bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lymphocyte telomere length predicts clinical outcomes of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer patients after definitive radiotherapy
Authors: Luo Xiaoning , Sturgis Erich M , Yang Zheng , Sun Yan , Wei Peng , Liu Zhensheng , Wei Qingyi , Li Guojun 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBecause lymphocyte telomere length (LTL) plays critical roles in the maintenance of genomic stability and integrity, LTL thus may influence the etiology and prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (SCCOP). However, given the association between LTL and risk of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated SCCOP and between LTL and tumor HPV status of SCCOP, we hypothesized that LTL is associated with SCCOP prognosis, particularly in HPV-positive patients after definitive radiotherapy. LTL and tumor HPV type 16 (HPV16) status were determined in 564 incident SCCOP patients before radiotherapy or chemoradiation. Both univariate and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to estimate the association between LTL and prognosis. Eighty-five percent patients had HPV16-positive tumors. Patients with shorter telomeres had significantly better overall, disease-specific and disease-free survival than did those with longer telomeres (log-rank P < 0.001). Moreover, patients with shorter telomeres had significantly lower risk of death overall [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.1–0.4], death due to SCCOP (HR = 0.2; 95% CI = 0.1–0.4) and SCCOP recurrence (HR = 0.3; 95% CI = 0.2–0.5) after adjusting for other important prognostic confounders. Finally, we found more pronounced effects of LTL on survival in HPV16-positive SCCOP patients after stratified analysis according to tumor HPV status. These findings indicate that LTL plays a significant role in the survival of patients with SCCOP, especially HPV16-positive patients who undergo definitive radiotherapy. Therefore, pretreatment LTL may be an independent prognostic biomarker for HPV16-positive SCCOP. Prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings.
Perinatal iron deficiency and a high salt diet cause long-term kidney mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress
Authors: Woodman Andrew G , Mah Richard , Keddie Danae L , Noble Ronan M N , Holody Claudia D , Panahi Sareh , Gragasin Ferrante S , Lemieux Helene , Bourque Stephane L 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Aims
Perinatal iron deficiency (ID) alters developmental trajectories of offspring, predisposing them to cardiovascular dysfunction in later life. The mechanisms underlying this long-term programming of renal function have not been defined. We hypothesized perinatal ID causes hypertension and alters kidney metabolic function and morphology in a sex-dependent manner in adult offspring. Furthermore, we hypothesized these effects are exacerbated by chronic consumption of a high salt diet.

Methods and results
Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were fed either an iron-restricted or replete diet prior to and throughout pregnancy. Adult offspring were fed normal or high salt diets for 6 weeks prior to experimentation at 6 months of age. Blood pressure (BP) was assessed via indwelling catheters in anaesthetized offspring; kidney mitochondrial function was assessed via high-resolution respirometry; reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide were quantified via fluorescence microscopy. Adult males, but not females, exhibited increased systolic BP due to ID (P = 0.01) and high salt intake (P = 0.02). In males, but not in females, medullary mitochondrial content was increased by high salt (P = 0.003), while succinate-dependent respiration was reduced by ID (P &lt; 0.05). The combination of perinatal ID and high salt reduced complex IV activity in the cortex of males (P = 0.01). Perinatal ID increased cytosolic superoxide generation (P &lt; 0.001) concomitant with reduced nitric oxide bioavailability (P &lt; 0.001) in male offspring, while high salt increased mitochondrial superoxide in the medulla (P = 0.04) and cytosolic superoxide within the cortex (P = 0.01). Male offspring exhibited glomerular basement membrane thickening (P &lt; 0.05), increased collagen deposition (P &lt; 0.05), and glomerular hypertrophy (interaction, P = 0.02) due to both perinatal ID and high salt. Female offspring exhibited no alterations in mitochondrial function or morphology due to either high salt or ID.

