bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recovery of hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis in paediatric Cushing disease
Authors: Tatsi Christina , Neely Megan , Flippo Chelsi , Bompou Maria‐Eleni , Keil Meg , Stratakis Constantine A. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectivesThe postoperative period of Cushing disease (CD) is complicated by a phase of adrenal insufficiency (AI). Factors that influence the duration of AI and its prognostic significance for CD recurrence in children have not been extensively studied. We investigated whether clinical or biochemical factors contribute to the duration of AI, and the correlation of the recovery process with the risk for recurrence.DesignPatients with paediatric‐onset CD who were followed up for at least 3 months after transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) (n = 130) were included in the study. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to assess the association of biochemical and clinical factors with the duration of AI.ResultsOverall, 102 patients recovered adrenal function during their follow‐up. Median time to recovery was 12.7 months [95% confidence intervals (CI): 12.2‐13.4]. On multivariable analysis, clinical (age, gender, disease duration, puberty stage, BMI z‐score, tumour size, invasion of the cavernous sinus and year of surgery) and biochemical (midnight cortisol and morning ACTH) factors did not correlate with the time to recovery, except for increase in recovery time noted with increase in urinary free cortisol (UFC) [hazard ratio (HR): 0.94; 95% CI: 0.89‐0.99]. Among patients who eventually recovered adrenal function, the risk for CD recurrence was associated with the time to recovery (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.75‐0.99).ConclusionsRecovery of adrenal function in patients with CD after TSS may not be associated with most clinical and biochemical factors in the preoperative period except for total cortisol excretion. Earlier recovery is associated with higher risk for recurrence, which has implications for the patients’ follow‐up and counselling.
Exosome‐transferred long non‐coding RNA ASMTL‐AS1 contributes to malignant phenotypes in residual hepatocellular carcinoma after insufficient radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Ma Dening , Gao Xinyi , Liu Zhuo , Lu Xingang , Ju Haixing , Zhang Ning 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectivesLong non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging RNA regulators in cancer progression, including in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, insufficient radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been reported to lead to recurrence and metastasis of residual HCC tumours. Herein, we aimed to the role of ASMTL‐AS1 in residual HCC after insufficient RFA.Materials and methodsIn vitro insufficient RFA model was simulated in Huh7 cells and subsequently named Huh7‐H cells. In vitro and in vivo assays were conducted to investigate ASMTL‐AS1 function in HCC.ResultsLncRNA ASMTL‐AS1 low expressed in normal human liver was found to be highly expressed in HCC tissues and further increased in tumours after insufficient RFA. ASMTL‐AS1 expression was related to stage, metastasis and prognosis in HCC. Huh7‐H possessed higher ASMTL‐AS1 level and more aggressive than Huh7 cells. ASMTL‐AS1 contributed to the malignancy of HCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, ASMTL‐AS1 was trans‐activated by MYC and promoted NLK expression to activate YAP signalling via sequestering miR‐342‐3p in HCC. Interestingly, ASMTL‐AS1 could be wrapped by exosomes and then convey malignancy through NLK/YAP axis between cells even in residual HCC after insufficient RFA.ConclusionsExosomal ASMTL‐AS1 aggravates the malignancy in residual HCC after insufficient RFA via miR‐342‐3p/NLK/YAP signalling, opening a new road for the treatment of HCC and the prevention of recurrence or metastasis of residual HCC after insufficient RFA.
