bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thyroid Hormones and Timing of Pubertal Onset in a Longitudinal Cohort of Females, Northern California, 2006–11
Authors: Wilken Jason A. , Greenspan Louise C. , Kushi Lawrence H. , Voss Robert W. , Windham Gayle C. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundPubertal timing is regulated by a complex interplay of hormones. Few studies have evaluated the role of thyroid hormones in pubertal onset. We investigated the associations between blood concentrations of free and total thyroxine (FT4, TT4), free triiodothyronine, and thyroid stimulating hormone and pubertal onset among females.MethodsParticipants included 323 Kaiser Permanente Northern California members followed at annual intervals during 2004–11, who provided a blood sample during the first 3 years of the study. Thyroid hormone concentrations were measured in serum in the first blood specimen available for each participant. Pubertal onset was defined as Tanner stage ≥2 for breast (thelarche) and pubic hair (pubarche) development. Associations between thyroid hormones and pubertal onset were assessed by multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards modelling.ResultsAt blood draw, participants were age 6.5–10.1 (median 7.7) years, 10% had reached thelarche, and 12% had reached pubarche. Participants were followed 0–5 years after blood draw (median 4). At most recent clinical visit, participants were age 6.7–14.7 (median 12.3) years, 92% had reached thelarche, and 89% had reached pubarche. No associations were identified between having reached thelarche or pubarche at time of blood draw and thyroid hormones. Examined longitudinally, higher concentrations of pre‐pubertal FT4 and TT4 were associated with earlier pubarche (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06, 1.86; per ng/dL and aHR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02, 1.12; per μg/dL respectively).ConclusionsHigher pre‐pubertal concentrations of FT4 and TT4 are associated with earlier pubarche.
Modeling event‐related heart period responses
Authors: Paulus Philipp C. , Castegnetti Giuseppe , Bach Dominik R. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractCardiac rhythm is generated locally in the sinoatrial node, but modulated by central neural input. This may provide a possibility to infer central processes from observed phasic heart period responses (HPR). Currently, operational methods are used for HPR analysis. These methods embody implicit assumptions on how central states influence heart period. Here, we build an explicit psychophysiological model (PsPM) for event‐related HPR. This phenomenological PsPM is based on three experiments involving white noise sounds, an auditory oddball task, and emotional picture viewing. The model is optimized with respect to predictive validity—the ability to separate experimental conditions from each other. To validate the PsPM, an independent sample of participants is presented with auditory stimuli of varying intensity and emotional pictures of negative and positive valence, at short intertrial intervals. Our model discriminates these experimental conditions from each other better than operational approaches. We conclude that our PsPM is more sensitive to distinguish experimental manipulations based on heart period data than operational methods, and furnishes a principled approach to analysis of HPR.
Equity, Bonds, Institutional Debt and Economic Growth: Evidence from South Africa
Authors: Fanta Ashenafi Beyene , Makina Daniel 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWe examine the finance‐growth nexus in South Africa accounting for the role of bond markets, stock markets, and bank and non‐bank financial intermediaries using a vector autoregressive technique. Extant empirical literature has largely accounted for only banks and stock markets, ignoring bond market and non‐bank financial intermediaries. We find that bond market development affects economic growth in South Africa, and no similar effect is observed for the bank and non‐bank financial intermediaries and the stock market. Our finding shows that examination of individual elements of the financial system is important in understanding the unique effect of each on growth. The observation that the bond market rather than stock market, bank and non‐bank institutions promote economic growth in South Africa induces an intriguing question as to what unique roles bond markets play that the intermediaries and equity market are unable to play.
Exponential Family Techniques for the Lognormal Left Tail
Authors: Asmussen Søren , Jensen Jens Ledet , Rojas‐Nandayapa Leonardo 
Published: February 2016

AbstractLetXbe lognormal(μ,σ2) with densityf(x); letθ> 0 and define. We study properties of the exponentially tilted density (Esscher transform)fθ(x) = e−θxf(x)/L(θ), in particular its moments, its asymptotic form asθ→∞and asymptotics for the saddlepointθ(x) determined by. The asymptotic formulas involve the Lambert W function. The established relations are used to provide two different numerical methods for evaluating the left tail probability of the sum of lognormalsSn=X1+⋯+Xn: a saddlepoint approximation and an exponential tilting importance sampling estimator. For the latter, we demonstrate logarithmic efficiency. Numerical examples for the cdfFn(x) and the pdffn(x) ofSnare given in a range of values ofσ2,nandxmotivated by portfolio value‐at‐risk calculations.
