bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of CTLA‐4, TNF alpha and IL 10 polymorphisms with susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Jia‐jia , Wang Zhi‐bin , Tan Tai‐chang 
Published: August 2019

AbstractOur aim was to evaluate the association of genetic polymorphisms of immunoregulatory molecules with susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The polymorphisms in CTLA‐4 (−318 T/C, CT60 G/A), TNF (−238 G/A, −308 G/A) and IL10 (−592 C/A, −819 C/T) were genotyped by PCR and DNA sequencing. The functional relevance of the polymorphisms was examined by ELISAs, in vitro lymphocyte proliferation assay and cytotoxic assay. The CTLA‐4 −318 TC/TT, CTLA‐4 CT60 GG, IL10 −592 CA and −819 CT/TT variants, CTLA‐4 −318 T and IL 10 −819 T alleles were positively associated with HCC risk (P < .05). While TNF −238 AA variant, TNF −238 A allele were associated with decreased risk of HCC (P < .05). Furthermore, combinations of CTLA‐4 −318 TC/TT and TNF −238 GG/GA; CTLA‐4 −318 TC/TT and IL 10 −819 CC; CTLA‐4 −318 CC and IL 10 −819 CT/TT in patients with HCC were statistically significant (P < .05). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) carrying −318 TC/TT genotypes exhibited significantly lower proliferation rates, decreased IL‐2, IL‐4 levels, fewer cytolytic activities and elevated TGF‐β levels. For IL 10 −819 C/T, the CC genotype was significantly associated with higher proliferation rate, decreased TGF‐β, IL‐10 levels and higher cytolytic activities (P < .05). For TNF −238 G/A, the AA genotype only had association with serum IL‐2, IL‐4 (P < .05). In addition, we also found that CTLA‐4 −318 T/C, IL‐10 −819 T/C variants, combinations of CTLA‐4 −318 CC with IL 10 −819 CT or TT, CTLA‐4 −318 TC or TT with IL 10 −819 CT or TT were associated with the severity of HCC. These findings suggest that CTLA‐4 −318 TC/TT and IL 10 −819 CT/TT could promote the pathogenesis of HCC, which might be related with down‐regulation of Th1/Th2‐type cytokines and/or up‐regulation of Th3‐type cytokines.
Successful management and recovery following severe prolonged starvation in a dog
Authors: Khoo Alison Wui Sing , Taylor Susan M. , Owens Tammy J. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the successful management of a dog following a period of prolonged food deprivation.Case SummaryA 7‐year‐old, intact male Labrador Retriever presented with profound weakness and loss of nearly 50% of his body weight due to severe prolonged starvation after being trapped in a well for 27 days. Electrolyte concentrations were managed with intensive intravenous supplementation during refeeding. The dog's electrolyte abnormalities resolved, wounds healed, and strength returned during the first 3 weeks of treatment. During the next 3 months, body condition score normalized and muscle mass improved.New or Unique Information ProvidedThis report describes the management of a severely malnourished dog during refeeding, and highlights treatment considerations that may be important in the prevention of refeeding syndrome in such cases.
Combining anti‐IgM and IgG immunoassays for comprehensive chikungunya virus diagnostic testing
Authors: Mendoza Emelissa J. , Robinson Alyssia , Dimitrova Kristina , Mueller Nicole , Holloway Kimberly , Makowski Kai , Wood Heidi 
Published: August 2019

AbstractChikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito‐borne pathogen that causes CHIKV fever. Definitive diagnosis is crucial for patients experiencing symptoms similar to other arboviral diseases because they can vary in clinical consequences. An increasing number of patients experience long‐term rheumatic effects of CHIKV infection, but these cases may not be optimally detected by molecular assays and anti‐CHIKV IgM ELISAs (M‐ELISAs) used for confirmation and screening, respectively. The subsequent confirmatory serological test, the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), is laborious and time‐consuming. In this study, we evaluated a new diagnostic algorithm in which the M‐ELISA is conducted in parallel with an anti‐CHIKV IgG ELISA (G‐ELISA) and observed that the Euroimmun M‐ELISA combined with the Euroimmun G‐ELISA or the Abcam G‐ELISA exhibited excellent sensitivity and specificity for CHIKV. The combinations demonstrated perfect and near perfect inter‐rater agreement with the PRNT, respectively, suggesting their potential to be used as alternatives to the confirmatory serological PRNT assay for CHIKV.
Comparative outcomes of inpatients with lung collapse managed by bronchoscopic or conservative means
Authors: Toolsie Omesh Gopal , Adrish Muhammad , Zaidi Syed Arsalan Akhter , Diaz-Fuentes Gilda 
Published: August 2019

