bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitation and Validation of 34 Fentanyl Analogs from Liver Tissue Using a QuEChERS Extraction and LC–MS-MS Analysis
Authors: Cox Joseph , Mathison Kylea , Ott Colby , DelTondo Joseph , Kraner James C , DeCaprio Anthony P , Arroyo-Mora Luis E 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Since 2013, drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (including fentanyl and fentanyl analogs) have increased from 3,105 to 31,335 in 2018. Postmortem toxicological analysis in fentanyl-related overdose deaths is complicated by the high potency of the drug, often resulting in low analyte concentrations and associations with toxicity, multidrug use, novelty of emerging fentanyl analogs and postmortem redistribution. Objectives for this study include the development of a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) extraction and subsequent liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry--mass spectrometry analysis, validation of the method following the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board (ASB) standard 036 requirements and application to authentic liver specimens for 34 analytes including fentanyl, metabolites and fentanyl analogs. The bias for all 34 fentanyl analogs did not exceed ±10% for any of the low, medium or high concentrations and the %CV did not exceed 20%. No interferences were identified. All 34 analytes were within the criteria for acceptable percent ionization suppression or enhancement with the low concentration ranging from −10.2% to 23.7% and the high concentration ranging from −7.1% to 11.0%. Liver specimens from 22 authentic postmortem cases were extracted and analyzed with all samples being positive for at least one target analyte from the 34 compounds. Of the 22 samples, 17 contained fentanyl and metabolites plus at least one fentanyl analog. The highest concentration for a fentanyl analog was 541.4 μg/kg of para-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl (FIBF). The concentrations for fentanyl (n = 20) ranged between 3.6 and 164.9 μg/kg with a mean of 54.7 μg/kg. The fentanyl analog that was most encountered was methoxyacetyl fentanyl (n = 11) with a range of 0.2–4.6 μg/kg and a mean of 1.3 μg/kg. The QuEChERS extraction was fully validated using the ASB Standard 036 requirements for fentanyl, metabolites and fentanyl analogs in liver tissue.
Evaluating Sugarcane Aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Population Dynamics, Feeding Injury, and Grain Yield Among Commercial Sorghum Varieties in Alabama
Authors: Pekarcik Adrian J , Jacobson Alana L 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner), emerged as a severe pest of sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.), in Texas and Louisiana in 2013 and currently threatens nearly all sorghum production in the United States. Proper management of populations is critical as sugarcane aphid has a high reproductive potential and can rapidly damage plants, resulting in extensive yield losses. The overall objective of this work was to investigate sugarcane aphid population dynamics, and subsequent sorghum injury and grain yield on commercially available grain sorghum varieties in Alabama. This research includes three-site years of data that show variation in plant injury, physiological maturity, and yields among varieties tested. Although performance of each variety was variable among locations, potentially due to abiotic factors, four varieties including DKS 37-07, 1G588, 1G855, and 83P17 exhibited characteristics consistent with resistance and corroborates reports of resistance from other states.
Price of medicines in a small market country: a comparative approach
Authors: Kochova Emilija , Szijj Janis Vella , Azzopardi Lilian M 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Affordability and availability of medicinal products depend on governmental policies, healthcare budgets and pricing. Pharmaceutical price regulation can improve the accessibility and affordability of essential medicinal products. In Europe, medicinal product prices are assigned individually by each country. The study aimed to compare prices of medicinal products indicated for cardiovascular (n = 18) and respiratory disease (n = 9) available for retail in community pharmacies in five European countries.

Methods
Unit dose medicinal product prices in North Macedonia, Malta, Slovenia, Greece and the UK were compared.

Key findings
Malta had the highest unit dose prices for the majority (n = 11) of medicinal products used for cardiovascular disease and the majority (n = 8) of the medicinal products indicated for respiratory disease.

Conclusion
Variation in prices of commonly dispensed medicinal products exists. Having a more thorough knowledge about the prices of medicines in different countries can contribute to making policies that will ultimately make medicines more affordable and accessible to patients.
