bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Macular thinning in prediabetes or type 2 diabetes without diabetic retinopathy: the Maastricht Study
Authors: De Clerck Eline E.B. , Schouten Jan S.A.G. , Berendschot Tos T.J.M. , Goezinne Fleur , Dagnelie Pieter C. , Schaper Nicolaas C. , Schram Miranda T. , Stehouwer Coen D.A. , Webers Carroll A.B. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPurposeTo assess macular thinning in individuals with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes without diabetic retinopathy (DM2 w/o DR) compared with individuals with normal glucose metabolism (NGM).MethodsUsing spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT), we measured macular thickness in six subfields as defined by the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) in 1838 participants from The Maastricht Study, a population‐based cohort study (mean age 59 ± 8 years, 49% men, 1087 NGM, 279 prediabetes, 472 DM2 w/o DR). Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the association between macular thickness and glucose metabolism status.ResultsAfter adjustment for age, sex and spherical equivalent, individuals with prediabetes showed a significant decrease in pericentral superior macular thickness [β = −2.14 μm (95% confidence interval (CI): −4.24 to −0.03), p < 0.05] compared with individuals with NGM. In individuals with DM2 w/o DR, the fovea [β = −4.05 μm (95% CI: −6.30 to −1.79), p < 0.001] and the four pericentral quadrants (range: β = −4.64 to −5.29 μm, p < 0.001) were significantly thinner compared with individuals with NGM. There was a significant linear trend of macular thinning with severity of glucose metabolism status in five subfields (p < 0.001).ConclusionMacular thickness is reduced in prediabetes and a greater reduction occurs in DM2, even before DR is clinically present. About half of the thinning observed in DM2 w/o DR was already found in prediabetes. Generalized thinning of the macula could be related to thinning of the temporal side of the optic nerve head through the connecting papillo‐macular bundle.
Computer‐aided diagnosis based on enhancement of degraded fundus photographs
Authors: Jin Kai , Zhou Mei , Wang Shaoze , Lou Lixia , Xu Yufeng , Ye Juan , Qian Dahong 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPurposeRetinal imaging is an important and effective tool for detecting retinal diseases. However, degraded images caused by the aberrations of the eye can disguise lesions, so that a diseased eye can be mistakenly diagnosed as normal. In this work, we propose a new image enhancement method to improve the quality of degraded images.MethodsA new method is used to enhance degraded‐quality fundus images. In this method, the image is converted from the input RGB colour space to LAB colour space and then each normalized component is enhanced using contrast‐limited adaptive histogram equalization. Human visual system (HVS)‐based fundus image quality assessment, combined with diagnosis by experts, is used to evaluate the enhancement.ResultsThe study included 191 degraded‐quality fundus photographs of 143 subjects with optic media opacity. Objective quality assessment of image enhancement (range: 0–1) indicated that our method improved colour retinal image quality from an average of 0.0773 (variance 0.0801) to an average of 0.3973 (variance 0.0756). Following enhancement, area under curves (AUC) were 0.996 for the glaucoma classifier, 0.989 for the diabetic retinopathy (DR) classifier, 0.975 for the age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) classifier and 0.979 for the other retinal diseases classifier.ConclusionThe relatively simple method for enhancing degraded‐quality fundus images achieves superior image enhancement, as demonstrated in a qualitative HVS‐based image quality assessment. This retinal image enhancement may, therefore, be employed to assist ophthalmologists in more efficient screening of retinal diseases and the development of computer‐aided diagnosis.