BackgroundAlthough the incidence and prevalence of atelectatic lung collapse is unknown, such events are common among inpatients, and there are no guidelines for optimally instituting bronchoscopic techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients with complete or near-complete lung collapse managed via interventional flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy or a conservative approach.MethodsRetrospective analysis of all adult patients admitted to BronxCare Health System between January 2011 and October 2017 with a diagnosis of lung collapse/atelectasis. The primary outcome was radiological resolution. Timing of bronchoscopy relative to radiological resolution and mortality served as secondary outcomes.ResultsOf the 177 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 149 (84%) underwent bronchoscopy and 28 (16%) were managed through conservative measures only. A significantly greater number of patients in the bronchoscopy group achieved complete or near-complete resolution on chest X-ray, compared with the conservative group (p=0.007). Timing of bronchoscopy had no impact on the rate of radiological resolution, and mortality in the two groups was similar. New endobronchial malignancies were identified in 21 patients (14%).ConclusionsOur data support the central role of bronchoscopy in instances of complete or near-complete lung collapse, ensuring better radiological outcomes. Judicious use of conservative management is warranted to avoid missing significant pathology. A prime consideration in this setting is obstructive malignancy.
Degeneration of the Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle After Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke
Authors: Kim Joon Sung , Kim Se-Hong , Lim Seong Hoon , Im Sun , Hong Bo Young , Oh Jeehae , Kim Youngkook 
Published: August 2019

Background and Purpose—
Deafferentation of the cortico-ponto-cerebellar pathway has been proposed as a key mechanism of crossed cerebellar diaschisis. Although the cerebellum receives afferent stimuli from both cortico-ponto-cerebellar and spinocerebellar pathways, evidence on whether spinocerebellar deafferentation contributes to a hypofunctional cerebellum is lacking. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether changes in the spinocerebellar pathway occur after middle cerebral artery stroke.

Methods—

Twenty-three patients admitted to our inpatient rehabilitation facility and 23 age-matched healthy controls were retrospectively enrolled. Patients’ functional ambulation category was determined and the Medical Research Council muscle scale test of the lower limb muscles was performed at admission and discharge. The fractional anisotropy (FA) values of the corticospinal tract and the inferior cerebellar peduncle (ICP), as the final route of the dorsal spinocerebellar pathway, were compared between the groups. The FA laterality indices of the ICP and corticospinal tract were calculated as follows: (FA
affected
−FA
unaffected
)/(FA
affected
+FA
unaffected
). Pearson correlation analysis and multivariate linear regression models were used to determine the associations between the FA laterality indices and ambulatory function.

Results—
The FAs of the corticospinal tract and ICP were lower in the patient group than in the control group. The FA laterality index of the corticospinal tract was not correlated with the functional ambulation category or Medical Research Council muscle scale score at admission or discharge. The FA laterality index of the ICP at the pontomedullary junction was positively correlated with the functional ambulation category and Medical Research Council muscle scale scores of all hemiplegic lower limb muscles at admission and discharge. The FA laterality index of the ICP at the pontomedullary junction was independently associated with the functional ambulation category according to the multivariate regression models.