Conclusion
Perinatal ID causes long-term sex-dependent alterations in renal metabolic function and morphology, potentially contributing to hypertension and increased cardiovascular disease risk.
The Microbiome in Paediatric Crohn’s Disease—A Longitudinal, Prospective,  Single-Centre Study
Authors: Kansal Shivani , Catto-Smith Anthony G , Boniface Karen , Thomas Sarah , Cameron Donald J , Oliver Mark , Alex George , Kirkwood Carl D , Wagner Josef 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackground and AimsThe gut mucosa is the principal site where Crohn’s disease [CD] inflammation occurs. Limited information is available about the gut mucosal microbiome during CD relapse and remission. The aim of our study was to characterize specific changes in the gut microbiome during relapse and remission in a large single-centre paediatric CD cohort.MethodsWe analysed the microbiome of 345 biopsies from 204 patients, including 88 CD first diagnosis [CDFD] patients, 38 relapse [CDRL] patients, 12 remission [CDRM] patients, and 66 controls. Species identification was conducted using oligotyping in combination with ARB/SILVA taxonomic annotation.ResultsWe observed 45 bacteria to differ between CDFD samples and controls with statistical significance, with Fusobacterium being the most implicated species in CDFD patients. We also identified gender-specific differences in CD. Five species showed a strong association with CDRL patients and 10 species with CDRM patients. Three taxa showed a positive co-occurrence across the two groups. Hespellia porcina [closest taxonomic neighbour to Clostridium oroticum] was the most strongly associated with CDRL samples. Interestingly, Fusobacterium was not part of the CDRL-associated taxa group. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii was equally present in CDFD and control samples.ConclusionThis is the first study that has investigated the gut mucosal microbiome in a paediatric CD cohort with longitudinal sampling. Importantly, the microbiome of patients in CDRM did not return to a healthy control state. Neither did the microbiome of patients with CDRL return to the profile seen at CDFD.
Faecal Calprotectin Is a Very Reliable Tool to Predict and Monitor the Risk of Relapse After Therapeutic De-escalation in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Buisson Anthony , Mak Wing Yan , Andersen Michael J , Lei Donald , Kahn Stacy A , Pekow Joel , Cohen Russel D , Zmeter Nada , Pereira Bruno , Rubin David T 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Aims
To assess faecal calprotectin [Fcal] levels before and after therapeutic de-escalation, to predict clinical relapse in patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD].

Methods
From a prospectively maintained database, we enrolled 160 IBD patients [112 Crohn’s disease/48 ulcerative colitis] in clinical remission, with Fcal measured within 8 weeks before therapeutic de-escalation. Clinical relapse was defined using the Harvey-Bradshaw index or Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index.

Results
Using a receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve, Fcal &gt;100 µg/g was the best threshold to predict clinical relapse after therapeutic de-escalation (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.84). In multivariate analysis, clinical remission &gt;6 months before therapeutic de-escalation (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.57 [0.33–0.99]; p = 0.044) was associated with decreased risk of relapse, whereas current steroid medication ( = 1.67[1.00–2.79]; p &lt;0.0001) was a risk factor. Fcal &gt;100 µg/g was predictive of clinical relapse (HR = 3.96 [2.47–6.35]; p &lt; 0.0001) in the whole cohort but also in patients receiving anti-tumour necrosis factor [TNF] agents [n = 85 patients; p &lt;0.0001], anti-integrins [n = 32; p = 0.003], or no biologics [n = 43; p = 0.049], or attempting to discontinue steroids [n = 37; p = 0.001]. One patient [1/98] and seven patients [7/88, 8.0%] with baseline Fcal &lt;100 µg/g relapsed within 3 months and 6 months after therapeutic de-escalation, respectively. A total of 74 Fcal measurements were performed in 52 patients after therapeutic de-escalation. Monitoring Fcal &gt;200 µg/g [ROC curve with AUC = 0.96] was highly predictive of clinical relapse in multivariate analysis ([HR = 31.8 [3.5–289.4], p = 0.002). Only two relapses [2/45, 4.4%] occurred within 6 months while Fcal &lt;200 µg/g.

