bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reconsidering the HbA1c Cutoff for Diabetes Diagnosis Based on a Large Chinese Cohort
Authors: Qi Jiying , Su Yang , Song Qianqian , Ding Zhaojun , Cao Min , Cui Bin , Qi Yan 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Introduction The HbA1c has been considered as the ‘gold standard’ in diabetes diagnosis and management, however, age, gender and body mass index (BMI) might have certain effects on HbA1c. We are aiming to further investigate the correlation between age and HbA1c, and whether it was affected by gender and BMI.
Methods A cross-sectional survey including 135,893 nondiabetic individuals who took the physical examination between 2013 and 2017 was conducted. The subjects were grouped by gender, age and BMI, and the interactive and independent effects of the 3 factors on the HbA1c were detected. The median and 95% confidence interval (CI) of HbA1c levels were calculated.
Results The HbA1c levels gradually increased along with age, both in female and male, and there is a positive association between BMI and the HbA1c. The difference on HbA1c in gender was associated with both age and BMI, the age-related increase in HbAlc was accentuated in the subgroup with higher BMI, and there was a marked accentuation of the positive association between BMI and HbA1c as age increased. In almost all the young and middle-aged (aged 20–59) subgroups, the 97.5th percentiles of HbA1c levels were lower than 6.5%, suggesting that the single HbA1c cutoff value is probably not applicable to the young and middle-aged population.
Conclusions We recommend that the effects of age, gender and BMI should be taken into consideration when using HbA1c for the diagnosis and management of diabetes, especially in the young and middle-aged population.
Bewegung und seelische Gesundheit
Authors: Fröhlich-Gildhoff Gabriele 
Published: April 2019

ZusammenfassungKörperliche Aktivität im aeroben Bereich hebt bei seelisch gesunden Menschen das
Wohlbefinden, die Stimmung ist auch Stunden nach der Aktivität gehoben. Somit
wirkt es sich langfristig präventiv auf die seelische Gesundheit aus. Bei
Menschen mit depressiven Erkrankungen oder Ängsten können körperliche
Aktivitäten als therapeutische Maßnahmen mit deutlicher Symptomreduktion genutzt
werden. Insbesondere bei leichten bis mittelgradigen Depressionen erreichen sie
gleich gute Ergebnisse wie eine antidepressive Medikation, bei der
Rezidivprophylaxe ist die körperliche Aktivität der Medikation sogar
überlegen.
Accuracy Evaluation of Five Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems in
Patients from Different Departments
Authors: Li Xiaona , Zheng Suhua , Pan Suiyue , Yan Ting , Di Jie , Yang Yinian , Cheng Jinluo 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Background Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) systems are
expected to be accurate and provide reliable results. The international
standard ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 15197:2013 is
widely accepted for the accuracy evaluation for SMBG systems. Accuracy
evaluation was performed for 5 different SMBG systems in patients from
multi-departments at the hospital.
Method A total of 120 patients from Changzhou Second People’s
Hospital (Changzhou, China) were randomized and enrolled in the study.
Accuracy evaluation was performed for 5 different SMBG systems: Gold AQ
(Sinocare), Freestyle Optium Xceed (Abbott), Contour TS (Bayer), OneTouch
Ultra (J&J) and Accu-Chek Performa (Roche). For each system,
comparison measurements were performed with YSI 2300 STAT PLUS Glucose and
Lactate Analyzer and Roche Cobas 8000 Modular Analyzer.
Results All 5 systems showed that 100% of results fall within
consensus error grid Zones A and B. Compared with YSI 2300 or Roche Cobas
8000 Modular Analyzer, Gold AQ system showed the highest accuracy. The
linearity analysis also showed that Gold AQ had the highest correlation
coefficient.
Conclusion Compared with other SMBG systems, Gold AQ Glucose
Monitoring System manufactured by Sinocare Inc. had the highest accuracy in
measuring blood glucose level in patients from multi-departments at this
hospital.
Emotionen durch Farben entschlüsseln –
Lüscher-Color-Diagnostik in der heutigen Praxis
Authors: Krebs Johannes 
Published: April 2019

