bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of Dizzy Patient Population in a Neurotology Clinic and Predictors of Peripheral Etiology
Authors: Muelleman Thomas , Shew Matthew , Subbarayan Rahul , Shum Axel , Sykes Kevin , Staecker Hinrich , Lin James 
Published: May 2017

Objective:
To compare the proportion of peripheral versus nonperipheral dizziness etiologies among all patients, inclusive of those presenting primarily or as referrals, to rank diagnoses in order of frequency, to determine whether or not age and sex predict diagnosis, and to determine which subgroups tended to undergo formal vestibular testing.

Study Design:
Retrospective cohort.

Setting:
Academic neurotology clinic.

Patients:
Age greater than 18 neurotology clinic patients with the chief complaint of dizziness.

Intervention(s):
None.

Main Outcome Measure(s):
Age, sex, diagnosis, record of vestibular testing.

Results:
Two thousand seventy-nine patients were assigned 2,468 diagnoses, of which 57.7 and 42.3% were of peripheral and nonperipheral etiologies, respectively. The most common diagnoses were Ménière's (23.0%), vestibular migraine (19.3%), benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) (19.1%), and central origin, nonmigraine (16.4%). Peripheral diagnoses are more likely to be found in men than in women (odds ratio [OR] 1.59). Peripheral diagnoses were most likely to be found in the 60 to 69 age group (OR 3.82). There was not a significant difference in rate of vestibular testing between women and men. Among patients with two diagnoses, the most common combinations were vestibular migraine and BPPV then vestibular migraine and Ménière's.

Conclusions:
A large proportion of patients seen for the chief complaint of dizziness in the neurotology clinic were found not to have a peripheral etiology of their symptoms. These data challenge a prevalent dogma that the most common causes of dizziness are peripheral: BPPV, vestibular neuritis, and Ménière's disease. Age and sex are statistically significant predictors of peripheral etiology of dizziness.
The Effect of Systemic Steroid on Hearing Preservation After Cochlear Implantation via Round Window Approach: A Guinea Pig Model
Authors: Chang Mun Young , Rah Yoon Chan , Choi Jun Jae , Woo Shin Wook , Hwang Yu-Jung , Eastwood Hayden , O’Leary Stephen J. , Lee Jun Ho 
Published: May 2017

Hypothesis:
When administered perioperatively, systemic dexamethasone will reduce the hearing loss associated with cochlear implantation (CI) performed via the round window approach.

Background:
The benefits of electroacoustic stimulation have led to interest in pharmacological interventions to preserve hearing after CI.

Methods:
Thirty guinea pigs were randomly divided into three experimental groups: a control group; a 3-day infusion group; and a 7-day infusion group. Dexamethasone was delivered via a mini-osmotic pump for either 3 or 7 days after CI via the round window. Pure tone-evoked auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds were monitored for a period of 12 weeks after CI. The cochleae were then collected for histology.

Results:
At 4 and 12 weeks after CI, ABR threshold shifts were significantly reduced in both 7-day and 3-day infusion groups compared with the control group. Furthermore, the 7-day infusion group has significantly reduced ABR threshold shifts compared with the 3-day infusion group. The total tissue response, including fibrosis and ossification, was significantly reduced in the 7-day infusion group compared with the control group. On multiple regression the extent of fibrosis predicted hearing loss across most frequencies, while hair cell counts predicted ABR thresholds at 32 kHz.

Conclusion:
Hearing protection after systemic administration of steroids is more effective when continued for at least a week after CI. Similarly, this treatment approach was more effective in reducing the fibrosis that encapsulates the CI electrode. Reduced fibrosis seemed to be the most likely explanation for the hearing protection.
Modeling the Impact of Retention Interventions on Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV: Results From INSPIRE Studies in Malawi, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe
Authors: McCarthy Elizabeth , Joseph Jessica , Foster Geoff , Mangwiro Alexio-Zambezio , Mwapasa Victor , Oyeledun Bolanle , Phiri Sam , Sam-Agudu Nadia A. , Essajee Shaffiq ,   on behalf of the INSPIRE Team
Published: May 2017

Background:
Six implementation research studies in Malawi, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe tested approaches for improving retention in care among women living with HIV. We simulated the impact of their interventions on the probability of HIV transmission during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Methods:
A computer-based state-transition model was developed to estimate the impact of the retention interventions. Patient-level data from the 6 studies were aggregated and analyzed, and weighted averages of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV probabilities were presented. The average MTCT probability of the more successful interventions was applied to national estimates to calculate potential infections averted if these interventions were taken to scale.