X-ray analysis of SDSS J165202.60+172852.4, an obscured quasar with outflows at peak galaxy formation epoch
Authors: Ishikawa Yuzo , Goulding Andy D , Zakamska Nadia L , Hamann Fred , Vayner Andrey , Veilleux Sylvain , Wylezalek Dominika 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT
We report on deep XMM–Newton and NuSTAR observations of the high redshift, z = 2.94, extremely red quasar (ERQ), SDSS J165202.60+172852.4, with known galactic ionized outflows detected via spatially resolved [O iii] emission lines. X-ray observations allow us to directly probe the accretion disc luminosity and the geometry and scale of the circumnuclear obscuration. We fit the spectra from the XMM–Newton/EPIC and NuSTAR detectors with a physically motivated torus model and constrain the source to exhibit a near Compton-thick column density of NH = (1.02$^{+0.76}_{-0.41}$) × 1024 cm−2, a near edge-on geometry with the line-of-sight inclination angle of θi = 85°, and a scattering fraction of fsc ∼ 3 per cent. The absorption-corrected, intrinsic 2–10 keV X-ray luminosity of L2–10= (1.4$^{+1}_{-1}$) × 1045 erg s−1 reveals a powerful quasar that is not intrinsically X-ray weak, consistent with observed trends in other ERQs. We also estimate the physical properties of the obscuration, although highly uncertain: the warm ionized scattering density of ne ∼ 7.5 × (102–103) cm−3 and the obscuration mass of $M_{\rm obsc} \sim 1.7\times (10^4\!-\!10^6)\,{\rm M}_{\odot}$. As previously suggested with shallower X-ray observations, optical and infrared selection of ERQ has proved effective in finding obscured quasars with powerful outflow signatures. Our observations provide an in-depth view into the X-ray properties of ERQs and support the conclusions of severely photon-limited studies of obscured quasar populations at high redshifts.
A machine learning approach for classification of accretion states of black hole binaries
Authors: Sreehari H , Nandi Anuj 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT
In this paper, we employ Machine Learning algorithms on multimission observations for the classification of accretion states of outbursting black hole X-ray binaries for the first time. Archival data from RXTE, Swift, MAXI, and AstroSat observatories are used to generate the hardness intensity diagrams (HIDs) for outbursts of the sources XTE J1859+226 (1999 outburst), GX 339−4 (2002, 2004, 2007, and 2010 outbursts), IGR J17091−3624 (2016 outburst), and MAXI J1535−571 (2017 outburst). Based on variation of X-ray flux, hardness ratios, presence of various types of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs), photon indices, and disc temperature, we apply clustering algorithms like K-Means clustering and Hierarchical clustering to classify the accretion states (clusters) of each outburst. As multiple parameters are involved in the classification process, we show that clustering algorithms club together the observations of similar characteristics more efficiently than the ‘standard’ method of classification. We also infer that K-Means clustering provides more reliable results than Hierarchical clustering. We demonstrate the importance of the classification based on machine learning by comparing it with results from ‘standard’ classification.
How ‘cold’ are the stellar discs of superthin galaxies?
Authors: Aditya K , Banerjee Arunima 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT
Superthin galaxies are a class of bulgeless, low surface brightness galaxies with strikingly high values of planar-to-vertical axes ratio $\rm (b/a\gt 10\!-\!20)$, possibly indicating the presence of an ultracold stellar disc. Using the multicomponent galactic disc model of gravitationally coupled stars and gas in the force field of the dark matter halo as well as the stellar dynamical code AGAMA (Action-based Galaxy Modelling Architecture), we determine the vertical velocity dispersion of stars and gas as a function of galactocentric radius for five superthin galaxies (UGC 7321, IC 5249, FGC 1540, IC2233, and UGC00711) using observed stellar and atomic hydrogen (H i) scale heights as constraints, using a Markov chain Monte Carlo Method. We find that the central vertical velocity dispersion for the stellar disc in the optical band varies between σ0s ∼ 10.2−18.4 $\rm {kms}\,^{-1}$ and falls off with an exponential scale length of 2.6–3.2 Rd where Rd is the exponential stellar disc scale length. Interestingly, in the 3.6 μm, the same, averaged over the two components of the stellar disc, varies between 5.9 and 11.8 $\rm {kms}\,^{-1}$, both of which confirm the presence of ‘ultracold’ stellar discs in superthin galaxies. Interestingly, the global median of the multicomponent disc dynamical stability parameter QN of our sample superthins is found to be 5 ± 1.5, which higher than the global median value of 2.2 ± 0.6 for a sample of spiral galaxies.
