bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utility of the simplified measurements of muscle mass in patients with gastrointestinal and chronic liver diseases
Authors: Takada Hitomi , Amemiya Fumitake , Yasumura Tomoki , Yoda Hiroki , Okuwaki Tetsuya , Tanaka Keisuke , Kadokura Makoto , Enomoto Nobuyuki 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSarcopenia is an important prognostic factor in patients with gastrointestinal and chronic liver diseases. Computed tomography and bioelectrical impedance analysis are the gold standards for measuring skeletal muscle mass for the diagnosis of decreased muscle mass, but there are some institutions where BIA and CT cannot be carried out. We evaluated the utility of simplified methods for measuring muscle mass; the psoas muscle mass index (PMI) method, simple PMI method, and arm muscle area (AMA) method. This retrospective study included 331 patients with gastrointestinal diseases and 81 patients with chronic liver diseases who were admitted from June 2018 to December 2019 at Municipal Hospital of Kofu. The skeletal muscle mass was measured using the PMI via the volume analyzer SYNAPSE VINCENT ver3.0, simple PMI based on CT imaging, and AMA method. Positive correlations were found between muscle mass measured by PMI and simple PMI, PMI and AMA, and simple PMI and AMA in patients with gastrointestinal diseases (correlation coefficients = 0.76, 0.57, 0.47, respectively, p < 0.001). Positive correlations were observed between muscle mass measured by PMI and simple PMI, PMI and AMA, and simple PMI and AMA in chronic liver diseases (correlation coefficients = 0.77, 0.53, 0.45, respectively, p < 0.001). Measurement of muscle mass by the AMA method showed some correlation with the PMI method. Measurement of muscle mass by the simple PMI method showed correlation with the PMI method. These simplified methods can be alternative methods of evaluating muscle mass in patients with gastrointestinal and chronic liver disease.
Macrophages—the immune effector guardians of the lung: impact of corticosteroids on their functional responses
Authors: van Eeden Stephan F. , Akata Kentaro 
Published: July 2020

AbstractLung macrophages (LMs) are key immune effector cells that protect the lung from inhaled particulate matter, noxious gases and pathogens. In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), there is an abundance of macrophages in airspaces and lung tissues suggesting that they play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Furthermore, macrophage phenotype and functional properties are altered in COPD toward a more pro-inflammatory state, characterized by reduced pathogen recognition and processing ability and dysfunctional tissue repair qualities. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs), used in the management of COPD, has been shown to reduce acute exacerbations of COPD but is also associated with increased occurrence of pneumonia. Corticosteroids treatment altered LM phenotypic characteristics and their functional properties, and this commentary discusses current knowledge and also the gaps in our understanding of the impact of ICS on LMs phenotype and function. A better understanding of how ICSs impact the immune-inflammatory responses in the lung, in particular ICSs’ effects on LMs, could allow more selective personalized tailoring of the use of ICSs in COPD to improve disease progression, morbidity and mortality.
Potential role of diacylglycerol kinases in immune-mediated diseases
Authors: Baldanzi Gianluca , Ragnoli Beatrice , Malerba Mario 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe mechanism promoting exacerbated immune responses in allergy and autoimmunity as well as those blunting the immune control of cancer cells are of primary interest in medicine. Diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs) are key modulators of signal transduction, which blunt diacylglycerol (DAG) signals and produce phosphatidic acid (PA). By modulating lipid second messengers, DGK modulate the activity of downstream signaling proteins, vesicle trafficking and membrane shape. The biological role of the DGK α and ζ isoforms in immune cells differentiation and effector function was subjected to in deep investigations. DGK α and ζ resulted in negatively regulating synergistic way basal and receptor induced DAG signals in T cells as well as leukocytes. In this way, they contributed to keep under control the immune response but also downmodulate immune response against tumors. Alteration in DGKα activity is also implicated in the pathogenesis of genetic perturbations of the immune function such as the X-linked lymphoproliferative disease 1 and localized juvenile periodontitis. These findings suggested a participation of DGK to the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying several immune-mediated diseases and prompted several researches aiming to target DGK with pharmacologic and molecular strategies. Those findings are discussed inhere together with experimental applications in tumors as well as in other immune-mediated diseases such as asthma.
The Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) spectral library
Authors: Morelli L. , Ivanov V. D. , Pizzella A. , Gasparri D. , Coccato L. , Corsini E. M. , Dalla Bontà E. , François P. , Cesetti M. 
Published: July 2020

Context. Stellar population studies in the infrared (IR) wavelength range have two main advantages with respect to the optical regime: they probe different populations, because most of the light in the IR comes from redder and generally older stars, and they allow us to see through dust because IR light is less affected by extinction. Unfortunately, IR modeling work was halted by the lack of adequate stellar libraries, but this has changed in the recent years.
Aims. Our project investigates the sensitivity of various spectral features in the 1−5 μm wavelength range to the physical properties of stars (Teff, [Fe/H], log g) and aims to objectively define spectral indices that can characterize the age and metallicity of unresolved stellar populations.
Methods. We implemented a method that uses derivatives of the indices as functions of Teff, [Fe/H] or log g across the entire available wavelength range to reveal the most sensitive indices to these parameters and the ranges in which these indices work.
Results. Here, we complement the previous work in the I and K bands, reporting a new system of 14, 12, 22, and 12 indices for Y, J, H, and L atmospheric windows, respectively, and describe their behavior. We list the equivalent widths of these indices for the Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) spectral library stars.
Conclusions. Our analysis indicates that features sensitive to the effective temperature are present and measurable in all the investigated atmospheric windows at the spectral resolution and in the metallicity range of the IRTF library for a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 20−30. The surface gravity is more challenging and only indices in the H and J windows are best suited for this. The metallicity range of the stars with available spectra is too narrow to search for suitable diagnostics. For the spectra of unresolved galaxies, the defined indices are valuable tools in tracing the properties of the stars in the IR-dominant stellar populations.
A surprise in the updated list of stellar perturbers of long-period comet motion
Authors: Wysoczańska Rita , Dybczyński Piotr A. , Polińska Magdalena 
Published: July 2020

Context. The second Gaia data release (Gaia DR2) provided us with the precise five-parameter astrometry for 1.3 billion of sources. As stars passing close to the Solar System are thought to influence the dynamical history of long-period comets, we update and extend the list of stars that could potentially perturb the motion of these comets.
Aims. We announce a publicly available database containing an up-to-date list of stars and stellar systems potentially perturbing the motion of long-period comets. We add new objects and revise previously published lists. Special emphasis is placed on stellar systems. A discussion of mass estimation is included.
Methods. Using the astrometry, preferably from Gaia DR2, augmented with data from other sources, we calculate nominal spatial positions and velocities for each star. To filter studied objects on the basis of their nominal minimum heliocentric distances we numerically integrate the motion of stars under the Galactic potential and their mutual interactions.
Results. We announce the updated list of stellar perturbers of cometary motion, including the masses of perturbers along with the publicly available database interface. These data are ready to be used with the observed long-period comets orbits to study an individual influence of a whole sample of perturbers, or specific stars, on a dynamical past or future of a specific comet. New potential perturbers were added; there are 138 more than in the previously published sources.
Conclusions. We demonstrate that a new set of prospective perturbers is an important tool in studies of cometary dynamics. The use of our data changes the results of the past and future cometary motion analysis. We point out a puzzling object in our list, star ALS 9243. The Gaia DR2 astrometry suggests a very close encounter of this star with the Sun; however, its astrophysical parameters result in a completely different current distance of ALS 9243 and its high mass.
GJ 273: on the formation, dynamical evolution, and habitability of a planetary system hosted by an M dwarf at 3.75 parsec
Authors: Pozuelos Francisco J. , Suárez Juan C. , de Elía Gonzalo C. , Berdiñas Zaira M. , Bonfanti Andrea , Dugaro Agustín , Gillon Michaël , Jehin Emmanuël , Günther Maximilian N. , Van Grootel Valérie , Garcia Lionel J. , Thuillier Antoine , Delrez Laetitia , Rodón Jose R. 
