bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum Follistatin Is Increased in Thyroid Cancer and Is Associated With Adverse Tumor Characteristics in Humans
Authors: Panagiotou Grigorios , Ghaly Wael , Upadhyay Jagriti , Pazaitou-Panayiotou Kalliopi , Mantzoros Christos S 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Context
Obesity and classical growth factors are associated with thyroid cancer (TC). However, less is known regarding novel hormones such as follistatins and activins. We hypothesized that serum follistatin but not activins would be increased in TC.

Objective
This work aimed to assess circulating levels of follistatins, activins, and growth factors in patients with a history of TC vs patients with nonmalignant thyroid diseases.

Methods
A hospital-based, unmatched case-control study was conducted with 170 thyroidectomized patients due to well-differentiated TC and 106 thyroidectomized patients without history of malignancy. Anthropometric, biochemical, and histological parameters were recorded. Serum samples were collected in the steady state 45 days after surgery. Multivariate models were used to adjust for baseline differences of the unmatched variables. Serum levels of follistatin (FST), follistatin like-3, activin A, activin B, bioactive insulin-like growth factor-1, and stanniocalcin-2 were assayed with novel, highly specific ELISA kits.

Results
In unmatched univariate models, TC patients had higher FST serum levels compared to cancer-free individuals, independently of histological subtype. In multivariate models adjusting for covariates, individuals in the highest tertile of FST levels were associated with an increased risk for the presence of any type of TC or specific histological subtypes, including papillary, follicular and Hürthle-cell carcinoma, and medullary TC. Higher postoperative FST concentrations were found in patients with vascular invasion and distant metastases and associated with TNM staging at diagnosis.

Conclusion
FST serum levels are increased in TC patients and correlate with advanced tumor aggressiveness. Future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm and extend our observations.
Progress and Challenges in the Biology of FNDC5 and Irisin
Authors: Maak Steffen , Norheim Frode , Drevon Christian A , Erickson Harold P 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
In 2002, a transmembrane protein—now known as FNDC5—was discovered and shown to be expressed in skeletal muscle, heart, and brain. It was virtually ignored for 10 years, until a study in 2012 proposed that, in response to exercise, the ectodomain of skeletal muscle FNDC5 was cleaved, traveled to white adipose tissue, and induced browning. The wasted energy of this browning raised the possibility that this myokine, named irisin, might mediate some beneficial effects of exercise. Since then, more than 1000 papers have been published exploring the roles of irisin. A major interest has been on adipose tissue and metabolism, following up the major proposal from 2012. Many studies correlating plasma irisin levels with physiological conditions have been questioned for using flawed assays for irisin concentration. However, experiments altering irisin levels by injecting recombinant irisin or by gene knockout are more promising. Recent discoveries have suggested potential roles of irisin in bone remodeling and in the brain, with effects potentially related to Alzheimer’s disease. We discuss some discrepancies between research groups and the mechanisms that are yet to be determined. Some important questions raised in the initial discovery of irisin, such as the role of the mutant start codon of human FNDC5 and the mechanism of ectodomain cleavage, remain to be answered. Apart from these specific questions, a promising new tool has been developed—mice with a global or tissue-specific knockout of FNDC5. In this review, we critically examine the current knowledge and delineate potential solutions to resolve existing ambiguities.
First Somatic PRKAR1A Defect Associated With Mosaicism for Another PRKAR1A Mutation in a Patient With Cushing Syndrome
Authors: Kamilaris Crystal D C , Faucz Fabio R , Andriessen Victoria C , Nilubol Naris , Lee Chyi-Chia Richard , Ahlman Mark A , Hannah-Shmouni Fady , Stratakis Constantine A 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Context
Primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD) is a rare cause of ACTH-independent Cushing syndrome (CS) associated mostly with Carney complex (CNC), a rare autosomal dominant multiple neoplasia syndrome. More than two-thirds of familial cases and approximately one-third of sporadic cases of CNC harbor germline inactivating PRKAR1A defects. Increasingly sensitive technologies for the detection of genetic defects such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) have further highlighted the importance of mosaicism in human disease.