Conclusions
Fcal level is highly accurate to predict and monitor the risk of relapse after therapeutic de-escalation in IBD patients and could be used in daily practice.
On the role of covariates in the synthetic control method
Authors: Botosaru Irene , Ferman Bruno 
Published: January 2019

Summary
Abadie et al. (2010) derive bounds on the bias of the synthetic control estimator under a perfect balance assumption on both observed covariates and pre-treatment outcomes. In the absence of a perfect balance on covariates, we show that it is still possible to derive such bounds, albeit at the expense of relying on stronger assumptions about the effects of observed and unobserved covariates and of generating looser bounds. We also show that a perfect balance on pre-treatment outcomes does not generally imply an approximate balance for all covariates, even when they are all relevant. Our results have important implications for the implementation of the method.
Quantile coherency: A general measure for dependence between cyclical economic variables
Authors: Baruník Jozef , Kley Tobias 
Published: January 2019

SummaryIn this paper, we introduce quantile coherency to measure general dependence structures emerging in the joint distribution in the frequency domain and argue that this type of dependence is natural for economic time series but remains invisible when only the traditional analysis is employed. We define estimators that capture the general dependence structure, provide a detailed analysis of their asymptotic properties, and discuss how to conduct inference for a general class of possibly nonlinear processes. In an empirical illustration we examine the dependence of bivariate stock market returns and shed new light on measurement of tail risk in financial markets. We also provide a modelling exercise to illustrate how applied researchers can benefit from using quantile coherency when assessing time series models.
Amylase level in cervical drain fluid and anastomotic leakage after cervical oesophagogastrostomy†
Authors: Yu Woo Sik , Jung Joonho , Shin Hyejung , Roh Yunho , Byun Go Eun , Kim Dae Joon , Haam Seokjin , Park Seong Yong 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Anastomotic leakage after oesophageal cancer surgery is a serious complication. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of anastomotic leakage by repeatedly measuring amylase levels in the fluid obtained from the drainage tube inserted at the cervical anastomotic site.

METHODS
Ninety-nine patients who underwent oesophagectomy and cervical oesophagogastrostomy between April 2014 and March 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. A drainage tube was placed at the anastomotic site, and amylase levels were measured daily from postoperative day (POD) 1 until oral feeding or confirmation of anastomotic leakage. The amylase levels were analysed with a linear mixed model.

RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 64.9 ± 9.0 years, and there were 89 (89%) male patients. Almost all pathologies (92%) were squamous cell carcinomas. The anastomotic methods were as follows: 63 (63%) circular stapled, 33 (33%) hand-sewn and 3 (3%) semistapled. Anastomotic leakage was confirmed in 10 (10%) patients. The amylase levels increased until POD 2 in both the leakage and non-leakage groups, but the levels subsequently decreased in the non-leakage group, whereas the levels peaked on POD 3 in the leakage group. On performing the linear mixed model analysis, anastomotic leakage was significantly associated with the trends in postoperative amylase levels in the drainage tube (P < 0.001). Trends in the serum C-reactive protein levels and white blood cell count were not significantly associated with anastomotic leakage.

CONCLUSIONS
Amylase level trends measured in the cervical drain fluid can be a useful indicator of anastomotic leakage after cervical oesophagogastrostomy.
Revisiting firm flexibility and efficiency: evidence from the EU dairy processing industry
Authors: Hirsch Stefan , Mishra Ashok , Möhring Niklas , Finger Robert 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
We analyse the flexibility of EU dairy processors to adjust production to fluctuating economic conditions. For a set of 2,186 firms, we derive production flexibility measures representing the effect of output variations on costs. The results reveal that flexibility is highest in Poland and Italy and lowest in Spain. Several firm-specific factors, such as size and age of the firm, are found to affect firm flexibility. Moreover, we detect a tradeoff between flexibility and technical efficiency for large firms indicating that a sole focus on firm efficiency can be insufficient. Finally, the results show that during economic crisis flexibility can help to sustain profitability.
Intergenerational Transmission and Support for EU Membership in the United Kingdom: The Case of Brexit
Authors: Fox Stuart , Hampton Jennifer May , Muddiman Esther , Taylor Chris 
Published: January 2019