ZusammenfassungPsychische Erkrankungen belasten unser Gesundheitssystem in immer stärkerem Maße.
Das Ziel liegt daher im frühzeitigen Erkennen psychovegetativer Störungen, um
langfristige individuelle und volkswirtschaftliche Schäden zu vermeiden. Dazu
werden aus Kostengründen meist Fragebögen verwendet, deren wissenschaftliche
Evidenz jedoch oft zweifelhaft ist, da sie vom Probanden willentlich beeinflusst
werden können. Der Beitrag plädiert für den Einsatz komplementärer Verfahren und
stellt die Lüscher-Color-Diagnostik vor, deren großer Vorteil in der
Nichtbeeinflussbarkeit des Testes liegt. Der Test beschreibt anhand seiner 8
Untertests das emotionale Profil des Betroffenen. Zwei Fallbeispiele aus der
zahnärztlichen Praxis visualisieren die Vorgehensweise beim
Lüscher-Color-Test.
Regulatory T cells limit unconventional memory to preserve the capacity to mount protective CD8 memory responses to pathogens
Authors: Da Costa Andreia S. , Graham Jessica B. , Swarts Jessica L. , Lund Jennifer M. 
Published: April 2019

SignificanceT cell-mediated immune memory provides the host with the capacity to rapidly and efficiently respond to pathogen reencounter, often without symptoms or disease. In addition to conventional memory T cell responses that are pathogen-specific, there also exists a subset of unconventional memory T cells that share many of the characteristics of conventional memory T cells without the initiating requirement of cognate antigen recognition. Here, we demonstrate a mechanism whereby regulatory T cells limit the expansion of these unconventional memory T cells to preserve a host’s capacity to mount a memory CD8 T cell response that remains protective upon pathogen reencounter.
Molecular engineering of an efficient four-domain DAF-MCP chimera reveals the presence of functional modularity in RCA proteins
Authors: Panwar Hemendra Singh , Ojha Hina , Ghosh Payel , Barage Sagar H. , Raut Sunil , Sahu Arvind 
Published: April 2019

SignificanceComplement regulation is critical for protecting the body’s own cells from homologous complement. This function is primarily mediated by the regulators of complement activation (RCA) proteins through two functional mechanisms termed decay-accelerating activity (DAA) and cofactor activity (CFA). Here, we show the presence of functional modularity in the RCA proteins. We demonstrate that the basic functional blocks for DAA and CFA in these proteins are formed by only two domains and that these are arranged in a specific order. Furthermore, we show that linking functional blocks of the decay-accelerating factor and membrane cofactor protein—which possess DAA and CFA, respectively—and adding C-terminal domains for enhancing avidity toward C3b/C4b results in a regulator molecule with dual activity.
Influenza A virus mimetic nanoparticles trigger selective cell uptake
Authors: Maslanka Figueroa Sara , Veser Anika , Abstiens Kathrin , Fleischmann Daniel , Beck Sebastian , Goepferich Achim 
Published: April 2019

Significance
The identification and targeting of specific cell types are major shortcomings of nanoparticles (NPs) for theragnostic applications. Even in simple cell culture systems, today’s NPs cannot unequivocally distinguish target from off-target cells. To overcome this restraint, we designed NPs that identify cells in an influenza A virus-like manner. Our NPs probe mesangial cells for angiotensin-converting enzyme using angiotensin I (Ang-I) as substrate. The resulting enzymatic reaction transforms Ang-I into Ang-II. Binding of the latter to the Ang-II type-1 receptor (AT1R) confirms the cells’ identity and triggers NP uptake. The particles identified their target cells even with off-target cells present. With cell avidities similar to those of antibodies, the particles are promising transporters for therapeutic and diagnostic applications with pinpoint accuracy.
Generation of hypoimmunogenic human pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Han Xiao , Wang Mengning , Duan Songwei , Franco Paul J. , Kenty Jennifer Hyoje-Ryu , Hedrick Preston , Xia Yulei , Allen Alana , Ferreira Leonardo M. R. , Strominger Jack L. , Melton Douglas A. , Meissner Torsten B. , Cowan Chad A. 
Published: April 2019