Published: July 2020

Context.Planets orbiting low-mass stars such as M dwarfs are now considered a cornerstone in the search for planets with the potential to harbour life. GJ 273 is a planetary system orbiting an M dwarf only 3.75 pc away, which is composed of two confirmed planets, GJ 273b and GJ 273c, and two promising candidates, GJ 273d and GJ 273e. Planet GJ 273b resides in the habitable zone. Currently, due to a lack of observed planetary transits, only the minimum masses of the planets are known:Mbsinib= 2.89M⊕,Mcsinic= 1.18M⊕,Mdsinid= 10.80M⊕, andMesinie= 9.30M⊕. Despite its interesting character, the GJ 273 planetary system has been poorly studied thus far.Aims.We aim to precisely determine the physical parameters of the individual planets, in particular, to break the mass–inclination degeneracy to accurately determine the mass of the planets. Moreover, we present a thorough characterisation of planet GJ 273b in terms of its potential habitability.Methods.First, we explored the planetary formation and hydration phases of GJ 273 during the first 100 Myr. Secondly, we analysed the stability of the system by considering both the two- and four-planet configurations. We then performed a comparative analysis between GJ 273 and the Solar System and we searched for regions in GJ 273 which may harbour minor bodies in stable orbits, that is, the main asteroid belt and Kuiper belt analogues.Results.From our set of dynamical studies, we find that the four-planet configuration of the system allows us to break the mass–inclination degeneracy. From our modelling results, the masses of the planets are unveiled as: 2.89 ≤Mb≤ 3.03M⊕, 1.18 ≤Mc≤ 1.24M⊕, 10.80 ≤Md≤ 11.35M⊕, and 9.30 ≤Me≤ 9.70M⊕. These results point to a system that is likely to be composed of an Earth-mass planet, a super-Earth and two mini-Neptunes. Based on planetary formation models, we determine that GJ 273b is likely an efficient water captor while GJ 273c is probably a dry planet. We find that the system may have several stable regions where minor bodies might reside. Collectively, these results are used to offer a comprehensive discussion about the habitability of GJ 273b.
The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs
Authors: Baroch D. , Morales J. C. , Ribas I. , Herrero E. , Rosich A. , Perger M. , Anglada-Escudé G. , Reiners A. , Caballero J. A. , Quirrenbach A. , Amado P. J. , Jeffers S. V. , Cifuentes C. , Passegger V. M. , Schweitzer A. , Lafarga M. , Bauer F. F. , Béjar V. J. S. , Colomé J. , Cortés-Contreras M. , Dreizler S. , Galadí-Enríquez D. , Hatzes A. P. , Henning Th. , Kaminski A. , Kürster M. , Montes D. , Rodríguez-López C. , Zechmeister M. 
Published: July 2020

Context. Variability caused by stellar activity represents a challenge to the discovery and characterization of terrestrial exoplanets and complicates the interpretation of atmospheric planetary signals.
Aims. We aim to use a detailed modeling tool to reproduce the effect of active regions on radial velocity measurements, which aids the identification of the key parameters that have an impact on the induced variability.
Methods. We analyzed the effect of stellar activity on radial velocities as a function of wavelength by simulating the impact of the properties of spots, shifts induced by convective motions, and rotation. We focused our modeling effort on the active star YZ CMi (GJ 285), which was photometrically and spectroscopically monitored with CARMENES and the Telescopi Joan Oró.
Results. We demonstrate that radial velocity curves at different wavelengths yield determinations of key properties of active regions, including spot-filling factor, temperature contrast, and location, thus solving the degeneracy between them. Most notably, our model is also sensitive to convective motions. Results indicate a reduced convective shift for M dwarfs when compared to solar-type stars (in agreement with theoretical extrapolations) and points to a small global convective redshift instead of blueshift.