Haunted Infrastructure: Religious Ruins and Urban Obstruction in Vietnam
Authors: Schwenkel Christina 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis essay examines encounters between urban infrastructure and the spirit world, or what I am calling “haunted infrastructure.” It does so through the case study of an historic pagoda in Vinh City, Vietnam, that was destroyed by US aerial bombing in 1968, leaving only the charred front gate standing. As one of the last visible ruins of war that mark a history of imperial violence to the landscape, the pagoda's remains have been designated a site worthy of remembrance and preservation as architectural heritage. For urban residents, this symbolic space of urban destruction—and subsequent myth‐making—has remained one of the most affect‐laden places in the city and the center of renewed religious practices through the spontaneous reconstruction of the pagoda and its altars. In the essay, I trace the dynamic social life of Diệc Pagoda—co‐constituted by spirits, legends, and practitioners—as it abetted and disrupted colonial, socialist, and market‐oriented urban development. Drawing on Edensor's () notion of the productive capacity of the ruin to contest state power, I argue that religious ruins, as animated materiality that channel collective energies, have emerged as powerful sites to protest the encroachment of socialist development in and through the ghosts that inhabit them. While contemporary practices at Diệc Pagoda speak to religious diversification across urban Vietnam, they do so through obstructing, rather than enabling state projects of modernization. Haunted infrastructures and their attenuating myths thus reveal deep‐seated ambivalences about the postcolonial state and the specter of foreignness in the city. [Ruins; Urbanization; Infrastructure; Socialism; Urban Heritage; Religiosity; Ghosts]
Aβ exacerbates α‐synuclein‐induced neurotoxicity through impaired insulin signaling in α‐synuclein‐overexpressed human SK‐N‐MC neuronal cells
Authors: Chang Ching‐Chi , Li Hsin‐Hua , Chang Yen‐Ting , Ho Ying‐Jui , Hsieh Ling‐Jia , Chiu Pai‐Yi , Cheng Yu‐Shih , Lin Chih‐Li , Lai Te‐Jen 
Published: November 2017

SummaryAimα‐Synuclein (αSyn) is known as a small soluble protein abundantly expressed in neuronal cells. Although its physiological role is still unclear, the aggregation of αSyn has been recognized as responsible for some neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). In most cases, intracellular abnormal aggregates are caused by protein‐coding mutations that alter primary structure and therefore increase propensity toward aggregation. However, no pathogenic alterations or polymorphisms in αSyn are found in DLB patients so far, suggesting genetic mutations may not play a major role in DLB pathogenesis. In contrast, emerging evidence reveals that amyloid β (Aβ) may contribute to aggregate formation and exacerbate neurotoxicity of αSyn. However, the underlying mechanism of action has remained unclear.MethodsTo investigate molecular pathways involved in Aβ‐mediated αSyn pathology, we established an in vitro model for inducible αSyn overexpression in SK‐N‐MC human neuronal cells.ResultsOur results demonstrated that Aβ treatment in αSyn‐overexpressed neuronal cells significantly increases αSyn intracellular aggregation and cytotoxicity. Moreover, Aβ also caused AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibition and impaired insulin sensitivity, which leads to significant downregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (NRF2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO‐1) antioxidant signaling to elicit αSyn aggregation.ConclusionsThis raised the possibility that insulin resistance could be one of the causative factors of αSyn toxicity, and the strategies for insulin sensitization may have therapeutic potential for synucleinopathies including DLB.
Outcome of restorative proctocolectomy with an ileo‐anal pouch for ulcerative colitis: effect of changes in clinical practice
Authors: Germain A. , de Buck van Overstraeten A. , Wolthuis A. , Ferrante M. , Vermeire S. , Van Assche G. , D'Hoore A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimSurgery for ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) has evolved over time, especially since the introduction of laparoscopy. The aim of this retrospective study was to report the impact of surgical evolution on outcome over a period of 25 years.MethodAll patients who had IPAA surgery for ulcerative colitis from 1990 to 2015 at the University Hospitals of Leuven were included. Patients were divided into three period arms (period A 1990–1999; period B 2000–2009; period C 2010–2015). The main outcome measure was anastomotic leakage.ResultsA total of 335 patients (58.8% male) with a median age of 39 years (interquartile range 32–49 years) at surgery were included. Median follow‐up was 5 years (interquartile range 2–10 years). Overall anastomotic leakage (grades A–C) was 14.9%. A significant decrease in leakage rate was observed over time (from 21.4% in period A to 12.1% in period B to 10.0% in period C; P = 0.04). The defunctioning ileostomy rate at the time of pouch construction decreased from 91.7% (period A) to 40.3% (period B) to 11.1% (period C) (P < 0.001). We observed an increase in the use of laparoscopy (23.9% in period A vs 72.6% in period B, vs 84.4% in period C; P = 0.001) and a shift to a modified two‐stage procedure (4.1% in period A, vs 66.7% in period C; P < 0.0001). In a monocentric study with some of the data retrieved retrospectively it was not possible to account for the impact of preoperative nutritional status (weight loss, serum albumin level) or disease burden. Other outcome factors were not measured, for example sexual function and fecundity.ConclusionA higher rate of laparoscopic IPAA surgery, together with a shift towards modified two‐stage procedures, was associated with a lower leakage rate despite a reduction in the use of defunctioning ileostomy.
