bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical and Molecular Characteristics May Alter Treatment Strategies of Thyroid Malignancies in DICER1 Syndrome
Authors: van der Tuin Karin , de Kock Leanne , Kamping Eveline J , Hannema Sabine E , Pouwels Marie-Jose M , Niedziela Marek , van Wezel Tom , Hes Frederik J , Jongmans Marjolijn C , Foulkes William D , Morreau Hans 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

Context
DICER1 syndrome is a rare autosomal-dominantly inherited disorder that predisposes to a variety of cancerous and noncancerous tumors of mostly pediatric and adolescent onset, including differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). DTC has been hypothesized to arise secondarily to the increased prevalence of thyroid hyperplastic nodules in syndromic patients.

Objective
To determine somatic alterations in DICER1-associated DTC and to study patient outcomes.

Design
Retrospective series.

Setting
Tertiary referral centers.

Patients
Ten patients with germline pathogenic DICER1 variants and early-onset DTC.

Methods
Somatic DICER1 mutation analysis, extensive somatic DNA variant and gene fusion analyses were performed on all tumors.

Results
Median age at DTC diagnosis was 13.5 years and there was no recurrent or metastatic disease (median follow-up, 8 years). All thyroid specimens showed diffuse nodular hyperplasia with at least one focus suspicious of DTC but without infiltrative growth, extrathyroidal extension, vascular invasion, or lymph node metastasis. Most of the individual nodules (benign and malignant) sampled from the 10 tumors harbored distinct DICER1 RNase IIIb hotspot mutations, indicating a polyclonal composition of each tumor. Furthermore, nine of 10 DICER1-related DTCs lacked well-known oncogenic driver DNA variants and gene rearrangements.

Conclusion
On the basis of our clinical, histological, and molecular data, we consider that most DICER1-related DTCs form a low-risk subgroup. These tumors may arise within one of multiple benign monoclonal nodules; thus, hemi-thyroidectomy or, more likely, total thyroidectomy may often be required. However, radioiodine treatment may be unnecessary given the patients’ ages and the tumors’ low propensity for metastases.
Adipose Tissue Expansion by Overfeeding Healthy Men Alters Iron Gene Expression
Authors: Segrestin Berenice , Moreno-Navarrete José Maria , Seyssel Kevin , Alligier Maud , Meugnier Emmanuelle , Nazare Julie-Anne , Vidal Hubert , Fernandez-Real José Manuel , Laville Martine 
Published: September 2018

AbstractContextIron overload has been associated with greater adipose tissue (AT) depots. We retrospectively studied the potential interactions between iron and AT during an experimental overfeeding in participants without obesity.MethodsTwenty-six participants (mean body mass index ± SD, 24.7 ± 3.1 kg/m2) underwent a 56-day overfeeding (+760 kcal/d). Serum iron biomarkers (ELISA), subcutaneous AT (SAT) gene expression, and abdominal AT distribution assessed by MRI were analyzed at the beginning and the end of the intervention.ResultsBefore intervention: SAT mRNA expression of the iron transporter transferrin (Tf) was positively correlated with the expression of genes related to lipogenesis (lipin 1, ACSL1) and lipid storage (SCD). SAT expression of the ferritin light chain (FTL) gene, encoding ferritin (FT), an intracellular iron storage protein, was negatively correlated to SREBF1, a gene related to lipogenesis. Serum FT (mean, 92 ± 57 ng/mL) was negatively correlated with the expression of SAT genes linked to lipid storage (SCD, DGAT2) and to lipogenesis (SREBF1, ACSL1). After intervention: Overfeeding led to a 2.3 ± 1.3-kg weight gain. In parallel to increased expression of lipid storage–related genes (mitoNEET, SCD, DGAT2, SREBF1), SAT Tf, SLC40A1 (encoding ferroportin 1, a membrane iron export channel) and hephaestin mRNA levels increased, whereas SAT FTL mRNA decreased, suggesting increased AT iron requirement. Serum FT decreased to 67 ± 43 ng/mL. However, no significant associations between serum iron biomarkers and AT distribution or expansion were observed.ConclusionIn healthy men, iron metabolism gene expression in SAT is associated with lipid storage and lipogenesis genes expression and is modulated during a 56-day overfeeding diet.
A systematic approach to mapping longitudinal data usage: Reflections on tracking Millennium Cohort Study activity
Authors: Kneale Dylan , Patalay Praveetha , Thomas James , Khatwa Meena , Stansfield Claire , Fitzsimons Emla 
Published: September 2018

