bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elucidation of demographic, clinical and trichoscopic features for early diagnosis of self‐healing acute diffuse and total alopecia
Authors: Fukuyama Masahiro , Kinoshita‐Ise Misaki , Sato Yohei , Ohyama Manabu 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe term “acute diffuse and total alopecia” (ADTA) has been often used as a synonym for self‐regressing severe alopecia areata (AA). However, ADTA is originally defined as a rapidly‐progressive subtype of AA (RP‐AA) with short recovery time and favorable prognosis irrespective of interventions. Indeed, a subpopulation of ADTA recovers spontaneously. We focused on this unique subset of AA, which we coined as “self‐healing ADTA” (sADTA). Prompt and accurate differentiation of sADTA from other RP‐AA is important to avoid unnecessary treatments, which is still challenging due to the lack of predictive diagnostic hallmarks. In this study, 18 sADTA patients were retrospectively analyzed to delineate their demographics and clinical features, including gentle hair pull test and trichoscopic findings, followed by statistical comparison with those of RP‐AA. All sADTA cases were female and the average age was 38.1 ± 15.9 years. The progression of hair loss areas peaked at 3.6 ± 1.5 months, and complete hair regrowth was achieved in 7.9 ± 1.7 months. The identified factors supporting the diagnosis of sADTA included being female; the absence of scalp pain and itch; the absence of extra‐scalp hair loss; club hair predominance in hair pull test; predominant short vellus hairs; and increase in vacant follicular ostia on trichoscopy. Subsequently, a scoring system for early diagnosis of sADTA was developed by counting the number of six identified factors present in a tested case. When analyzed by the developed system, all sADTA cases, including an additional four cases, had scores of 4 or above, while all RP‐AA cases had scores below 3 except one case. Therefore, the system successfully differentiated sADTA from RP‐AA (P < 0.01). Despite some technical limitations, the current study suggested that sADTA is a distinctive entity with unique pathophysiology and that early diagnosis before intervention is feasible based on the characteristics.
Hypoxia‐induced lncRNA ANRIL promotes cisplatin resistance in retinoblastoma cells through regulating ABCG2 expression
Authors: Yin Xiaolong , Liao Yujun , Xiong Weiwei , Zhang Yuezhi , Zhou Yue , Yang Yang 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCisplatin (DDP) resistance limits its efficacy for retinoblastoma (Rb). Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) has been shown to contribute to chemotherapy resistance in tumours under hypoxic conditions. This study was designed to explore the role and mechanism of long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) antisense non‐coding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) in regulating DDP resistance in Rb cells under hypoxia and to validate whether HIF‐1α was involved in this process. The interaction between HIF‐1α and the promoter of ANRIL was analyzed using ChIP assay. Cell proliferation and apoptosis, as well as protein levels of drug resistance‐related proteins (ABCG2 and MDR1) were examined to evaluate DDP resistance in Rb cells. The interactions between miR‐328 and ANRIL as well as miR‐328 and ABCG2 were analyzed using dual‐luciferase reporter assays. Upon hypoxia, HIF‐1α directly bound to the ANRIL promoter region to transcriptionally activate ANRIL. The hypoxia‐induced ANRIL promoted Rb cell resistance to DDP, as evidenced by facilitation of cell proliferation, inhibition of cell apoptosis and upregulation of ABCG2 and MDR1. Mechanistically, ANRIL promoted Rb cell resistance to DDP by acting as a sponge of miR‐328 to upregulate expression of ABCG2, which was confirmed as a direct target of miR‐328. Collectively, hypoxia‐induced ANRIL promotes DDP resistance in Rb cells by sponging miR‐328 to upregulate ABCG2 expression.
Why do street‐level bureaucrats risk themselves for others? The case of Israeli police officers
Authors: Cohen Nissim , Golan‐Nadir Niva 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWhat factors influence police officers’ willingness to risk themselves for others? Police officers are street‐level bureaucrats, who are not only given the mandate to use deadly force in order to keep public order but also risk their most important resource – their lives – to protect society. We suggest three factors that prompt police officers to risk their lives: individual characteristics (a desire to gain respect and recognition, and testing one's courage, ideology, and personality), organizational conditions (expectations of peers and supervisors, promotion opportunities), and environmental context (a hostile working environment and the importance of public opinion to them). Using an abductive approach combined with a triangulated qualitative method, our findings indicate that personal characteristics are indeed important, but so too are organizational conditions and environmental context. The practical insight, therefore, is that decision makers ‘can’, in various formal and informal ways, influence street‐level bureaucrats’ behaviour. Here, the interactions among managers, workers, and clients are a crucial element.
