients with ASCVD had ≥ 9 office visits (43.5% vs 19.8%). Average per-patient total healthcare cost was $22,977 for ASCVD vs $9735 for non-ASCVD, with medical costs primarily driving the difference ($17,849 vs $6079); the difference in pharmacy costs was smaller ($5128 vs $3656). In the 18–44, 45–64, and ≥ 65 age subgroups respectively, total annual healthcare costs were 143, 127, and 114% higher in ASCVD vs non-ASCVD patients.ConclusionsThese findings indicate significantly higher healthcare resource utilization and associated costs in patients having T2DM with ASCVD compared to T2DM without ASCVD.
Data and research to inform global policy: the global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration
Authors: Kraly Ellen Percy , Hovy Bela 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn December 2018, the UN General Assembly formerly endorsed the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Louise Arbour, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for International Migration, said, “the formal endorsement of the Compact represents a resounding commitment to an international migration framework based on fact, not myth, and to an understanding that national migration policies are best implemented through cooperation not in isolation.” While there are formidable challenges to the implementation of the Compact, the mandates for the role of evidence in policy and program formulation have been expressed from stakeholders, Member States, civil society organizations, and migrants, throughout the preparatory processes. This paper seeks to share those voices vis a vis the call for research concerning data, research and analysis concerning international migrants and displaced persons, and will consider the implications for scientific initiatives for migration research and analysis and for global policy and goals concerning migration and sustainable development.
17-Gene Genomic Prostate Score Test Results in the Canary Prostate Active Surveillance Study (PASS) Cohort
Authors: Lin Daniel W. , Zheng Yingye , McKenney Jesse K. , Brown Marshall D. , Lu Ruixiao , Crager Michael , Boyer Hilary , Tretiakova Maria , Brooks James D. , Dash Atreya , Fabrizio Michael D. , Gleave Martin E. , Kolb Suzanne , Liss Michael , Morgan Todd M. , Thompson Ian M. , Wagner Andrew A. , Tsiatis Athanasios , Pingitore Andrea , Nelson Peter S. , Newcomb Lisa F. 
Published: March 2020

PURPOSE The 17-gene Onco type DX Genomic Prostate Score (GPS) test predicts adverse pathology (AP) in patients with low-risk prostate cancer treated with immediate surgery. We evaluated the GPS test as a predictor of outcomes in a multicenter active surveillance cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS Diagnostic biopsy tissue was obtained from men enrolled at 8 sites in the Canary Prostate Active Surveillance Study. The primary endpoint was AP (Gleason Grade Group [GG] ≥ 3, ≥ pT3a) in men who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) after initial surveillance. Multivariable regression models for interval-censored data were used to evaluate the association between AP and GPS. Inverse probability of censoring weighting was applied to adjust for informative censoring. Predictiveness curves were used to evaluate how models stratified risk of AP. Association between GPS and time to upgrade on surveillance biopsy was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS GPS results were obtained for 432 men (median follow-up, 4.6 years); 101 underwent RP after a median 2.1 years of surveillance, and 52 had AP. A total of 167 men (39%) upgraded at a subsequent biopsy. GPS was significantly associated with AP when adjusted for diagnostic GG (hazards ratio [HR]/5 GPS units, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.44; P = .030), but not when also adjusted for prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD; HR, 1.85; 95% CI, 0.99 to 4.19; P = .066). Models containing PSAD and GG, or PSAD, GG, and GPS may stratify risk better than a model with GPS and GG. No association was observed between GPS and subsequent biopsy upgrade ( P = .48). CONCLUSION In our study, the independent association of GPS with AP after initial active surveillance was not statistically significant, and there was no association with upgrading in surveillance biopsy. Adding GPS to a model containing PSAD and diagnostic GG did not significantly improve stratification of risk for AP over the clinical variables alone.
Unconventional Estrogen Signaling in Health and Disease
Authors: Faltas Christina L , LeBron Kira A , Holz Marina K 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Estrogen is a key hormone involved in the development and homeostasis of several tissue types in both males and females. By binding estrogen receptors, estrogen regulates essential functions of gene expression, metabolism, cell growth, and proliferation by acting through cytoplasmic signaling pathways or activating transcription in the nucleus. However, disruption or dysregulation of estrogen activity has been shown to play a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of many diseases. This review will expatiate on some of the unconventional roles of estrogen in homeostasis and disease.
Frequency of impaired fasting glucose in first degree relatives of Type-II diabetic patients and its association with Body Mass Index
Authors: Muhammed Alia Ali , Taj Azeem , Ahmed Muhammed Uthman , Tabrez Elsa 
Published: March 2020