Background: The Millennium Cohort Study is the youngest of the UK’s four national birth cohort studies, but the only study (to our knowledge) where a systematic approach to exploring data usage has been undertaken. Methods: In this paper we: (i) explore previous exercises and provide justification for our approach; (ii) share headline findings of our research, (iii) outline the challenges of intersecting systematic review methods with survey design methods; and (iv) discuss the implications for future survey design as well as for future exercises tracking survey data usage. All of the results were obtained through undertaking systematic searches across 30 databases which generated over 4000 results. We then searched these records, first on title and abstract and then on the full text and extracted data on studies that fell within our specific areas of interest. Results: A total of 481 studies were identified as using MCS data in novel analyses. Among these studies, measures that have been collected across sweeps—diet, BMI, SDQ and screen time—are all comparatively well used. Data that were collected from the child’s own reports (e.g. friendships and feelings) have seldom been utilised in comparison to data collected through parental reports and using validated tools (e.g. SDQ). Imposing thresholds on data was found to be problematic in some cases, for example for BMI, where a number of different thresholds for overweight and obesity were in use. The use of different thresholds can lead to substantial differences in the results obtained. Conclusions: Longitudinal consistency in measures is key to identifying change over time, and the review helped map the degree of consistency in measures, and their utility. The findings shaped decisions around inclusion of variables in MCS7 (age 17 years), as well as the way in which existing data were deposited.
Neuraxial anesthesia for postpartum tubal ligation at an academic medical center
Authors: Delgado Carlos , Van Cleve Wil , Kent Christopher , Dinges Emily , Bollag Laurent A. 
Published: September 2018

Background: Use of an in situ epidural catheter has been suggested to be efficient to provide anesthesia for postpartum tubal ligation (PPTL). Reported epidural reactivation success rates vary from 74% to 92%. Predictors for reactivation failure include poor patient satisfaction with labor analgesia, increased delivery-to-reactivation time and the need for top-ups during labor. Some have suggested that this high failure rate precludes leaving the catheter in situ after delivery for subsequent reactivation attempts. In this study, we sought to evaluate the success rate of neuraxial techniques for PPTL and to determine if predictors of failure can be identified. Methods: After obtaining IRB approval, a retrospective chart review of patients undergoing PPTL after vaginal delivery from July 2010 to July 2016 was conducted using CPT codes, yielding 93 records for analysis. Demographic, obstetric and anesthetic data (labor analgesia administration, length of epidural catheter in epidural space, top-up requirements, time of catheter reactivation, final anesthetic technique and corresponding doses for spinal and epidural anesthesia) were obtained. Results: A total of 70 patients received labor neuraxial analgesia. Reactivation was attempted in 33 with a success rate of 66.7%. Patient height, epidural volume of local anesthetic and administered fentanyl dose were lower in the group that failed reactivation. Overall, spinal anesthesia was performed in 60 patients, with a success rate of 80%. Conclusions: Our observed rate of successful postpartum epidural reactivation for tubal ligation was lower than the range reported in the literature. Our success rates for both spinal anesthesia and epidural reactivation for PPTL were lower than the generally accepted rates of successful epidural and spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. This gap may reflect a lower level of motivation on behalf of both the patients and anesthesia providers to tolerate “imperfect” neuraxial anesthesia once fetal considerations are removed.
Trends in the seasonal variation of paediatric fractures
Authors: Segal D. , Slevin O. , Aliev E. , Borisov O. , Khateeb B. , Faour A. , Palmanovich E. , Brin Y. S. , Weigl D. 
Published: September 2018

Purpose The incidence of paediatric fractures is known to peak during the summer as a consequence of unsupervised physical activity. A more sedentary lifestyle is a potential cause for changes in paediatric seasonal fracture frequency and severity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current seasonal variations of paediatric fractures in order to determine resource allocation in hospitals, community clinics and prevention programs. Methods A single institutional review of historical data of all patients aged 0 to 16 years that were diagnosed with fractures between April 2014 and July 2017 in the emergency department of a level 3 orthopaedic trauma centre was conducted. In all, 3484 fractures were reviewed, of which 2991 were included. We stratified fractures according to patients’ variants and the hour, day and month with respect to holidays, weekends and weather. Results While the fracture rate on school days was 6.62 per day, the fracture rate during the summer vacation was 4.45 (p < 0.01). Hot weather was correlated with low fracture rates. The peak hours of admission were 12:00 to 13:00 and 18:00 to 22:00, with more moderate differences during non-school periods. Conclusion The local seasonal variation of paediatric fractures has a bimodal distribution, with similar nadirs during both summer and winter. These rates might reflect a shift to a more sedentary lifestyle during the summer vacation. The presented data can assist in improving the value of injury prevention measures and medical resources allocation. Level of evidence II
Padlock Probe Assay for Detection and Subtyping of Seasonal Influenza
Authors: Neumann Felix , Hernández-Neuta Iván , Grabbe Malin , Madaboosi Narayanan , Albert Jan , Nilsson Mats 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Influenza remains a constant threat worldwide, and WHO estimates that it affects 5% to 15% of the global population each season, with an associated 3 to 5 million severe cases and up to 500000 deaths. To limit the morbidity and the economic burden of influenza, improved diagnostic assays are needed.