SignificanceTo enable cell therapy on a broader scale, the development of universal donor stem cell products that can be administered to multiple patients in need has been proposed, yet a strategy controlling both adaptive and innate immune rejection has not been reported. In this study, we employed multiplex genome editing to selectively ablate the highly polymorphic HLA class Ia and class II molecules and introduced the immunoregulatory factors PD-L1, HLA-G, and CD47 to control T cell- and NK cell-mediated immune responses and macrophage engulfment in vitro and in vivo. Our strategy demonstrates the power of cell engineering and informs future studies aiming to generate “off-the-shelf” universal cell products that may make cell therapy available to a larger pool of patients.
Exploratory investigation of the anti-inflammatory effects of RNase A-treatedEnterococcus faecalisstrain EC-12
Authors: Tamaki Ryuji , Takahashi Mio , Tai Shoya , Makioka-Itaya Yuko , Ijich Tetsuo , Inoue Ryo 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTWe previously reported that the major component of Enterococcus faecalis strain EC-12 (EC-12) inducing production of Interleukin (IL)-12 in mouse/human immune cells was its own RNA. This study aimed to investigate if RNase A-treated EC-12 could also produce IL-10 and to evaluate the possible effects of IL-10 produced by RNase A-treated EC-12. Three experiments were conducted: (1) Assessment of the effect of RNase A-treated EC-12 on transcriptome profiles and biological pathways in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells; (2) Determination of cytokine concentration in its culture supernatants; and (3) Supplementation of RNase A-treated EC-12 (RN) to mice with dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. Treatment of EC-12 with RNase A inhibited inflammatory response including the potency to induce IL-12 production, while it did not affect IL-10 production (Experiment 1 and 2). Colitis symptoms were milder in RN than in PBS-supplemented controls (Experiment 3). RNase A-treated EC-12 likely became an anti-inflammatory agent primarily inducing IL-10 production.
Curriculum coherence as perceived by district‐level stakeholders in large‐scale national curriculum reform in Finland
Authors: Sullanmaa Jenni , Pyhältö Kirsi , Pietarinen Janne , Soini Tiina 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIt has been suggested that curriculum coherence is crucial in successful educational reform. However, empirical research on the topic is still scarce. This study explores how the stakeholders involved in curriculum development at the district level perceived curriculum coherence. Survey data (n = 550) were analysed using structural equation modelling. A confirmatory factor analysis showed that curriculum coherence consists of three complementary components: consistency of the intended direction; an integrative approach to teaching and learning; and alignment between objectives, content and assessments. Moreover, the results showed that curriculum coherence contributes to the expected impact of the reform on the school level development. The study adds to the research on curriculum reform by showing that curriculum coherence is a central determinant of the reform taking root at the school level, and by introducing a scale for measuring perceptions of curriculum coherence within the context of large‐scale national curriculum reform.
Uncertainty quantification in particle image velocimetry
Authors: Sciacchitano A 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Particle image velocimetry (PIV) has become the chief experimental technique for velocity field measurements in fluid flows. The technique yields quantitative visualizations of the instantaneous flow patterns, which are typically used to support the development of phenomenological models for complex flows or for validation of numerical simulations. However, due to the complex relationship between measurement errors and experimental parameters, the quantification of the PIV uncertainty is far from being a trivial task and has often relied upon subjective considerations. Recognizing the importance of methodologies for the objective and reliable uncertainty quantification (UQ) of experimental data, several PIV-UQ approaches have been proposed in recent years that aim at the determination of objective uncertainty bounds in PIV measurements.
This topical review on PIV uncertainty quantification aims to provide the reader with an overview of error sources in PIV measurements and to inform them of the most up-to-date approaches for PIV uncertainty quantification and propagation. The paper first introduces the general definitions and classifications of measurement errors and uncertainties, following the guidelines of the International Organization for Standards (ISO) and of renowned books on the topic. Details on the main PIV error sources are given, considering the entire measurement chain from timing and synchronization of the data acquisition system, to illumination, mechanical properties of the tracer particles, imaging of those, analysis of the particle motion, data validation and reduction. The focus is on planar PIV experiments for the measurement of two- or three-component velocity fields.
Approaches for the quantification of the uncertainty of PIV data are discussed. Those are divided into a-priori UQ approaches, which provide a general figure for the uncertainty of PIV measurements, and a-posteriori UQ approaches, which are data-based and aim at quantifying the uncertainty of specific sets of data. The findings of a-priori PIV-UQ based on theoretical modelling of the measurement chain as well as on numerical or experimental assessments are discussed. The most up-to-date approaches for a-posteriori PIV-UQ are introduced, highlighting their capabilities and limitations.
As many PIV experiments aim at determining flow properties derived from the velocity fields (e.g. vorticity, time-average velocity, Reynolds stresses, pressure), the topic of PIV uncertainty propagation is tackled considering the recent investigations based on Taylor series and Monte Carlo methods. Finally, the uncertainty quantification of 3D velocity measurements by volumetric approaches (tomographic PIV and Lagrangian particle tracking) is discussed.
Reaching supercritical field strengths with intense lasers
Authors: Blackburn T G , Ilderton A , Marklund M , Ridgers C P 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
It is conjectured that all perturbative approaches to quantum electrodynamics (QED) break down in the collision of a high-energy electron beam with an intense laser, when the laser fields are boosted to ‘supercritical’ strengths far greater than the critical field of QED. As field strengths increase toward this regime, cascades of photon emission and electron–positron pair creation are expected, as well as the onset of substantial radiative corrections. Here we identify the important role played by the collision angle in mitigating energy losses to photon emission that would otherwise prevent the electrons reaching the supercritical regime. We show that a collision between an electron beam with energy in the tens of GeV and a laser pulse of intensity

