bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Indeterminate thyroid nodules (TIR3A/TIR3B) according to the new Italian reporting system for thyroid cytology: A cytomorphological study
Authors: Rullo Emma , Minelli Giada , Bosco Daniela , Nardi Francesco , Grani Giorgio , Durante Cosimo , Ascoli Valeria 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectiveThe Italian reporting system for thyroid cytology classifies indeterminate lesions as TIR3A (low risk) or TIR3B (high risk) and is meant to provide practical guidance rather than a detailed consideration of morphological features. We aimed to assess which cytological features have the most diagnostic value and whether they are effective in classifying nodules as either TIR3A or TIR3B and in predicting histological outcomes.MethodsThyroid fine‐needle aspirates from 111 indeterminate nodules were reviewed blinded to clinical information, TIR3A/TIR3B classification, and histology in order to assess which cytological features (pooled into artefacts, smear background, architectural and nuclear atypia, and oncocytes) differentiate TIR3A from TIR3B, and benign from malignant histological outcomes.ResultsOf the cytological features examined, those specific for TIR3B included high cellularity, nuclear atypia, oncocyte predominance and transgressing vessels. Features specific for TIR3A included artefacts, low cellularity and oncocyte sparseness. Other features, such as microfollicules/trabeculae, were non‐specific. Due to the different distributions of these features, three TIR3B subgroups were identifiable: follicular lesions with oncocytic changes, pure follicular lesions, and follicular lesions with nuclear atypia, whereas no subgroups were identifiable in TIR3A. Nuclear atypia was a significant indicator of malignancy, whereas oncocyte predominance was not a reliable predictor of malignancy. High cellularity and microfollicules/trabeculae were not indicative of any histological outcome.ConclusionsThe majority of the assessed features were good predictors of histological outcomes. The TIR3A category included undefined nodules due to the absence of characterising features, whereas the TIR3B category included nodules with a greater number of distinguishing features.
Development of predictive responses in theory of mind brain regions
Authors: Richardson Hilary , Saxe Rebecca 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWhen we watch movies, we consider the characters’ mental states in order to understand and predict the narrative. Recent work in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) uses movie‐viewing paradigms to measure functional responses in brain regions recruited for such mental state reasoning (the theory of mind [“ToM”] network). Here, two groups of young children (n = 30 3–4 years old, n = 26 6–7 years old) viewed a short animated movie twice while undergoing fMRI. As children get older, ToM brain regions were recruited earlier in time during the second presentation of the movie. This “narrative anticipation” effect is specific: there was no such effect in a control network of brain regions that responds just as robustly to the movie (the “Pain Matrix”). These results complement prior studies in adults that suggest that ToM brain regions play a role not just in inferring, but in actively predicting, other people's thoughts and feelings, and provide novel evidence that as children get older, their ToM brain regions increasingly make such predictions.
Mapping differential responses to cognitive training using machine learning
Authors: Rennie Joseph P. , Zhang Mengya , Hawkins Erin , Bathelt Joe , Astle Duncan E. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWe used two simple unsupervised machine learning techniques to identify differential trajectories of change in children who undergo intensive working memory (WM) training. We used self‐organizing maps (SOMs)—a type of simple artificial neural network—to represent multivariate cognitive training data, and then tested whether the way tasks are represented changed as a result of training. The patterns of change we observed in the SOM weight matrices implied that the processes drawn upon to perform WM tasks changed following training. This was then combined with K‐means clustering to identify distinct groups of children who respond to the training in different ways. Firstly, the K‐means clustering was applied to an independent large sample (N = 616, Mage = 9.16 years, range = 5.16–17.91 years) to identify subgroups. We then allocated children who had been through cognitive training (N = 179, Mage = 9.00 years, range = 7.08–11.50 years) to these same four subgroups, both before and after their training. In doing so, we were able to map their improvement trajectories. Scores on a separate measure of fluid intelligence were predictive of a child's improvement trajectory. This paper provides an alternative approach to analysing cognitive training data that go beyond considering changes in individual tasks. This proof‐of‐principle demonstrates a potentially powerful way of distinguishing task‐specific from domain‐general changes following training and of establishing different profiles of response to training.