METHODS
We developed a multiplexed assay for the detection and subtyping of seasonal influenza based on padlock probes and rolling circle amplification. The assay simultaneously targets all 8 genome segments of the 4 circulating influenza variants—A(H1N1), A(H3N2), B/Yamagata, and B/Victoria—and was combined with a prototype cartridge for inexpensive digital quantification. Characterized virus isolates and patient nasopharyngeal swabs were used for assay design and analytical validation. The diagnostic performance was assessed by blinded testing of 50 clinical samples analyzed in parallel with a commercial influenza assay, Simplexa™ Flu A/B & RSV Direct.

RESULTS
The assay had a detection limit of 18 viral RNA copies and achieved 100% analytical and clinical specificity for differential detection and subtyping of seasonal circulating influenza variants. The diagnostic sensitivity on the 50 clinical samples was 77.5% for detecting influenza and up to 73% for subtyping seasonal variants.

CONCLUSIONS
We have presented a proof-of-concept padlock probe assay combined with an inexpensive digital readout for the detection and subtyping of seasonal influenza strains A and B. The demonstrated high specificity and multiplexing capability, together with the digital quantification, established the assay as a promising diagnostic tool for seasonal influenza.
Growth performance, haematology and serum biochemistry of West African dwarf sheep fed cassava peel - oil palm leaf meal based diets in a hot humid tropics
Authors: Jiwuba Peter-Damian Chukwunomso , Jiwuba Lydia Chidimma , Onyekwere Moses Udoha 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe growth performance, haematological and serum biochemical characteristics of thirty-six West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep of about 10 - 12 months of age and averaged 8.53kg in weight were sourced from the College flock. Four dietary treatments designated as T1, T2, T3 and T4 were formulated to contain 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% oil palm leaf meal (OPLM) respectively were randomly assigned to the animals. The experimental animals were divided into four groups of nine animals each, with each group replicated thrice with three animals per replicate. Each group was allotted to one of the diets in a completely randomized design. The animals were weighed at the beginning of the trial and weekly subsequently and data for growth performance were generated. Blood samples were obtained from one animal in each replicate, and data generated were analyzed statistically. Average daily feed intake, total dry matter intake and average daily weight gain were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the dietary treatment, with animals on T4 group having higher and better values. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) also differed significantly (P<0.05) with sheep on T3 and T4 (11.82 and 11.49 respectively) having the best FCR. The haematology showed that the packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCV) were significantly (P < 0.05) improved at 10%, 20% and 30% inclusion levels of OPLM, respectively. Sheep in treatment groups had improved (P < 0.05) white blood cell (WBC) count than those on the control group. Serum biochemistry results showed that total protein, albumin and globulin were significantly influenced (P < 0.05) and tended to increase with increasing levels of test ingredient. Sheep in treatment groups had higher (P < 0.05) urea values than those on control. Creatinine values at 20% and 30% inclusion differed significantly (P < 0.05) with the control value. Cholesterol was significantly influenced (P < 0.05) and followed an irregular trend across the treatment groups. The results showed that inclusion of OPLM had a beneficial effect on the general performance of the WAD sheep. Therefore, 30% OPLM supplementation was recommended for optimum performance in WAD sheep.
She-E-Os and the Cost of Debt: Do Female CEOs Pay Less for Credit?
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Farooq Muhammad Umar , Zhang Junrui , Makki Muhammad Abdul Majid , Sun Junqin 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Does the CEO’s gender matter to lenders? Using data from 2006 to 2015 for listed companies in China, we find reliable evidence that lenders charge firms led by female CEOs (She-E-Os) less for debt than they do from firms led by male. In addition, we find that the leadership structure of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) also matters to lenders because SOEs with female CEOs have lower cost of debt than do those with male CEOs. Our findings remain consistent after controlling for endogeneity issue.
Rented vs. owner-occupied housing and monetary policy
Authors: Rubio Margarita 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
The aim of this paper is to show how housing tenure (rented vs.cowner-occupied) affects monetary policy. I propose a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model with housing, both owned and rented. First, I analyze how, in the model, preference parameters, fiscal incentives, and institutional factors determine the rental market share and the residential debt-to-GDP ratio. Then, within this framework, I study how the transmission and optimality of monetary policy differ depending on these factors. From a positive perspective, impulse responses illustrate differences in the monetary transmission mechanism. I find that of all factors, tax incentives generate the largest differences. In normative terms, results show that when the relative size of the rental market is larger, monetary policy is more stabilizing. An optimal monetary policy analysis also suggests that in this case, monetary policy should respond more aggressively to inflation and disregard output, because the financial accelerator effects are weaker.