Identification and validation of a novel candidate gene regulating net meat weight in Simmental beef cattle based on imputed next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Bordbar Farhad , Jensen Just , Du Min , Abied Adam , Guo Wei , Xu Lingyang , Gao Huijiang , Zhang Lupei , Li Junya 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectivesGenome‐wide association studies (GWAS) represent a powerful approach to detecting candidate genes for economically important traits in livestock. Our aim was to identify promising candidate muscle development genes that affect net meat weight (NMW) and validate these candidate genes in cattle.Materials and methodsUsing a next‐generation sequencing (NGS) dataset, we applied ~ 12 million imputed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 1,252 Simmental cattle to detect genes influencing net meat yield by way of a linear mixed model method. Haplotype and linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks were employed to augment support for identified genes. To investigate the role of MTPN in bovine muscle development, we isolated myoblasts from the longissimus dorsi of a bovine foetus and treated the cells during proliferation, differentiation and hypertrophy.ResultsWe identified one SNP (rs100670823) that exceeded our stringent significance threshold (P = 8.58 × 10−8) for a putative NMW‐related quantitative trait locus (QTL). We identified a promising candidate gene, myotrophin (MTPN), in the region around this SNP Myotrophin had a stimulatory effect on six muscle‐related markers that regulate differentiation and myoblast fusion. During hypertrophy, myotrophin promoted myotube hypertrophy and increased myotube diameters. Cell viability assay and flow cytometry showed that myotrophin inhibited myoblast proliferation.ConclusionsThe present experiments showed that myotrophin increases differentiation and hypertrophy of skeletal muscle cells, while inhibiting their proliferation. Our examination of GWAS results with in vitro biological studies provides new information regarding the potential application of myotrophin to increase meat yields in cattle and helpful information for further studies.
Gait‐combined transcranial alternating current stimulation modulates cortical control of muscle activities during gait
Authors: Kitatani Ryosuke , Koganemaru Satoko , Maeda Ayaka , Mikami Yusuke , Matsuhashi Masao , Mima Tatsuya , Yamada Shigehito 
Published: July 2020

AbstractNon‐invasive brain stimulation has been of interest as a therapeutic tool to modulate cortical excitability. However, there is little evidence that oscillatory brain stimulation can modulate the cortical control of muscle activities during gait, which can be assessed using coherence analysis of paired surface electromyographic (EMG) recordings. This study aimed to investigate the effects of gait‐combined transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at the gait cycle frequency on the cortical control of muscle activities during gait using EMG‐EMG coherence analysis. Fourteen healthy young adults participated in this study. All participants underwent 2 test conditions (real tACS and sham stimulation over the leg area of the primary motor cortex during 10‐min treadmill walking). The average peak‐to‐peak amplitudes of the motor evoked potentials (MEPs) from the tibialis anterior (TA) and lateral gastrocnemius muscles in the sitting position and EMG‐EMG coherences in the TA muscle, triceps surae muscles, quadriceps muscles, and hamstring muscles during gait were measured before and after stimulation. Entrainment effect was significantly higher during real tACS than during sham stimulation. After real tACS, the MEP amplitude and beta band (13–33 Hz) coherence area increased in the TA muscle. The change in MEP amplitude from the TA muscle was positively correlated with the change in beta band coherence area in the TA muscle. Gait‐combined tACS can modulate the strength of descending neural drive to TA motoneurons during gait. This suggests that oscillatory brain stimulation is a useful therapeutic tool to modulate the cortical control of muscle activities during gait.
Standardization and UNDERSTANDardization in Educational Assessment
Authors: Sireci Stephen G. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractEducational tests are standardized so that all examinees are tested on the same material, under the same testing conditions, and with the same scoring protocols. This uniformity is designed to provide a level “playing field” for all examinees so that the test is “the same” for everyone. Thus, standardization is designed to promote fairness in testing. In practice, the material tested, the conditions under which a test is administered, and the scoring processes, are often too rigid to provide the intended level playing field. For example, standardized testing conditions may interact with personal characteristics of examinees that affect test performance, but are not construct‐relevant. Thus, more flexibility in standardization is needed to account for the diversity of experiences, talents, and handicaps of the incredibly heterogeneous populations of examinees we currently assess. Traditional standardization procedures grew out of experimental psychology and psychophysics laboratories where keeping all conditions constant was crucial. Today, accounting for and measuring what is not constant across examinees is crucial to valid construct interpretations. To meet this need I introduce the concept of understandardization, which refers to ensuring sufficient flexibility in standardized testing conditions to yield the most accurate measurement of proficiency for each examinee.
