bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nomogram predicting overall survival of rectal squamous cell carcinomas patients based on the SEER database
Authors: Diao Jian-Dong , Wu Chun-Jiao , Cui Hong-Xia , Bu Ming-Wei , Yue Dan , Wang Xue , Liu Yan-Ling , Yang Yong-Jing 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of clinical and pathologic factors in rectal squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and to construct a nomogram for their outcome prediction.
The study cohort was selected from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program between January 2004 and December 2013. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards regression model to evaluate the prognostic value of involved variables. All prognostic factors were combined to construct a nomogram to predict the overall survival (OS), followed by discrimination as well as calibration plots and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for assessing the predictive accuracy of the nomogram.
We identified 806 patients with a median follow-up time of 35 months. Multivariate analyses revealed that marital status (P < .001), age (P < .001), T stage (P = .008), M stage (P < .001), surgery (P = .004), chemotherapy (P = .003) and radiotherapy (P = .016) were independent prognostic factors of OS. Finally, the 7 variables were combined to construct a 3-year and 5-year OS nomogram. The concordance indexes (C-indexes) of OS were 0.756 (95% CI, 0.726–0.786) for the internal validation and 0.729 (95% CI, 0.678–0.780) for the external validation. Additionally, there was superior discrimination power of the nomogram over the SEER stage or the 8th edition AJCC TNM staging classification (P < .001). Calibration plots further showed good consistency between the nomogram prediction and actual observation. The area under the curve (AUC) of ROC curves for 3-year OS was 0.811 (95% CI: 0.769–0.853) in the training cohort and 0.748 (95% CI: 0.681–0.815) in the validation cohort. The AUC for 5-year OS was 0.770 (95% CI: 0.721–0.819) in the training cohort and 0.797 (95% CI: 0.731–0.863) in the validation cohort. Finally, Kaplan-Meier analysis further validates the predictive potential of the nomogram.
Marital status, age, T stage, M stage, surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were significantly associated with OS of patients with rectal SCC. This predictive model has the potential to provide an individualized risk estimate of survival in patients with rectal SCC.
Does nonexistent of your hands on the screen guarantee no radiation exposure to your body? – Study on exposure of the practitioner's hands to radiation during C-arm fluoroscopy-guided injections and effectiveness of a new shielding device
Authors: Lee Jae-Eun , Kim Ju-Hyun , Lee Su-Jin , Kim Mingeon , Nam Tae-Woo , Kim Chul Hyun , Jung Tae-Du , Hwang Jong-Moon 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Observational phantom study.
This study aimed to evaluate the radiation exposure dose of practitioner's hands when performing C-arm guided procedures and to determine the usefulness of our newly designed radiation shielding device.
C-arm guided procedures including lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) are commonly used for pain control induced by lumbar radiculopathy. The practitioner's hands are vulnerable to radiation exposure because of the long exposure time and short distance from the radiation resource. No studies to date have reported the cumulative exposure of the physician's hands according to location and exposure time.
Using a chest phantom irradiated with X-rays under lumbar TFESI conditions, cumulative scatter radiation dose was measured at 36 points using a dosimeter. The measurements were checked at 1, 3, 5, 10 minutes of radiation exposure. The experiment was repeated using our newly designed shielding device.
Significant radiation accumulation was observed in the field where the practitioner's hands might be placed during C-arm guided procedures. The further the distance from the radiation resource and the shorter the exposure time, the smaller was the cumulative radiation expose dose. The new shielding device showed an excellent shielding rate (66.0%–99.9%) when the dosimeter was within the shielding range. However, at some points, increased accumulated radiation exposure dose was observed, although the dosimeter was within the range of the shielding device.
To reduce radiation exposure of the practitioner's hands when performing C-arm-guided procedures, the radiation exposure time should be decreased and a greater distance from the radiation resource should be maintained. When using our shielding device, placing the hand close to the device surface and minimizing the time using fluoroscopy minimized the radiation exposure of the hand.
Impact of physical exercise on children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorders
Authors: Zang Yu 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackground:Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) which is characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, is considered as the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in childhood. Physical exercise has shown to have several benefits in the improvement of children with ADHD. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to systematically show, with evidence, the impact of physical exercise on children with ADHD.Methods:Web of Science, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Cochrane Central and http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov were the searched sources for studies which were based on the impact of physical exercise on children with ADHD. Relevant endpoints were assessed. This evidence based meta-analysis was carried out by the most relevant RevMan 5.3 software. Due to the involvement of continuous data (mean and standard deviation), weight mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to represent the final analysis. A significant level ofP≤ .05 was set and a fixed statistical effect model was used throughout the analysis.Results:Fourteen studies with a total number of 574 participants with ADHD were included in this evidenced based meta-analysis. Two hundred and seventy six (276) participants were assigned to the physical activity group whereas 298 participants were assigned to the control group. Results of this analysis showed that anxiety and depression were significantly improved with physical activity in these children with ADHD (WMD: -1.84; 95% CI: [-2.65 – (-1.03)],P = .00001). Hyperactive/impulsive symptoms (WMD: -0.01; 95% CI: [-0.32 – 0.29],P = .93) and inattention symptoms (WMD: -0.22; 95% CI: [-0.51 – 0.08],P = .15) were also improved with physical exercise but the results were not statistically significant. This evidence based analysis showed thought problems (WMD: -3.49; 95% CI: [-5.51 – (-1.47)],P = .0007), social problems (WMD: -5.08; 95% CI: [-7.34 – (-2.82)],P = .0001), and aggressive behaviors (WMD: -3.90; 95% CI: [-7.10 – (-0.70)],P = .02) to have significantly been improved in participants with ADHD who were assigned to physical activity group.Conclusions:This current meta-analysis showed with evidence, that physical exercise has a major contribution owing to significant improvement in anxiety and depression, aggressive behaviors, thought and social problems among children suffering from ADHD. Therefore, physical exercise should be incorporated in the daily life of children with ADHD. Further future research should be able to confirm this hypothesis.
Evidence of the Linkage Between Hospital-based Care Coordination Strategies and Hospital Overall (Star) Ratings
Authors: Benjenk Ivy , Franzini Luisa , Chen Jie 
Published: November 2019