Long – Term Intraocular Pressure Changes after Intravitreal Injections
Authors: Grava Sintija , Laganovska Guna 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Introduction. Direct drug delivery by intravitreal injection is an essential tool in the treatment of retinal diseases and the studies have demonstrated that patients undergoing treatment with intravitreal anti-VEGF agents may experience sustained and delayed elevation of intraocular pressure. According to literature, the incidence of sustained elevation of intraocular pressure varied from 3.45% - 11.6%. Aim of the Study.To research the changes of intraocular pressure after intravitreal injections in patients with a diagnosis of agerelated macular degeneration, diabetic maculopathy, and retinal vein occlusions. Material and Methods. A prospective study was done in Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia from November 2015 - January 2016. In this study were interviewed and examined 31 patients who had had intravitreal injections. For data analysis, SPSS 23 was used. Results. From 31 patient there were 20 (65.5%) females and 11 (35.5%) males. They were divided into three groups depending on the diagnosis. There were 26 (83.9%) patients with age-related macular degeneration, 3 (9.7%) with diabetic retinopathy and 2 (6.5%) with retinal vein thrombosis. From 31 patient the IOP after intravitreal injections were increased in 21 (67.7%) patient - 13 (41.9%) in the right eye and 10 (32.2%) in the left eye. In both eyes the pressure was increased from 14 to 17 mmHg (14.08 to 17.08 mmHg in the right eye and 14.1 to 17.3 in the left eye). From 6 (19.3%) patients who had glaucoma before intravitreal injections, in 4 (66%) intraocular pressure had increased from 14.7 to 18.5 mmHg in the right eye and from 12.5 to 17 mmHg in the left eye. Conclusions. Patients with previously diagnosed glaucoma had a greater rise in intraocular pressure compared to patients with no glaucoma diagnosis. Further studies with a greater number of patients and identical intraocular pressure measuring method before and after injections are needed to better evaluate the effects of intravitreal injections on intraocular pressure.
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia – Analysis of Possible Prognostic Factors Predicting the Outcome
Authors: Racko Iveta , Karklina-Kravale Ieva , Abola Zane , Meldere Ilze 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Introduction. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) - a relatively rare developmental defect due to a failure of pleuroperitoneal canal closure. The size of the defect between abdominal and thoracic cavities may be variable and it may have a significant impact on the clinical manifestation and prognosis. In this study we set out additional factors to determine if they affect the outcome of the newborns with CDH. Aim of the Study. To investigate and analyze the influence of selected postnatal prognostic factors for predicting the outcome. The primary outcome measure was survival. Material and methods. The present study is retrospective including the data collection and analysis of medical documentation of patients born with CDH and treated in the Children’s Clinical University hospital between 2012 and 2017. The selected prognostic factors included antenatal diagnostics, Apgar score at 1' and 5', need for an early intubation (≤ 3 h after birth), initial blood gases in first 24 h of life, time interval between delivery and surgical therapy, the stomach and liver presence in the thorax, additional congenital abnormalities, a type and duration of invasive ventilatory support. Outcome parameters were compared between survivors (S) and non-survivors (NS). Results. 19 patients (pts) were identified - 14 S and 5 NS. Total mortality rate - 26%. 17/19 had left-sided, 2/19 - right-sided CDH. 17/19 pregnancies were monitored, prenatal diagnosis was made in 8 pts - 3 of them NS. The mean Apgar score at 1’ in S group was 5,5, NS - 5,0. At 5’ - 6,7 and 5,6. Need for an early intubation was 64% for S, 100% - NS. Initial blood gases in S (n=11) and NS (n=5) showed the mean pH value of 7,18 and 7,02. Mean PaCO2 - 62,92 and 77,42 mm Hg. 16/19 underwent the operation. 2 pts died before and 3 after surgical therapy. The average time interval between delivery and surgical therapy in S group was 31,6 hours, NS - 73,7 h. The intrathoracic liver was observed in 3 pts, 2 of them died, the intrathoracic stomach - 2, none of them died. 14/16 pts had a primary surgical repair (PR), 2/16 - Silo closure before total repair. 6 pts had additional congenital defects - 2/14 S and 4/5 NS. 5 out of all 6 had cardiac anomalies. The average required conventional ventilation time in S (n=9) was 175,9 h, NS (n=3) - 25,7 h. High-frequency oscillatory ventilation for S (n=6) was applied for 255 h, NS (n=5) 157,3 h. The results showed statistically significant relationship between the outcome and additional abnormalities (r(17)=.623, p=0.017) and time interval between delivery and surgical therapy (r(11)=.768, p=.014). Conclusions. The possible predictors of outcome were additional abnormalities and time interval between delivery and surgical therapy.