AbstractEuroscepticism is increasingly important to the shaping and understanding of contemporary European public opinion and politics. The origins of the trait, however, particularly the values that predispose individuals to view the European Union (EU) as a legitimate (or otherwise) political institution, remain poorly understood. Literature on political socialization identifies the family as a vital influence on the development of many social and political attitudes. This study explores the role of the family in the development of Euroscepticism by examining evidence of intergenerational transmission of hostility towards membership of the EU between parents and children in the United Kingdom during its ‘Brexit referendum’. The study shows that the attitudes of parents during one’s politically formative years can be an important factor in shaping support for EU membership. It also finds that this intergenerational transmission is different for mothers and fathers: while there is a greater likelihood of a child’s attitudes being affected by those of their father, if they are affected by their mother’s views they are more likely to eventually share their mother’s position on EU membership. This identifies the family as a key source of the values that shape support for European integration, potentially accelerating or opposing other social trends that have resulted in successive generations typically being more supportive of EU membership.
Amphibious surface-wave phase-velocity measurements of the Cascadia subduction zone
Authors: Janiszewski Helen A , Gaherty James B , Abers Geoffrey A , Gao Haiying , Eilon Zachary C 
Published: January 2019

SUMMARY
A new amphibious seismic data set from the Cascadia subduction zone is used to characterize the lithosphere structure from the Juan de Fuca ridge to the Cascades backarc. These seismic data are allowing the imaging of an entire tectonic plate from its creation at the ridge through the onset of the subduction to beyond the volcanic arc, along the entire strike of the Cascadia subduction zone. We develop a tilt and compliance correction procedure for ocean-bottom seismometers that employs automated quality control to calculate robust station noise properties. To elucidate crust and upper-mantle structure, we present shoreline-crossing Rayleigh-wave phase-velocity maps for the Cascadia subduction zone, calculated from earthquake data from 20 to 160 s period and from ambient-noise correlations from 9 to 20 s period. We interpret the phase-velocity maps in terms of the tectonics associated with the Juan de Fuca plate history and the Cascadia subduction system. We find that thermal oceanic plate cooling models cannot explain velocity anomalies observed beneath the Juan de Fuca plate. Instead, they may be explained by a ≤1 per cent partial melt region beneath the ridge and are spatially collocated with patches of hydration and increased faulting in the crust and upper mantle near the deformation front. In the forearc, slow velocities appear to be more prevalent in areas that experienced high slip in past Cascadia megathrust earthquakes and generally occur updip of the highest-density tremor regions and locations of intraplate earthquakes. Beneath the volcanic arc, the slowest phase velocities correlate with regions of highest magma production volume.
Analysis of whole-school policy changes in Austrian schools
Authors: Teutsch Friedrich , Gugglberger Lisa 
Published: January 2019

