bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of the 10 μg desmopressin test for differential diagnosis of Cushing syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Giampietro Rodrigo Rosa , Cabral Marcos Vinicius Gama , Pereira Elizandra Gomes , Machado Marcio Carlos , Vilar Lucio , Nunes-Nogueira Vania dos Santos 
Published: January 2024

We evaluated the accuracy of the 10 μg desmopressin test in differentiating Cushing disease (CD) from non-neoplastic hypercortisolism (NNH) and ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS). A systematic review of studies on diagnostic test accuracy in patients with CD, NNH, or EAS subjected to the desmopressin test obtained from LILACS, PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases was performed. Two reviewers independently selected the studies, assessed the risk of bias, and extracted the data. Hierarchical and bivariate models on Stata software were used for meta-analytical summaries. The certainty of evidence was measured using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation Working Group) approach. In total, 14 studies were included: 3 studies on differentiated CD versus NNH and 11 studies on differentiated CD versus EAS. Considering ΔACTH in 8 studies involving 429 patients, the pooled sensitivity for distinguishing CD from EAS was 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80–0.89, I2 = 17.6%) and specificity was 0.64 (95% CI: 0.49–0.76, I2 = 9.46%). Regarding Δcortisol in 6 studies involving 233 participants, the sensitivity for distinguishing CD from EAS was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.74–0.87, I2 = 7.98%) and specificity was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.61–0.91, I2 = 12.89%). The sensitivity and specificity of the combination of ΔACTH &gt; 35% and Δcortisol &gt; 20% in 5 studies involving 511 participants were 0.88 (95% CI: 0.79–0.93, I2 = 35%) and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.55–0.87, I2 = 27%), respectively. The pooled sensitivity for distinguishing CD from NNH in 3 studies involving 170 participants was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.79–0.93) and the specificity was 0.94 (95% CI: 0.86–0.97). Based on the desmopressin test for differentiating CD from EAS, considering ΔACTH, Δcortisol, or both percent increments, 15%, 19%, or 20% of patients with CD, respectively, would be incorrectly classified as having EAS. For CD versus NNH, 11% of patients with CD would be falsely diagnosed as having NNH, whereas 7% of patients with NNH would be falsely diagnosed as having CD. However, in all hierarchical plots, the prediction intervals were considerably wider than the confidence intervals. This indicates low confidence in the estimated accuracy, and the true accuracy is likely to be different.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=85634, identifier CRD42018085634; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=68317, identifier CRD42017068317.
Evaluation of serum neurofilament light chain and glial fibrillary acidic protein in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Fang Tangni , Dai Yaqian , Hu Xueyi , Xu Yuanhong , Qiao Jinping 
Published: January 2024

PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the use of serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and the differential diagnosis between AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).MethodsFrom September 2021 to October 2022, we collected venous blood from patients and healthy individuals who visited our hospital’s Neurology Department, and we isolated serum to detect NfL and GFAP using direct chemiluminescence. The results were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.ResultsPairwise comparisons among the three groups showed that compared with the health checkup (HC) group, serum NfL and GFAP were increased in both AD and MCI (PNfL &lt; 0.05, PGFAP &lt; 0.01). There were significant differences in GFAP between MCI and AD groups, and the level in AD group was higher (p &lt; 0.01), while there was no difference in NfL. Both serum NfL and serum GFAP levels can independently diagnose AD (p &lt; 0.01). The ROC curve showed that GFAP had a higher diagnostic efficacy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.928. The cut-off values of the two serum markers for the diagnosis of AD were NfL &gt; 40.09 pg./mL and GFAP &gt;31.40 pg./mL. Sensitivity and specificity for NfL in the diagnosis of AD were 59.6 and 76.2%, respectively, and for GFAP, they were 90.4 and 82.1%, respectively. The combined diagnosis of GFAP and NfL improved the diagnostic efficiency (AUC = 0.931, sensitivity = 78.8%, specificity = 92.3%). The cut-off value of GFAP for the differential diagnosis of MCI and AD was 46.05 pg./mL.ConclusionBoth serum NfL and serum GFAP can be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis of AD. Serum GFAP has better diagnostic efficacy and can distinguish AD from MCI. A combined diagnosis can improve diagnostic specificity.
Clinical course of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who experienced radiologic complete response after radioembolization
Authors: Moon Sungmo , Kim Gyoung Min , Won Jong Yun , Kwon Joon Ho , Park Juil , Han Kichang , Kim Man-Deuk , Kim Hyung Cheol , Kim Dong Kyu , Choi Jin Young 
Published: January 2024