10

24

W

cm

−
2

at oblique, or even normal, incidence is a viable platform for studying the breakdown of perturbative strong-field QED. Our results have implications for the design of near-term experiments as they predict that certain quantum effects are enhanced at oblique incidence.
Geometric randomization of real networks with prescribed degree sequence
Authors: Starnini Michele , Ortiz Elisenda , Serrano M Ángeles 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
We introduce a model for the randomization of complex networks with geometric structure. The geometric randomization (GR) model assumes a homogeneous distribution of the nodes in a hidden similarity space and uses rewirings of the links to find configurations that maximize a connection probability akin to that of the popularity-similarity geometric network models. The rewiring preserves exactly the original degree sequence, thus preventing fluctuations in the degree cutoff. The GR model is manifestly simple as it relies upon a single free parameter controlling the clustering of the rewired network, and it does not require the explicit estimation of hidden degree variables. We demonstrate the applicability of GR by implementing it as a null model for the analysis of community structure. As a result, we find that geometric and topological communities detected in real networks are consistent, while topological communities are also detected in randomized counterparts as an effect of structural constraints.
Dynamic Evaluation of Liver Fibrosis to Assess the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Who Achieved Sustained Virologic Response
Authors: Toyoda Hidenori , Tada Toshifumi , Yasuda Satoshi , Mizuno Kazuyuki , Ito Takanori , Kumada Takashi 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Background
Liver fibrosis is an important risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients with persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, as the degree of liver fibrosis changes following the eradication of HCV after SVR, it is unclear whether the prediction of HCC development based on liver fibrosis at baseline remains valid.

Methods
In 522 patients who achieved SVR by interferon-based anti-HCV therapy, the Fibrosis-4 Index for Liver Fibrosis (FIB-4 index) was updated annually by recalculation based on laboratory values after SVR. The incidence of HCC was reassessed annually based on the updated FIB-4 index.

Results
The percentage of patients with mild liver fibrosis (FIB-4 index &lt;1.45) increased annually after SVR, whereas the percentage of patients with advanced liver fibrosis (FIB-4 index ≥3.25) decreased. The incidences of HCC based on the FIB-4 index remained constant between the time of SVR and subsequent annual updates. No patients developed HCC after SVR if the FIB-4 index decreased to &lt;1.45.