Chronic hepatitis B infection and the risk of gestational diabetes: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Giles ML , Davey M‐A , Wallace EM 
Published: March 2020

ObjectiveAn estimated two billion people worldwide live with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Many of these are women of reproductive age. Studies that have examined pregnancy outcomes in women living with HBV have reported conflicting results in relation to the incidence of gestational diabetes (GDM). The aim of this study is to examine if gestational diabetes is more common in women with chronic HBV residing in a non‐Asian country.DesignCross‐sectional study.SettingVictoria, Australia.PopulationAll singleton births between 2009 and 2017.MethodsPoisson regression was performed to determine whether gestational diabetes is more common in women with HBV than in women without HBV taking into account other risk factors such as maternal age, body mass index (BMI), parity and country of birth.Main outcome measureGestational diabetes diagnosis in women with chronic HBV infection.ResultsFor women with HBV, the unadjusted incidence risk ratio for GDM was 1.75 (95% CI 1.6–1.9). After adjusting for region of birth, BMI, parity, age and smoking, the adjusted incidence risk ratio was 1.2 (95% CI 1.1–1.3). The highest incidence (37.1%) of GDM was in women with HBV and a BMI of >40.ConclusionsThe findings from this study confirm an association between HBV and GDM.Tweetable abstractHBV is associated with GDM with an incidence risk ratio for GDM of 1.75 (95% CI 1.6–1.9).
Methodologies Applied to Fingerprint Analysis
Authors: González Marina , Gorziza Roberta Petry , de Cássia Mariotti Kristiane , Pereira Limberger Renata 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis systematic review deals with the last 10 years of research in analytical methodologies for the analysis of fingerprints, regarding their chemical and biological constituents. A total of 123 manuscripts, which fit the search criteria defined using the descriptor “latent fingermarks analysis,” were selected. Its main instrumental areas (mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, and innovative methods) were analyzed and summarized in a specific table, highlighting its main analytical parameters. The results show that most studies in this field use mass spectrometry to identify the constituents of fingerprints, both to determine the chemical profile and for aging. There is also a marked use of mass spectrometry coupled with chromatographic methods, and it provides accurate results for a fatty acid profile. Additional significant results are achieved by spectroscopic methods, mainly Raman and infrared. It is noteworthy that spectroscopic methods using microscopy assist in the accuracy of the analyzed region of the fingerprint, contributing to more robust results. There was also a significant increase in studies using methods focused on finding new developers or identifying components present in fingerprints by rapid tests. This systematic review of analytical techniques applied to the detection of fingerprints explores different approaches to contribute to future studies in forensic identification, verifying new demands in the forensic sciences and assisting in the selection of studies for the progress of research.
An Experiment in Making Water Affordable: Philadelphia’s Tiered Assistance Program (TAP)
Authors: Mack Elizabeth A. , Wrase Sarah , Dahme Joanne , Crosby Susan M. , Davis Martha , Wright Melody , Muhammad Ravonne 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe ability to pay for water and wastewater services is a growing issue in the developed world. To this point in time, utilities have helped customers grappling with affordability issues using different types of customer assistance programs (CAPs). Income‐based billing approaches differ from CAPs in that bills are structured so as to be affordable for customers at the outset. Recently, the City of Philadelphia implemented an innovative program to work towards resolving the affordability problem in their city using income‐based billing. This tiered assistance program or TAP structures bills for water, wastewater, and stormwater services to program enrollees’ income. Given the innovative nature of the program, this paper describes the rollout of TAP and assesses the impact of the program on customers and utility revenues. The paper closes with a critical assessment of TAP and considerations for utilities evaluating the implementation of similar programs.