Conclusions—
ICP degeneration occurs in the subacute and early chronic phase of middle cerebral artery stroke. The lower FA laterality index of the ICP was indicative of poorer ambulatory and lower limb function.
A k–ε Turbulence Model for the Stable Atmosphere
Authors: Zeng Xiping , Wang Yansen , MacCall Benjamin T. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractA realizable k–ε turbulence model of incompressible fluid is extended for the stable atmosphere after taking account of the buoyancy damping of gravity waves. The new model is consistent with the Monin–Obukhov similarity theory on the stable atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) over a horizontally uniform surface. The model is incorporated into an ABL model to simulate mean flow against observations. Its ABL-model output is compared with the Leipzig dataset, showing the turbulence model works well for a stable ABL. Specifically, the ABL model properly replicates 1) the mixing length, turbulent viscosity, and mean wind; 2) a significant decrease of the mixing length with height in the upper ABL and thus a reasonable altitude of the ABL top; and 3) a sensitivity of the mixing length and turbulent viscosity to atmospheric stability.
A Precipitation-Based Index for Tropical Intraseasonal Oscillations
Authors: Wang Shuguang 
Published: August 2019

AbstractCharacteristic patterns of precipitation-associated tropical intraseasonal oscillations, including the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) and boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation (BSISO), are identified using local empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) precipitation data as a function of the day of the year. The explained variances of the EOF analysis show two peaks across the year: one in the middle of the boreal winter corresponding to the MJO and the other in the middle of summer corresponding to the BSISO. Comparing the fractional variance indicates that the BSISO is more coherent than the MJO during the TRMM period. Similar EOF analyses with the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) confirm this result and indicate that the BSISO is less coherent before the TRMM era (1979–98). In contrast, the MJO exhibits much less decadal variability. A precipitation-based index for tropical intraseasonal oscillation (PII) is derived by projecting bandpass-filtered precipitation anomalies to the two leading EOFs as a function of day of the year. A real-time version that approximates the PII is further developed using precipitation anomalies without any bandpass filtering. It is further shown that this real-time PII index may be used to diagnose precipitation in the subseasonal forecasts.
El Niño–Related Summer Precipitation Anomalies in Southeast Asia Modulated by the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation
Authors: Fan Yi , Fan Ke , Zhu Xiuhua , Fraedrich Klaus 
Published: August 2019

AbstractHow the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) affects El Niño–related signals in Southeast Asia is investigated in this study on a subseasonal scale. Based on observational and reanalysis data, as well as numerical model simulations, El Niño–related precipitation anomalies are analyzed for AMO positive and negative phases, which reveals a time-dependent modulation of the AMO. 1) In May–June, the AMO influences the precipitation in southern China (SC) and the Indochina peninsula (ICP) by modulating the El Niño–related air–sea interaction over the western North Pacific (WNP). During negative AMO phases, cold sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) over the WNP favor the maintaining of the WNP anomalous anticyclone (WNPAC). The associated southerly (westerly) anomalies on the northwest (southwest) flank of the WNPAC enhance (reduce) the climatological moisture transport to SC (the ICP) and result in wetter (drier) than normal conditions. In contrast, during positive AMO phases, weak SSTAs over the WNP lead to limited influence of El Niño on precipitation in Southeast Asia. 2) In July–August, the teleconnection impact from the North Atlantic is more manifest than that in May–June. During positive AMO phases, the warmer than normal North Atlantic favors anomalous wave trains, which propagate along the “great circle route” and result in positive pressure anomalies over SC, consequently suppressing precipitation in SC and the ICP. During negative AMO phases, the anomalous wave trains tend to propagate eastward from Europe to Northeast Asia along the summer Asian jet, exerting limited influence on Southeast Asia.
The Moderate Impact of the 2015 El Niño over East Africa and Its Representation in Seasonal Reforecasts
Authors: MacLeod David , Caminade Cyril 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has large socioeconomic impacts worldwide. The positive phase of ENSO, El Niño, has been linked to intense rainfall over East Africa during the short rains season (October–December). However, we show here that during the extremely strong 2015 El Niño the precipitation anomaly over most of East Africa during the short rains season was less intense than experienced during previous El Niños, linked to less intense easterlies over the Indian Ocean. This moderate impact was not indicated by reforecasts from the ECMWF operational seasonal forecasting system, SEAS5, which instead forecast large probabilities of an extreme wet signal, with stronger easterly anomalies over the surface of the Indian Ocean and a colder eastern Indian Ocean/western Pacific than was observed. To confirm the relationship of the eastern Indian Ocean to East African rainfall in the forecast for 2015, atmospheric relaxation experiments are carried out that constrain the east Indian Ocean lower troposphere to reanalysis. By doing so the strong wet forecast signal is reduced. These results raise the possibility that link between ENSO and Indian Ocean dipole events is too strong in the ECMWF dynamical seasonal forecast system and that model predictions for the East African short rains rainfall during strong El Niño events may have a bias toward high probabilities of wet conditions.
Relationships between Sea Ice Concentration and Wind Speed over the Arctic Ocean during 1979–2015
Authors: Jakobson Liisi , Vihma Timo , Jakobson Erko 
Published: August 2019