Revised classification and evolution of leucotrichiine microcaddisflies (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) based on morphological and molecular data
Authors: SANTOS ALLAN P. M. , NESSIMIAN JORGE L. , TAKIYA DANIELA M. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractHydroptilidae constitute the most diverse caddisfly family, with over 2000 species known from every habitable continent. Leucotrichiinae are exclusively New World microcaddisflies, currently including over 200 species and 17 genera. Phylogenetic analyses of Leucotrichiinae relationships based on 114 morphological characters and 2451 molecular characters from DNA sequences were conducted. DNA sequences analysed were from one mitochondrial gene, cytochrome oxidase I (653 bp), and four nuclear genes, carbamoylphosphate synthase (802 bp), elongation factor 1α (352 bp), histone 3 (308 bp) and 28S rDNA (336 bp). The morphological matrix included 94 taxa (with representatives of all included genera) and the molecular matrix included 62 taxa. Individual and combined datasets were analysed under parsimony and Bayesian inference. In addition, a relaxed molecular clock divergence time estimate was conducted to determine the age of the subfamily and major lineages. All Bayesian inference analyses strongly suggest a monophyletic Leucotrichiinae, which initially diverged at approximately 124 Ma into two monophyletic groups of genera. These groups are herein elevated to tribal status, Alisotrichiini trib.n. and Leucotrichiini Flint sensu n. Several genera of Leucotrichiini were not recovered as monophyletic clades and some nomenclatural changes are proposed to reflect their phylogenetic history. These include the synonymy of Abtrichia with Peltopsyche; transfer of Betrichia hamulifera to Costatrichia; transfer of Betrichia alibrachia and Costatrichia falsa to Leucotrichia; and transfer of Costatrichia fluminensis to Acostatrichia. Additionally, Tupiniquintrichia gen.n. is described to include Peltopsyche maclachlani and Leucotrichia procera. According to our results, crown diversifications of both Alisotrichiini trib.n. (∼80 Ma) and Leucotrichiini sensu n. (∼103 Ma) occurred after complete separation of South America from Africa. Current distributions of most leucotrichiine genera are probably a result of migration from South America towards the north using the proto‐Caribbean archipelago (100 to 49 Ma).This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FB6A3385-323D-41AF-B4BE-E19A393A493C.
Measuring the impact of non‐monetary incentives on facility delivery in rural Zambia: a clustered randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wang P. , Connor A. L. , Guo E. , Nambao M. , Chanda‐Kapata P. , Lambo N. , Phiri C. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectivesIn Zambia, only 56% of rural women deliver in a health facility, and improving facility delivery rates is a priority of the Zambian government. ‘Mama kit’ incentives – small packages of childcare items provided to mothers conditional on delivering their baby in a facility – may encourage facility delivery. This study measured the impact and cost‐effectiveness of a US$4 mama kit on rural facility delivery rates in Zambia.MethodsA clustered randomised controlled trial was used to measure the impact of mama kits on facility delivery rates in thirty rural health facilities in Serenje and Chadiza districts. Facility‐level antenatal care and delivery registers were used to measure the percentage of women attending antenatal care who delivered at a study facility during the intervention period. Results from the trial were then used to model the cost‐effectiveness of mama kits at‐scale in terms of cost per death averted.ResultsThe mama kits intervention resulted in a statistically significant increase in facility delivery rates. The multivariate logistic regression found that the mama kits intervention increased the odds of delivering at a facility by 63% (P‐value < 0.01, 95% CI: 29%, 106%), or an increase of 9.9 percentage points, yielding a cost‐effectiveness of US$5183 per death averted.ConclusionsThis evaluation confirms that low‐cost mama kits can be a cost‐effective intervention to increase facility delivery rates in rural Zambia. Mama kits alone are unlikely to completely solve safe delivery challenges but should be embedded in larger maternal and child health programmes.
Reducing the age of transfused red blood cells in hospitals: ordering and allocation policies
Authors: Sarhangian V. , Abouee‐Mehrizi H. , Baron O. , Berman O. , Heddle N. M. , Barty R. 