Background:
In the new era of value-based payment models and pay for performance, hospitals are in search of the silver bullet strategy or bundle of strategies capable of improving their performance on quality measures.

Objectives:
To determine whether there is an association between adoption of hospital-based care coordination strategies and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services overall hospital quality (star) ratings and readmission rates.

Research Design:
We used survey data from the American Hospital Association (AHA) and categorized respondents by the number of care coordination strategies that they reported having widely implemented. We used multiple logistic regression models to examine the association between the number of strategies and hospital overall rating performance and disease-specific 30-day excess readmission ratios, while controlling for hospital and county characteristics and state-fixed effects.

Subjects:
A total of 710 general acute care noncritical access hospitals that received star ratings and responded to the 2015 AHA Care Systems and Payment Survey.

Measures:
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services overall hospital ratings, 30-day excess readmission ratios.

Results:
As compared with hospitals with 0–2 strategies, hospitals with 3 to 4 strategies (P=0.007), 5–7 strategies (P=0.002), or 8–12 strategies (P=0.002) had approximately 2.5× the odds of receiving a top rating (4 or 5 stars). Care coordination strategies were positively associated with lower 30-day readmission ratios for patients with chronic medical conditions, but not for surgical patients. Medication reconciliation, visit summaries, outreach after discharge, discharge care plans, and disease management programs were each individually associated with top ratings.

Conclusions:
Care coordination strategies are associated with high overall hospital ratings.
Long-Term Outcomes of the Minimal Skin Incision Technique for Correcting Severe Microform and Minor-Form Cleft Lip With Philtrum Reconstruction Through the Intraoral Incision
Authors: Cho Byung Chae , Kim Yun Hyun , Tian Lulu , Lee Joon Seok , Lee Jeong Woo , Choi Kang Young , Yang Jung Dug , Chung Ho Yun 
Published: November 2019

Background:
Because the traditional technique is known to cause visible scarring, it is challenging to yield optimal outcomes while treating a severe type of microform and minor-form cleft lip. The authors present a new refined technique with minimal skin incision and philtrum formation through an intraoral incision.

Methods:
The surgical technique involves single Z-plasty or double or triple unilimb Z-plasty to restore an elevated cupid's bow peak and overlapping of an orbicularis oris muscle flap to create the philtrum through an intraoral incision. Cleft lip nasal deformity was corrected with reverse-U incision and V-Y plasty.

Results:
Eighteen patients were operated between September 2008 and June 2017. Patient age at the time of surgery ranged from 3 to 12 months. The duration of follow-up ranged from 12 months to 7 years (mean, 36 months). The elevated cupid's bow was corrected by performing single Z-plasty in 6 patients, double unilimb Z-plasty in 7 patients, and triple unilimb Z-plasty in 5 patients. In all cases, the notch or elevated cupid's bow was corrected, the surgical scar was minimal, and philtrum reconstruction was satisfactory. Minor scar revision was performed in 4 patients. Cleft lip nasal deformity was corrected in fifteen patients.