Conclusions. Using a novel approach based on simultaneous chromatic radial velocities and light curves, we can set strong constraints on stellar activity, including an elusive parameter such as the net convective motion effect.
In Vitro Assessment of Homeopathic Potencies of Hydrastis canadensis on Hormone-Dependent and Independent Breast Cancer
Authors: Khan Sabiha , Nayak Debadatta , Khurana Anil , Manchanda Raj Kumar , Tandon Chanderdeep , Tandon Simran 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Conventional treatment such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiotherapy has decreased the mortality rate among cancer patients but has also revealed long-term side effects. Drug resistance and toxicity to normal cells compound the problems associated with the use of modern medicines. Hence, complementary or alternative treatment options are being explored. The current study, using different homeopathic potencies of Hydrastis canadensis, was conducted to distinguish between any effects they might have on hormone-dependent and independent breast cancer.
Materials and Methods The cytotoxic effect of homeopathic medicine Hydrastis on hormone-dependent (MCF 7) and hormone-independent (MDA-MB-468) breast cancer cells was assessed using viability and colony-forming assays after 48 or 72 hours of treatment. Flow cytometry-based Annexin V-PI (propidium iodide), caspase 3 and cell cycle analysis was performed following treatment of cells with mother tincture or various potencies of Hydrastis (1C, 2C, 30C, 200C).
Results Different potencies of Hydrastis displayed selective cytotoxic effects against MCF 7 cells, but only marginal effects against MDA-MB-468. The maximum cytotoxicity was established in the case of 1C following 72 hours of treatment. Treatment of breast cancer cells revealed an increase in the G0/G1 cell population, along with an increase in the caspase 3 levels and induction of apoptosis.
Conclusion Hydrastis may have a selective cytotoxic effect against hormone-dependent breast cancer MCF 7 cells, leading to cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, which could be the plausible reason for the induction of apoptosis. The results need to be validated in vivo.
Thlaspi bursa pastoris in Treatment of Urinary Stones: A Case Series
Authors: Nayak Chintamani , Sahoo Amulya Ratna , Nayak Chaturbhuja 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background Urinary stones are the most common cause of acute ureteral obstruction. The homeopathic medicine Thlaspi bursa pastoris (TBP) has many symptoms similar to the typical symptoms of urolithiasis, yet its clinical usefulness has not been well documented.
Patients In this study, the clinical symptoms of each of five patients, along with ultrasonographic evidence, were taken for the assessment of the outcome. TBP was prescribed in potency 30c and/or 200c to each patient on the basis of the main symptoms, typically dysuria, retention of urine and haematuria. Each case was followed for up to 6 months. Assessment of causal attribution of treatment effect was performed using the Modified Naranjo Criteria.
Results There was full recovery of all five patients and post-treatment ultrasonography showed no calculi remaining. The Modified Naranjo Criteria total score for each patient was either +8/13 or +9/13.
Conclusion TBP was observed to be effective in eliminating renal stones within a short span of time and without any complications.
Corticosteroid Use and Periodontal Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: Brasil-Oliveira Rebeca , Cruz Álvaro A. , Sarmento Viviane Almeida , Souza-Machado Adelmir , Lins-Kusterer Liliane 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPeriodontitis affects the teeth supporting structures, such as periodontal tissues. We aimed to evaluate the association between periodontal disease and corticosteroid use. We searched in MEDLINE, Web of Sciences, SCOPUS, LILACS, and Cochrane databases, using the descriptors “Periodontal diseases” AND (“adrenal cortex hormones” OR “adrenal cortex hormones” OR (“adrenal” AND “cortex” AND “hormones”) OR “adrenal cortex hormones” OR “corticosteroid”). We selected the summaries of observational studies, addressing periodontal disease in patients using corticosteroids. The search resulted in 403 articles. After applying the selection criteria, eight studies remained; being two retrospective cohorts and six cross-sectional studies. There are few studies with appropriate methodology to produce sound evidence about the causal relationship between the use of corticosteroids and periodontitis. However, two retrospective cohorts confirmed that chronic corticosteroid use is associated with the incidence of periodontal disease. Dental staff must be aware of this association for better management of periodontal disease therapy in patients using corticosteroids.