Nationwide antibiotic resistance mapping of Helicobacter pylori in Korea: A prospective multicenter study
Authors: Lee Jeong Hoon , Ahn Ji Yong , Choi Kee Don , Jung Hwoon‐Yong , Kim Jung Mogg , Baik Gwang Ho , Kim Byung‐Wook , Park Jun Chul , Jung Hye‐Kyung , Cho Soo Jeong , Shin Cheol Min , Choi Yoon Jin , Lee Si Hyung , Kim Ji Hyun , Lee Wan Sik , Sung Jae Kyu , Chung Jun‐Won , Cheung Dae Young , Lee Hyuk , Min Yang Won , Kim Jae J. , Kim Seung Young ,   Korean College of Helicobacter,   Upper Gastrointestinal Research
Published: May 2019

AbstractIntroductionThe eradication rates for Helicobacter pylori have decreased in Korea although the prevalence of this bacterium has also decreased. Antibiotic resistance is likely to be a crucial factor in H. pylori eradication success, and we therefore mapped these resistance patterns nationwide in Korea.Materials and MethodsFive hundred and ninety adult subjects were prospectively enrolled from 2017 to 2018 from 15 centers across six geographic areas of Korea. A total of 580 biopsy tissues had been sampled from these patients during an upper endoscopy and were frozen at −80°C and delivered to a central laboratory. The agar dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin for each H. pylori isolate.ResultsThe culture success rate was 60.2% (349/580). Resistance rates against clarithromycin, metronidazole, amoxicillin, tetracycline, levofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin were 17.8%, 29.5%, 9.5%, 0%, 37.0%, and 37.0%, respectively. The geographic distribution of metronidazole and quinolone resistance was highly variable. Some subjects had multiple H. pylori strains in the antrum and body of the stomach and showed a heterogeneous resistance profile between these anatomic areas. The H. pylori multidrug resistance (MDR) rate was 25.2% (88/349) among amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, and quinolone and 11.2% (39/349) among four of these major antibiotics except for quinolone. The Seoul and Chungcheong areas showed a relatively lower MDR rate.ConclusionThe antibiotic resistance of H. pylori differs by drug and geographic area in Korea. Detailed nationwide antibiotic resistance mapping is needed to develop an effective H. pylori eradication strategy.
Association between knowledge, risk behaviours, and testing for sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men: findings from a large online survey in the United Kingdom
Authors: Wayal S , Reid D , Weatherburn P , Blomquist P , Fabiane S , Hughes G , Mercer CH 
Published: May 2019

ObjectivesIn the UK, men who have sex with men (MSM) bear a disproportionate sexually transmitted infection (STI) burden. We investigated MSM's STI knowledge; whether their STI testing behaviour met national guidelines (annually if sexually active; 3‐monthly if engaging in STI risk behaviours); and the relationship between STI testing in the last 3 months, STI knowledge and STI risk behaviours by HIV status.MethodsSexually active (in the last year) men aged > 15 years who were UK residents and were recruited from gay‐orientated online dating platforms completed an anonymous online survey about STI knowledge, STI risk behaviours, and STI testing (March–May 2017). This included 11 true statements about STIs. Respondents scored 1 for each statement they ‘knew’, with those scoring < 6 overall treated as having ‘poor’ STI knowledge. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were conducted, separately by HIV status, to test our hypothesis and calculate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsCompared to HIV‐positive men (n = 489), the proportion of HIV‐negative/unknown‐status men (n = 3157) with ‘poor’ STI knowledge was significantly higher (46.4% versus 22.9% for HIV‐positive men) and the proportion with STI testing in the last 12 months was lower (71.6% versus 87.2%, respectively). In the last 3 months, 56.9% of HIV‐negative/unknown‐status and 74.1% of HIV‐positive men reported STI risk behaviours, of whom 45.8% and 55.1%, respectively, had been tested for STIs during this time. Among HIV‐negative/unknown‐status men, those reporting STI risk behaviours were more likely (AOR 1.52; 95% CI 1.26–1.84) and those with poor STI knowledge less likely (AOR 0.73; 95% CI 0.61–0.89) to have been tested during the last 3 months. However, neither factor was independently associated with 3‐monthly testing among HIV‐positive men.ConclusionsImproving STI knowledge, especially among HIV‐negative/unknown‐status men, and promoting frequent STI testing among men engaging in STI risk behaviours are vital to address the poor sexual health of MSM.