Results:
Among the total cohort of 5742 HIV-positive women, almost 80% of all infant infections are attributed to the roughly 20% of HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women not retained on antiretroviral therapy. Higher retention in the arms receiving interventions resulted in an overall lower estimated MTCT probability of 9.9% compared with 12.3% in the control arms. In the 2 studies that showed a statistically significant effect, Prevention of MTCT Uptake and Retention (PURE) and Mother Mentor (MoMent), the difference in transmission rates between intervention and control arms was 4.1% and 7.3%, respectively. Scaling up retention interventions nationally in the 3 countries could avert an average of almost 3000 infant infections annually.

Conclusions:
Linking HIV-positive pregnant women to antiretroviral therapy and retaining them is essential for addressing the remaining gaps and challenges in HIV/AIDS care and the elimination of MTCT. At national level, even modest improvements in retention translates into large numbers of infant infections averted.
Supporting Implementation Research to Improve Coverage and Uptake of HIV Related Interventions
Authors: Blais Pierre , Sirivar Sylvia , Seto Joyce 
Published: May 2017

Abstract:
In 2015, Global Affairs Canada joined other members of the United Nations to establish the Sustainable Development Goals, which include the elimination of AIDS by 2030. Innovation is an important part of accelerating the response against HIV and ensuring success in eliminating AIDS by 2030. This is the reason Global Affairs Canada decided to partner with the World Health Organization, to support the INtegration and Scaling Up PMTCT through Implementation REsearch (INSPIRE) initiative, to learn how HIV interventions can be successfully integrated with other essential health services for mothers and children, especially among the most vulnerable populations. Canada also believes that the empowerment of women and girls will be critical to eliminating AIDS. INSPIRE is the evidence that providing women with the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent, treat, and manage HIV enables them to become experts and agents of change in their families and communities. We know that when women are empowered with critical information regarding their health, there is greater retention in care which leads to improved treatment adherence and ultimately helps to reduce the rate of new infections. Global Affairs Canada is proud to have supported the World Health Organization in this effort.
Building Health System Capacity Through Implementation Research: Experience of INSPIRE—A Multi-country PMTCT Implementation Research Project
Authors: Newman Owiredu Morkor , Bellare Nita B. , Chakanyuka Musanhu Christine C. , Oyelade Taiwo A. , Thom Ellen M. , Bigirimana Francoise , Anyaike Chukwuma , Eliya Michael T. , Mushavi Angela , Nyarko Eugene A. , Okello David O. , Zawaira Felicitas R. 
Published: May 2017

Background:
The INSPIRE—Integrating and Scaling Up PMTCT through Implementation REsearch—initiative was established as a model partnership of national prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) implementation research in 3 high HIV burden countries—Malawi, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe. INSPIRE aimed to link local research groups with Ministries of Health (MOH), build local research capacity, and demonstrate that implementation research may contribute to improving health care delivery and respond to program challenges.

Methodology:
We used a mixed methods approach to review capacity building activities, as experienced by health care workers, researchers, and trainers conducted in the 6 INSPIRE projects before and during study implementation.

Results:
Between 2011 and 2016, over 3400 health care workers, research team members, and community members participated in INSPIRE activities. This included research prioritization exercises, proposal development, good clinical practice and research ethics training, data management and analysis workshops, and manuscript development. Health care workers in clinics and district health offices acknowledged the value of hosting implementation research projects and how the quality of services improved. Research teams acknowledged the opportunities that projects provided for personal development and the value of participating in a multicountry research network.

Discussion:
INSPIRE provided an opportunity for African-led research in which researchers worked closely with national MOH to identify priority research questions and implement studies. Close partnerships between research teams and local implementers facilitated project responsiveness to local program issues. Consequently, processes and training needed for study implementation also improved local program management and service delivery. Additional benefits included improved data management, publications, and career development.
Gastrointestinal Colonization of Candida Albicans Increases Serum (1→3)-β-D-Glucan, without Candidemia, and Worsens Cecal Ligation and Puncture Sepsis in Murine Model
Authors: Panpetch Wimonrat , Somboonna Naraporn , Bulan Dewi Embong , Issara-Amphorn Jiraphorn , Worasilchai Navaporn , Finkelman Malcolm , Chindamporn Ariya , Palaga Tanapat , Tumwasorn Somying , Leelahavanichkul Asada 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT
The role of intestinal Candida albicans in bacterial sepsis, in the absence of candidemia, was investigated in murine models. Live C albicans or normal saline solution (NSS) was administered orally once, followed by 5 days of daily oral antibiotic-mixtures (ATB). Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was then performed to induce sepsis.
Fecal Candida was detected by culture only in models with Candida administration. Oral Candida administration with/without ATB enhanced gut-pathogenic bacteria as determined by microbiome analysis. Despite negative candidemia, serum (1→3)-β-D-glucan (BG) was higher in CLP with Candida preconditioning models than in CLP-controls (NSS-preconditioning) at 6 and/or 18 h post-CLP. Blood bacterial burdens were not increased with Candida administration.
Additionally, CLP with high-dose Candida (106 colony forming units) induced higher levels of fecal Candida, serum BG, serum IL-6, and mortality than the lowest dose (100 colony forming units). Interestingly, fluconazole attenuated fecal Candida and improved survival in mice with live-Candida administration, but not in the CLP-controls. Heat-killed Candida preparations or their supernatants reduced bone marrow-derived macrophage killing activity in vitro but enhanced cytokine production.
In conclusion, intestinal abundance of fungi and/or fungal-molecules was associated with increased bacterial sepsis severity, perhaps through cytokine storm induction and/or decreased macrophage killing activity. These observations suggest that further investigation of the potential role of intestinal fungal burdens in sepsis is warranted.
Activin Biology After Lung Transplantation
Authors: Westall Glen P. , Snell Gregory I. , Loskot Monika , Levvey Bronwyn , O’Hehir Robyn , Hedger Mark P. , de Kretser David M. 
Published: May 2017