Effective Transboundary Aquifer Areas: An Approach for Transboundary Groundwater Management
Authors: Sanchez Rosario , Rodriguez Laura , Tortajada Cecilia 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe natural complexity, heterogeneity, and extent of transboundary aquifers around the world, have led to controversy over which method or criteria should be used to identify and delineate their boundaries. Currently, there is no standard methodology that aquifer‐sharing countries can use to delineate the area of a transboundary aquifer. In the case of Mexico and Texas, Mexico uses administrative boundaries, whereas Texas uses geological boundaries. This paper proposes a method for delineation and prioritization of aquifers (or aquifer areas) called effective transboundary aquifer areas (ETAAs), which uses a combination of physical criteria (geological boundaries, topography, and hydrography) and the location and density of active water wells in the borderland between Mexico and Texas. This method identifies the area of priority (productivity area) in the aquifer using pumping patterns or hot spots regardless of the aquifer’s surficial geological limits, therefore offering a more effective, local and practical management option at the transboundary level. Different geological features or pumping patterns will have different sizes and locations of ETAAs within the same aquifer. In West Texas, which is dominated by bolsons, the method produces limited options for ETAAs, whereas in South Texas in the easternmost border the identified ETAAs are more significant.
Predictors of positive bone cultures from CT‐guided bone biopsies performed for suspected osteomyelitis
Authors: Lee Harrison T. , Sebro Ronnie 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIntroductionBone biopsies are often used to direct antibiotic choice in patients with suspected osteomyelitis. The aim of this study was to identify the best predictors of positive bone biopsy cultures.MethodsA retrospective review of 845 patients who underwent computed tomography (CT)‐guided non‐spine bone biopsies at a tertiary academic healthcare institution. Thirty‐seven patients (4.4%) had biopsies performed for suspected osteomyelitis. Laboratory markers, as well as imaging features, were measured. t‐Tests and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare clinical and demographic variables between patients with positive bone cultures and patients with negative bone cultures. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the best predictors of bone culture positivity.ResultsAll patients had negative blood cultures; however, only eight patients (21.6%) had positive bone cultures, with Staphyloccocus the most common organism. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that an open wound (OR = 14.00, 95% CI (1.74, 112.4), p = 0.013) and any fluid aspirated at the time of biopsy (OR = 10.50, 95% CI (1.21, 91.01), p = 0.033) were the best predictors of bone culture positivity. The area under the curve (AUC) for this multivariable model was 0.784 with sensitivity and specificity of 0.778 and 0.778, respectively. Interestingly, and contrary to popular belief, open wounds with exposed bone did not always yield positive bone cultures, and when cultures were positive, were not polymicrobial.ConclusionsAspiration of fluid at the time of biopsy and the presence of an open wound are the best predictors of positive bone cultures.
Is prospective MRI mapping of the changes in the volume of the prostate gland in prostate cancer patients undergoing 6 months of neo‐adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy a step towards a trial to determine those who may benefit from treatment intensification or extended duration?
Authors: Christie David RH , Sharpley Christopher F , Mitina Natalia , MacAteer Eamonn , Jackson James E , Lunn Dominic 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIntroductionNeo‐adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy prior to radiotherapy (RT) causes shrinkage of the prostate gland, but the changes in volume have never been mapped over time in detail, nor have the associations between volume reduction and testosterone escape or prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) kinetics been determined.MethodsFifty consecutive patients with prostate cancer were treated with 6 months of triptorelin prior to definitive RT. The volume of the prostate gland was measured at the outset and every 6–7 weeks thereafter using MRI scans. The volumes were calculated using a planimetric method, and inter‐rater reliability was checked. Factors associated with a large initial volume and greater reductions in it were assessed.ResultsThe median volume at the outset was 45 cc, and the median reductions every 6 weeks thereafter were 23, 18, 9 and 5%. The inter‐rater agreement was high (r > 0.9, P < 0.001). There were no baseline clinical factors associated with a high initial prostate volume, but the initial volume was associated with greater volume reduction. Testosterone escape had no effect on the reduction, and changes in volume were not reflected in PSA response kinetics.ConclusionsReductions in volume continue throughout a 6‐month course of neo‐adjuvant therapy but are greatest during the first 6 weeks. Although individualisation of the duration or intensity of the hormone treatment warrants further investigation, the role of prostate gland volume reduction remains uncertain. More detailed studies of tumour volume might be possible if the imaging required was acceptable and accessible to patients.