AbstractNCEP CFSR reanalysis 6-hourly fields from 1979 to 2015 were used to investigate the relationships of sea ice concentration (SIC), atmospheric stratification, surface roughness, and wind speed at 10-m height (W10) and 850-hPa level (W850). We found that in autumn (September–November), winter (December–February), and spring (March–May) a lower SIC favors less-stable stratification and a higher W10. In autumn, the decrease in SIC is strongest, and SIC has its strongest correlation with the atmospheric stratification, W10, and the ratio of W10 and W850 (WSR). W10 and WSR have increased in autumn, and the negative trends in SIC typically are collocated with positive trends in W10 and WSR. In winter, W850 has negative trends over the Arctic Ocean, which, together with the lack of decrease of SIC in the central Arctic, has prevented W10 from increasing in winter. The winter trends are notably different from those for autumn, but the correlations are fairly similar. In autumn, winter, and spring, the negative correlation between SIC and W10 originated from the reduction of both stratification and aerodynamic surface roughness z0 with a reduction of SIC. The dependence of z0 on SIC is, however, weak in NCEP CFSR. In summer, the ratio of W10 and W850 has increased over large areas. The correlations between SIC and atmospheric variables were stronger on interannual time scales than on subseasonal time scales. The causal relationships are complicated by the two-way interaction between SIC and W10. In most cases, especially in summer, SIC increases after periods of W10 exceeding 5 m s−1.
Convectively Coupled Equatorial Wave Simulations Using the ECMWF IFS and the NOAA GFS Cumulus Convection Schemes in the NOAA GFS Model
Authors: Bengtsson Lisa , Dias Juliana , Gehne Maria , Bechtold Peter , Whitaker Jeffrey , Bao Jian-Wen , Magnusson Linus , Michelson Sara , Pegion Philip , Tulich Stefan , Kiladis George N. 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
There is a longstanding challenge in numerical weather and climate prediction to accurately model tropical wave variability, including convectively coupled equatorial waves (CCEWs) and the Madden–Julian oscillation. For subseasonal prediction, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Integrated Forecasting System (IFS) has been shown to be superior to the NOAA Global Forecast System (GFS) in simulating tropical variability, suggesting that the ECMWF model is better at simulating the interaction between cumulus convection and the large-scale tropical circulation. In this study, we experiment with the cumulus convection scheme of the ECMWF IFS in a research version of the GFS to understand which aspects of the IFS cumulus convection scheme outperform those of the GFS convection scheme in the tropics. We show that the IFS cumulus convection scheme produces significantly different tropical moisture and temperature tendency profiles from those simulated by the GFS convection scheme when it is coupled with other physics schemes in the GFS physics package. We show that a consistent treatment of the interaction between parameterized convective plumes in the GFS planetary boundary layer (PBL) and the IFS convection scheme is required for the GFS to replicate the tropical temperature and moisture profiles simulated by the IFS model. The GFS model with the IFS convection scheme, and the consistent treatment between the convection and PBL schemes, produces much more organized convection in the tropics, and generates tropical waves that propagate more coherently than the GFS in its default configuration due to better simulated interaction between low-level convergence and precipitation.
Analysis of outcome and factors correlated with maintenance peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Li Min , Yan Jin , Zhang Hao , Wu Qiongying , Wang Jianwen , Liu Jishi , Xing Chengling , Zhou Yuqiong 
Published: August 2019