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to elucidate the patterns of recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma and to analyze factors that can predict recurrence after complete response to radioembolization.Materials and methodsA total of 289 consecutive patients who underwent radioembolization for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma at a single tertiary center were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline characteristics were collected and compared between the group showing complete response and the group showing noncomplete response. Data on recurrence status, time to recurrence, and the patterns of recurrence among the patients who showed radiologic complete response were collected. The group that maintained complete response and the group that experienced recurrence were compared, and the risk factors affecting recurrence were evaluated by logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe complete response rate was 24.9% (73/289). Age, sex, tumor markers, maximum tumor diameter, multiplicity, presence of vascular invasion, and target radiation dose were significantly different between the complete response and noncomplete response groups. The recurrence rate after complete response was 38.4% (28/73), and 67.9% (19/28) of recurrences occurred by 8 months after complete response. Eight patients who underwent resection/transplantation after complete response experienced no recurrence. Multiple tumors and a lower target radiation dose were independent risk factors of recurrence after complete response in the multivariate logistic regression.ConclusionHepatocellular carcinoma recurrence following complete response after radioembolization is not uncommon and frequently occurs within 1 year after complete response. Multiple tumors and a lower target radiation dose may be risk factors for recurrence.
Genetic associations and potential mediators between psychiatric disorders and irritable bowel syndrome: a Mendelian randomization study with mediation analysis
Authors: Zhang Tao , Chen Yuzhu , Li Xiaoang , Zhang Jindong , Duan Liping 
Published: January 2024

ObjectivePotential causal associations between psychiatric disorders and irritable bowel syndrome have been demonstrated in observational studies; however, these studies are susceptible to underlying confounding and reverse causation biases. We aimed to assess the causal effects of psychiatric disorders on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and the potential mediators from a genetic perspective by conducting a Mendelian randomization (MR) study with mediation analysis.MethodGenetic instruments associated with psychiatric disorders, potential mediators, and IBS were obtained from large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Three MR methods - the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method, MR-Egger method, and weighted median method, were used to investigate causal association estimates. Heterogeneity among different genetic instrumental variables (IVs) was assessed using Q tests. Additionally, the MR-PRESSO and MR-Pleiotropy methods were used to verify horizontal pleiotropy and detect outliers that might bias the results, which were removed from further analysis. Consequently, we used MR mediation analysis to investigate potential mediators in the causal associations between psychiatric disorders and IBS.ResultsMR provided evidence of the causal effects of genetically predicted broad depression, major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia on IBS. The results of MR mediation analysis demonstrated that the reduction in acetate levels mediated 12.6% of the effects of broad depression on IBS; insomnia mediated 16.00%, 16.20%, and 27.14% of the effects of broad depression, MDD, and PTSD on IBS, respectively; and the increase in blood β-hydroxybutyrate levels mediated 50.76% of the effects of schizophrenia on IBS.ConclusionOur study confirmed the brain-gut axis involvement and potential modulators in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorder-induced IBS from a genetic perspective, and suggests potential therapeutic targets for the disrupted brain-gut axis.
Motivational telephone intervention to risk gamblers by a state-owned gambling operator in Sweden
Authors: Hakansson Anders , Franklin Katja , Dahlström Maria , Lyckberg Axel 
Published: January 2024

