bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Value of PFKFB3 to PFKFB4 mRNA Ratio in Patients With Primary Glioblastoma (IDH-Wildtype)
Authors: Kessler Renate , Fleischer Michael , Springsguth Christopher , Bigl Marina , Warnke Jan-Peter , Eschrich Klaus 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
A hallmark of glioblastoma is the high level of aerobic glycolysis. PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 are regulatory glycolytic enzymes, which are overexpressed in glioblastomas. Selective inhibition of these enzymes has emerged as a new approach in tumor therapy. We investigated the ratios of PFKFB3 to PFKFB4 mRNA expression in 66 astrocytic tumors of different malignancy grades. PFKFB3 mRNA levels were considerably higher than those of PFKFB4 in all analyzed tumors. IDH-wildtype glioblastomas showed lower PFKFB3 to PFKFB4 mRNA ratios (7.7:1) than IDH-mutant low-grade astrocytomas (36.5:1), indicating a dependency of the ratio on malignancy grade. In IDH-wildtype glioblastomas exhibiting loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the PFKFB3 gene locus, the decrease of PFKFB3 mRNA levels was accompanied by lower PFKFB4 mRNA levels, but the PFKFB3 to PFKFB4 mRNA ratio did not differ between tumors with or without PFKFB3 LOH. IDH-wildtype primary glioblastoma patients with high PFKFB3 to PFKFB4 mRNA ratios above the average of 7.7:1 had a significantly longer overall survival time (14 months) than patients with lower ratios (9 months). Our results indicate that low PFKFB3 to PFKFB4 expression ratio is a poor prognostic factor in patients with IDH-wildtype primary glioblastoma and that PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 might represent promising targets for astrocytoma and glioblastoma treatment.
The SAMI galaxy survey: stellar population radial gradients in early-type galaxies
Authors: Ferreras Ignacio , Scott Nicholas , La Barbera Francesco , Croom Scott , van de Sande Jesse , Hopkins Andrew , Colless Matthew , Barone Tania M , d’Eugenio Francesco , Bland-Hawthorn Joss , Brough Sarah , Bryant Julia J , Konstantopoulos Iraklis S , Lagos Claudia , Lawrence Jon S , López-Sánchez Angel , Medling Anne M , Owers Matt S , Richards Samuel N 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT
We study the internal radial gradients of the stellar populations in a sample comprising 522 early-type galaxies (ETGs) from the SAMI (Sydney-AAO Multi-object Integral field spectrograph) Galaxy Survey. We stack the spectra of individual spaxels in radial bins, and derive basic stellar population properties: total metallicity ([Z/H]), [Mg/Fe], [C/Fe] and age. The radial gradient (∇) and central value of the fits (evaluated at Re/4) are compared against a set of six observables that may act as drivers of the trends. We find that velocity dispersion (σ) – or, equivalently gravitational potential – is the dominant driver of the chemical composition gradients. Surface mass density is also correlated with the trends, especially with stellar age. The decrease of ∇[Mg/Fe] with increasing σ is contrasted by a rather shallow dependence of ∇[Z/H] with σ (although this radial gradient is overall rather steep). This result, along with a shallow age slope at the massive end, imposes a substantial constraint on the progenitors of the populations that contribute to the formation of the outer envelopes of ETGs. The SAMI sample is split, by design, between ‘field’ and cluster galaxies. Only weak environment-related differences are found, most notably a stronger dependence of central total metallicity ([Z/H]e4) with σ, along with a marginal trend of ∇[Z/H] to steepen in cluster galaxies, a result that is not followed by [Mg/Fe]. The results presented here serve as stringent constraints on numerical models of the formation and evolution of ETGs.
Modelling the spectral energy distribution of super-Eddington quasars
Authors: Kubota Aya , Done Chris 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT
We develop a broad-band spectral model, agnslim, to describe super-Eddington black hole accretion disc spectra. This is based on the slim disc emissivity, where radial advection keeps the surface luminosity at the local Eddington limit, resulting in L(r) ∝ r−2 rather than the r−3 expected from the Novikov-Thorne (standard, sub-Eddington) disc emissivity. Wind losses should also be important but these are expected to produce a similar radiative emissivity. We assume that the flow is radially stratified, with an outer standard disc, an inner hot Comptonizing region and an intermediate warm Comptonizing region to produce the soft X-ray excess. This gives the model enough flexibility to fit the observed data, but with the additional requirement of energy conservation to give physical constraints. We use this to fit the broad-band spectrum of one of the most extreme Active Galactic Nuclei, the Narrow Line Seyfert 1 RX J0439.6−5311, which has a black hole mass of $(6\sim 9)\times 10^6\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ as derived from the H β line width. This cannot be fit with the standard disc emissivity at this mass, as even zero spin models overproduce the observed luminosity. Instead, we show that the spectrum is well reproduced by the slim disc model, giving mass accretion rates around (5 ∼ 10) × Eddington limit. There is no constraint on black hole spin as the efficiency is reduced by advection. Such extreme accretion rates should be characteristic of the first Quasars, and we demonstrate this by fitting to the spectrum of a recently discovered super-Eddington Quasar, PSO J006 + 39, at z = 6.6.
Evolution of relativistic thin discs with a finite ISCO stress – I. Stalled accretion
Authors: Mummery Andrew , Balbus Steven A 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT
We present solutions to the relativistic thin disc evolutionary equation using an α-model for the turbulent stress tensor. Solutions with a finite stress at the innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO) give rise to bolometric light curves with a shallow power-law time dependence, in good agreement with those observed in tidal disruption events. A self-similar model based on electron scattering opacity, for example, yields a power-law index of −11/14, as opposed to −19/16 for the case of zero ISCO stress. These solutions correspond to an extended period of relaxation of the evolving disc which, like the light curves they produce, is not sustainable indefinitely. Cumulative departures from the approximation of exact circular orbits cause the power-law index to evolve slowly with time, leading eventually to the steeper fall-off associated with traditional zero ISCO stress models. These modified solutions are discussed in detail in a companion paper.
Trajectory of Improvement in Myelopathic Symptoms From 3 to 12 Months Following Surgery for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy
Authors: Khan Inamullah , Archer Kristin R , Wanner John Paul , Bydon Mohamad , Pennings Jacquelyn S , Sivaganesan Ahilan , Knightly John J , Foley Kevin T , Bisson Erica F , Shaffrey Christopher , McGirt Matthew J , Asher Anthony L , Devin Clinton J ,   QOD Vanguard Sites Asher Anthony L MD McGirt Matthew J MD Devin Clinton J MD Foley Kevin T MD Sorenson Jeffrey M MD Briggs Thomas B MD Kremer Adam MD Griffitt Wesley E MD Bisson Erica F MD Shaffrey Mark E Shaffrey Christopher MD Fassett Daniel MD Oetting Gregory MD Elowitz Eric H MD Rumana Christopher MD, Asher Anthony L , McGirt Matthew J , Devin Clinton J , Foley Kevin T , Sorenson Jeffrey M , Briggs Thomas B , Kremer Adam , Griffitt Wesley E , Bisson Erica F , Shaffrey Mark E , Shaffrey Christopher , Fassett Daniel , Oetting Gregory , Elowitz Eric H , Rumana Christopher 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a progressive disease resulting from cervical cord compression. The modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) is commonly used to grade myelopathic symptoms, but its persistent postoperative improvement has not been previously explored.