Background
Activins A and B, members of the TGF-β superfamily, are produced as part of the physiological response to tissue damage and the resulting proinflammatory response. Given that lung allograft reperfusion results in an inflammatory response, it is likely that the activins and their binding protein follistatin will form part of the regulatory response. There is a need to document the response of these proteins to allograft reperfusion to determine if there is a role for the use of follistatin to control the biological actions of the activins because some of these are potentially damaging.

Methods
Serum from 48 consecutive patients undergoing lung transplantation (LTx) was collected at 2, 6, 12, and 26 weeks post-LTx. The serum levels of activin A and B and follistatin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and specific radioimmunoassays and compared with clinical events.

Results
Serum activin A and B levels were at the upper limit of the normal ranges at 2 weeks post-LTx decreasing thereafter to 12 weeks post-LTx (P < 0.05). In contrast, serum follistatin levels were unchanged between 2 and 12 weeks, with a late significant increase at 24 week post-LTx (P < 0.01). Patients with primary graft dysfunction had lower serum follistatin levels (7.7 vs 9.5 ng/mL; P = 0.04) and a higher activin A/follistatin ratio (13.1 vs 10.4; P = 0.02) at 2 weeks post-LTx.

Conclusions
Activin and follistatin levels vary with time form LTX and reflect a proinflammatory environment. Future studies will elucidate associations with chronic lung allograft dysfunction and the therapeutic potential of exogenous follistatin administration.
Categorical representations of decision-variables in orbitofrontal cortex
Authors: Hirokawa Junya , Vaughan Alex , Kepecs Adam 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe brain creates internal representations of the external world in the form of neural activity, which is structured to support adaptive behavior. In many cortical regions, individual neurons respond to specific features that are matched to the function of each region and statistics of the world. In frontal cortex, however, neurons display baffling complexity, responding to a mixture of sensory, motor and other variables. Here we use an integrated new approach to understanding the architecture of higher-order cortical representations, and use this approach to show that discrete groups of orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) neurons encode distinct decision variables. Using rats engaged in a complex task combining perceptual and value guided decisions, we found that OFC neurons can be grouped into distinct, categorical response types. These categorical representations map directly onto decision-variables of a choice model explaining our behavioral data, such as reward size, decision confidence and integrated value. We propose that, like sensory neurons, frontal neurons form a sparse and over complete population representation aligned to the natural statistics of the world – in this case spanning the space of decision-variables required for optimal behavior.
MAJIQ-SPEL: Web-Tool to interrogate classical and complex splicing variations from RNA-Seq data
Authors: Green Christopher J. , Gazzara Matthew R. , Barash Yoseph 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAnalysis of RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data have highlighted the fact that most genes undergo alternative splicing (AS) and that these patterns are tightly regulated. Many of these events are complex, resulting in numerous possible isoforms that quickly become difficult to visualize, interpret, and experimentally validate. To address these challenges, We developed MAJIQ-SPEL, a web-tool that takes as input local splicing variations (LSVs) quantified from RNA-Seq data and provides users with visualization and quantification of gene isoforms associated with those. Importantly, MAJIQ-SPEL is able to handle both classical (binary) and complex (non-binary) splicing variations. Using a matching primer design algorithm it also suggests users possible primers for experimental validation by RT-PCR and displays those, along with the matching protein domains affected by the LSV, on UCSC Genome Browser for further downstream analysis.Availability:Program and code will be available athttp://majiq.biociphers.org/majiq-spel
A hypothesis-driven approach to assessing significance of differences in RNA expression levels among specific groups of genes
Authors: He Mingze , Liu Peng , Lawrence-Dill Carolyn J. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractGenome-wide molecular gene expression studies generally compare expression values for each gene across multiple conditions followed by cluster and gene set enrichment analysis to determine whether differentially expressed genes are enriched in specific biochemical pathways, cellular components, biological processes, and/or molecular functions, etc. This approach to analyzing differences in gene expression enables discovery of gene function, but is not useful to determine whether pre-definedgroupsof genes share or diverge in their expression patterns in response to treatments nor to assess the correctness of pre-defined gene set groupings. Here we present a simple method that changes the dimension of comparison by treating genes as variable traits to directly assess significance of differences in expression levels among pre-defined gene groups. Because expression distributions are typically skewed (thus unfit for direct assessment using Gaussian statistical methods) our method involves transforming expression data to approximate a normal distribution followed by dividing the genes into groups, then applying Gaussian parametric methods to assess significance of observed differences. This method enables the assessment of differences in gene expression distributions within and across samples, enabling hypothesis-based comparison among groups of genes. We demonstrate this method by assessing the significance of specific gene groups’ differential response to heat stress conditions in maize.AbbreviationsGO– gene ontology HSP – heat shock proteinKEGG– Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and GenomesHSF TF– heat shock factor transcription factorHSBP– heat shock binding proteinRNA– ribonucleic acidTE– transposable elementTF– transcription factorTPM– transcripts per kilobase millions
Barcode identification for single cell genomics
Authors: Tambe Akshay , Pachter Lior 
Published: May 2017

