bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and C-Reactive Protein in Acute Inflammation
Authors: Lapić Ivana , Padoan Andrea , Bozzato Dania , Plebani Mario 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the diagnostic accuracy of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in acute inflammation.MethodsPubMed and Scopus were searched and eligible articles were screened for methodologic quality using the Quality Assessment of the Diagnostic Accuracy Studies–Revised. Meta-analysis with calculation of pooled sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), and summary area under the curve (SAUC) was performed.ResultsTwenty-nine studies were eligible. Se and Sp were 0.78 and 0.68 (SAUC = 0.80) for ESR in orthopedic infections and 0.79 and 0.70 (SAUC = 0.81) for CRP. For the diagnosis of other various inflammatory conditions, CRP had a superior diagnostic accuracy, with a Se of 0.86, Sp of 0.67, and SAUC of 0.86 compared with a Se of 0.77, Sp of 0.59, and SAUC of 0.75 for ESR. Heterogeneity among studies was elevated. Combined use of ESR and CRP yielded higher diagnostic accuracy.ConclusionsDespite observed heterogeneity among studies, ESR and CRP have a similar diagnostic accuracy in assessment of inflammation, especially in orthopedic conditions.
Venous Blood-Based Biomarkers in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study: Rationale, Design, and Results From the 2015 Wave
Authors: Chen Xinxin , Crimmins Eileen , Hu Peifeng (Perry) , Kim Jung Ki , Meng Qinqin , Strauss John , Wang Yafeng , Zeng Junxia , Zhang Yuan , Zhao Yaohui 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Blood biomarkers provide critical information about the health of older populations, especially in large developing countries where self-reports of health are often inaccurate due to lack of access to health care. However, it is very difficult to collect blood samples in representative population surveys in such countries. The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a nationally representative study of middle-aged and older Chinese, represents one of the first efforts to include blood biomarkers in a nationally representative survey of China. In the 2015 wave of CHARLS, 13,013 respondents located in 150 counties around China donated whole blood, which was assayed on a range of indicators. Here we describe the process of the sample collection, transportation, storage, and analysis and present basic statistics.
Endothelial Microvesicles Circulating in Peripheral and Coronary Circulation Are Associated With Central Blood Pressure in Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Gkaliagkousi Eugenia , Gavriilaki Eleni , Vasileiadis Ioannis , Nikolaidou Barbara , Yiannaki Efthalia , Lazaridis Antonios , Triantafyllou Areti , Anyfanti Panagiota , Markala Dimitra , Zarifis Ioannis , Douma Stella 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Endothelial microvesicles (EMVs) have emerged as markers of endothelial injury. However, little is known about their levels in the coronary circulation of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and stable coronary artery disease (CAD). We hypothesized that ACS patients exhibit a more pronounced increase of EMVs both in the peripheral and coronary circulation when compared with CAD. We also investigated possible associations of EMVs with markers preclinical target organ damage.

METHODS
We enrolled consecutive eligible patients undergoing coronary angiography. Blood samples were collected from the stem of the left coronary artery and the femoral artery. ΕMVs were measured by a standardized flow cytometry protocol. Central systolic blood pressure (cSBP) was measured invasively and patients’ history was recorded.

RESULTS
CAD patients exhibited increased levels of EMVs compared with controls. When patients with ACS and stable CAD were compared, the former had significantly increased EMVs in both coronary and peripheral circulation. Importantly, both ACS and CAD patients exhibited increased levels of EMVs in the coronary circulation compared with periphery. In addition, EMVs were associated with cSBP.