Blood biomarker levels of methylation capacity in autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Guo Bao‐Qiang , Ding Shi‐Bin , Li Hong‐Bin 
Published: March 2020

ObjectiveTo compare the peripheral blood levels of methionine (Met), S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM), S‐adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), and the SAM/SAH ratio (the most core and predictive indices of cellular methylation ability) between patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and control subjects.MethodsPubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to August 2, 2019, without language restriction. The random‐effects model was used to summarize effect sizes.ResultsWe retrieved 1,493 records, of which 22 studies met inclusion criteria. Our overall analyses revealed that individuals with ASD had significantly decreased levels of Met (22 studies; Hedges’ g = −0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.89, −0.35), SAM (8 studies; Hedges’ g = −0.60; 95% CI: −0.86, −0.34), and the SAM/SAH ratio (8 studies; Hedges’ g = −0.98; 95% CI: −1.30, −0.66) and significantly increased levels of SAH (8 studies; Hedges’ g = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.94). The findings of the overall analyses were quite stable after being verified by sensitivity analyses and in agreement with the corresponding outcomes of subgroup analyses. Additionally, our results from meta‐analytic techniques confirmed that the effect estimates of this meta‐analysis did not originate from publication bias.ConclusionIndividuals with ASD have substantially aberrant peripheral blood levels of Met, SAM, SAH, and the SAM/SAH ratio, which supports the association between impaired methylation capacity and ASD. Therefore, further investigations into these indices as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic targets of ASD are warranted.
Surgical management of symptomatic right‐sided Bochdalek hernias in adults: when is a minimally invasive approach appropriate?
Authors: Lau Ngee‐Soon , Crawford Michael , Sandroussi Charbel 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundRight‐sided Bochdalek hernias are uncommon congenital diaphragmatic hernias that can be challenging to manage because they can contain bowel, omentum, kidney or liver.MethodsWe describe our experience at a single centre and integrate this with all reported cases in the literature to evaluate how this rare problem has been managed and when a minimally invasive approach is appropriate.ResultsA total of 31 patients were identified, four patients from our institution and 27 case reports from the literature. A minimally invasive approach was utilized in 15 of 31 patients (including two of four at our institution) and was more common if the operation was performed in the elective setting (10/12 versus 4/19). If a bowel resection was required, an open approach was more common (9/17 versus 1/14). The commonest method of repair was a primary suture repair (18/31), and the mesh was used in 13 cases, particularly in the elective setting (9/12 versus 4/19).ConclusionRight‐sided Bochdalek hernias are an uncommon and challenging problem. These hernias can contain bowel, kidney and even liver but can still be successfully repaired using minimally invasive techniques, especially in the elective setting and when an emergency bowel resection is not required.
Validation of the 34‐week gestation as definition of late onset preeclampsia: Testing different cutoffs from 30 to 37 weeks on a population‐based cohort of 1700 preeclamptics
Authors: Robillard Pierre‐Yves , Dekker Gustaaf , Scioscia Marco , Bonsante Francesco , Iacobelli Silvia , Boukerrou Malik , Hulsey Thomas C. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIntroductionEarly onset preeclampsia (EOP) and late onset preeclampsia (LOP) have been differentiated with a cut‐point of ≤34 weeks. This classical definition has never been examined with respect to maternal characteristics by different gestational age cut‐points. We examined maternal characteristics in a population‐based cohort of 1736 preeclamptic deliveries at different gestational age cut‐points from 30 to 37 weeks (CO30 to CO37).Material and methodsEighteen‐year observational population‐based historical cohort study (2001‐2018). All consecutive births delivered at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Hospitalier Sud Reunion’s maternity. Standardized epidemiological perinatal database.ResultsThe incidence of EOP was lower in adolescents (1.8% vs 3.5%, odds ratio [OR] 0.50, P = .17). Conversely, the odds of LOP was increased for women over 35, beginning at C030 (OR 1.13, P = .02) and this effect (OR = 1.2) was still detectable at C037 (P = .06). Among primigravid women, the incidence of EOP was lower than LOP (OR ranging from 0.71 to 0.82 for different CO). Conversely, the incidence of LOP was higher (adjusted OR about 2.7 [CO30‐CO34] with a rise to 3.3 at CO37 (P < .001). Women with EOP had a lower body mass index (BMI) as compared with LOP at CO34 and CO37. The adjusted OR (per 5 kg/m2 increment) declined from 1.06 to 1.03 from CO30 to C037 in EOP women. Conversely, for LOP, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) increased from 1.04 to 1.06 from CO30 to CO37 (P < .001). Gestational diabetes mellitus was not associated with LOP at any cut‐off (aOR 1.07, NS) but was protective against EOP from CO30 to CO34 (aOR 0.42, 0.61 and 0.73, respectively, P < .001). This protective effect disappeared at CO37. Chronic hypertension and history of preeclampsia were both EOP and LOP risks but with a much stronger effect for EOP (chronic hypertension: aOR 6.0‐6.5, history of preeclampsia: aOR 12‐17).ConclusionsThe 34th week of gestation appears to provide a reasonable cut‐point to differentiate between EOP and LOP. Additional research is needed to better describe the possible differences in the pathophysiology of these different phenotypes.
