bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Moebius syndrome and hypopituitarism: a case of multiple pituitary hormone deficiency and revision of the literature
Authors: Molinari Silvia , Nicolosi Maria Laura , Selicorni Angelo , Fossati Chiara , Lattuada Martina , Bellani Iacopo , Arcuti Federica , Carnevale Riccardo , Biondi Andrea , Balduzzi Adriana , Cattoni Alessandro 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Objectives
Moebius syndrome (MS) is a rare congenital non-progressive rhombencephalic disorder mostly characterised by abducens and facial nerve palsy, but with a multifaceted clinical presentation. Isolated or multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies in the setting of MS have been occasionally reported, but the simultaneous involvement of three or more hypothalamic-pituitary axes has never been described. We hereby report the case of a girl with MS that showed a co-occurrence of GH-, TSH- and ACTH-deficiency. In addition, we provide a systematic revision of all the published cases of hypopituitarism among patients with MS.

Case presentation
A 6-year-old patient with a MS was referred to our outpatient clinic for faltering growth. The combination of stature below −3.0 SDS, impaired height velocity and pathological response to two GH-stimulation tests prompted the diagnosis of GH deficiency and therefore recombinant human GH was undertaken. Brain MRI highlighted a thin infundibular stalk. By the age of 10 years, she started to complain progressive fatigue and the co-occurrence of remarkably decreased fT4 levels in the setting of non-increased TSH led to diagnose central hypothyroidism. Accordingly, she was started on levothyroxine replacement therapy with timely clinical improvement. At the age of 11.3 years, recurrent symptoms consistent with morning hypoglycaemia prompted the prescription of a low-dose ACTH test, that confirmed an ACTH deficiency, in the setting of a multiple pituitary hormonal impairment.

Conclusions
Patients with MS are potentially at risk for either isolated or multiple pituitary hormones deficiency. Clinicians should lower the threshold for prescribing a dedicated endocrine assessment.
Clinical outcomes of switching to lonapegsomatropin from somatropin for treatment of pediatric growth hormone deficiency
Authors: Coyne Emma , Muthuvel Gajanthan , Gutmark-Little Iris 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Objectives
This study aimed to assess differences in insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels following the transition from somatropin to lonapegsomatropin in patients with pediatric growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Secondary objectives included the evaluation of dose titrations based on IGF-1 levels, changes in annualized height velocity (AHV) and body mass index (BMI), and assessing reported adverse effects associated with lonapegsomatropin therapy.

Methods
A single-center, retrospective review was conducted including patients diagnosed with pediatric GHD initially treated with somatropin who transitioned to lonapegsomatropin between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023.

Results
Fourteen patients (median age: 9 years) were included. The median somatropin dose was 0.18 mg/kg/week (range, 0.09 to 0.29) at the time of transition and patients were initiated on a median lonapegsomatropin dose of 0.23 mg/kg/week (range, 0.15 to 0.26). This resulted in an IGF-1 increase of 2.3 SDS post-switch. Dose adjustments were made based on IGF-1 levels. Five patients required immediate dose reductions; four of these required further adjustments due to persistent elevation. There were no serious adverse effects reported.

Conclusions
Lonapegsomatropin may be a favorable option to reduce injection burden for those with pediatric GHD, though the manufacturer’s recommended starting dose of 0.24 mg/kg/week may require individualization. Careful monitoring and dose adjustment based on IGF-1 levels are necessary to maintain safety and efficacy.
Effect of a GnRH injection on kisspeptin levels in girls with suspected precocious puberty: a randomized-controlled pilot study
Authors: Rodanaki Maria , Rask Eva , Lodefalk Maria 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Objectives
Kisspeptin plays a major role in the onset of puberty by stimulating the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate whether GnRH inhibits kisspeptin secretion via a negative feedback mechanism and potential associations between kisspeptin levels and other hormones of importance for pubertal onset.

Methods
Thirteen girls with suspected central precocious puberty underwent a GnRH stimulation test twice in a randomized, placebo-controlled manner. Blood was sampled up to 150 min after an IV injection of either Relefact LHRH® or saline. The levels of kisspeptin, acylated ghrelin, ultrasensitive oestradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), insulin and glucose were analysed.

Results
Baseline kisspeptin levels ranged from 9.9 to 201.6 pg/mL. Neither area under the curve for kisspeptin levels nor peaks were significantly lower after the GnRH injection compared to placebo. Baseline kisspeptin and glucose levels tended to be associated (rho=0.55, p=0.051) but no other associations were found between kisspeptin and other hormones.