Identifying financially illiterate groups: An international comparison
Authors: De Beckker Kenneth , De Witte Kristof , Van Campenhout Geert 
Published: May 2019

AbstractTargeted policy interventions are more effective than one‐size‐fits‐all initiatives. This paper proposes the use of k‐means cluster analysis to identify vulnerable groups with respect to financial literacy. Using a rich sample of 12 countries, we distinguish 4 groups with varying financial literacy levels, and examine their socio‐economic characteristics. The results suggest that individuals in the most vulnerable financially illiterate groups are on average, single, less‐educated and unemployed with low incomes. This contrasts with those in the strongest group: individuals with the highest financial knowledge, financial behaviour and financial attitudes scores are on average highly educated males who live together with a partner. They earn a high income and hold several financial products. Integrating these insights into national strategies which promote financial literacy will not only lead to more effective but also to more efficient policy initiatives by focusing on the particular weaknesses of certain subgroups and using the appropriate transmission channels.
Obesity affects peripheral lymphoid organs immune response in murine asthma model
Authors: Esteves de Oliveira Erick , de Castro e Silva Flávia Márcia , Caçador Ayupe Marina , Gomes Evangelista Ambrósio Marcilene , Passos de Souza Viviane , Costa Macedo Gilson , Ferreira Ana Paula 
Published: May 2019

SummaryAsthma and obesity present rising incidence, and their concomitance is a reason for concern, as obese individuals are usually resistant to conventional asthma treatments and have more exacerbation episodes. Obesity affects several features in the lungs during asthma onset, shifting the T helper type 2 (Th2)/eosinophilic response towards a Th17/neutrophilic profile. Moreover, those individuals can present reduced atopy and delayed cytokine production. However, the impact of obesity on follicular helper T (Tfh) cells and B cells that could potentially result in antibody production disturbances are still unclear. Therefore, we aimed to assess the peripheral response to ovalbumin (OVA) in a concomitant model of obesity and asthma. Pulmonary allergy was induced, in both lean and obese female BALB/c mice, through OVA sensitizations and challenges. Mediastinal lymph nodes (MLNs) and spleen were processed for immunophenotyping. Lung was used for standard allergy analysis. Obese‐allergic mice produced less anti‐OVA IgE and more IgG2a than lean‐allergic mice. Dendritic cells (CD11c+ MHCIIhigh) expressed less CD86 and more PDL1 in obese‐allergic mice compared with lean‐allergic mice, in the MLNs. Meanwhile, B cells (CD19+ CD40+) were more frequent and the amount of PDL1/PD1+ cells was diminished by obesity, with the opposite effects in the spleen. Tfh cells (CD3+ CD4+ CXCR5+ PD1+) expressing FoxP3 were more frequent in obese mice, associated with the predominance of Th (CD3+ CD4+) cells expressing interleukin‐4/GATA3 in the MLNs and interleukin‐17A/RORγT in the spleen. Those modifications to the main components of the germinal centers could be resulting in the increased IgG2a production, which – associated with the Th17/neutrophilic profile – contributes to asthma worsening and represents an important target for future treatment strategies.