Physical Activity Promotion Message Perceptions Biased by Motivational Dispositions
Authors: Wilson Kathryn E. , Estabrooks Paul A. 
Published: March 2020

BackgroundThe delivery of physical activity (PA) promotion messages is an important component of any PA intervention. Gain‐framed messages appear beneficial for prevention (rather than detection) behaviors such as PA, but the effects are small and inconsistent. It is possible that these effects are moderated by motivational traits, but this has not been systematically tested in the context of PA promotion messages. This study tested whether motivational traits interact with message features to influence basic subjective perceptions of a standardised set of very brief PA promotion statements.MethodsFifteen statements were developed across five conditions, manipulated according to frame and kernel state. Participants (n = 800) rated statement content using semantic differential scales reflecting perceived gains/losses, costs/benefits, and positive/negative outcomes. Traits and PA were measured by survey.ResultsStructural equation models revealed that ratings of gain‐framed statements were positively related to approach motivation, and ratings of loss‐framed statements were negatively related to avoidance motivation.ConclusionsObservations support the presence of a congruency effect of motivational traits and message frame on basic perceptions of message content. Future studies should test the impact of these biases on indices of persuasion (attitude and intention) as well as intervention reach and effectiveness.
Measurable residual disease assessment by qPCR in peripheral blood is an informative tool for disease surveillance in childhood acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Juul‐Dam Kristian Løvvik , Ommen Hans B. , Nyvold Charlotte G. , Walter Christiane , Vålerhaugen Helen , Kairisto Veli , Abrahamsson Jonas , Alm Sofie J. , Jahnukainen Kirsi , Lausen Birgitte , Reinhardt Dirk , Zeller Bernward , von Neuhoff Nils , Fogelstrand Linda , Hasle Henrik 
Published: March 2020

SummarySerial assessments of measurable (or minimal) residual disease (MRD) by qPCR may identify nascent relapse in children with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and enable pre‐emptive therapy. We investigated the kinetics and prognostic impact of recurrent fusion transcripts (RUNX1‐RUNX1T1, CBFB‐MYH11, KMT2A‐MLLT3 or KMT2A‐ELL) in 774 post‐induction samples from bone marrow (BM, 347) and peripheral blood (PB, 427) from 75 children with AML. BM MRD persistence during consolidation did not increase the risk of relapse, and MRD at therapy completion did not correlate to outcome (HR = 0·64/MRD log reduction (CI: 0·32–1·26), P = 0·19). In contrast, 8/8 patients with detectable MRD in PB after first consolidation relapsed. Persistence (n = 4) and shifting from negative to positive (n = 10) in PB during follow‐up predicted relapse in 14/14 patients. All 253 PB samples collected during follow‐up from 36 patients in continuous complete remission were MRD negative. In core‐binding factor AML, persistent low‐level MRD positivity in BM during follow‐up was frequent but an increment to above 5 × 10−4 heralded subsequent haematological relapse in 12/12 patients. We demonstrate that MRD monitoring in PB after induction therapy is highly informative and propose an MRD increment above 5 × 10−4 in PB and BM as a definition of molecular relapse since it always leads to haematological relapse.