Published: February 2016

BackgroundAlthough recent randomized controlled trials have not found increased risk of morbidity/mortality with older red blood cells (RBCs), several large trials will be completed soon providing power to detect smaller risks if indeed they exist. Hence, there may still be a need for inventory management policies that could reduce the age of transfused RBCs without compromising availability or resulting in excessive outdates.Materials and MethodsWe developed a computer simulation model based on data from an acute care hospital in Hamilton, Ontario. We evaluated and compared the performance of certain practical ordering and allocation policies in terms of outdate rate, shortage rate and the distribution of the age of issued RBCs.ResultsDuring the 1‐year period for which we analysed the data, 10349 RBC units were transfused with an average issue age of 20·7 days and six units were outdated (outdate rate: 0·06%). Adopting a strict first in, first out (FIFO) allocation policy and an order‐up‐to ordering policy with target levels set to five times the estimated daily demand for each blood type, reduced the average issue age by 29·4% (to 14·6 days), without an increase in the outdate rate (0·05%) or resulting in any unmet demand. Further reduction of issue age without a significant increase in outdate rate was observed when adopting non‐FIFO threshold‐based allocation policies and appropriately adjusting the order‐up‐to levels.ConclusionA significant reduction of issue age could be possible, without compromising availability or resulting in excessive outdates, by properly adjusting the ordering and allocation policies at the hospital level.
Lessons from computer simulations of ablation of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Jacquemet Vincent 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis paper reviews the simulations of catheter ablation in computer models of the atria, from the first attempts to the most recent anatomical models. It describes how postulated substrates of atrial fibrillation can be incorporated into mathematical models, how modelling studies can be designed to test ablation strategies, what their current trade‐offs and limitations are, and what clinically relevant lessons can be learnt from these simulations. Drawing a parallel between clinical and modelling studies, six ablation targets are considered: pulmonary vein isolation, linear ablation, ectopic foci, complex fractionated atrial electrogram, rotors and ganglionated plexi. The examples presented for each ablation target illustrate a major advantage of computer models, the ability to identify why a therapy is successful or not in a given atrial fibrillation substrate. The integration of pathophysiological data to create detailed models of arrhythmogenic substrates is expected to solidify the understanding of ablation mechanisms and to provide theoretical arguments supporting substrate‐specific ablation strategies.
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Complete Genomic Sequence of Maize Rough Dwarf Virus, a Fijivirus Transmitted by the Small Brown Planthopper
Authors: Lv Mingfang , Xie Li , Yang Jian , Chen Jianping , Zhang Heng-Mu 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT
The nucleotide sequences of the 10 genomic segments of an Italian isolate of maize rough dwarf virus (MRDV) were determined. This first complete genomic sequence of MRDV will help understand the phylogenetic relationships among group 2 fijiviruses and especially the closely related rice black-streaked dwarf virus, which is also found to naturally infect maize.
Two Complete Genome Sequences of Phasey Bean Mild Yellows Virus, a Novel Member of the
Luteoviridae
from Australia
Authors: Sharman Murray , Kehoe Monica , Coutts Brenda , van Leur Joop , Filardo Fiona , Thomas John 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT

We present here the complete genome sequences of a novel polerovirus from
Trifolium subterraneum
(subterranean clover) and
Cicer arietinum
(chickpea) and compare these to a partial viral genome sequence obtained from
Macroptilium lathyroides
(phasey bean). We propose the name phasey bean mild yellows virus for this novel polerovirus.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus muralis LMG 20238
T
(DSM 16288), a Spore-Forming Bacterium Isolated from Deteriorated Mural Paintings
Authors: Wang Jie-ping , Liu Bo , Liu Guo-hong , Chen Qianqian , Pan Zhizhen , Zheng Xue-fang , Chen Meichun 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT

Bacillus muralis
LMG 20238
T
is a Gram-positive, aerobic, and spore-forming bacterium. Here, we report the 5.18-Mb draft genome sequence of
B. muralis
LMG 20238
T
, which is the first genome sequence of this species and will promote its fundamental research.
Whole-Genome Sequencing Reveals a New Genospecies of
Methylobacterium
sp. GXS13, Isolated from Vitis vinifera L. Xylem Sap
Authors: Lai Wan Xin , Gan Han Ming , Hudson André O. , Savka Michael A. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT

The whole-genome sequence of a new genospecies of
Methylobacterium
sp., named GXS13 and isolated from grapevine xylem sap, is reported and demonstrates potential for methylotrophy, cytokinin synthesis, and cell wall modification. In addition, biosynthetic gene clusters were identified for cupriachelin, carotenoid, and acyl-homoserine lactone using the antiSMASH server.