CONCLUSIONS
EMVs emerge as novel markers of ongoing underlying vascular damage, further augmenting the vicious cycle of inflammation and thrombosis mainly in ACS but also in stable CAD.
Circulating Plasma Metabolomic Profiles Differentiate Rodent Models of Pulmonary Hypertension and Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Patients
Authors: Zhao Jun-Han , He Yang-Yang , Guo Shan-Shan , Yan Yi , Wang Zhe , Ye Jue , Zhang Jin-Lan , Wang Yong , Pang Xiao-Bin , Xie Xin-Mei , Lin Jian-Hui , Jing Zhi-Cheng , Han Zhi-Yan 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe progressive disease with systemic metabolic dysregulation. Monocrotaline (MCT)-induced and hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH) rodent models are the most widely used preclinical models, however, whether or not these preclinical models recapitulate metabolomic profiles of PAH patients remain unclear.

METHODS
In this study, a targeted metabolomics panel of 126 small molecule metabolites was conducted. We applied it to the plasma of the 2 preclinical rodent models of PH and 30 idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) patients as well as 30 healthy controls to comparatively assess the metabolomic profiles of PAH patients and rodent models.

RESULTS
Significantly different metabolomics profiling and pathways were shown among the 2 classical rodent models and IPAH patients. Pathway analysis demonstrated that methionine metabolism and urea cycle metabolism were the most significant pathway involved in the pathogenesis of hypoxia-induced PH model and MCT-induced model, respectively, and both of them were also observed in the dysregulated pathways in IPAH patients.

CONCLUSIONS
These 2 models may develop PAH through different metabolomic pathways and each of the 2 classical PH model resembles IPAH patients in certain aspects.
Semiconductor Work and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Associated with Male Workers: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Choi Kyung-Hwa , Kim Hyunjoo , Kim Myoung-Hee , Kwon Ho-Jang 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Objectives
A hazardous work environment in semiconductor factories is a threat to the workers’ health. Semiconductor manufacturing characteristically requires young workers, and reproductive toxicity is an important issue. Studies investigating reproductive toxicity among individuals working in the semiconductor manufacturing industry have primarily focused on outcomes in women. Information on the reproductive health of male semiconductor factory workers is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the association between workplace exposures among male workers in a Korean semiconductor company and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods
Based on the data from the 2015 Semiconductor Health Survey (SHS), which evaluated the workplace exposures, pregnancy outcomes, and general health of 21 969 employees of the semiconductor industry in South Korea, we included 3868 male workers with 7504 pregnancy outcomes identified by self-reports for this retrospective cohort study. Data regarding the pregnancy outcomes, order of pregnancy, and the years of the outcomes were collected via the SHS questionnaire. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were defined as preterm labor, spontaneous abortion, and stillbirth. Workplace exposures were classified as fabrication, assembly, others, lab, and office work (reference group). A generalized estimating equations model including repeated events of individuals and producing relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to estimate the association between workplace exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Analyses were adjusted for work location, spouse’s employment in semiconductor production work, educational level, marital status, risky alcohol drinking, smoking status, body mass index, order of pregnancy, and age and year of pregnancy outcome, which were based on a priori decisions.

Results
The adjusted risk for adverse outcomes was higher [RR (95% CI): 1.47 (1.04, 2.07)] among assembly process workers compared with the office workers. Adjusted risks for adverse outcomes among workers in assembly and fabrication, whose spouses also worked in semiconductor production, were 1.60 (95% CI: 1.04, 2.46) and 1.74 (95% CI: 1.18, 2.57) times higher, respectively, compared with the office workers with spouses not working in semiconductor production.