Conclusions
Basal levels of kisspeptin vary widely in young girls. We found no evidence of a negative feedback mechanism of GnRH on kisspeptin in this small pilot study. The suggested association between kisspeptin and glucose levels needs further investigations.
How the Prophetic Ministers at Bethel Church are Legitimized
Authors: Wang Bjørn 
Published: January 2025

This article presents my research on the dynamics of legitimacy and empowerment of lay prophetic ministers at Bethel Church in Redding, California. Using a qualitative empirical research design, I conducted ethnographically inspired fieldwork with participant observation and interviews at Bethel’s main campus in Redding. I am interested in how the people involved legitimize their role in this ministry, but also how it is legitimated within the ecclesiological structure. My aim is to develop an understanding of how the role of the prophetic minister is shaped and legitimized at Bethel, with a particular focus on the individual and structural factors that justify this ministry. The findings show that emotional and spiritual development and support play an important role on the individual level. On the structural level, the training, the organization and its ideological grounding in ecclesiology are factors that have contributed to the popularity and impact of the prophetic ministry. Using Max Weber’s theory of authority, the legitimacy of the prophetic ministers can be best understood as a form of routinized bureaucracy that has its authority derived from Bethel’s charismatic leadership. With its findings and theological considerations, the article contributes to the discussion about the prophetic practice at Bethel and, in the wider sense, about ecclesial practices in the field of Pentecostal studies.
O ENOTURISMO E SEGURANÇA NAS TENDÊNCIAS DO PERÍODO PÓS PANDÊMICO
Authors: Vendrame Ferreira Sofia , Souza Silva Gabriel Elias , Carolina Padua Machado Ana , Ribeiro Oliveira Rodrigo , Pereira Gonçalves Julia 
Published: January 2025

O artigo visa contribuir com o enoturismo como alternativa de um segmento turístico seguro e uma tendência em meio ao período pós pandêmico no Vale dos Vinhedos, região localizada no Rio Grande do Sul. Para a justificativa, pode-se apontar o crescente interesse e consumo de vinhos durante a pandemia da COVID-19, além de novas tendências no turismo como destinos com mais atrativos ao ar livre após o período de isolamento social, novas preocupações com saúde e preferências por atividades visando gestão de riscos. O método de abordagem utilizado foi o indutivo. Com isso, verificou-se a relação entre as medidas de prevenção adotadas durante a pandemia da Covid-19 e a necessidade de informar aos visitantes sobre elas, mostrando que as vinícolas analisadas preocupam-se com a segurança dos seus consumidores, visto que é um fator importante para a visitação. Com o enoturismo sendo uma prática realizada majoritariamente ao livre, o segmento supre a demanda de visitantes que manterão as preocupações com a segurança, gestão de riscos, saúde e qualidade de vida decidir o destino para a viagem no período pós pandêmico.
Semiosis del “Macho” en la Cultura del Carnaval
Authors: Martínez Martínez Olaris 
Published: January 2025

El tema central de este artículo es la construcción simbólica y representación de la idea del “macho” cultural dentro de la esfera del carnaval. Se pretende develar la significación y el tipo de transgresión que se concreta con la ritualización del cuerpo dentro del periodo de carnestolendas para presentar aportes a la teoría del carnaval desde la perspectiva antroposemiótica que conduzcan a una reflexión sobre la cultura y los discursos que se dinamizan en el carnaval. De esta manera, se hace un recorrido por los aportes de teorías sobre el carnaval elaboradas por varios autores y a partir de estos se amplía la discusión sobre la manera como la sociedad instituye la visión androcéntrica en la cultura del carnaval; se plantea la naturaleza del discurso de las pasiones y la ritualización del cuerpo desde la relación dual de Eros y Tánato, además de la objetivación de la transgresión en la condición cultural del “macho” ante la idea de virilidad.
N-acetyl-tryptophan in Acute Kidney Injury after Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Shi Ning , Wang Ji-Wen , Su Gengchen , Ma Gaoxiang , Huang Feng-Qing , Jin Si-Jia , Xie Hua-Mei , Ge Wen-Xin , Song Jiang-Ping , Luan Xiaodong , Zhang Lei , Qi Lian-Wen 
Published: January 2025

Background:
Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury is a common serious complication after cardiac surgery. Currently, there are no specific pharmacological therapies. Our understanding of its pathophysiology remains preliminary.

Methods:
A total of 2504 patients with and without acute kidney injury (AKI) following cardiac surgery were enrolled. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was used for untargeted analysis of metabolites in plasma, identifying significant differential metabolites. Subsequently, a tandem liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry–based approach using isotope-labeled standard addition was performed for targeted analysis of the metabolic marker N-acetyl-tryptophan. The function of N-acetyl-tryptophan was determined using different kidney injury mouse models and epithelial cellular models. Transcriptome sequencing, surface plasmon resonance and protein mutation were employed to explore the mechanism of N-acetyl-tryptophan on the kidney.