Conclusions:
The technique adopted here causes minimal scarring, facilitates the formation of an anatomical philtrum, preserves the continuity and function of the muscle, and presents sufficient elevation of the philtral column.
Mapping the evolutionary landscape of Zika virus infection in immunocompromised mice
Authors: Noval Maria G. , Rangel Margarita V. , Johnson Katherine E. , Jesus Elfie De , Gerber Adam , Schuster Samantha , Cadwell Ken , Ghedin Elodie , Stapleford Kenneth A. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe fundamental basis of how arboviruses evolve in nature and what regulates the adaptive process remain unclear. To address this problem, we established a Zika virus (ZIKV) vector-borne transmission system in immunocompromised mice that mimics evolutionary characteristics of ZIKV infection in humans. Using this system, we defined factors that influence the evolutionary landscape of ZIKV infection and show that transmission route and specific organ microenvironments impact viral diversity and defective viral genome (DVG) production. In addition, we identified in mice the emergence of ZIKV mutants previously seen in natural infections, including variants present in currently circulating strains, as well as mutations unique to the mouse infections. With these studies, we have established an insect-to-mouse transmission model to study ZIKV evolution. We also defined how organ microenvironments and infection route impact the ZIKV evolutionary landscape, providing a deeper understanding of the factors that regulate arbovirus evolution and emergence.
Quantitative analysis of the physiological contributions of glucose to the TCA cycle
Authors: Liu Shiyu , Dai Ziwei , Cooper Daniel E. , Kirsch David G. , Locasale Jason W. 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACTThe carbon source for catabolism in vivo is a fundamental question in metabolic physiology. Limited by data and rigorous mathematical analysis, controversy exists over the nutritional sources for carbon in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle under physiological settings. Using isotope-labeling data in vivo across several experimental conditions, we construct multiple models of central carbon metabolism and develop methods based on metabolic flux analysis (MFA) to solve for the preferences of glucose, lactate, and other nutrients used in the TCA cycle across many tissues. We show that in nearly all circumstances, glucose contributes more than lactate as a nutrient source for the TCA cycle. This conclusion is verified in different animal strains from different studies, different administrations of 13C glucose, and is extended to multiple tissue types. Thus, this quantitative analysis of organismal metabolism defines the relative contributions of nutrient fluxes in physiology, provides a resource for analysis of in vivo isotope tracing data, and concludes that glucose is the major nutrient used for catabolism in mammals.
Trophoblast paracrine signaling regulates placental hematoendothelial niche
Authors: Home Pratik , Ghosh Ananya , Kumar Ram Parikshan , Ganguly Avishek , Bhattacharya Bhaswati , Islam Md. Rashedul , Ray Soma , Gunewardena Sumedha , Paul Soumen 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe placenta acts as a major organ for hematopoiesis. It is believed that placental hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) migrate to the fetal liver to ensure optimum hematopoiesis in the developing embryo. The labyrinth vasculature in a mid-gestation mouse placenta provides a niche for the definitive hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) generation and expansion. It has been proposed that these processes are regulated by a host of paracrine factors secreted by trophoblast giant cells (TGCs) at the maternal-fetal interface. However, the molecular mechanism by which the TGCs regulate the hematoendothelial niche in a developing placenta is yet to be defined. Using a TGC-specificGata2andGata3double knockout mouse model, we show that the loss of GATA2 and GATA3 at the TGC layer leads to fetal growth retardation and embryonic death due to disruptions in the delicate hematopoietic-angiogenic balance in the developing placenta. Using single-cell RNA-Seq analyses, we also show that the loss of GATA factors in the TGCs results in the loss of HSC population within the placental labyrinth and is associated with defective placental angiogenesis. Interestingly, we also found that this TGC-specific GATA factor-loss leads to impaired differentiation and distribution of trophoblast progenitor cells. Our study helps to define the GATA-dependent non-autonomous signaling mechanisms of the primary parietal trophoblast giant cells by which it regulates the delicate hematopoietic-angiogenic balance in the developing placenta.
Chemical genetics strategy to profile kinase target engagement reveals role of FES in neutrophil phagocytosis via SYK activation
Authors: van der Wel Tom , Hilhorst Riet , den Dulk Hans , van den Hooven Tim , Prins Nienke M. , Wijnakker Joost A.P.M. , Florea Bogdan I. , Lenselink Eelke B. , van Westen Gerard J.P. , Ruijtenbeek Rob , Overkleeft Herman S. , Kaptein Allard , Barf Tjeerd , van der Stelt Mario 
Published: November 2019