Conclusions
Based on these findings, semiconductor work might be considered a risk factor for reproductive toxicity among male workers, especially for those whose spouses have the same job.
Estimation of Source-Specific Occupational Benzene Exposure in a Population-Based Case–Control Study of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Dopart Pamela J , Locke Sarah J , Cocco Pierluigi , Bassig Bryan A , Josse Pabitra R , Stewart Patricia A , Purdue Mark P , Lan Qing , Rothman Nathaniel , Friesen Melissa C 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectivesOccupational exposures in population-based case–control studies are increasingly being assessed using decision rules that link participants’ responses to occupational questionnaires to exposure estimates. We used a hierarchical process that incorporated decision rules and job-by-job expert review to assign occupational benzene exposure estimates in a US population-based case–control study of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.MethodsWe conducted a literature review to identify scenarios in which occupational benzene exposure has occurred, which we grouped into 12 categories of benzene exposure sources. For each source category, we then developed decision rules for assessing probability (ordinal scale based on the likelihood of exposure > 0.02 ppm), frequency (proportion of work time exposed), and intensity of exposure (in ppm). The rules used the participants’ occupational history responses and, for a subset of jobs, responses to job- and industry-specific modules. For probability and frequency, we used a hierarchical assignment procedure that prioritized subject-specific module information when available. Next, we derived job-group medians from the module responses to assign estimates to jobs with only occupational history responses. Last, we used job-by-job expert review to assign estimates when job-group medians were not available or when the decision rules identified possible heterogeneous or rare exposure scenarios. For intensity, we developed separate estimates for each benzene source category that were based on published measurement data whenever possible. Frequency and intensity annual source-specific estimates were assigned only for those jobs assigned ≥75% probability of exposure. Annual source-specific concentrations (intensity × frequency) were summed to obtain a total annual benzene concentration for each job.ResultsOf the 8827 jobs reported by participants, 8% required expert review for one or more source categories. Overall, 287 (3.3%) jobs were assigned ≥75% probability of exposure from any benzene source category. The source categories most commonly assigned ≥75% probability of exposure were gasoline and degreasing. The median total annual benzene concentration among jobs assigned ≥75% probability was 0.11 ppm (interquartile range: 0.06–0.55). The highest source-specific median annual concentrations were observed for ink and printing (2.3 and 1.2 ppm, respectively).ConclusionsThe applied framework captures some subject-specific variability in work tasks, provides transparency to the exposure decision process, and facilitates future sensitivity analyses. The developed decision rules can be used as a starting point by other researchers to assess occupational benzene exposure in future population-based studies.
Kelp beds as coastal protection: wave attenuation of Ecklonia radiata in a shallow coastal bay
Authors: Morris Rebecca L , Graham Tristan D J , Kelvin Jaya , Ghisalberti Marco , Swearer Stephen E 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Background and Aims
Coastal protection from erosion and flooding is a significant ecosystem service provided by vegetated marine systems. Kelp beds are a dominant habitat-forming species on temperate reefs worldwide. While they are valued as hotspots of biodiversity, there is a paucity of information that supports their use in nature-based coastal defence. This includes the effectiveness of kelp beds in attenuating waves approaching the shore and how this influences sediment transport.

Methods
Wave loggers were deployed at paired kelp bed and control (urchin barren) treatments at four sites in Port Phillip Bay, Australia. The significant wave height offshore (exposed side) to onshore (sheltered side) of the treatment were compared to determine wave attenuation.

Key Results
At three sites, the wave attenuation of kelp beds was significantly less than the control. This result was consistent across the environmental conditions recorded in this study. At the fourth site, on average there was no significant difference in wave transmission between kelp and control. However, wave attenuation at kelp beds was 10% greater than the control during periods of northerly winds. We highlight the importance of disentangling the effects of the reef substratum and kelp when evaluating the efficacy of kelp at providing coastal protection.