Grain boundary curvatures in polycrystalline SrTiO3: Dependence on grain size, topology, and crystallography
Authors: Zhong Xiaoting , Kelly Madeleine N. , Miller Herbert M. , Dillon Shen J. , Rohrer Gregory S. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBy mapping grain orientations on parallel serial sections of a SrTiO3 ceramic, it was possible to reconstruct three‐dimensional orientation maps containing more than 3000 grains. The grain boundaries were approximated by a continuous mesh of triangles and mean curvatures were determined for each triangle. The integral mean curvatures of grain faces were determined for all grains. Small grains with fewer than 16 neighbors mostly have positive mean curvatures while larger grains with more than 16 neighbors mostly have negative mean curvatures. It is also possible to correlate the mean curvature of individual triangles with the crystallographic characteristics of the grain boundary. The mean curvature is lowest for grain boundaries with (100) orientations and highest for grain boundaries with (111) orientations. This trend is inversely correlated to the relative areas of grain boundaries and directly correlated to the relative grain boundary energy. The direct correlation between the energy and curvature is consistent with the expected behavior of grain boundaries made up of singular orientations. Furthermore, because both the relative energy and curvature of grain boundaries with (100) orientations are minima in the distributions, these boundaries also have the lowest driving force for migration.
Characteristics of hypertension among people living with HIV in Ghana: Impact of new hypertension guideline
Authors: Sarfo Fred Stephen , Nichols Michelle , Singh Arti , Hardy Yasmine , Norman Betty , Mensah Gideon , Tagge Ralle , Jenkins Carolyn , Ovbiagele Bruce 
Published: May 2019

AbstractData on the burden of hypertension among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Africa are limited, especially after new expert consensus hypertension guidelines were published in 2017. The authors sought to assess the prevalence and factors associated with hypertension among PLWH. This is a cross‐sectional study involving PLWH on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) (n = 250) compared with sex‐matched cART‐naïve PLWH (n = 201) in Ghana. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mm Hg or use of antihypertensive drugs. The authors also assessed the prevalence and predictors associated with hypertension using the recent guideline recommended cutoff BP ≥ 130/80 mm Hg. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to identify factors associated with hypertension among PLWH. The mean age of PLWH on cART was 45.7 ± 8.6 years, and 42.9 ± 8.8 years among PLWH cART‐naive with 81% of study participants being women. The prevalence of hypertension among PLWH on cART and PLWH cART‐naïve was 36.9% and 23.4%, P = 0.002 at BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg and 57.2% and 42.3%, respectively, P = 0.0009, at BP ≥ 130/80 mm Hg. Factors associated with hypertension at BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg in the PLWH group with adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) were increasing age, 2.08 (1.60‐2.71) per 10 years, and body mass index, 1.53 (1.24‐1.88) per 5 kg/m2 rise. At BP ≥ 130/80 mm Hg, cART exposure, aOR of 1.77 (95% CI: 1.20‐2.63), family history of hypertension, aOR of 1.43 (1.12‐1.83), and hypertriglyceridemia, aOR of 0.54 (0.31‐0.93), were associated with hypertension. Among PLWH, cART exposure was associated with higher prevalence of hypertension per the new guideline definition, a finding which warrants further investigation and possible mitigation.
Ultrasound as a diagnostic and management tool in hidradenitis suppurativa patients: a multicentre study
Authors: Martorell A. , Alfageme Roldán F. , Vilarrasa Rull E. , Ruiz‐Villaverde R. , Romaní De Gabriel J. , García Martínez F. , Vidal Sarro D. , Velasco Pastor M. , Ciudad Blanco C. , Segura Palacios J.M. , Rodríguez Bandera A.I. , Pascual Ramírez J.C. , Sancho Sánchez C. , Michelena De Gorosábel N. , Wortsman X. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundIt has been reported that clinical evaluation consistently underestimates the severity of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).ObjectiveTo determine the usefulness of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool in HS compared with clinical examination and to assess the subsequent modification of disease management.MethodsCross‐sectional multicentre study. Severity classification and therapeutic approach according to clinical vs. ultrasound examination were compared.ResultsOf 143 HS patients were included. Clinical examination scored 38, 70 and 35 patients as Hurley stage I, II and III, respectively; with ultrasound examination, 21, 80 and 42 patients were staged with Hurley stage I, II and III disease, respectively (P < 0.01). In patients with stage I classification as determined by clinical examination, 44.7% changed to a more severe stage. Clinical examination indicated that 44.1%, 54.5% and 1.4% of patients would maintain, increase or decrease treatment, respectively. For ultrasound examination, these percentages were 31.5%, 67.1% and 1.4% (P < 0.01). Concordance between clinical and ultrasound intra‐rater examination was 22.8% (P < 0.01); intra‐rater and inter‐rater (radiologist) ultrasound agreement was 94.9% and 81.7%, respectively (P < 0.01).LimitationsThe inability to detect lesions that measure ≤0.1 mm or with only epidermal location.ConclusionUltrasound can modify the clinical staging and therapeutic management in HS by detecting subclinical disease.