Objectives: To determine the frequency of impaired fasting glucose in first degree relatives of people with Type-II diabetes and its association with BMI.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Diabetic clinic of Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore from July to December 2017. Individuals aged ≥35 years, first degree relatives of people with Type-II diabetes, were selected and their fasting blood glucose levels were checked twice a week apart. Study participants were divided into 3 groups. Group-I were those with normal fasting blood glucose (FBS: <100mg/dl), Group-II were those with impaired fasting glucose (100-125mg/dl), considered as high risk and Group-III included those who turned out to be having frank diabetes (FBS: ≥126mg/dl). Exclusion criteria were known diabetes and pregnancy. Proportions of impaired fasting glucose levels versus BMI were compared using Chi-square test. Significance was considered at P <0.001.
Results: A total of hundred subjects were included in the study with the mean age of 44.27 years. Sixty percent participants had normal FBS, 31% showed impaired FBS and 09% had frank diabetes (P <0.001). Significant association was found between impaired fasting glucose and BMI, as with increasing BMI the frequency of impaired fasting glucose increases.
Conclusion: First-degree relatives of people with Type-II diabetes showed higher frequency of impaired fasting glucose and obesity was an important risk factor.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.3.57
How to cite this:Ali A, Taj A, Ahmed MU, Tabrez E. Frequency of impaired fasting glucose in first degree relatives of Type-II diabetic patients and its association with Body Mass Index. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(3):407-411. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.3.57
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Appointment Scheduling Under Time-Dependent Patient No-Show Behavior
Authors: Kong Qingxia , Li Shan , Liu Nan , Teo Chung-Piaw , Yan Zhenzhen 
Published: March 2020

This paper studies how to schedule medical appointments with time-dependent patient no-show behavior and random service times. The problem is motivated by our studies of independent datasets from countries in two continents that unanimously identify a significant time-of-day effect on patient show-up probabilities. We deploy a distributionally robust model, which minimizes the worst-case total expected costs of patient waiting and service provider’s idling and overtime, by optimizing the scheduled arrival times of patients. This model is challenging because evaluating the total cost for a given schedule involves a linear program with uncertainties present in both the objective function and the right-hand side of the constraints. In addition, the ambiguity set considered contains discrete uncertainties and complementary functional relationships among these uncertainties (namely, patient no-shows and service durations). We show that when patient no-shows are exogenous (i.e., time-independent), the problem can be reformulated as a copositive program and then be approximated by semidefinite programs. When patient no-shows are endogenous on time (and hence on the schedule), the problem becomes a bilinear copositive program. We construct a set of dual prices to guide the search for a good schedule and use the technique iteratively to obtain a near-optimal solution. Our computational studies reveal a significant reduction in total expected cost by taking into account the time-of-day variation in patient show-up probabilities as opposed to ignoring it. This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, optimization.
Rovásírással – latinul
Authors: Fehér Bence 
Published: March 2020

The Hungarian Runic script (or, according to another terminology, Szekler script), rarely used in the 10th–14th centuries, had got some popularity in the era of the Renaissance. There are a few examples, where the letters, originally devised for the Hungarian language, were combined with or used for Latin words. Thus the author of the Sepsikilyén wall graffito wrote X ʃcribʃit ◦ ← BNDK2 I[[L]]` Ly´ ES, that is Benedek Illyés scripsit; probably there is another hic fuit-graffito in Berekeresztúr from 1581, written partly in Runic script. The most prominent example is István Szamosközy’s Latin epigram from 1604, a pasquin against Emperor and King Rudolph, where Runic script was used as kind of a cryptography, the author had to set several orthographic rules for the Latin language in Runes and partially accommodated the graphotactics to the Latin custom too.