Case Description
A 33-year-old woman was diagnosed with ACTH-independent CS with abdominal computed tomography showing bilateral micronodular adrenal hyperplasia with a left adrenal adenoma. She underwent left adrenalectomy with pathology demonstrating PPNAD with a 1.5-cm pigmented adenoma. DNA analysis by Sanger sequencing revealed 2 different PRKAR1A variants in the adenoma that were absent from DNA extracted from blood and saliva: c.682C &gt; T and c.974-2A &gt; G. “Deep” NGS revealed that 0.31% of DNA copies extracted from blood and saliva did in fact carry the c.682C &gt; T variant, suggesting low-level mosaicism for this defect.

Conclusions
We present a case of PPNAD due to low-level mosaicism for a PRKAR1A defect which led to the formation of an adenoma due to a second, adrenal-specific, somatic PRKAR1A mutation. The identification of mosaicism for PRKAR1A, depending on the number and distribution of cells affected has implications for genetic counseling and tumor surveillance. This is the first recorded case of a patient with PRKAR1A mosaicism, PPNAD, and an adenoma forming due to complete inactivation of PRKAR1A in adrenal tissue from a second, somatic-only, PRKAR1A coding sequence mutation.
REsidual Neuromuscular Block Prediction Score Versus Train-of-Four Ratio and Respiratory Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Patrocínio Maria D. , Shay Denys , Rudolph Maíra I. , Santer Peter , Grabitz Stephanie D. , Xu Xinling , Nabel Sarah , Bose Somnath , Eikermann Matthias 
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND:
Residual neuromuscular blockade is associated with an increased incidence of postoperative respiratory complications. The REsidual neuromuscular block Prediction Score (REPS) identifies patients at high risk for residual neuromuscular blockade after surgery.

METHODS:
A total of 101,510 adults undergoing noncardiac surgery under general anesthesia from October 2005 to December 2018 at a tertiary care center in Massachusetts were analyzed for the primary outcome of postoperative respiratory complications (invasive mechanical ventilation requirement within 7 postoperative days or immediate postextubation desaturation [oxygen saturation {Spo
2} <90%] within 10 minutes). The primary objective was to assess the association between the REPS and respiratory complications. The secondary objective was to compare REPS and train-of-four (TOF) ratio <0.90 on the strength of their association with respiratory complications.

RESULTS:
A high REPS (≥4) was associated with an increase in odds of respiratory complications (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.13 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.06-1.21]; P < .001). In 6224 cases with available TOF ratio measurements, a low TOF ratio (<0.9) was associated with respiratory complications (adjusted OR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.11-1.85]; P = .006), whereas a high REPS was not (adjusted OR, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.74-1.23]; P = .73) (P = .018 for comparison between ORs).

CONCLUSIONS:
The REPS may be implemented as a screening tool to encourage clinicians to use quantitative neuromuscular monitoring in patients at risk of residual neuromuscular blockade. A positive REPS should be followed by a quantitative assessment of the TOF ratio.
Stabilizing and Strengthening the Affordable Care Act: Opportunities for a New Administration
Authors: McMorrow Stacey 
Published: January 2021