AbstractSingle-cell sequencing experiments use short DNA barcode ‘tags’ to identify reads that originate from the same cell. In order to recover single-cell information from such experiments, reads must be grouped based on their barcode tag, a crucial processing step that precedes other computations. However, this step can be difficult due to high rates of mismatch and deletion errors that can afflict barcodes. Here we present an approach to identify and error-correct barcodes by traversing the de Bruijn graph of circularized barcode k-mers. This allows for assignment of reads to consensus fingerprints constructed from k-mers, and we show that for single-cell RNA-Seq this improves the recovery of accurate single-cell transcriptome estimates.
Refining financial analysts’ forecasts by predicting earnings forecast errors
Authors: Fedyk Tatiana 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the way serial correlation in quarterly earnings forecast errors varies with firm and analyst attributes such as the firm’s industry and the analyst’s experience and brokerage house affiliation. Prior research on financial analysts’ quarterly earnings forecasts has documented serial correlation in forecast errors.

Design/methodology/approach
Finding that serial correlation in forecast errors is significant and seemingly independent of firm and analyst attributes, the consensus forecast errors are modeled as an autoregressive process. The model of forecast errors that best fits the data is AR(1), and the obtained autoregressive coefficients are used to predict consensus forecast errors.

Findings
Modeling the consensus forecast errors as an autoregressive process, the present study predicts future consensus forecast errors and proposes a series of refinements to the consensus.

Originality/value
These refinements were not presented in prior literature and can be useful to financial analysts and investors.
Examination of firm performance following the early adoption of SFAS 142
Authors: Han Lei , Hsiao Daniel F. 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the long-term performance of firms that early adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard 142 (SFAS 142).

Design/methodology/approach
In particular, the paper focuses on a relatively lengthy time frame after the standard became effective in 2002 and examines whether the firms which early adopted SFAS 142 exhibit different characteristics from their non-early adopting counterparts when comparing operating returns, stock returns and earnings quality over the same time period. Profit margin, return on assets and return on equity are used to measure operating returns; buy-and-hold return, Tobin’s Q and price-to-book ratio are used to measure stock returns; and abnormal accruals and accruals quality are used to measure earnings quality.

Findings
Based on a sample of 692 firm-year observations over five years between 2002 and 2006, the authors find that early adopters tend to exhibit lower operating performance (most noticeable when measuring profit margin and return on assets) and lower earnings quality following the early adoption of SFAS 142 than non-early adopters. However, little relation is found between post-adoption market returns and the choice to early adopt SFAS 142.

Research limitations/implications
This study helps fill the gap in accounting literature by investigating the long-term performance of firms post adoption of SFAS 142. The empirical results may provide greater understanding of the firms choosing to early adopt SFAS 142, and offer additional insight to guide standard setters on similar accounting issues in the future.

Originality/value
This study’s research questions attempt to identify potential differences in operating and stock performance and earnings quality by comparing early adopters and non-early adopters of SFAS 142 over a five-year period between 2002 and 2006, which extends the research beyond the relatively short window covered by prior research, and also takes into consideration Statement of Financial Accounting Standard 141 (SFAS 141)-R “Business Combination”, issued in 2007, to supersede SFAS 141 of 2001.