OBJECTIVE
To utilize the Quality Outcomes Database (QOD) to evaluate the trajectory of outcomes in those operatively treated for DCM.

METHODS
This study is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. The QOD was queried for patients undergoing elective surgery for DCM. Patients were divided into mild (≥14), moderate (9-13), or severe (<9) categories for their baseline severity of myelopathic symptoms (mJOA scores). A parsimonious multivariable logistic regression model was fitted with 2 points improvement on mJOA from 3- to 12-mo follow-up as the outcome of interest.

RESULTS
A total of 2156 patients who underwent elective surgery for DCM and had complete 3- and 12-mo follow-up were included in our analysis. Patients improved significantly from baseline to 3-mo on their mJOA scores, regardless of their baseline mJOA severity. After adjusting for the relevant preoperative characteristics, the baseline mJOA categories had significant impact on outcome of whether a patient keeps improving in mJOA score from 3 to 12 mo postsurgery. Patient with severe mJOA score at baseline had a higher likelihood of improvement in their myelopathic symptoms, compared to patients with mild mJOA score in.

CONCLUSION
Most patients achieve improvement on a shorter follow-up; however, patients with severe symptoms keep on improving until after a longer follow-up. Preoperative identification of such patients helps the clinician settling realistic expectations for each follow-up timepoint.
Pediatric trauma mortality: an ecological analysis evaluating correlation between injury-related mortality and geographic access to trauma care in the United States in 2010
Authors: Pender T M , David A P , Dodson B K , Calland J Forrest 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT

Background
Trauma is the leading cause of mortality in the pediatric population &gt;1 year. Analyzing relationships between pediatric trauma-related mortality and geographic access to trauma centers (among other social covariates) elucidates the importance of cost and care effective regionalization of designated trauma facilities.

Methods
Pediatric crude injury mortality in 49 United States served as a dependent variable and state population within 45 minutes of trauma centers acted as the independent variable in four linear regression models. Multivariate analyses were performed using previously identified demographics as covariates.

Results
There is a favorable inverse relation between pediatric access to trauma centers and pediatric trauma-related mortality. Though research shows care is best at pediatric trauma centers, access to Adult Level 1 or 2 trauma centers held the most predictive power over mortality. A 4-year college degree attainment proved to be the most influential covariate, with predictive powers greater than the proximity variable.

Conclusions
Increased access to adult or pediatric trauma facilities yields improved outcomes in pediatric trauma mortality. Implementation of qualified, designated trauma centers, with respect to regionalization, has the potential to further lower pediatric mortality. Additionally, the percentage of state populations holding 4-year degrees is a stronger predictor of mortality than proximity and warrants further investigation.
Armed conflict and public health: into the 21st century
Authors: Garry S , Checchi F 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Background
Many people worldwide are affected by conflict, and countries affected are less likely to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This review outlines the effects of conflict on health and focuses on areas requiring more attention.

Methods
We completed a search of the literature using Medline, Embase and Global Health.

Results
Health effects of conflict include trauma; mental health; non-communicable diseases (NCDs); child health; sexual, reproductive and maternal health; and infectious diseases. Conflict damages health directly through fighting, and indirectly through wider socioeconomic effects. Health outcomes are influenced by pre-existing population health and demographics, and access to appropriate healthcare. Vulnerable populations (the elderly, children, neonates and women) are especially at risk.

Conclusion
Several areas pose key challenges including: tactics of war as a public health problem; a lack of focus on neonatal care and NCDs; the long-term consequences of conflict across a life-course and into future generations; and the need to focus on wellbeing beyond standard health parameters. Clear decisions about prioritisation need to be made. The effects on civilians must be documented and recorded. Further research is required to understand chronic health needs and effects on future generations, to support fair and equitable resource prioritisation to best meet the needs of conflict-affected populations.
Attention to Global Warming
Authors: Choi Darwin , Gao Zhenyu , Jiang Wenxi 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
We find that people revise their beliefs about climate change upward when experiencing warmer than usual temperatures in their area. Using international data, we show that attention to climate change, as proxied by Google search volume, increases when the local temperature is abnormally high. In financial markets, stocks of carbon-intensive firms underperform firms with low carbon emissions in abnormally warm weather. Retail investors (not institutional investors) sell carbon-intensive firms in such weather, and return patterns are unlikely to be driven by changes in fundamentals. Our study sheds light on peoples’ collective beliefs and actions about global warming.
Trends in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with incident rheumatoid arthritis: a 20-year follow-up matched case-cohort study
Authors: Provan Sella A , Lillegraven Siri , Sexton Joe , Angel Kristin , Austad Cathrine , Haavardsholm Espen A , Kvien Tore K , Uhlig Till 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Objectives
To examine all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in consecutive cohorts of patients with incident RA, compared with population comparators.

Methods
The Oslo RA register inclusion criteria were diagnosis of RA (1987 ACR criteria) and residency in Oslo. Patients with disease onset 1994–2008 and 10 matched comparators for each case were linked to the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry. Hazard ratios for all-cause and CVD mortality were calculated for 5, 10, 15 and 20 years of observation using stratified cox-regression models. Mortality trends were estimated by multivariate cox-regression.