AbstractFor the past decade, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has successfully reduced uninsurance and improved access to and affordability of health care services for millions of Americans. But the law was weakened when the Trump administration shortened the open enrollment period in the federal Marketplace, reduced outreach and enrollment funding, and revised the public charge rule, among other actions. The Biden administration will have the chance to reverse some of these changes and further strengthen the law to improve health care access and affordability. In this article, the author explores options for expanding access to affordable coverage and care for those who do not qualify for Medicaid or marketplace financial assistance and further discusses opportunities for increasing enrollment among those who are already eligible. The author also examines opportunities for expanding access to specific services, including reproductive health care, among those with insurance. Any attempts to modify or build on the ACA will likely be complicated by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic as well as slim Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, but regulatory solutions will likely be easier to achieve than those that require changes to federal law or state policy.
The Future of the Indispensable Insurer: The Biden Administration and Medicaid
Authors: Rosenbaum Sara 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMedicaid presents both legislative and regulatory challenges and opportunities. As it moves a legislative agenda forward, the Biden administration also will confront a series of immediate regulatory matters, some of which have been made urgent because of pending judicial action. Chief among these pressing matters are ending Medicaid work requirements and block grant experiments, rescinding the public charge rule, ensuring optimal use of Medicaid's enrollment and renewal simplification tools, rescinding the Title X family planning rule (which has enormous implications for Medicaid beneficiaries), and, when the time comes, preparing states to wind down the “Families First” Medicaid maintenance of effort protection while avoiding erroneous beneficiary disenrollment. The administration could consider encouraging remaining nonexpansion states to pursue §1115 Medicaid expansion experiments; additionally, the administration could pursue Medicaid pandemic recovery demonstrations to support health system recovery during the long period that lies ahead. Thus, while certain advances must await legislation, the administration can move Medicaid forward through executive action.
Neural tube closure requires the endocytic receptor Lrp2 and its functional interaction with intracellular scaffolds
Authors: Kowalczyk Izabela , Lee Chanjae , Schuster Elisabeth , Hoeren Josefine , Trivigno Valentina , Riedel Levin , Görne Jessica , Wallingford John B. , Hammes Annette , Feistel Kerstin 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT
Pathogenic mutations in the endocytic receptor LRP2 in humans are associated with severe neural tube closure defects (NTDs) such as anencephaly and spina bifida. Here, we have combined analysis of neural tube closure in mouse and in the African Clawed Frog Xenopus laevis to elucidate the etiology of Lrp2-related NTDs. Lrp2 loss of function impaired neuroepithelial morphogenesis, culminating in NTDs that impeded anterior neural plate folding and neural tube closure in both model organisms. Loss of Lrp2 severely affected apical constriction as well as proper localization of the core planar cell polarity (PCP) protein Vangl2, demonstrating a highly conserved role of the receptor in these processes, which are essential for neural tube formation. In addition, we identified a novel functional interaction of Lrp2 with the intracellular adaptor proteins Shroom3 and Gipc1 in the developing forebrain. Our data suggest that, during neurulation, motifs within the intracellular domain of Lrp2 function as a hub that orchestrates endocytic membrane removal for efficient apical constriction, as well as PCP component trafficking in a temporospatial manner.
Maternal and perinatal Health Research Collaboration, India (MaatHRI): methodology for establishing a hospital-based research platform in a low and middle income country setting
Authors: Nair Manisha , Bezbaruah Babul , Bora Amrit Krishna , Bora Krishnaram , Chhabra Shakuntala , Choudhury Saswati S. , Choudhury Arup , Deka Dipika , Deka Gitanjali , Ismavel Vijay Anand , Kakoty Swapna D. , Koshy Roshine M. , Kumar Pramod , Mahanta Pranabika , Medhi Robin , Nath Pranoy , Rani Anjali , Roy Indrani , Sarma Usha , V Carolin Solomi , Talukdar Ratna Kanta , Zahir Farzana , Hill Michael , Kansal Nimmi , Nakra Reena , Baigent Colin , Knight Marian , Kurinczuk Jenny J. 
Published: January 2021

Background: Maternal and perinatal Health Research collaboration, India (MaatHRI) is a research platform that aims to improve evidence-based pregnancy care and outcomes for mothers and babies in India, a country with the second highest burden of maternal and perinatal deaths. The objective of this paper is to describe the methods used to establish and standardise the platform and the results of the process. Methods: MaatHRI is a hospital-based collaborative research platform. It is adapted from the UK Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS) and built on a pilot model (IndOSS-Assam), which has been extensively standardised using the following methods: (i) establishing a network of hospitals; (ii) setting up a secure system for data collection, storage and transfer; (iii) developing a standardised laboratory infrastructure; and (iv) developing and implementing regulatory systems. Results: MaatHRI was established in September 2018. Fourteen hospitals participate across four states in India – Assam, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. The research team includes 20 nurses, a project manager, 16 obstetricians, two pathologists, a public health specialist, a general physician and a paediatrician. MaatHRI has advanced standardisation of data and laboratory parameters, real-time monitoring of data and participant safety, and secure transfer of data. Four observational epidemiological studies are presently being undertaken through the platform. MaatHRI has enabled bi-directional capacity building. It is overseen by a steering committee and a data safety and monitoring board, a process that is not normally used, but was found to be highly effective in ensuring data safety and equitable partnerships in the context of low and middle income countries (LMICs). Conclusion: MaatHRI is the first prototype of UKOSS and other similar platforms in a LMIC setting. The model is built on existing methods but applies new standardisation processes to develop a collaborative research platform that can be replicated in other LMICs.
Human Proteinase 3, an important autoantigen of c-ANCA associated vasculitis, shares cross-reactive epitopes with serine protease allergens from mites: an in silico analysis
Authors: Buendía Emiro , Marlon Múnera , Parra Orlando , Sánchez María , Sánchez Andrés , Sánchez Jorge , Viasus Diego 
Published: January 2021