The influence of microstructure on the fatigue crack growth rate in marine steels in the Paris Region
Authors: Igwemezie Victor , Mehmanparast Ali , Brennan Feargal 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis paper presents a study on the effect of microstructure on the fatigue crack growth (FCG) rate in advanced S355 marine steels in the Paris Region of theda/dNversus ΔKlog–log plot. The environments of study were air and seawater (SW), under constant amplitude sinewave fatigue loading. Fundamentally, three phenomena (crack tip diversion, crack front bifurcation and metal crumb formation) were observed to influence the rate of FCG. These phenomena appear to be a function of the material microstructure, environment and crack tip loading conditions. The three factors retarded the crack growth by reducing or redistributing the effective driving force at the main active crack tip. A crack path containing extensively the three phenomena was observed to offer strong resistance to FCG. In SW, the degree of the electrochemical dissolution of themicroplastic zoneappears to be an additional primary factor influencing FCG in the steels.
Building a Low‐Cost, Internet‐of‐Things, Real‐Time Groundwater Level Monitoring Network
Authors: Drage John , Kennedy Gavin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA community‐based, real‐time, groundwater level monitoring network consisting of 11 sites was built in Nova Scotia, Canada, using privately owned domestic wells and low‐cost, custom‐made water level meters. The real‐time meters use an ultrasonic sensor to measure water levels and an Internet‐of‐Things device to transmit the data to the Internet by WiFi or cellular connection. The water level data are plotted in real‐time on a time‐series graph and are available immediately for online viewing and downloading. Based on observations at three sites, the real‐time water level meter data compare well to pressure transducer measurements, with mean absolute errors of less than 0.02 m. The meters are simple to build, and components are readily available from online suppliers at low cost.
Farming system and soil management affect butterfly diversity in sloping olive groves
Authors: Sánchez‐Fernández José , A. Vílchez‐Vivanco Juan , B. Navarro Francisco , Castro‐RodrÍguez Juan 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Olive groves on steep slopes with a low yield account for 29.6% of the total olive growing area in Andalusia, Spain. This type of olive grove is at high risk of abandonment. Thus, apart from their productive function, we should also take into consideration the ecosystem services that they provide.
The diversity of Lepidoptera Rhopalocera was studied in sloping olive groves under conventional, organic, and abandoned farming systems. Line‐transect methods were used to survey butterflies in different olive grove treatments, which were defined by a combination of farming systems and soil management systems.
The greatest diversity of Lepidoptera Rhopalocera was observed in organic and abandoned olive groves with cover crops. Mechanical soil tillage was found to have a negative effect in conventional and organic tillage treatments. From this viewpoint, although abandonment has economic repercussions, it does not lead to a loss of biodiversity. The environmental variables with the greatest influence are landscape complexity and the presence of areas of shrubland. The species Pyronia bathseba appears to be strongly associated with long‐abandoned olive groves.
The results of this study confirm that the presence of sloping olive groves with cover crops and long‐abandoned groves set in heterogeneous landscapes and with areas of shrubland nearby, help to explain the distribution of Lepidoptera Rhopalocera communities, as well as fostering their richness and abundance.
Clinicopathological and dermoscopic features of amelanotic and hypomelanotic melanoma: a retrospective multicentric study
Authors: Paolino Giovanni , Bearzi Pietro , Pampena Riccardo , Longo Caterina , Frascione Pasquale , Rizzo Nathalie , Raucci Margherita , Carbone Anna , Cantisani Carmen , Ricci Francesco , Didona Dario , Frattini Francesca , Bulotta Alessandra , Gregorc Vanesa , Mercuri Santo R. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundAmelanotic and hypomelanotic melanoma (AHM) has a higher risk of delayed diagnosis and a significant lower 5‐year melanoma‐specific survival compared to pigmented melanoma. Our aim was the evaluation of the clinicopathological/dermoscopic features of amelanotic melanoma (AM) and hypomelanotic melanoma (HM).MethodsAll participants had a personal history of AHM. We defined HM as showing clinical/dermoscopic pigmentation in < 25% of the lesion’s surface and histopathological focal pigmentation, while AM as melanomas with clinical/dermoscopic and histopathological absence of pigmentation.ResultsThe most common phenotypic traits among the 145 AHM patients were as follows: phototype II, blue‐grey eyes, and dark brown hair. Red hair was present in 23.8% AHM cases (AM = 22.60%; HM = 25.80%). The most affected area was the back (29.5%). A total of 67.1% were classified as AM and 32.9% as HM. The most represented hair colors in AM and HM were, respectively, blonde and dark brown hair. Median Breslow thickness was 1.7 mm, superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) and nodular melanoma (NM) were the most represented histotypes, and mitotic rate > 1 × mm2was reported in 73.3% cases, and regression was significantly more present in HM. Dermoscopy showed high prevalence of white structureless zones (63.4%), linear looped vessels (58.8%), linear irregular vessels (50.0%), and arborizing vessels (47.2%). Multivariate logistic regression confirmed the association between the presence of pigmentation and the following: histological regression, dermoscopic globules, and arborizing vessels.ConclusionsPredominance of red hair in AHM patients was not confirmed. AHM affects mostly intermittent sun‐exposed body areas. The deeper median Breslow thickness (versus pigmented melanoma), the association of AM with the nodular histotype, and the high mitotic rate highlight the AHM’s aggressiveness. HM’s higher levels of regression can be explained by the presence of pigmentation, driving the underlying immune response. AHM showed a polymorphous vascular pattern and significant presence of arborizing vessels (especially HM).