Conclusions
The FIB-4 index retained its predictive ability for the risk of HCC when recalculated after SVR, despite the decrease in patients with high FIB-4 index values. Dynamic assessment of the FIB-4 index can be useful in the surveillance of HCC after SVR. Patients with a FIB-4 index &lt;1.45 did not develop HCC even by the regression from advanced fibrosis after SVR. Further studies will be necessary to confirm these findings, which may result in a decrease in the number of patients in whom surveillance is required.
Simultaneous multiple organ emboli in a patient with solid organ malignancy: a case report
Authors: Wang Christopher Shing Wen , Hii Isabell , Rahman Atifur 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundThrombosis is a dangerous complication of cancer. At least 20% of cancer patients are diagnosed with a venous thrombotic event and 1% with an intra-arterial thrombotic event. Here, we present a patient that developed separate thrombi that occurred simultaneously in both the venous and arterial circulation.Case summaryAn 80-year-old woman with a history of recently diagnosed squamous cell lung cancer presented to our institution with an out of hospital cardiac arrest. On arrival, she was found to have an inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction on electrocardiogram and on examination was found to have right-sided neurological deficits. Computed tomography head and aortogram showed an acute ischaemic stroke and bilateral segmental pulmonary emboli. Coronary angiogram showed thrombotic occlusion distal to the right coronary artery, and the patient underwent aspiration thrombectomy with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 3 flow established at the end of the procedure. The patient was then transferred to interventional radiology where she had successful clot retrieval of the cerebral thrombus. The patient progressed well and had full neurological recovery 72 h post-presentation. Subsequent transoesophageal echocardiography showed no evidence of a patent foramen ovale or other intracardiac shunt. The patient was prescribed long-term anticoagulant with Clexane.DiscussionThere was suspicion for a deep vein thrombosis with subsequent embolization to the lungs and paradoxical embolization through an intracardiac shunt. However, no such defect was detected and it appears that the patient did develop thrombi in the arterial and venous system separately. This case highlights the prothrombotic state of malignancy, with the patient suffering from multiple separate life-threatening thrombi.
Prevention of radiotherapy-induced arterial inflammation by interleukin-1 blockade
Authors: Christersdottir Tinna , Pirault John , Gisterå Anton , Bergman Otto , Gallina Alessandro L , Baumgartner Roland , Lundberg Anna M , Eriksson Per , Yan Zhong-Qun , Paulsson-Berne Gabrielle , Hansson Göran K , Olofsson Peder S , Halle Martin 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Aims
Radiotherapy-induced cardiovascular disease is an emerging problem in a growing population of cancer survivors where traditional treatments, such as anti-platelet and lipid-lowering drugs, have limited benefits. The aim of the study was to investigate vascular inflammatory patterns in human cancer survivors, replicate the findings in an animal model, and evaluate whether interleukin-1 (IL-1) inhibition could be a potential treatment.

Methods and results
Irradiated human arterial biopsies were collected during microvascular autologous free tissue transfer for cancer reconstruction and compared with non-irradiated arteries from the same patient. A mouse model was used to study the effects of the IL-1 receptor antagonist, anakinra, on localized radiation-induced vascular inflammation. We observed significant induction of genes associated with inflammasome biology in whole transcriptome analysis of irradiated arteries, a finding supported by elevated protein levels in irradiated arteries of both, pro-caspase and caspase-1. mRNA levels of inflammasome associated chemokines CCL2, CCL5 together with the adhesion molecule VCAM1, were elevated in human irradiated arteries as was the number of infiltrating macrophages. A similar pattern was reproduced in Apoe−/− mouse 10 weeks after localized chest irradiation with 14 Gy. Treatment with anakinra in irradiated mice significantly reduced Ccl2 and Ccl5 mRNA levels and expression of I-Ab.

Conclusion
Anakinra, administered directly after radiation exposure for 2 weeks, ameliorated radiation induced sustained expression of inflammatory mediators in mice. Further studies are needed to evaluate IL-1 blockade as a treatment of radiotherapy-induced vascular disease in a clinical setting.