Results:
We identified a total of 32 differential metabolites related to AKI occurrence based on a cohort of 1042 patients. Among them, N-acetyl-tryptophan was elevated in plasma of patients with cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury compared with those who do not develop AKI after cardiac surgery. The higher level of N-acetyl-tryptophan in plasma was confirmed by accurate targeted quantification. N-acetyl-tryptophan exhibited kidney protective effects in ischemia/reperfusion-, cisplatin-, and unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced kidney injury mouse models. Mechanistically, N-acetyl-tryptophan exerted kidney protective effects by interacting with KEAP1 at 483 and 508 sites, resulting in Nrf2 nuclear translocation and the transcription of proteasome genes.

Conclusions:
N-acetyl-tryptophan plays a key role in kidney protection.
Petrology of the Pliocene Pisolitic Limestone of the Great Plains
Authors: Swineford Ada , Leonard Bryon A. , Frye John C. 
Published: January 2025

Petrographic study of 34 oriented samples of pisolitic ("algal") limestone from the upper part of the late Tertiary Ogallala Formation in Kansas, Oklahoma, and west Texas indicates that the rock sampled was developed by predominantly soil-forming processes acting upon sands and silts of the uppermost Ogallala. The absence of fossils, replacement of sand grains by calcite, anomalous distribution of detrital grains with respect to oölites and bulbous structures, and the inverted orientation of the bulbous structures themselves, all argue against algal origin of the rock.
The origin of the limestone is similar to that of the well-developed caliche in southeastern New Mexico described by Bretz and Horberg, except that limestone gravels were not required for formation of the Kansas rock. The concretionary structures are analogous to those formed in bauxites. Conditions favoring development of pisolitic limestone were (1) presence of rocks containing easily soluble minerals yielding residues rich in Ca2+ ion; (2) effective rock permeability; (3) deficient rainfall and long dry periods; (4) low topographic relief; and (5) time.
Factors Influencing the Precipitation of Dolomitic Carbonates
Authors: Siegel Frederic R. 
Published: January 2025

Dolomitic carbonates having d-spacing values of disordered dolomite or protodolomite, but lacking major super-reflections, have been precipitated from solutions in the laboratory. Conditions of temperature, pressure, and concentration employed were far less extreme than has previously been reported in the literature. Reagents used were Ca(NO3)2, MgSO4, and Na2CO3; activated charcoal was mixed with reacting solutions to reduce reaction rate so that effect of rate on the final product could be observed.
Experimental results indicate that the pH of the precipitating medium, as controlled by the amount of carbonate ion present, is the most important factor affecting the precipitation of dolomite. Better products were obtained from 1.0M solutions mixed in a Ca++: Mg++: CO3= ration of 1:1:2 where the pH of the precipitating medium ranged from 9.7 at 25°C to 9.1 at 100°C; when the ratio was changed to 1:1:1, other conditions remaining the same, proto-dolomite was the carbonate formed. Increase in temperature of reaction from 25°C to 100°C and in concentration of reagents from 0.1M to 1.0M abet the ordering and crystallinity of the dolomitic precipitate. Reduction in the rate of reaction allowed larger crystals to form; crystal size ranged from about 0.5 to 30 microns.
That the presence of sulfate may be essential to the precipitation of some dolomites was indicated when other salts of magnesium were substituted for the sulfate and the resulting products included no dolomitic carbonate. The genesis of some dolomites, especially those associated with evaporites or evaporative conditions, might require the presence of a natural suspension or gel-like phase.
Kansas refraction profiles
Authors: Steeples Don W. , Miller Richard D. 
Published: January 2025

Historically, refraction surveys have been conducted in hopes of mapping distinct layers within the earth. Refraction is a useful tool provided its limitations and the assumption that layers increase in seismic velocity with increasing depth are kept in mind. A traditional reversed-refraction profile was conducted along a 500-km (300-mi)-long east-west line extending from Concordia, Kansas, to Agate, Colorado. Analysis of the data showed an average crustal velocity of 6.1 km/sec (3.7 mi/sec) and an average upper-mantle Pn phase velocity of 8.29 km/sec (4.97 mi/sec) with a Moho depth calculated to be 36 km (23 mi) on the eastern end and 46 km (29 mi) on the western end. Some evidence suggests velocities as high as 7.2 km/sec (4.3 mi/sec) in the crust at various locations along the survey line. The strong east-west regional gravity gradient of -0.275 mgal/km supports the seismically drawn conclusion of a thinning of crust in north-central Kansas. In order to supplement the data from this refraction survey, we took advantage of the Kansas earthquake seismograph network. A crustal study using earthquakes as energy sources and a regional earthquake network as seismometer locations resulted in a crustal-velocity model that will improve determination of local earthquake locations. A large anomalous body in the upper mantle/lower crust, assumed to be related to the Precambrian-aged Midcontinent Geophysical Anomaly (MGA), resulted in early P-wave arrivals from refracted energy from the Moho recorded at Concordia, Salina, Tuttle Creek, and Milford. An omnidirectional positive Pn residual zone near El Dorado may be related to the Wichita geomagnetic low. Some evidence suggests the presence of a lower velocity material on the western and eastern flanks of the MGA, possibly representing the Rice Formation. A Pn velocity of 8.25 km/sec±0.15 km/sec (4.95 mi/sec±0.09 mi/sec) with the crust thinning from west to east and an apparent thinning from the north and from the south was determined from the 16 regional earthquakes studied. Crustal thickness from central Kansas through western Missouri seems to be relatively consistent.
Lithostratigraphy of the Shore Airport Formation (Chesterian), Southwestern Kansas
Authors: Abegg F. E. 
Published: January 2025