Conclusions
We have highlighted a significant gap in the research on ecosystem services provided by kelp beds. A greater understanding is needed on which kelp species are able to provide coastal protection, and under what conditions. Such future research is essential for providing managers and policy makers with actionable information on sustainable and cost-effective solutions for coastal defence when faced with a changing climate.
Technology Use in Everyday Financial Activities: Evidence from Online and Offline Survey Data
Authors: Sunderaraman Preeti , Ho Sarah , Chapman Silvia , Joyce Jillian L , Colvin Leigh , Omollo Shalom , Pleshkevich Maria , Cosentino Stephanie 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectiveInternet use and mobile devices permeate every aspect of our lives and are changing our financial habits. Assessment of financial decision-making (FDM) has not yet caught up to apparent changes in financial behavior. To modernize assessment methods and create current and comprehensive FDM frameworks, we first need to establish the most commonly used and most preferred methods of performing specific financial activities.MethodCross-sectional survey data were collected using an online platform and offline approaches (in person and by mail) (N = 234). The frequency of using technological (e.g., laptop) and non-technological (e.g., in-person banking) means of completing seven financial activities was assessed first, including Depositing checks, Reviewing bank statements, Keeping track of money spent, Transferring funds, Withdrawing cash, Paying bills, and Purchasing products online. Second, preference for technological versus non-technological methods was assessed. Finally, linear regression models examined associations between demographics and preference for technological methods for each financial activity.ResultsThe majority of respondents (77% online, 74% offline) used technology to perform various financial activities and preferred technological to non-technological methods for completing five out of the six financial activities. Increased preference for technological methods was associated with younger age for all the financial activities, and higher education was associated with reviewing bank statement and transferring funds.ConclusionsOur survey findings provide empirical evidence for the changing nature of our financial habits. We discuss the implications of this change for researchers, clinicians, and the individuals themselves and emphasize the importance of modernizing FDM tools.
XIV—Sexual Orientation: What Is It?
Authors: Stock Kathleen 
Published: July 2019

AbstractI defend an account of sexual orientation, understood as a reflexive disposition to be sexually attracted to people of a particular biological Sex or Sexes. An orientation is identified in terms of two aspects: the Sex of the subject who has the disposition, and whether that Sex is the same as, or different to, the Sex to which the subject is disposed to be attracted. I explore this account in some detail and defend it from several challenges. In doing so, I provide a theoretical framework that justifies our continued reference to Sex-directed sexual orientation as an important means of classifying human subjects.
Reproduction and maternal care increase oxidative stress in a mouthbrooding cichlid fish
Authors: Sawecki Jacob , Miros Emily , Border Shana E , Dijkstra Peter D 
Published: July 2019

AbstractInvestment in reproduction and postzygotic parental care is an energetically costly yet fundamental aspect of the life-history strategies in many species. Recently, oxidative stress has received attention as a potential mediator in the trade-off between reproduction, growth, and survival. During activities that increase metabolic activity, such as providing offspring care, an overproduction of reactive oxygen species can occur that cannot be counteracted by antioxidants, leading to oxidative stress and tissue damage. Here, we investigated the oxidative costs of reproduction and maternal care over the course of the reproductive cycle in a mouthbrooding cichlid fish within socially stable and unstable environments. We manipulated social stability by disrupting the habitat in socially unstable tanks. We expected to see an increase in the burden of maternal care within unstable environments due to increased male harassment of females as a byproduct of increased male–male aggression. We found that brooding females have higher levels of oxidative stress than nonbrooding females and oxidative stress fluctuates throughout the reproductive cycle. These fluctuations were driven by a spike in reactive oxygen metabolites at the beginning of brood care followed by an increase in antioxidant defense. Surprisingly, the link between reproduction and oxidative stress was not different between females from stable or unstable environments. Our study illustrates a more complete picture of the physiological costs of reproduction and parental care throughout different stages of care rather than a simplistic end-point observation of how reproduction and parental care affect an individual.
Evidence for differing trajectories of songs in urban and rural populations
Authors: Moseley Dana L , Phillips Jennifer N , Derryberry Elizabeth P , Luther David A 
Published: July 2019