Results
443, 479 and 469 cases with disease incidence in the periods 94–98, 99–03 and 04–08 were matched to 4430, 4790 and 4690 comparators, respectively. For cases diagnosed between 1994 and 2003, the all-cause mortality of cases diverged significantly from comparators after 10 years of disease duration [hazard ratio (95% CI) 94–98 cohort 1.42 (1.15–1.75): 99–03 cohort 1.37 (1.08–1.73)]. CVD related mortality was significantly increased after 5 years for the 94–98 cohort [hazard ratio (95% CI) 1.86 (1.16–2.98) and after 10 years for the 99–03 cohort 1.80 (1.20–2.70)]. Increased mortality was not observed in the 04–08 cohort where cases had significantly lower 10-year all-cause and CVD mortality compared with earlier cohorts.

Conclusion
All-cause and CVD mortality were significantly increased in RA patients diagnosed from 1994 to 2003, compared with matched comparators, but not in patients diagnosed after 2004. This may indicate that modern treatment strategies have a positive impact on mortality in patients with RA.
Faces and Phases of Women’s Empowerment: The Case of Women’s Cooperatives in Turkey
Authors: Cinar Kursat , Akyuz Selin , Ugur-Cinar Meral , Onculer-Yayalar Emine 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThis article provides an in-depth look at women’s empowerment through women’s cooperatives. Drawing on evidence from a diverse set of women’s cooperatives in Turkey, the article investigates the prospects and constraints of women’s empowerment in contexts lacking an enabling macro-institutional framework and societal structure. Listening to the real-life stories of women from different socioeconomic and political backgrounds, we explore how and to what extent members experience empowerment in their lives after joining the cooperatives. We find that, even under political and societal constraints, women experience economic, psychological, social, and organizational empowerment, though the extent of such empowerment varies across cases.
Comparing patterns and scales of plant virus phylogeography: Rice yellow mottle virus in Madagascar and in continental Africa
Authors: Rakotomalala Mbolarinosy , Vrancken Bram , Pinel-Galzi Agnès , Ramavovololona Perle , Hébrard Eugénie , Randrianangaly Jean Stéphan , Dellicour Simon , Lemey Philippe , Fargette Denis 
Published: August 2019

AbstractRice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) in Madagascar Island provides an opportunity to study the spread of a plant virus disease after a relatively recent introduction in a large and isolated country with a heterogeneous host landscape ecology. Here, we take advantage of field survey data on the occurrence of RYMV disease throughout Madagascar dating back to the 1970s, and of virus genetic data from ninety-four isolates collected since 1989 in most regions of the country to reconstruct the epidemic history. We find that the Malagasy isolates belong to a unique recombinant strain that most likely entered Madagascar through a long-distance introduction from the most eastern part of mainland Africa. We infer the spread of RYMV as a continuous process using a Bayesian statistical framework. In order to calibrate the time scale in calendar time units in this analysis, we pool the information about the RYMV evolutionary rate from several geographical partitions. Whereas the field surveys and the phylogeographic reconstructions both point to a rapid southward invasion across hundreds of kilometers throughout Madagascar within three to four decades, they differ on the inferred origin location and time of the epidemic. The phylogeographic reconstructions suggest a lineage displacement and unveil a re-invasion of the northern regions that may have remained unnoticed otherwise. Despite ecological differences that could affect the transmission potential of RYMV in Madagascar and in mainland Africa, we estimate similar invasion and dispersal rates. We could not identify environmental factors that have a relevant impact on the lineage dispersal velocity of RYMV in Madagascar. This study highlights the value and complementarity of (historical) nongenetic and (more contemporaneous) genetic surveillance data for reconstructing the history of spread of plant viruses.
Health Literacy and Self-Reported Hearing Aid Use in the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Munson Klyn Niall Andre , Mohammed Shaikh Zain , Dhar Sumitrajit 
Published: August 2019

Objectives:
Understanding the determinants of hearing aid use is important to improve the provision of hearing healthcare. Prior research has indicated that materials in the clinic and online, as well as audiologists’ language during appointments, require a higher literacy level than most patients possess. We hypothesized that low health literacy is a barrier to entry in hearing healthcare, and therefore that health literacy would be positively correlated with the probability of hearing aid use.