Approaching a Scientific Consensus on the Association between Allergies and Glioma Risk: A Report from the Glioma International Case-Control Study
Authors: Amirian E. Susan , Zhou Renke , Wrensch Margaret R. , Olson Sara H. , Scheurer Michael E. , Il'yasova Dora , Lachance Daniel , Armstrong Georgina N. , McCoy Lucie S. , Lau Ching C. , Claus Elizabeth B. , Barnholtz-Sloan Jill S. , Schildkraut Joellen , Ali-Osman Francis , Sadetzki Siegal , Johansen Christoffer , Houlston Richard S. , Jenkins Robert B. , Bernstein Jonine L. , Merrell Ryan T. , Davis Faith G. , Lai Rose , Shete Sanjay , Amos Christopher I. , Melin Beatrice S. , Bondy Melissa L. 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Background: Several previous studies have found inverse associations between glioma susceptibility and a history of allergies or other atopic conditions. Some evidence indicates that respiratory allergies are likely to be particularly relevant with regard to glioma risk. Using data from the Glioma International Case-Control Study (GICC), we examined the effects of respiratory allergies and other atopic conditions on glioma risk.
Methods: The GICC contains detailed information on history of atopic conditions for 4,533 cases and 4,171 controls, recruited from 14 study sites across five countries. Using two-stage random-effects restricted maximum likelihood modeling to calculate meta-analysis ORs, we examined the associations between glioma and allergy status, respiratory allergy status, asthma, and eczema.
Results: Having a history of respiratory allergies was associated with an approximately 30% lower glioma risk, compared with not having respiratory allergies (mOR, 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.58–0.90). This association was similar when restricting to high-grade glioma cases. Asthma and eczema were also significantly protective against glioma.
Conclusion: A substantial amount of data on the inverse association between atopic conditions and glioma has accumulated, and findings from the GICC study further strengthen the existing evidence that the relationship between atopy and glioma is unlikely to be coincidental.
Impact: As the literature approaches a consensus on the impact of allergies in glioma risk, future research can begin to shift focus to what the underlying biologic mechanism behind this association may be, which could, in turn, yield new opportunities for immunotherapy or cancer prevention. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(2); 282–90. ©2016 AACR.
Circulating DNA as a Strong Multimarker Prognostic Tool for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patient Management Care
Authors: El Messaoudi Safia , Mouliere Florent , Du Manoir Stanislas , Bascoul-Mollevi Caroline , Gillet Brigitte , Nouaille Michelle , Fiess Catherine , Crapez Evelyne , Bibeau Frederic , Theillet Charles , Mazard Thibault , Pezet Denis , Mathonnet Muriel , Ychou Marc , Thierry Alain R. 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Purpose: Circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) is a valuable source of tumor material obtained from a simple blood sampling that enables noninvasive analysis of the tumor genome. Our goal was to carry out a multiparametric analysis of ccfDNA and evaluate its prognostic value by investigating the overall survival (OS) of 97 metastatic colorectal cancer patients (mCRC).
Experimental Design: Qualitative parameters (determination of the main KRAS exon2 and BRAF V600E mutations) and quantitative parameters (total ccfDNA concentration, mutant ccfDNA concentration, the proportion of mutant ccfDNA, and ccfDNA integrity index) were determined simultaneously in a single run using a unique Q-PCR multimarker approach (100% success rate).
Results: The median follow-up time was 36 months and median OS was 22 months. Patients showing high ccfDNA levels had significantly shorter OS (18.07 months vs. 28.5 months, P = 0.0087). Moreover, multivariate analysis revealed that a high ccfDNA level is an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.034). All ccfDNA parameters were of prognostic interest: patients with higher levels of mutant ccfDNA and higher mutation loads for the detected mutations had shorter OS (P = 0.0089 and P = 0.05, respectively). In addition, the level of ccfDNA fragmentation correlated positively with decreased OS in the exclusive KRAS/BRAF-mutant cohort of patients (P = 0.0052) and appeared as a strong independent prognostic factor (P = 0.0072), whereas it was not significant in the exclusive KRAS/BRAF WT cohort of patients (P = 0.67).
Conclusions: Our data provide for the first time qualitative and quantitative evidence in favor of multiparametric ccfDNA analysis in mCRC patients for prognostic assessment. Clin Cancer Res; 22(12); 3067–77. ©2016 AACR.