Drifts of the marginally stable burning frequency in the X-ray binaries 4U 1608–52 and Aql X–1
Authors: Mancuso G C , Altamirano D , Méndez M , Lyu M , Combi J A 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT
We detect millihertz quasi-periodic oscillations (mHz QPOs) using the Rossi X-ray Time Explorer (RXTE) from the atoll neutron-star (NS) low-mass X-ray binaries 4U 1608–52 and Aql X–1. From the analysis of all RXTE observations of 4U 1608–52 and Aql X–1, we find mHz QPOs with a significance level &gt;3σ in 49 and 47 observations, respectively. The QPO frequency is constrained between ∼4.2 and 13.4 mHz. These types of mHz QPOs have been interpreted as being the result of marginally stable nuclear burning of He on the NS surface. We also report the discovery of a downward frequency drift in three observations of 4U 1608–52, making it the third source that shows this behaviour. We only find strong evidence of frequency drift in one occasion in Aql X–1, probably because the observations were too short to measure a significant drift. Finally, the mHz QPOs are mainly detected when both sources are in the soft or intermediate states; the cases that show frequency drift only occur when the sources are in intermediate states. Our results are consistent with the phenomenology observed for the NS systems 4U 1636–53 and EXO 0748–676, suggesting that all four sources can reach the conditions for marginally stable burning of He on the NS surface. These conditions depend on the source state in the same manner in all four systems.
Predictors of outcome in pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma
Authors: Dono Antonio , Lopez-Rivera Victor , Chandra Ankush , Lewis Cole T , Abdelkhaleq Rania , Sheth Sunil A , Ballester Leomar Y , Esquenazi Yoshua 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas (PXA) are circumscribed gliomas that typically have a favorable prognosis. Limited studies have revealed factors affecting survival outcomes in PXA. Here, we analyzed the largest PXA dataset in the literature and identify factors associated with outcomes.

Methods
Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 18 Registries database, we identified histologically confirmed PXA patients between 1994 and 2016. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models.

Results
In total, 470 patients were diagnosed with PXA (males = 53%; median age = 23 years [14-39 years]), the majority were Caucasian (n = 367; 78%). The estimated mean OS was 193 months [95% CI: 179-206]. Multivariate analysis revealed that greater age at diagnosis (≥39 years) (3.78 [2.16-6.59], P &lt; .0001), larger tumor size (≥30 mm) (1.97 [1.05-3.71], P = .034), and postoperative radiotherapy (RT) (2.20 [1.31-3.69], P = .003) were independent predictors of poor OS. Pediatric PXA patients had improved survival outcomes compared to their adult counterparts, in which chemotherapy (CT) was associated with worse OS. Meanwhile, in adults, females and patients with temporal lobe tumors had an improved survival; conversely, tumor size ≥30 mm and postoperative RT were associated with poor OS.

Conclusions
In PXA, older age and larger tumor size at diagnosis are risk factors for poor OS, while pediatric patients have remarkably improved survival. Postoperative RT and CT appear to be ineffective treatment strategies while achieving GTR confer an improved survival in male patients and remains the cornerstone of treatment. These findings can help optimize PXA treatment while minimizing side effects. However, further studies of PXAs with molecular characterization are needed.
Health Care Providers’ Testing Practices for Coccidioidomycosis and Histoplasmosis in Patients With Community-Acquired Pneumonia—United States, 2020
Authors: Benedict Kaitlin , Li Yiman , Molinari Noelle Angelique M , Jackson Brendan R 
Published: January 2021

AbstractLaboratory testing is required to distinguish coccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis from other types of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). In this nationwide survey of 1258 health care providers, only 3.7% reported frequently testing CAP patients for coccidioidomycosis and 2.8% for histoplasmosis. These diseases are likely underdiagnosed, and increased awareness is needed.