Measuring the mass-elite preference congruence: findings from a meta-analysis and introduction to the symposium
Authors: Shim Jaemin , Gherghina Sergiu 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe extensive scholarship devoted to the congruence of mass-elite policy preferences lacks consensus about the meaning, comparison, and measurement across political settings. This makes comparisons difficult and raises obstacles to advancing the debates. This symposium aims to identify the diversity of methodological choices and to reflect systematically on several key choices of particular importance in understanding the congruence. The contributions to the symposium compare and contrast how several types of measurement fare in diverse political contexts in Eastern Europe, Latin America, North Africa, and East Asia, and what we can learn from those methodological choices.
Nur77 controls tolerance induction, terminal differentiation, and effector functions in semi-invariant natural killer T cells
Authors: Kumar Amrendra , Hill Timothy M. , Gordy Laura E. , Suryadevara Naveenchandra , Wu Lan , Flyak Andrew I. , Bezbradica Jelena S. , Van Kaer Luc , Joyce Sebastian 
Published: July 2020

Significance
Semi-invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are innate-like lymphocytes that control a variety of immune functions. iNKT cell functions are mediated by high-affinity interactions with self-agonists displayed by the lipid-presenting CD1d molecule. How iNKT cells attain tolerance to high-affinity interactions with self remains unknown. This understanding is of immunologic import, as an unbridled iNKT cell-mediated response can cause inflammatory diseases. We discovered that Nur77—a transcription factor expressed at high levels in iNKT cells—induced caspase-3–mediated apoptosis and markers of T cell exhaustion such as PD-1 in iNKT cell precursors, which led to hyporesponsiveness to a high-affinity lipid agonist. Thus, Nur77 plays a central role in self-tolerance induction of iNKT cells.
Transparency and language contact
Authors: Seguin Luisa 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWhen communicating speakers map meaning onto form. It would thus seem obvious for languages to show a one-to-one correspondence between meaning and form, but this is often not the case. This perfect mapping, i.e. transparency, is indeed continuously violated in natural languages, giving rise to zero-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-one opaque correspondences between meaning and form. However, transparency is a mutating feature, which can be influenced by language contact. In this scenario languages tend to evolve and lose some of their opaque features, becoming more transparent. This study investigates transparency in a very specific contact situation, namely that of a creole, Haitian Creole, and its sub- and superstrate languages, Fongbe and French, within the Functional Discourse Grammar framework. We predict Haitian Creole to be more transparent than French and Fongbe and investigate twenty opacity features, divided into four categories, namely Redundancy (one-to-many), Fusion (many-to-one), Discontinuity (one meaning is split in two or more forms,) and Form-based Form (forms with no semantic counterpart: zero-to-one). The results indeed prove our prediction to be borne out: Haitian Creole only presents five opacity features out of twenty, while French presents nineteen and Fongbe nine. Furthermore, the opacity features of Haitian Creole are also present in the other two languages.
Long-term effects of intensive instruction on fluency, comprehensibility and accentedness
Authors: French Leif M. , Gagné Nancy , Collins Laura 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
We assessed the long-term effects of intensive instruction on different aspects of L2 oral production. Adopting
the tridimensional model of oral production (Munro & Derwing, 1995a), we compared
high school learners who had received intensive ESL instruction (N = 42) with non-intensive learners
(N = 39) on perceptual measures of L2 fluency, comprehensibility, and accentedness 4 years after a 5-month
intensive instruction period. After controlling for academic ability and L2 proficiency, listeners’ ratings of fluency and
comprehensibility were significantly higher for the IG; however, there was no specific group advantage for accentedness,
suggesting both groups exhibited similar L2 accents. This study provides new empirical evidence that the oral fluency and
comprehensibility benefits of an intensive experience may be long lasting, even when learners’ subsequent classroom exposure to
the language is much more limited.