Objectives This study aimed to analyze the outcome and factors correlated with maintenance peritoneal dialysis (PD) to provide guidance for improving prognosis, and prolonging the catheterization and survival times of patients on PD with end-stage renal disease. Methods Clinical data of patients at The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were retrospectively analyzed. We compared the survival and technique survival rates of patients, and analyzed relevant factors. Results A total of 510 cases of PD were included. Two hundred thirty-nine patients continued to receive PD treatment, 73 received kidney transplants, 72 transferred to hemodialysis, and 126 died. The main reasons of death were cardiovascular (27.00%) and cerebrovascular diseases (23.80%). The main reasons of transfer to HD were peritonitis and inadequate dialysis. The survival rates at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 years were 95.75%, 90.34%, 82.35%, 66.21%, and 54.32%, respectively. The technique survival rates at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 years were 93.22%, 86.76%, 77.91%, 63.16%, and 47.67%, respectively. Female sex and older age were protective factors that affected patients’ withdrawal from PD and survival time. Conclusions Death is the primary reason for withdrawal from PD. Female sex and older age affect patients’ withdrawal from PD and survival.
Adaptation and validation of the Euthanasia Attitude Scale into Spanish
Authors: Onieva-Zafra María Dolores , Fernández-Muñoz Juan José , Parra-Fernandez María Laura , Romero-Blanco Cristina , Fernández-Martínez Elia 
Published: August 2019

Background Considering the extensive debate that is currently taking place in Spain regarding euthanasia, it is important to examine the attitude of professionals who perform most of their duties at the bedside of these patients and their families. Objectives The aim of the present study was to present an adaptation and validation of the Euthanasia Attitude Scale and to evaluate its psychometric properties among a sample of nursing students in Spain. Research design A cross-sectional study design was conducted. Participants and research context Non-probabilistic sampling was used to recruit 396 Spanish nursing students. Methods A self-report questionnaire, including socio-demographic data and the Euthanasia Attitude Scale, were used for data collection. The psychometric properties of the Euthanasia Attitude Scale were assessed, including reliability and validity. Fit indices of the overall model were computed. Ethical considerations This study was approved by the Hospital Ethical Committee. Students were informed of the aims and procedures and provided written informed consent prior to data collection. Results The factorial solution comprised four domains and the scale demonstrated adequate internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = .878). For the exploratory factor analysis, the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin index of sampling adequacy was .905 and the Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity was 2972.79 (p < .001). The initial factorial solution revealed four factors with eigenvalues of 6.78 for the first factor, 1.90 for the second one, 1.29 for the third, and 1.10 for the fourth factor. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between religiosity and the domains of the Euthanasia Attitude Scale. Discussion This study obtained a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of .88 which is in consonance with the findings reported by other studies whereby none of the items were removed and the initial structure based on four domains was conserved, with a factorial solution that explains 52.79% of the total variance. The displacement of some items of the domain may be explained by certain religious and/or cultural components as, in accordance with other studies, people with firm religious beliefs are more inclined to refuse euthanasia. Conclusion According to the findings of this study, the Euthanasia Attitude Scale is a reliable and valid instrument to measure the attitudes toward euthanasia in a sample of Spanish nursing students. This Spanish adaptation will be valuable in future studies examining the attitude and implication of nurses, understanding that nurses are key figures in the euthanasia debate.
Recipe of Life: A Relational Narrative Approach in Therapy With Persons Living With Chronic Pain
Authors: Chow Esther Oi Wah , Fok Doris Yuen Hung 
Published: August 2019

Objective: This study aims to describe the effectiveness of applying an overarching narrative metaphor, the “spiritual seasoning of life,” among 30 older adults diagnosed with chronic pain in Hong Kong. Method: Using a qualitative inquiry approach, interviews of participants from group-based narrative therapy (NT) interventions were conducted. Thematic analysis was performed on their responses to during group sessions. Results: The practice was effective in helping the participants to (1) deconstruct their problem-saturated stories; (2) unearth their inner strengths, core values, and perceived knowledge; (3) co-construct their preferred life stories and identities; and (4) document how these participants reclaimed their meaning of life after living with chronic pain. Conclusion: Narrative conversations using such metaphors are useful to reconnect them with different relationships, their significant others, and the society as a whole and have practical implications for promoting the quality of life of people living with chronic pain in the context of recovery.