Dose Escalation of Tamoxifen in Patients with Low Endoxifen Level: Evidence for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring—The TADE Study
Authors: Fox Peter , Balleine Rosemary L. , Lee Clara , Gao Bo , Balakrishnar Bavanthi , Menzies Alexander M. , Yeap Shang Heng , Ali Sayed Sahanawaz , Gebski Val , Provan Pamela , Coulter Sally , Liddle Christopher , Hui Rina , Kefford Richard , Lynch Jodi , Wong Mark , Wilcken Nicholas , Gurney Howard 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Purpose: Endoxifen is the major mediator of tamoxifen effect and endoxifen levels &lt;15 nmol/L may be associated with increased risk of breast cancer recurrence. We increased tamoxifen dose in breast cancer patients with low endoxifen levels and assessed the influence of various parameters on reaching 15 nmol/L and 30 nmol/L endoxifen levels.
Experimental Design: Tamoxifen dose was increased in those with endoxifen levels below 30 nmol/L. Toxicity, including hot flash score, was measured. CYP2D6 metabolizer status was classified as ultra-rapid (UM), extensive (EM), intermediate (IM), or poor (PM) based genotype of somatic DNA.
Results: Dosage was escalated in 68 of 122 participants. On 20 mg tamoxifen, 24% had endoxifen levels below 15 nmol/L and this reduced to 6% following dose escalation. In over 50% of cases, there was no identified cause for low endoxifen. Low baseline endoxifen level, and not CYP2D6 metabolizer status, independently predicted reaching threshold targets for both the 15 nmol/L and 30 nmol/L targets (P = 0.04 and 0.003 respectively). The 15 nmol/L target was reached in all UM/EM and IM patients, 63% of PM patients, and 58% of those with baseline endoxifen of &lt;10 nmol/L. There was no correlation between hot flash score and genotype or any tamoxifen metabolite level including endoxifen (R = 0.07).
Conclusions: Low endoxifen on standard dose tamoxifen was the only independent predictor of failure to achieve potentially therapeutic levels. Trials examining tamoxifen dose escalation and breast cancer outcome should be guided by endoxifen levels alone, without reference to CYP2D6 genotype or presence of hot flashes. Clin Cancer Res; 22(13); 3164–71. ©2016 AACR.
See related commentary by Hertz and Rae, p. 3121
Salivary Biomarkers for Detection of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Taiwanese Population
Authors: Gleber-Netto Frederico Omar , Yakob Maha , Li Feng , Feng Ziding , Dai Jianliang , Kao Huang-Kai , Chang Yu-Liang , Chang Kai-Ping , Wong David T.W. 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Purpose: This study evaluated the discriminatory power of salivary transcriptomic and proteomic biomarkers in distinguishing oral squamous cell carcinoma cases from controls and potentially malignant oral disorders (PMOD).
Experimental Design: A total of 180 samples (60 OSCC patients, 60 controls, and 60 PMOD patients) were used in the study. Seven transcriptomic markers (IL8, IL1β, SAT1, OAZ1, DUSP1, S100P, and H3F3A) were measured using qPCR, and two proteomic markers (IL8 and IL1β) were evaluated by ELISA.
Results: Among 7 transcriptomic markers, transcript level of DUSP1 was significantly lower in OSCC patients than in controls and PMOD patients. Between the proteomic markers, the protein concentration of IL8 and IL1β was significantly higher in OSCC patients than controls and dysplasia patients. Univariate fractional polynomial (FP) models revealed that salivary IL8 protein (IL8p) has the highest AUC value between OSCC patients and controls (0.74) and between OSCC and PMOD patients (0.72). Applying a 2-marker FP model, salivary IL8p combined with IL1β gave the best AUC value for discrimination between OSCC patients and controls, as well as the IL8p combined with H3F3A mRNA, which gave the best AUC value for discrimination between OSCC and PMOD patients. Multivariate models analysis combining salivary analytes and risk factor exposure related to oral carcinogenesis formed the best combinatory variables for differentiation between OSCC versus PMOL (AUC = 0.80), OSCC versus controls (AUC = 0.87), and PMOD versus controls (AUC = 0.78).
Conclusions: The combination of transcriptomic and proteomic salivary markers is of great value for oral cancer detection and differentiation from PMOD patients and controls. Clin Cancer Res; 22(13); 3340–7. ©2016 AACR.