Mindful Parenting and Emotion Socialization Practices: Concurrent and Longitudinal Associations
Authors: McKee Laura G. , Parent Justin , Zachary Chloe R. , Forehand Rex 
Published: November 2017

Caregivers play a crucial role in the socialization of youth emotion understanding, competence, and regulation, which are implicated in youth social and emotional health; however, there is less understanding of parental psychosocial or cognitive factors, like mindful parenting, that may be associated with the use of particular emotion socialization (ES) strategies. This study tests a model of the cross‐sectional and short‐term longitudinal associations between mindful parenting and supportive and nonsupportive ES strategies in a community sample of parents (N = 246; 63.8% mothers) of youth ranging from ages 3–12. Caregivers reported on mindful parenting and ES strategies at two time points 4 months apart. The structural equation model indicated that higher levels of mindful parenting are positively related to supportive ES responses and negatively related to nonsupportive ES responses both concurrently and over time. The longitudinal association between mindful parenting and nonsupportive, but not supportive, ES was marginally larger for fathers as compared to mothers. Given the documented impact of ES strategies on youth emotional and behavioral outcomes and interventions emerging to educate parents about how to provide a healthy emotional atmosphere, incorporating a focus on mindful parenting strategies may provide one pathway to increase supportive responses and decrease nonsupportive ones.
Digital microscopy as a screening tool for the diagnosis of hereditary hemolytic anemia
Authors: Huisjes R. , van Solinge W. W. , Levin M. D. , van Wijk R. , Riedl J. A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIntroductionEvaluation of red blood cell (RBC) morphology is an important first step in the differential diagnosis of hereditary hemolytic anemia. It is, however, labor intensive, expensive, and prone to subjectivity. To improve and standardize the analysis of RBC morphology as a screening tool in the diagnosis of hereditary hemolytic anemia, we studied its automated analysis by digital microscopy (DM).MethodsBlood from 90 patients with hereditary hemolytic anemia and 32 normal control subjects was analyzed by the CellaVision DM96 Digital Microscope.ResultsAll hemolytic RBC abnormalities could be distinguished by the presence of at least one aberrant red cell type. In particular, the percentage of microcytes was highly sensitive and specific (AUCROC = 0.97) for RBC membrane disorders, and a cut‐off of 5.7% microcytes was calculated to be optimal to distinguish patients from healthy controls. Subgroup analysis of patients with RBC membrane disorders revealed additional distinct differences according to the underlying gene defect. A number of cell types were significantly elevated in sickle cell anemia patients, such as polychromatic cells, macrocytes, and poikilocytes. The increase in helmet cells (AUCROC = 0.96) and hypochromic cells (AUCROC = 0.91) was specific for β‐thalassemia, whereas patients with pyruvate kinase deficiency showed a significant increased polychromatic cells, macrocytes, and ovalocytes. Patients with hereditary xerocytosis showed significantly higher numbers of polychromatic cells, macrocytes, and target cells.ConclusionDM holds a promise as a useful screening tool in the diagnosis of hereditary hemolytic anemia by detecting and quantifying distinct morphological changes in RBCs in patients with various forms of hereditary hemolytic anemia.