Background and aimsFew studies have tested the effect of a motivational telephone intervention from a gambling operator to clients with high-risk gambling practices. This study aimed to study subsequent limit setting, self-exclusions and gambling post-intervention, compared to controls.MethodsThe study assessed a motivational, personalized telephone intervention by the state-owned Swedish gambling operator AB Svenska Spel within its subsection of sports, poker, online casino and bingo gambling. Clients successfully reached with the telephone intervention (n = 1,420) were compared to clients who could not be reached (n = 1,504). Gambling practices during 8 weeks pre-intervention were assessed, and outcome measures limit setting, self-exclusion, and gambling 4 weeks post-intervention.ResultsThe telephone intervention was associated with increased limit settings (10 vs. 5 percent, p &lt; 0.001), self-exclusions (11 vs. 8 percent, p &lt; 0.01), lowered theoretical losses (p &lt; 0.001), but not significantly associated with gambling abstinence (18 vs. 15 percent, p = 0.07). In unadjusted analyses of sub-groups, significant associations of the intervention with full gambling abstinence were seen in people who gamble on online casino/bingo (19 vs. 14 percent, p &lt; 0.01), but not in sports bettors. In logistic regression, the intervention was not associated with full week 1–4 abstinence.ConclusionA personalized motivational telephone intervention to people displaying high-risk gambling, delivered by a gambling operator, is promising, and effects were seen on the uptake of responsible gambling tools post-intervention. Effects may be more pronounced in users of chance-based, online games, than in sports bettors.
Exposure to volatile organic compounds is a risk factor for diabetes retinopathy: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Zhi , Chen Dongjun , Peng Lingling , Wang Xian , Ding Qun , Li Liang , Xu Tongdao 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionA few past experimental studies have indicated that exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) might be a potential risk factor for diabetes retinopathy (DR). However, these findings lack substantial support from extensive epidemiological research. This large-scale cross-sectional study aimed to examine whether exposure to low levels of VOCs in the general population is associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) and DR.MethodsThe analytical data was from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset (2011–2018). To minimize the potential impact of gender and age on the findings, propensity score matching was utilized to align the data selection. Relationships between blood VOCs and DM and DR were assessed in a sample of 2,932 adults using the logistic regression models. Additionally, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models and Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) were conducted for mixture exposure analysis.ResultsThe result shows VOCs were positive associated with DM and DR in US adults, as assessed by WQS model, and the calculated odd ratios (ORs) [95% confidence interval (C.I)] were 53.91(34.11 ~ 85.22) and 7.38(3.65 ~ 14.92), respectively. Among the components of VOCs, 1,2-Dibromoethane, Carbon Tetrachloride and 2,5-Dimethylfuran were positive related with the DR, and ORs (95%C.I) were 2.91(2.29 ~ 3.70), 2.86(2.25 ~ 3.65) and 2.19(1.79 ~ 2.94), respectively. BKMR model shows that there was a dose–response relationship between combined VOCs and DR, although the relationship was non-linearly.ConclusionThis study suggested that exposure to VOCs may increase the risk of DR, which had important public health implications.
Fecal and vaginal microbiota of vaccinated and non-vaccinated pregnant elk challenged with Brucella abortus
Authors: Tibbs-Cortes Bienvenido W. , Rahic-Seggerman Faith M. , Schmitz-Esser Stephan , Boggiatto Paola M. , Olsen Steven , Putz Ellie J. 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionBrucella abortus is the causative agent of brucellosis in cattle and in humans, resulting in economic losses in the agricultural sector and representing a major threat to public health. Elk populations in the American Northwest are reservoirs for this bacterium and transmit the agent to domestic cattle herds. One potential strategy to mitigate the transmission of brucellosis by elk is vaccination of elk populations against B. abortus; however, elk appear to be immunologically distinct from cattle in their responses to current vaccination strategies. The differences in host response to B. abortus between cattle and elk could be attributed to differences between the cattle and elk innate and adaptive immune responses. Because species-specific interactions between the host microbiome and the immune system are also known to affect immunity, we sought to investigate interactions between the elk microbiome and B. abortus infection and vaccination.MethodsWe analyzed the fecal and vaginal microbial communities of B. abortus-vaccinated and unvaccinated elk which were challenged with B. abortus during the periparturient period.ResultsWe observed that the elk fecal and vaginal microbiota are similar to those of other ruminants, and these microbial communities were affected both by time of sampling and by vaccination status. Notably, we observed that taxa representing ruminant reproductive tract pathogens tended to increase in abundance in the elk vaginal microbiome following parturition. Furthermore, many of these taxa differed significantly in abundance depending on vaccination status, indicating that vaccination against B. abortus affects the elk vaginal microbiota with potential implications for animal reproductive health.DiscussionThis study is the first to analyze the vaginal microbiota of any species of the genus Cervus and is also the first to assess the effects of B. abortus vaccination and challenge on the vaginal microbiome.
Bayesian-Based Approach for the Thermographic Measurement of Flow Transition on Wind Turbine Rotor Blades
Authors: Dieckmann Jakob , Dorszewski Caroline , Balaresque Nicholas , von Freyberg Axel , Fischer Andreas 
Published: January 2024

The position of the laminar–turbulent flow transition affects the aerodynamic efficiency of wind turbine rotor blades. An established diagnostic tool is infrared thermography, which enables flow visualization on in-service wind turbines, including the detection of the flow transition position. For the first time, the capabilities of a Bayesian-based image evaluation on the basis of previous knowledge are investigated for maximizing the measurement quality in particular for those weather conditions with a low contrast-to-noise ratio. The Bayesian framework is assessed using simulated and measured thermographic images, incorporating a probability distribution of the transition position. Results indicate that utilizing previous knowledge, especially when normally distributed around the true transition position with a standard deviation of 3 px, significantly reduces uncertainty for thermographic images with a contrast-to-noise ratio <7. Additionally, the Bayesian framework enhances the visualization of transition progression along the radial blade axis, yielding a less noisy result. Previous experimental data can be used to reduce uncertainty for erroneous transition position detections. In conclusion, the integration of high-quality previous knowledge through Bayesian inference proves to be effective in lowering the uncertainty of the position measurement of the laminar–turbulent transition on wind turbine rotor blades, with no compromise of the spatiotemporal resolution.
Rapport de Michel Aurillac, Maître des requêtes au Conseil d’État, Préfet de la région Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Préfet des Bouches-du-Rhône
Authors: Aurillac Michel 
Published: January 2024