AbstractHealth Policies with school-wide effects have been shown to improve the health of students and school staff, but in practice, schools struggle with this approach. Ten Austrian schools which had recently adopted new time structure policies were investigated: On the basis of 19 interviews with school staff, we used thematic analysis to identify facilitating and hindering factors for the implementation processes. Furthermore, agency analysis was applied, in which the interviewees’ use of language was interpreted to estimate their perception of their own agency in the context of policy change. We found that in schools where policy changes were perceived as successfully implemented, staff was convinced of the benefits. In these schools, time structures were understood to directly influence learning and teaching processes and staff members showed a strong feeling of agency. On the other hand, schools were confronted with hindering factors similar to those known from the implementation of other health policies. The results are discussed in the light of current implementation practices, and conclusions for practitioners are drawn.
The Rectangular Representation of the Double Affine Hecke Algebra via Elliptic Schur–Weyl Duality
Authors: Jordan David , Vazirani Monica 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Given a module $M$ for the algebra ${\mathcal{D}}_{\mathtt{q}}(G)$ of quantum differential operators on $G$, and a positive integer $n$, we may equip the space $F_n^G(M)$ of invariant tensors in $V^{\otimes n}\otimes M$, with an action of the double affine Hecke algebra of type $A_{n-1}$. Here $G= SL_N$ or $GL_N$, and $V$ is the $N$-dimensional defining representation of $G$. In this paper, we take $M$ to be the basic ${\mathcal{D}}_{\mathtt{q}}(G)$-module, that is, the quantized coordinate algebra $M= {\mathcal{O}}_{\mathtt{q}}(G)$. We describe a weight basis for $F_n^G({\mathcal{O}}_{\mathtt{q}}(G))$ combinatorially in terms of walks in the type $A$ weight lattice, and standard periodic tableaux, and subsequently identify $F_n^G({\mathcal{O}}_{\mathtt{q}}(G))$ with the irreducible “rectangular representation” of height $N$ of the double affine Hecke algebra.
Neuraminidase, the Forgotten Surface Antigen, Emerges as an Influenza Vaccine Target for Broadened Protection
Authors: Eichelberger Maryna C , Monto Arnold S 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
For 50 years it has been known that antibodies to neuraminidase (NA) protect against infection during seasonal and pandemic influenza outbreaks. However, NA is largely ignored in the formulation and standardization of our current influenza vaccines. There are a number of factors that contributed to this antigen being forgotten, including the lack of an easily performed test to measure NA antibody. With the availability of that test, it has been possible to show its independent contribution to protection in various situations. The challenge now is to make it possible to include known amounts of NA in investigational vaccines or to routinely measure NA content in licensed vaccines. Vaccines containing optimal amounts of NA may be particularly useful when there are antigenic changes, either drift or shift, in the hemagglutinin because NA immunity offers broad protection. It is now time to remember the NA as we work toward improved influenza vaccines.
Validation of a point-of-care rapid diagnostic test for hepatitis C for use in resource-limited settings
Authors: Leathers James S , Pisano Maria Belen , Re Viviana , van Oord Gertine , Sultan Amir , Boonstra Andre , Debes Jose D 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Background
Treatment of HCV with direct-acting antivirals has enabled the discussion of HCV eradication worldwide. Envisioning this aim requires implementation of mass screening in resource-limited areas, usually constrained by testing costs.

Methods
We validated a low-cost, rapid diagnosis test (RDT) for HCV in three different continents in 141 individuals.

Results
The HCV RDT showed 100% specificity and sensitivity across different samples regardless of genotype or viral load (in samples with such information, 90%).

Conclusions
The HCV test validated in this study can allow for HCV screening in areas of need when properly used.
Healthcare accessibility in the rural plains (terai) of Nepal: physical factors and associated attitudes of the local population
Authors: Ashworth Henry C , Roux Thomas L , Buggy Conor J 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Background
While access to healthcare has been a focus of international development, populations around the world continue to lack proper access to care. Identifying at-risk demographic groups can help advance efforts both regionally and internationally. There are only a small number of studies that previously have assessed physical barriers and attitudes in Nepal.

Methods
This study assessed the factors and attitudes associated with healthcare accessibility in a rural population outside of Lumbini, Nepal. This descriptive cross-sectional study used a volunteer-sampling approach to collect 585 questionnaire responses from the area formerly known as the Madhuwani Village Development Committee.

Results
The study found that the population was more likely to access private care than public, and reported longer times to access a hospital than the national average. Across almost all findings, those with lower than a secondary education had significantly larger barriers, lower satisfaction and higher reported difficulty in accessing healthcare. Females were shown to have significantly larger transportation barriers in accessing care and lower satisfaction compared with males.

Conclusions
Results identify women and the less-educated as having larger barriers to accessing healthcare. Further research should focus on how inequities in access affect health outcomes among these identified vulnerable groups.