Optimal online channel strategies for a hotel considering direct booking and cooperation with an online travel agent
Authors: Ye Fei , Yan Hui , Wu Yongzhong 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis paper studies the channel strategies for a hotel considering alternative online distribution channels. The decision for the hotel involves whether to rely on direct booking via its official website or cooperating with an online travel agent (OTA), and if the latter is suggested, what business model to be adopted for the cooperation with the OTA. Three mathematical models, i.e., direct booking model, OTA merchant model, and OTA agent model, are developed to evaluate the costs and benefits in the three different cases. The negotiation process in the OTA agent model is studied by using the generalized Nash bargaining solution. The optimal decisions and profits are analyzed with respect to the values of key parameters. Results of numerical examples are discussed to show the implications of the established models.
A practical three‐phase ILP approach for solving the examination timetabling problem
Authors: Al‐Hawari Feras , Al‐Ashi Mahmoud , Abawi Fares , Alouneh Sahel 
Published: November 2017

AbstractA practical mathematical programming based approach is introduced for solving the examination timetabling problem at the German Jordanian University (GJU), whereby the complex process of acquiring a feasible examination timetable is simplified by subdividing it into three smaller sub‐problems (phases). Accordingly, the exams are initially allocated to time slots in phase one, the time slots are then allotted to days in phase two, and finally in phase three the exams are assigned to rooms based on the number of students taking each exam and capacities of the rooms. The solution for each phase is acquired based on an integer linear programming (ILP) formulation, while satisfying a set of hard constraints that ensure comfortable exam timetables for all students and meet the desired requirements set by GJU administrative staff. Furthermore, the solver can be controlled and launched from a student information system named MyGJU Admin, which enabled registrars at the university to easily, quickly, and accurately generate final exam timetables in several standard formats. Moreover, the approach was validated based on recent GJU registration information as well as real‐world benchmark data.
Two kinds of explicit preference information oriented capacity identification methods in the context of multicriteria decision analysis
Authors: Wu Jian‐Zhang , Pap Endre , Szakal Aniko 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe decision maker's preference information on the importance and interaction of decision criteria can be explicitly described by the probabilistic interaction indices in the framework of the capacity based multicriteria decision analysis. In this paper, we first investigate some properties of the probabilistic interaction indices of the empty set, and propose the maximum and minimum empty set interaction principles based capacity identification methods, which can be considered as the comprehensive interaction trend preference information oriented capacity identification methods. Then, by introducing the deviation variables, the goal constraints, as well as the goal objective function, we give a new and more flexible approach to representing the decision maker's explicit preference information on the kind and degree of the interaction of any given combination of decision criteria as well as on the degree of the importance of any decision criterion, and construct the nonempty set interaction indices based capacity identification method, which can be considered as the detailed explicit preference information oriented identification method. Finally, two illustrative examples are respectively given to show the feasibility and applicability of the two kinds of methods. In addition, the comparison analysis between these two kinds of methods and some existing capacity identification methods are also mentioned.
Observation of metal nanoparticles at atomic resolution in Pt‐based cancer chemotherapeutics
Authors: SHEADER A.A. , VARAMBHIA A.M. , FLECK R.A. , FLATTERS S.J.L. , NELLIST P.D. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryThe chemotherapeutics cisplatin and oxaliplatin are important tools in the fight against cancer. Both compounds are platinum complexes. Aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy using the annular dark‐field imaging mode now routinely provides single‐atom sensitivity with atomic number contrast. Here, this imaging mode is used to directly image the platinum within the two drugs in their dried form on an amorphous carbon support film. The oxaliplatin is found to have wetted the supporting amorphous carbon, forming disordered clusters suggesting that the platinum has remained within the complex. Conversely, the cisplatin sample reveals 1.8‐nm‐diameter metallic platinum clusters. The size and shape of the clusters do not appear to be dependent on drying rate nor formed by beam damage, which may suggest that they were present in the original drug solution.