Impact of socio-economic traditions on current tobacco and tea addictions (Siberia 17th to 20th century)
Authors: Macé Matthias , Richeval Camille , Romanova Liubomira , Gérard Patrice , Duchesne Sylvie , Cannet Catherine , Boyarskikh Irina , Gérault Annie , Zvénigorosky Vincent , Nikolaeva Darya , Stepanoff Charles , Allorge Delphine , Debrenne Michele , Ludes Bertrand , Alexeev Anatoly , Gaulier Jean-Michel , Crubézy Eric 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo investigate how tobacco and tea spread among virgin populations and how the first addictions have subsequently influenced the behavior of present-day populations.DesignRetrospective observational study using data from frozen burials and levels of theobromine, theophylline, caffeine, nicotine, and cotinine measured in hair samples from frozen bodies of autochthonous people. Confrontation of the results with new ethnobotanical, historical and cultural data from the past and with present day epidemiological data from the same region.SettingEastern Siberia (Yakutia) from the contact with Europeans (17th century) to the assimilation of people into Russian society (19th century).Participants47 frozen bodies of autochthonous people from eastern Siberia and a review of present-day populations from YakutiaInterventionLevels of theobromine, theophylline, caffeine, nicotine, and cotinine were measured in hair samples. Along with the collection of cultural data associated with the bodies, potential comorbidities were investigated.Main outcome measureWe combined LC-HRMS and LC-MS/MS tools for toxicological investigations in hair and we assessed the association between xenobiotic concentrations and geography using several permutation-based methods to infer the economic circuits of tobacco and tea. Comparison of the results obtained with ethno-botanical analyses allowed to identify the products from which the metabolites were derived.ResultsHair levels of theobromine, theophylline and caffeine vary with the type of beverage consumed: green, black or local herbal teas. At the beginning of our study period, a few heavy consumers of tobacco were found among light or passive consumers. Tobacco-related co-morbidities began to be recorded one century after contact with Europeans. Heavy tea users were only found from the 19th century and the heaviest users of the two substances date from this century. After the first contact, teas were widely consumed as beverages and medicines but also for shamanic reasons. Economic factors, fashion and social and family contacts seem to have played a decisive role in tobacco consumption very early on.ConclusionEpidemiological characteristics of present-day Yakutia suggest that the high prevalence of smokers and tea consumers, the prevalence of female smokers and tobacco use in the north, find their origins in the diffusion phenomena of the 18th and 19th century. Behavioral evolution governed the process of substance integration and was determinant for the continuity of use of these substances over a long period of time.
The impact of artifact removal approaches on TMS–EEG signal
Authors: Bertazzoli Giacomo , Esposito Romina , Mutanen Tuomas P. , Ferrari Clarissa , Ilmoniemi Risto J. , Miniussi Carlo , Bortoletto Marta 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTranscranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-evoked potentials (TEPs) allow one to assess cortical excitability and effective connectivity in clinical and basic research. However, obtaining clean TEPs is challenging due to the various TMS-related artifacts that contaminate the electroencephalographic (EEG) signal when the TMS pulse is delivered. Different preprocessing approaches have been employed to remove the artifacts, but the degree of artifact reduction or signal distortion introduced in this phase of analysis is still unknown. Knowing and controlling this potential source of uncertainty will increase the inter-rater reliability of TEPs and improve the comparability between TMS–EEG studies. The goal of this study was to assess the variability in TEP waveforms due to of the use of different preprocessing pipelines. To accomplish this aim, we preprocessed the same TMS–EEG data with four different pipelines and compared the results. The dataset was obtained from 16 subjects in two identical recording sessions, each session consisting of both left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left inferior parietal lobule stimulation at 100% of the resting motor threshold. Considerable differences in TEP amplitudes were found between the preprocessing pipelines. Topographies of TEPs from the different pipelines were all highly correlated (ρ>0.8) at latencies over 100 ms. By contrast, waveforms at latencies under 100 ms showed a variable level of correlation, with ρ ranging between 0.2 and 0.9. Moreover, the test–retest reliability of TEPs depended on the preprocessing pipeline. Taken together, these results take us to suggest that the choice of the preprocessing approach has a marked impact on the final TEP, and that caution should be taken when comparing TMS–EEG studies that used different approaches. Finally, we propose strategies to control this source of variability.