Background: In autoimmune vasculitis, autoantibodies to Human Proteinase 3 (PR3), a human serine protease, seems to have a role on the inception of c-ANCA associated vasculitis. The origin of this autoreactive response remains unclear. However, for several autoreactive responses, molecular mimicry between environmental antigens and human proteins is key to trigger autoantibodies and finally autoimmunity manifestations. Considering that PR3 is a serine protease and house dust mite (HDM) group 3 allergens share this biochemical activity, the aim of this study was to identify cross-reactive epitopes between serine proteases from human and mites using an in silico approach. Methods: Multi alignment among amino acid sequences of PR3 and HDM group 3 allergens was performed to explore identity and structural homology. ElliPro and BepiPred in silico tools were used to predict B and T cell epitopes. Consurf tool was used to conduct identification of conserved regions in serine proteases family. Results: PR3 and HDM group 3 allergens shared moderate identity and structural homology (root mean square deviation < 1). One B cell cross reactive epitope among serine proteases was identified (29I, 30V, 31G, 32G, 34E, 36K, 37A, 38L, 39A and 54C) and two T cell epitopes. Conclusions: PR3 have structural homology and share cross reactive epitopes with HDM group 3 allergens.
Botulism outbreak after the consumption of vegetarian pâté in the south of Viet Nam
Authors: Hung Le Quoc , Tho Vo Ngoc Anh , Khanh Do Thi Ngoc , Hien Vo Thi Thanh , Day Jeremy N. , Sang Nguyen Ngoc , Tam Hua Thoai , Thanh Ho Thi Chi , Ngan Nguyen Thi Thuy 
Published: January 2021

Botulism is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum. Here we reported a case series of six patients who presented with botulism following ingestion of commercially made pâté. The key features of presentation were acute onset of bilateral cranial nerve palsies and symmetrical descending weakness in the absence of fever resulting in the need for mechanical ventilation in all six patients. The clinical diagnosis of botulism was confirmed through the identification of C. botulinum from the suspected food source. Given that botulinum antitoxin was not available in Vietnam at the time, and their severe status, all patients received a trial of plasma exchange therapy, but no clear benefit was seen. Due to its rarity, diagnosing botulism is a challenge, demanding high clinical suspicion. Successful outcomes depend upon early recognition and rapid initiation of specific treatment with botulinum antitoxin. There is a need to improve global access to antitoxin. These cases, the first in Viet Nam, serve as a reminder of the need to maintain the highest possible food hygiene and preservation practices.
EFFECT OF ORGANIZATION COMMITMENT, WORK MOTIVATION AND WORK DISCIPLINE ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE (Study at. PT. PLN (Persero) P3b Sumatera UPT Padang)
Authors: Amri Andi , Ramadhi Ramadhi , Ramdani Zulmi 
Published: January 2021