Maintenance IV immunoglobulin treatment in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Authors: Kuitwaard Krista , Fokkink Willem‐Jan R. , Brusse Esther , Vrancken Alexander F. J. E. , Eftimov Filip , Notermans Nicolette C. , van der Kooi Anneke J. , Merkies Ingemar S. J. , Jacobs Bart C. , van Doorn Pieter A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractChronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) patients treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) usually start with a standard dosage of 2 g/kg bodyweight. Only a minority of patients has a sustained improvement, and most require ongoing maintenance treatment. Preferred IVIg regimens, however, vary considerably between doctors and at present it is unknown which is optimal. As there are also large differences in IVIg dosage and interval requirements between patients, optimal IVIg maintenance treatment of CIDP is even more complex. The lack of evidence‐based guidelines on how IVIg maintenance treatment should be administered may potentially lead to under‐ or overtreatment of this expensive therapy. We provide an overview of published practical IVIg maintenance treatment regimens, IVIg maintenance schedules used in randomized controlled trials and one based upon our own long‐term experience on how this treatment could be given in CIDP.
LncRNA expression profiles in HBV‐transformed human hepatocellular carcinoma cells treated with a novel inhibitor of human La protein
Authors: Pan J. , Tong S. , Tang J. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryWe previously identified a novel inhibitor of La protein, H11, which inhibited hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication by inhibiting the interaction between La protein and HBV RNA. However, the other cellular factors involved in this process remain unclear. To investigate the mechanism of H11‐mediated inhibition of HBV infection, a lncRNA microarray analysis was performed using H11‐treated and untreated stable HBV‐expressing human hepatoblastoma HepG2.2.15 cells. The profiles of differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs were generated and analysed using Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway analyses. The microarray data showed that 61 lncRNAs were upregulated, 74 lncRNAs were downregulated, 43 mRNAs were upregulated, and 44 mRNAs were downregulated in H11 treatment group when compared with the control group, and these results were consistent with qRT‐PCR expression data. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the differentially expressed lncRNAs were involved in RNA‐mediated post‐transcriptional gene silencing, regulation of viral genome replication and Jak‐STAT signalling and apoptosis pathways. GO analysis showed that differentially expressed mRNAs were enriched in negative regulation of the Wnt signalling pathway and negative regulation of growth. Pathways analysis indicated that the differentially expressed mRNAs were involved in regulation of nuclear β‐catenin signalling and target gene transcription, as direct p53 effectors, and in the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors signalling and peroxisome pathways. Microarray data and qRT‐PCR results indicated that H11 mediates inhibition of HBV replication by regulating the Wnt, β‐catenin and PPAR signalling pathways.
Elastogram quality assessment score in vibration‐controlled transient elastography: Diagnostic performance compared to digital morphometric analysis of liver biopsy in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Mendes L. C. , Ferreira P. A. , Miotto N. , Zanaga L. , Gonçales E. S. L. , Pedro M. N. , Lazarini M. S. , Júnior F. L. G. , Stucchi R. S. B. , Vigani A. G. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryVibration‐controlled transient elastography (VCTE) is widely used for noninvasive fibrosis staging in chronic hepatitis C. However, internal validation is based solely on variability and success rate and lacks reproducible quality indicators. We analysed the graphic representation of shear wave propagation in comparison with morphometric results of liver biopsy, eliminating observer variability bias. Individual elastograms were classified according to two morphologic criteria: extension of wave propagation (length of the graphic representation) and shear wave dispersal (level of parallelism displayed in the elastogram). Then, a score based on these criteria stratified the elastogram in classes I through III (highest to lowest technical quality). Liver stiffness results of each measurement were compared with collagen contents in liver biopsy by morphometric analysis. A total of 3243 elastograms were studied (316 patients). Digital morphometry in liver biopsy showed significant fibrosis in 66% of samples and advanced fibrosis in 31%. Elastogram quality analysis resulted in 1438 class I measurements (44%), 1070 class II (34%) and 735 class III. Area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) for severe fibrosis according to class (I, II and III) was 0.941, 0.887 and 0.766, respectively. For advanced fibrosis, AUROCs were 0.977, 0.883 and 0.781, respectively. Spearman's correlation testing for all classes and levels of fibrosis demonstrated significant independent association (r2 = −.95, P < .01). Our study is the first to propose measurable quality criteria for VTCE and to validate them against objective assessment of liver biopsy through digital morphometric imaging analysis. We concluded that VCTE performance is significantly influenced by quality assessment of individual measurements. Considering these criteria in clinical practice may improve accuracy.