AbstractLearned traits, such as foraging strategies and communication signals, can change over time via cultural evolution. Using historical recordings, we investigate the cultural evolution of birdsong over nearly a 50-year period. Specifically, we examine the parts of white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli) songs used for mate attraction and territorial defense. We compared historical (early 1970s) recordings with contemporary (mid-2010s) recordings from populations within and near San Francisco, CA and assessed the vocal performance of these songs. Because birds exposed to anthropogenic noise tend to sing at higher minimum frequencies with narrower frequency bandwidths, potentially reducing one measure of song performance, we hypothesized that other song features, such as syllable complexity, might be exaggerated, as an alternative means to display performance capabilities. We found that vocal performance increased between historical and contemporary songs, with a larger effect size for urban songs, and that syllable complexity, measured as the number of frequency modulations per syllable, was historically low for urban males but increased significantly in urban songs. We interpret these results as evidence for males increasing song complexity and trilled performance over time in urban habitats, despite performance constraints from urban noise, and suggest a new line of inquiry into how environments alter vocal performance over time.
Reproductive conflict resolution in cooperative breeders
Authors: Cram Dominic L , Jungwirth Arne , Spence-Jones Helen , Clutton-Brock Tim 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Female infanticide is common in animal societies where groups comprise multiple co-breeding females. To reduce the risk that their offspring are killed, mothers can synchronize breeding and pool offspring, making it hard for females to avoid killing their own young. However, female reproductive conflict does not invariably result in reproductive synchrony, and we lack a general hypothesis explaining the variation in conflict resolution strategies seen across species. Here, we investigate the fitness consequences of birth timing relative to other females and the prevalence of birth synchrony in cooperatively breeding Kalahari meerkats (Suricata suricatta). We show that, although there would be substantial benefits to females in synchronizing births and reducing their risk of infanticide, birth synchrony is rare. Since precise breeding synchrony has evolved in a related species with similar infanticidal female reproductive conflict, its absence in meerkats requires an evolutionary explanation. We therefore explore the costs and benefits of synchronizing breeding in two theoretical models, each of which contrasts synchrony with an alternative reproductive strategy: (i) breeding opportunistically and accepting fitness losses to infanticide or (ii) suppressing the reproduction of others to prevent infanticide. Our models show that the costs of synchrony constrain its development if subordinates breed infrequently, and that selection instead favors the suppression of subordinate reproduction by the dominant and opportunistic reproduction by subordinates. Together, our results suggest that the resolution of reproductive conflict in animal societies is shaped by differential breeding propensities among female group members, leading to divergent conflict resolution strategies even in closely related species.
DUETT quantitatively identifies known and novel events in nascent RNA structural dynamics from chemical probing data
Authors: Xue Albert Y , Yu Angela M , Lucks Julius B , Bagheri Neda 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMotivationRNA molecules can undergo complex structural dynamics, especially during transcription, which influence their biological functions. Recently developed high-throughput chemical probing experiments that study RNA cotranscriptional folding generate nucleotide-resolution ‘reactivities’ for each length of a growing nascent RNA that reflect structural dynamics. However, the manual annotation and qualitative interpretation of reactivity across these large datasets can be nuanced, laborious, and difficult for new practitioners. We developed a quantitative and systematic approach to automatically detect RNA folding events from these datasets to reduce human bias/error, standardize event discovery and generate hypotheses about RNA folding trajectories for further analysis and experimental validation.ResultsDetection of Unknown Events with Tunable Thresholds (DUETT) identifies RNA structural transitions in cotranscriptional RNA chemical probing datasets. DUETT employs a feedback control-inspired method and a linear regression approach and relies on interpretable and independently tunable parameter thresholds to match qualitative user expectations with quantitatively identified folding events. We validate the approach by identifying known RNA structural transitions within the cotranscriptional folding pathways of the Escherichia coli signal recognition particle RNA and the Bacillus cereus crcB fluoride riboswitch. We identify previously overlooked features of these datasets such as heightened reactivity patterns in the signal recognition particle RNA about 12 nt lengths before base-pair rearrangement. We then apply a sensitivity analysis to identify tradeoffs when choosing parameter thresholds. Finally, we show that DUETT is tunable across a wide range of contexts, enabling flexible application to study broad classes of RNA folding mechanisms.Availability and implementationhttps://github.com/BagheriLab/DUETT.Supplementary informationSupplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.