AbstractChemical tools and methods that report on target engagement of endogenously expressed protein kinases by small molecules in human cells are highly desirable. Here, we describe a chemical genetics strategy that allows the study of non-receptor tyrosine kinase FES, a promising therapeutic target for cancer and immune disorders. Precise gene editing was used in combination with a rationally designed, complementary fluorescent probe to visualize endogenous FES kinase in HL-60 cells. We replaced a single oxygen atom by a sulphur in a serine residue at the DFG-1 position of the ATP-binding pocket in an endogenously expressed kinase, thereby sensitizing the engineered protein towards covalent labeling and inactivation by a fluorescent probe. The temporal control offered by this strategy allows acute inactivation of FES activity both during myeloid differentiation and in terminally differentiated neutrophils. Our results show that FES activity is dispensable for differentiation of HL-60 cells towards macrophages. Instead, FES plays a key role in neutrophil phagocytosis by activation of SYK kinase, a central regulator of immune function in neutrophils. This strategy holds promise as a target validation method for kinases.
Examining a synchrotron-based approach forin situanalyses of Al speciation in plant roots
Authors: Li Zhigen , Wang Peng , Menzies Neal W. , McKenna Brigid A. , Karunakaran Chithra , Dynes James J. , Arthur Zachary , Liu Na , Zuin Lucia , Wang Dongniu , Kopittke Peter M. 
Published: November 2019

Aluminium (Al)K- andL-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) has been used to examine Al speciation in minerals but it remains unclear whether it is suitable forin situanalyses of Al speciation within plants. The XANES analyses for nine standard compounds and root tissues from soybean (Glycine max), buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum), and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) were conductedin situ. It was found thatK-edge XANES is suitable for differentiating between tetrahedral coordination (peak of 1566 eV) and octahedral coordination (peak of 1568 to 1571 eV) Al, but not suitable for separating Al binding to some of the common physiologically relevant compounds in plant tissues. The AlL-edge XANES, which is more sensitive to changes in the chemical environment, was then examined. However, the poorer detection limit for analyses prevented differentiation of the Al forms in the plant tissues because of their comparatively low Al concentration. Where forms of Al differ markedly,K-edge analyses are likely to be of value for the examination of Al speciation in plant tissues. However, the apparent inability of AlK-edge XANES to differentiate between some of the physiologically relevant forms of Al may potentially limit its application within plant tissues, as does the poorer sensitivity at theL-edge.
Making the case for the UK’s drone capability: public relations as a carrier of strategic culture
Authors: Thompson Gareth 
Published: November 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to offer critical analysis of how public relations (PR) were used to justify the use of drones by the UK Government, through the promotion of a distinct strategic culture. The paper locates governmental PR discourse on drones in the UK since 2013 within the strategic culture associated with the global war on terror.Design/methodology/approachThe project was based upon critical discourse analysis of the UK governmental PR on drones since 2013, examining press releases, opinion articles by ministers, media relations content, parliamentary statements, news content and other related materials.FindingsThe analysis led to five discursive themes of persuasive intent in relation to drones being identified, most of which were notably similar to the US governmental discourse on drone policy and deployment.Originality/valueThe project contributes a novel interdisciplinary synthesis of the communicative aspects of international relations as theorised in the field of strategic culture with the cultural aspects of the state-level PR in order to explain how PR was used to promote and diffuse a strategic culture in which drones are assumed to be the counter-terrorism measure of choice. The conclusion is that governmental PR discourse combines aspects of colonialism with focus on superior technology, remote control and precision of weapons, generating a military and communicative logic that overwhelms the voices of victims and impedes meaningful discussion on the reality of suffering caused by drone deployments.
Are international small business owners really that different?
Authors: Gundlach Sarah , Sammartino Andre 
Published: November 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of individual traits and attributes on the entrepreneurial and internationalization actions of Australian businesswomen, many of whom run small businesses.Design/methodology/approachThis study is exploratory and quantitative, based on a questionnaire survey of 323 Australian businesswomen. Drawing upon the extant literature on internationalization, gender and entrepreneurship, the study explores two micro-foundational relationships of interest – personality and capability assessment differences between female business owners and their employed counterparts, and the impact of such traits and assessments on their internationalization. A further question is explored in terms of any differentials in perceptions of barriers in internationalization.FindingsThe findings show key personality dimensions do not differ dramatically between Australian businesswomen working in their own businesses (i.e. entrepreneurs) or as employees in organizations, while there are surprisingly few differences between women who are engaged internationally and those yet to do so. When comparing the female entrepreneurs and employees, in particular, the findings around tolerance for ambiguity and management efficacy are notably counterintuitive. This leads to the development of testable propositions to refine the causal claims in this domain.Practical implicationsThe study calls into question the distinctiveness of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial endeavors, at least for female businesswomen.Originality/valueBy including entrepreneurs and employees, women who have engaged internationally and those that are yet to do so, the study avoids some of the potential self-selection and confirmation biases inherent in studies of only entrepreneurs or small business owners. The investigation of individual traits, attributes and experiences as micro-foundations for internationalization motivations challenges existing theories of small business expansion.