Employees are an essential asset for the organization to advance and develop the organization to be more productive. This situation may achieve when employees in the organization have optimal performance. Many factors positively affect the performance of employees in the organization. This study aims to determine how much influence organizational commitment, work motivation and work discipline have on employee performance in PT. PLN (Persero) P3b Sumatera UPT Padang. Respondents who were involved in the study were 60 people who were selected using the saturated sample technique. The results showed that both partially and simultaneously, organizational commitment, work motivation, and work discipline had a significant and positive effect on employee performance. The coefficient of determination of the tested variables is .636. It shows that the percentage contribution of the variable organizational commitment, work motivation and work discipline to employee performance is 64.6%. In comparison, the remaining 35.4% determined by other variables not analyzed in this study's model. Thus, this study shows that the three tested variables must be an essential consideration for the organization to obtain optimal employee performance.
Development and evaluation of a color-image-based visual roughness measurement method with illumination robustness
Authors: Zhao Xinjia , Yi Huaian , Chen Yonglun , Shu Aihua 
Published: January 2021

At present, the application of machine vision methods for roughness measurement in production sites is limited by its adaptability to illumination variations during the measurement. In this study, a machine vision method for roughness measurement with robustness to illumination is proposed so as to explore the functions of its color image indices in improving the mathematical expression of the vector of three primary colors. Besides, virtual images of different-roughness surfaces were analyzed, the effects of the samples’ surface texture orientations on measurement indices were discussed, and the singular value ratio was derived as an index for evaluating roughness. The experimental results showed that the samples’ index values remained unchanged when the illumination was increased for both vertical and horizontal surface textures, indicating that the proposed method has strong robustness to illumination. In addition, the experimental results were verified by a support vector machine (SVM)-based method using 10 different-roughness test samples, with the verification range of 0.127–2.245 µm. It was found that the measurement accuracy reached 90%, suggesting that the proposed method is reasonable and feasible, and shows certain potential to be applied in engineering.
Highly efficient SiO2 trapezoidal grating-based thin-film solar cell
Authors: Aly Asmaa Mohamed A. , Hussein Mohamed , Yahia Ashraf , Hameed Mohamed Farhat O. , Obayya S. S. A. 
Published: January 2021

A crystalline silicon thin-film solar cell (c-Si TFSC) with a trapezoidal grating is newly introduced and analyzed. The three-dimensional (3D) finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is employed to optimize the geometrical parameters of the trapezoidal grating and hence maximize the light absorption. The proposed trapezoidal grating TFSC offers an optical ultimate efficiency (

η

) of 32.3%, with an enhancement of 81% relative to the conventional TFSC. The light absorption enhancement within wavelength range (300–1100 nm) is based on the diffraction grating, which supports Bloch modes through the suggested solar cell. The electrical characteristics of the proposed design are also studied using the finite-element method. The cell doping concentration, junction thickness, and recombination process are also investigated to further enhance the power conversion efficiency (PCE). The reported design offers a short circuit current density

J

s
c

of

24.8

m
A

/

c
m

2

and PCE of 12.5% with an improvement of 83% over the conventional TFSC.
Accurate spectroscopy with sCMOS cameras at ultra-low intensities of light
Authors: Matsiaka Oleksii , Plakhotnik Taras 
Published: January 2021

Modern image detectors with exceptionally low readout noise of about one electron (

e

−

) per pixel allow for applications with ultra-low levels of light intensity. In this Letter, we report a property of scientific CMOS detectors that makes accurate spectroscopy at ultra-low levels of illumination depending on a thorough calibration procedure. Our results reveal that pixel sensitivity to light may have significant nonlinearity at accumulation levels smaller than

50

e

−

per pixel. The sensitivity decreases by a factor of

∼

0.7

at an accumulation level of

∼

1

e

−

per pixel and photon detection rate of about 170 Hz. We demonstrate that the nature of this nonlinearity might be quite complicated: the photoelectric response of a pixel depends on both the number of accumulated electrons and the detection count rate (at rates larger than 250 Hz).
1  kW, 10  mJ, 120  fs coherently combined fiber CPA laser system
Authors: Stark Henning , Buldt Joachim , Müller Michael , Klenke Arno , Limpert Jens 
Published: January 2021

An ultrafast fiber chirped-pulse amplification laser system based on a coherent combination of 16 ytterbium-doped rod-type amplifiers is presented. It generates 10 mJ pulse energy at 1 kW average power and 120 fs pulse duration. A partially helium-protected, two-staged chirped-pulse amplification grating compressor is implemented to maintain the close to diffraction-limited beam quality by avoiding nonlinear absorption in air.