Combination of visible reflectance and acoustic response to improve non‐destructive assessment of maturity and indirect prediction of internal quality of red‐fleshed pomelo
Authors: Phuangsombut Kaewkarn , Phuangsombut Arthit , Terdwongworakul Anupun 
Published: July 2020

SummaryMaturity and the internal quality of red‐fleshed pomelo in terms of the sugar–acid ratio were studied by assessing whole fruit properties using acoustic response and local properties based on the visible reflectance of the fruit surface. Pomelo fruit samples were harvested at different maturity stages. Maturity classification and prediction models were built using discriminant analysis and partial least squares regression, respectively. Better classification was achieved by the model incorporating both surface visible reflectance and the resonant frequency compared with the model based on only surface visible reflectance. Similarly, the sugar–acid ratio was better predicted by the model using both acoustic response and surface visible reflectance. The accuracy of prediction was maintained when the data from two harvest seasons were combined to build the model for prediction.
Serum amyloid A3 is required for caerulein‐induced acute pancreatitis through induction of RIP3‐dependent necroptosis
Authors: Yang Xinyi , Li Runsheng , Xu Lu , Qian Feng , Sun Lei 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSerum amyloid A (SAA) is an early and sensitive biomarker of inflammatory diseases, but its role in acute pancreatitis (AP) is still unclear. Here, we used a caerulein‐induced mouse model to investigate the role of SAA in AP and other related inflammatory responses. In our study, we found that the expression of a specific SAA isoform, SAA3, was significantly elevated in a caerulein‐induced AP animal model. In addition, SAA3‐knockout (Saa3−/−) mice showed lower serum levels of amylase and lipase, tissue damage and proinflammatory cytokine production in the pancreas compared with those of wild‐type mice in response to caerulein administration. AP‐associated acute lung injury was also significantly attenuated in Saa3−/− mice. In our in vitro experiments, treatment with cholecystokinin and recombinant SAA3 significantly induced necroptosis and cytokine production. Moreover, we found that the regulatory effect of SAA3 on acinar cell necroptosis was through a receptor‐interacting protein 3 (RIP3)‐dependent manner. Collectively, our findings indicate that SAA3 is required for AP by inducing an RIP3‐dependent necroptosis pathway in acinar cells and is a potential drug target for AP.
Absent in melanoma 2 enhances anti‐tumour effects of CAIX promotor controlled conditionally replicative adenovirus in renal cancer
Authors: Chai Dafei , Qiu Dong , Zhang Zichun , Yuchen Shi Shang , Wang Gang , Fang Lin , Li Huizhong , Li Hailong , Tian Hui , Zheng Junnian 
Published: July 2020

AbstractConditionally replicative adenoviruses (CRAds) were promising approach for solid tumour treatment, but its oncolytic efficiency and toxicity are still not satisfactory for further clinical application. Here, we developed the CAIX promotor (CAIXpromotor)‐controlled CRAd armed with a tumour suppressor absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) to enhance its oncolytic potency. The CAIXpromotor‐AIM2 adenoviruses (Ad‐CAIXpromotor‐AIM2) could efficiently express E1A and AIM2 in renal cancer cells. Compared with Ad‐CAIXpromotor, Ad‐CAIXpromotor‐AIM2 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and enhanced cell apoptosis and cell killing, thus resulting in the oncolytic efficiency in 786‐O cells or OSRC‐2 cells. To explore the therapeutic effect, various Ads were intratumourally injected into OSRC‐2‐xenograft mice. The tumour growth was remarkably inhibited in Ad‐CAIXpromotor‐AIM2‐treated group as demonstrated by reduced tumour volume and weight with a low toxicity. The inflammasome inhibitor YVAD‐CMK resulted in the reduction of anti‐tumour activity by Ad‐CAIXpromotor‐AIM2 in vitro or in vivo, suggesting that inflammasome activation response was required for the enhanced therapeutic efficiency. Furthermore, lung metastasis of renal cancer mice was also suppressed by Ad‐CAIXpromotor‐AIM2 treatment accompanied by the decreased tumour fossil in lung tissues. These results indicated that the tumour‐specific Ad‐CAIXpromotor‐AIM2 could be applied for human renal cancer therapy. The therapeutic strategy of AIM2‐based CRAds could be a potential and promising approach for the therapy of primary solid or metastasis tumours.