Association of a Common Genetic Variant with Parkinson’s Disease is Propagated through Microglia
Authors: Langston R. G. , Beilina A. , Reed X. , Singleton A. B. , Blauwendraat C. , Gibbs J. R. , Cookson M. R. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractStudies of the genetic basis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) have identified many disease-associated genetic variants, but the mechanisms linking variants to pathogenicity are largely unknown. PD risk is attributed to both coding mutations in the Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene and to common non-coding variation upstream of theLRRK2locus. Here we show that the influence of genotype at non-coding variant rs76904798 onLRRK2expression is propagated specifically through microglia, in contrast to evaluations based on general rather than genotype-dependent expression. We find evidence of microglia-specific regulatory regions that may modulateLRRK2expression using single nuclei sequencing analyses of human frontal cortex and confirm these results in a human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia model. Our study demonstrates that cell type is an important consideration in interrogation of the role of non-coding variation in disease pathogenesis.
Spontaneous neural synchrony links intrinsic spinal sensory and motor networks during unconsciousness
Authors: McPherson Jacob G. , Bandres Maria F. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractNon-random functional connectivity during unconsciousness is a defining feature of supraspinal networks. However, its generalizability to intrinsic spinal networks remains incompletely understood. Previously, Barry et al. (2014) used fMRI to reveal bilateral resting state functional connectivity within sensory-dominant and, separately, motor-dominant regions of the spinal cord. Here, we record spike trains from large populations of spinal interneuronsin vivoin rats and demonstrate that spontaneous functional connectivity also links sensory- and motor-dominant regions during unconsciousness. The spatiotemporal patterns of connectivity could not be explained by latent afferent activity or by populations of interconnected neurons spiking randomly. We also document connection latencies compatible with mono- and di-synaptic interactions and putative excitatory and inhibitory connections. The observed activity is consistent with the hypothesis that salient, experience-dependent patterns of neural transmission introduced during behavior or by injury/disease are reactivated during unconsciousness. Such a spinal replay mechanism could shape circuit-level connectivity and ultimately behavior.
The GA4GH Variation Representation Specification (VRS): a Computational Framework for the Precise Representation and Federated Identification of Molecular Variation
Authors: Wagner Alex H , Babb Lawrence , Alterovitz Gil , Baudis Michael , Brush Matthew , Cameron Daniel L , Cline Melissa , Griffith Malachi , Griffith Obi L , Hunt Sarah , Kreda David , Lee Jennifer , Lopez Javier , Moyer Eric , Nelson Tristan , Patel Ronak Y , Riehle Kevin , Robinson Peter N , Rynearson Shawn , Schuilenburg Helen , Tsukanov Kirill , Walsh Brian , Konopko Melissa , Rehm Heidi , Yates Andrew D , Freimuth Robert R , Hart Reece K 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMaximizing the personal, public, research, and clinical value of genomic information will require that clinicians, researchers, and testing laboratories exchange genetic variation data reliably. Developed by a partnership among national information resource providers, public initiatives, and diagnostic testing laboratories under the auspices of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH), the Variation Representation Specification (VRS, pronounced “verse”) is an extensible framework for the semantically precise and computable representation of variation that complements contemporary human-readable and flat file standards for variation representation. VRS objects are designed to be semantically precise representations of variation, and leverage this design to enable unique, federated identification of molecular variation. We describe the components of this framework, including the terminology and information model, schema, data sharing conventions, and a reference implementation, each of which is intended to be broadly useful and freely available for community use. The specification, documentation, examples, and community links are available athttps://vrs.ga4gh.org/.