Non‐lethal sampling for stable isotope analysis of pike Esox lucius: how mucus, scale and fin tissue compare to muscle
Authors: Winter Emily R. , Nyqvist Marina , Britton J. Robert 
Published: May 2019

AbstractStable isotope analysis (SIA) was used to examine the isotopic relationships between dorsal muscle and fin, scale and epidermal mucus in pike Esox lucius. δ13C and δ15N varied predictably within each tissue pairing, with conversion factors calculated for the surrogate tissues, enabling their application to the non‐lethal sampling of E. lucius for SIA.
Clinical translational application of Raman spectroscopy to advance Benchside biochemical characterization to bedside diagnosis of esophageal diseases
Authors: Hiremath Girish , Locke Andrea , Sivakumar Adithya , Thomas Giju , Mahadevan‐Jansen Anita 
Published: May 2019

AbstractEsophageal diseases result in significant mortality, morbidity, and health care costs worldwide. Current approaches to detect and monitor esophageal diseases have severe limitations. Advanced imaging technologies are being developed to complement current approaches to improve diagnostic, therapeutic and surveillance protocols in order to advance the field. Raman spectroscopy‐based technologies hold promise to increase the sensitivity for detection of diseased and high‐risk lesions in vitro and in vivo in real time. This technique allows for the investigation of microstructural changes and also facilitates the discovery of disease‐specific biochemical alterations with the potential to provide novel insights into the pathobiology of these conditions. Raman spectroscopy has been increasingly applied in precancerous and cancerous esophageal conditions. However, its application in benign esophageal diseases is still in the early stages. Continuing its application in cancerous and precancerous conditions and expanding its use to benign esophageal disorders could lay a foundation for integration of this technology in clinical practice and diagnostic paradigms and development of an accurate and cost‐effective tool for use in a clinical setting. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy can also be used as an innovative technique to advance our understanding of the biochemical transformations associated with esophageal diseases and answer a myriad of fundamental questions in the field. In this review, we described the principles of Raman spectroscopy and instrumentation while providing an overview of current applications, challenges, and future directions in the context of esophageal diseases with an emphasis on its clinical translational application.
Descriptive osteology and patterns of limb loss of the European limbless skink Ophiomorus punctatissimus (Squamata, Scincidae)
Authors: Camaiti Marco , Villa Andrea , Wencker Lukardis C. M. , Bauer Aaron M. , Stanley Edward L. , Delfino Massimo 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe limbless skink Ophiomorus punctatissimus is a cryptozoic species found in the Peloponnese region of Greece and on the Greek island Kythira. To provide the first thorough description of the cranial and postcranial osteology of this species, both disarticulated specimens and X‐ray computed tomographies of wet‐preserved specimens were examined in detail. Resulting from this, an anatomical atlas of this species is provided. Two separate considerations, an evolutionary and an ecomorphological one, are made based on the observed adaptations related to limb loss in this skink. The structure of the girdles shows a particular pattern of reduction: whereas the pelvic girdle is mostly vestigial, the pectoral girdle is instead well developed, with all the elements typical of limbed lizards except for the actual limbs. This led us to hypothesize an asynchronous pattern of limb reduction during the evolution of this species, in which the hindlimbs regressed earlier than the forelimbs. Furthermore, considerations based on overall body morphology, osteology and the structure of the inner ear led to the recognition of this species as a burrowing ecomorph. In contrast to the morphology normally displayed in this ecomorph, O. punctatissimus is characterized by the retention of autotomic vertebrae in its tail. This is consistent with the habitats in which it lives, where active burrowing would be difficult because of the hard, rocky terrain. Instead, this skink hides among rocks on the surface and is, therefore, subject to greater predation risk.