Effectiveness of Advance Care Planning Group Visits Among Older Adults in Primary Care
Authors: Lum Hillary D. , Dukes Joanna , Daddato Andrea E. , Juarez‐Colunga Elizabeth , Shanbhag Prajakta , Kutner Jean S. , Levy Cari R. , Sudore Rebecca L. 
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUNDGroup visits can support health behavior change and self‐efficacy. In primary care, an advance care planning (ACP) group visit may leverage group dynamics and peer mentorship to facilitate education and personal goal setting that result in ACP engagement.OBJECTIVETo determine whether the ENgaging in Advance Care Planning Talks (ENACT) group visits intervention improves ACP documentation and readiness in older adults.METHODSThis randomized clinical trial was conducted among geriatric primary care patients from the University of Colorado Hospital Seniors Clinic, Aurora, CO, from August 2017 to November 2019. Participants randomized to ENACT group visits (n = 55) participated in two 2‐hour sessions with discussions of ACP topics and use of ACP tools (i.e., Conversation Starter Kit, Medical Durable Power of Attorney form, and PREPARE videos). Participants randomized to the control arm (n = 55) received the Conversation Starter Kit and a Medical Durable Power of Attorney form by mail. The primary outcomes included presence of ACP documents or medical decision‐maker documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) at 6 months, and a secondary outcome was ACP readiness (validated four‐item ACP Engagement Survey) at 6 months.RESULTSParticipants were a mean of 77 years old, 60% female, and 79% white. At 6 months, 71% of ENACT participants had an advance directive in the EHR (26% higher) compared with 45% of control arm participants (P < .001). Similarly, 93% of ENACT participants had decision‐maker documentation in the EHR (29% higher) compared with 73% in the control arm (P < .001). ENACT participants trended toward higher readiness to engage in ACP compared with control (4.56 vs 4.13; P = .16) at 6 months.CONCLUSIONAn ACP group visit increased ACP documentation and readiness to engage in ACP behavior change. Primary care teams can explore implementation and adaptation of ACP group visits into routine care, as well as longer‐term impact on patient health outcomes. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:2382–2389, 2020.
Do images of dietitians on the Internet reflect the profession?
Authors: Porter J. , Collins J. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe image of dietitians presented on the Internet shapes public perception of the profession, which in turn may influence engagement with professionals. The aim was to describe the portrayal of the dietetic profession on the Internet and how this aligns with international professional demographics.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional observational study, images appearing in two Google image searches using the word ‘dietitian’ were analysed for content by two independent researchers. A coding framework was used to identify personal characteristics of professionals and others presented in the image, as well as the work setting. These were compared to demographic data of members of professional associations in Australia, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA).ResultsThe dietitian portrayed in the images (n = 339) was most often female (88%), Caucasian (72%), aged between 26–39 years (63%), pictured alone (78%), pictured with food (78%) and in a setting that could not be determined (76%). The age and gender profile presented matches the characteristics of the international workforce; however, there was an absence of images illustrating dietitians in authentic work roles.ConclusionsThe images resulting from an online search for ‘dietitian’ do not fully illustrate the profession. There are opportunities to create and share authentic images online that show the breadth of work roles and diversity of professionals’ age, gender, cultural background and size.