Design:
We performed retrospective analyses of the Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal survey of American adults of retirement age. Objective health literacy was measured in different but overlapping subsamples using subsets of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults and the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (n = 1240, n = 1586, and n = 2412). Subjective health literacy was assessed using a single-question screener in a larger sample (n = 8362). Separate discrete time models including common covariates of hearing aid use were constructed for each subsample.

Results:
Objective health literacy measures did not correlate significantly with hearing aid use when age, gender, race/ethnicity, self-assessed hearing ability, and net income were included in the models. Subjective health literacy did correlate significantly with hearing aid use in the complete model, with lower subjective health literacy correlated with lower odds of reporting hearing aid use.

Conclusions:
Taken at face value, the results provide mixed evidence for a link between health literacy and hearing aid use. The results from the analysis of the largest sample, using the subjective health literacy measure, were consistent with the hypothesis that low health literacy is a barrier to hearing aid use. However, this was not supported by the analysis of the objective health literacy measures in these samples. Further research using full health literacy measurement tools and capturing other relevant variables would offer clarification on this conflict. The literacy level of clinical materials and conversation is a modifiable potential factor in hearing aid uptake, so further clinical and research consideration is warranted.
Age Effects on Cochlear Reflectance in Adults
Authors: Fultz Sara E. , Vaden Kenneth I. , Rasetshwane Daniel M. , Kopun Judy G. , Neely Stephen T. , Dubno Judy R. 
Published: August 2019

Objectives:
Cochlear reflectance (CR) is the cochlear contribution to ear-canal reflectance. CR is a type of otoacoustic emission that is calculated as a transfer function between forward pressure and reflected pressure. The purpose of this study was to assess effects of age on CR in adults and interactions among age, sex, and hearing loss.

Design:
Data were collected from 60 adults selected for their age (e.g., 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70–79 years) and normal middle ear status. A wideband noise stimulus presented at three stimulus levels (30, 40, 50 dB SPL) was used to elicit CR. Half-octave bands of CR signal magnitude (CRM), CR noise, and the CR signal-to-noise ratio (CR-SNR) were extracted from the wideband CR response. Regression analyses were conducted to assess interactions among CR, age, sex, and pure-tone thresholds at closely matched frequency bands across stimulus levels.

Results:
Although increased age was generally associated with lower CRM and CR-SNR at some band frequencies and stimulus levels, no significant effects of age remained after controlling for effects of pure-tone thresholds. Increases in pure-tone thresholds were associated with lower CRM and CR-SNR at most frequency bands and stimulus levels. Effects of hearing sensitivity were significant at some frequencies and levels after controlling for age and sex.

Conclusions:
When effects of age were controlled, adults with better hearing had significantly larger CRM and CR-SNR than those with poorer hearing. In contrast, when effects of hearing were controlled, no significant effects of age on CRM and CR-SNR remained.
T and B lymphocytes in fibrosis and systemic sclerosis
Authors: Pillai Shiv 
Published: August 2019

Purpose of review
To summarize recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of autoimmune fibrotic diseases. These diseases include IgG4-related disease, systemic sclerosis and lupus nephritis.

Recent findings
Recent studies indicate that a poorly studied subset of helper T cells, cytotoxic CD4+ T cells and sub-populations of disease-specific activated B cells infiltrate inflamed tissues and collaborate to induce tissue fibrosis in autoimmune fibrotic diseases. Cycles of apoptosis induced by antigen-specific cytotoxic CD4+ T cells followed by macrophage-mediated clearing of apoptotic cells and finally tissue remodeling driven by cytokines released by these auto-antigen-specific activated T and B cells may contribute to the activation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts and the laying down of collagen. In scleroderma, this process likely involves the apoptosis of endothelial cells and other neighboring cells and the subsequent remodeling of the tissue.

Summary
Self-reactive cytotoxic CD4+ T cells infiltrate tissues where they may be nurtured by activated auto-reactive B cells, induce apoptosis, secrete cytokines and thus drive autoimmune fibrosis.