M. Aurillac
It is not so much the forms of administration which are new but rather the way in which they are used, i.e. on a regional level. When the 1972 Law came into force, this was greeted by a certain amount of suspicion on the part of the Regional Council vis-a-vis the State administrative machinery and the development of polymorphous structures entrusted with a wide range of functions, e.g. State enterprises, associations, semi-public companies. No one will deny their efficiency but their use involves grave dangers which demonstrate the limits of para-administration, e.g. hostility between these organisations and government departments and the surrender of power by elected assemblies to intermediary bodies which threaten to usurp their authority.
Environnement politique et réforme administrative en Europe
Authors: Chapel Yves 
Published: January 2024

Political environment and administrative reform in Europe

The author discusses exclusively induced and controlled changes in central administration with main emphasis on the role of political environment in the process of administrative reform. Problems arise from interaction between reform and — mainly political — environment.
The concept of political environment has to be defined more specifically by listing through objective and comparative assessment its main ingredients, whose respective weightage is tentatively measured in the light of circumstances or politico-administrative Systems.
A first attempt tries to assess the constituent elements of political environment, i.e. constitutional regime, politico-administrative machinery with relevant implications on the governmental or ministerial plane, political assemblies, political parties and pressure groups, etc., and finally the press and public opinion.
This leads to a second stage, where the main questions can be sorted out and first answers provided.
To what extent is administrative reform caused by political environment ? What main factors account for changes in the administrative machinery ? Do structures and administrative procedures adjust in line with changes in legal and societal requirements, or is it rather the administrative machinery that spearheads political and social change ? Finally, how does the civil service’s normal adjustment to changing times — disregarding any reform movement — affect administrative reform and political environment ?
L’administration de l’Économie et des Finances en France
Authors: Huet Philippe 
Published: January 2024

Economic and financial administration in France

The author examines structural changes that hâve taken place since 1929 within the French Economie and Finance Department by showing how the new reality resulting from the extraordinary development of the State function in our advanced industrial society has been grafted on an ancient institution to meet the basic requirements of any constituted body corporate, viz. to have the ways and means for common action.
By pinpointing the continued adjustment process which transpires from the history of this department to meet new challenges, the author bears out the fact that Administration is living and reacting like a living organism which will stick to traditional values while adjusting for pressing demands from its social environment and new tasks assigned by the body politic to justify its lasting existence.
L’Administration économique au Maroc
Authors: Berrada Abdallah , Claisse Alain 
Published: January 2024

Economic administration in morocco

The full deployment of national resources, both manpower and material, has started right on Independence Day and has been taken care of by a large Economie and Finance Department, which had to face very soon the political and social discrepancies and conflicts that beset the new Moroccan society (1956-1966). After a period of hésitation when the need for maintaining the existing political order prevailed over the urge for a well-ordered économic development, Morocco set up quite an advanced forecasting and planning mechanism which was getting dominated by an expanding financial administration.
The Moroccan economic administration witnesses, at présent, a somewhat artificial growth of its central services. This difficulty, which implies a strong risk of entailing a process of administrative balkanisation, is due to a lack of necessary différentiation between management and control, effective and formai control ; this drawback might be overcome by a better grasp of the économie mechanism and an increased rigour in management and control.
La réforme de l’Administration locale en Chine
Authors: Ardant Philippe 
Published: January 2024

Local government reform in China
The author analyses the changes in local government in China following application of the law of 1st July 1975. This law purports to bring about a far reaching reform in the wake of the movement in favour of legality and democracy which has been noted through recent months. The reform aims at a complete overhaul of structures. The committees of revolution are disappearing, and powers on the local plane are assumed by three bodies : an assembly, a permanent committee, and a government.
Interventionnisme économique et contrat
Authors: Laubadère André de 
Published: January 2024

Economic intervention through contract
Over the past thirty years, Administration had adopted ever more frequently contracting for economic control purposes.
Two considerations seem to prompt this choice. First, a contract allows more easily for economic factors to be taken into due account than a unilateral decision ; second, economic State action generally concern a multiplicity of partners both public and private.
Contracting procedures have evolved along three main stages : right after the Second World War, contracting was used for the first time as a means of controlling certain economic sectors ; in the sixties, a new type of economic contracting was adopted involving quite original procedures ; since 1970, the scope of intervention has been extended to implement industrial policies and achieve local equipment under contracts.
This innovation in legal procedures raises, however, some problems, in particular the problem of how to qualify in law this type of agreement with regard to the traditional definition of contract.