The Shore Airport Formation in the Hugoton embayment of the Anadarko basin is a new subsurface stratigraphic unit for peloid packstone and maroon calcareous shale of the previously unnamed strata in the Chesterian Stage. Shore Airport strata in southwestern Kansas are unconformably underlain by the Ste. Genevieve Limestone (Chesterian) and unconformably overlain by the Kearny Formation (Morrowan). Argillaceous Shore Airport strata are distinct from Ste. Genevieve quartzose carbonates that typically contain little shale. Lower Kearny strata generally contain increased percentages of siliciclastic and sandy marine carbonates. The unit is named for the Shore Airport SW 7.5-min quadrangle, Morton County, Kansas. A core from the Amoco #1 Breeding F (sec. 34, T. 31 S., R. 40 W.) contains 40.6 ft (12.4 m) of Shore Airport strata and is designated as the type section.
Two facies are recognized from the type section. Peloid packstone is greenish-gray to maroon in color and is the dominant facies. Paucity of stenohaline marine allochems, fine grain size, and micrite matrix indicate deposition in a low-energy, restricted-shelf environment. Rhizoliths, drab-haloed root traces, and glaebules suggest reddish color in maroon peloid packstone intervals accumulated in a Bs soil horizon (zone of illuvial accumulation of sesquioxides). These paleosols are interpreted as inceptisols (sesquioxide-rich, clay-poor paleosols).
Peloid packstone is intercalated with maroon calcareous shale. Slickensides, glaebules, drab-haloed root traces, rhizocretions, and blocky peds indicate these maroon shale intervals formed in a Bt soil horizon (zone of illuvial accumulation of clay and sesquioxides). The paleosols are interpreted as alfisols (sesquioxide-rich, clay-rich paleosols).
Palynological Correlation of Atokan and Lower Desmoinesian (Pennsylvanian) Strata Between the Illinois Basin and the Forest City Basin in Eastern Kansas
Authors: Peppers Russel A. , Brady Lawrence L. 
Published: January 2025

Palynological correlation is made between Atokan and lower Desmoinesian strata in the Illinois basin and the Forest City basin in eastern Kansas. Spore data from previous studies of coals in the Illinois basin and other coal basins are compared with data from spore assemblages in coal and carbonaceous shale bands in a core drilled in Leavenworth County, Kansas. Correlations are based on first and/or last occurrences of 31 species common to the Illinois basin and eastern Kansas and on significant increases or decreases in abundance of several of those taxa. The oldest coal, which is 26 ft (8 m) above the top of the Mississippian, is early Atokan (early Westphalian B) in age and is approximately equivalent to the Bell coal bed in the Illinois basin. The Riverton coal bed at the top of the studied interval in Kansas is early Desmoinesian (early Westphalian D) and correlates with about the Lewisport coal bed in the Illinois basin. Three coal beds near the base of the Pennsylvanian in three cores drilled in Cherokee County, Kansas, which were also studied, range in age from late Atokan to early Desmoinesian.
As in other coal basins, Lycospora, borne by lycopod trees, greatly dominates the lower and middle Atokan spore assemblages in coals and shale, but spores from ferns, especially tree ferns, significantly increase in abundance in the upper Atokan and lower Desmoinesian. The pattern of change of dominance among Lycospora pellucida, L. granulata, and L. micropapillata in middle Atokan (Westphalian B-C transition) that has been demonstrated earlier in the Illinois basin and eastern Kentucky and Tennessee, also occurs in eastern Kansas. At least 10 species of spores, which appeared in the middle Atokan in other parts of the equatorial coal belt, also appeared at this time in eastern Kansas. Most of these species have their affinities with the ferns, which were adapted to drier habitats than lycopods. Thus, the climate may have become a little drier in the equatorial coal belt during middle Atokan.
Lophophyllid Corals from Lower Pennsylvanian Rocks of Kansas and Oklahoma
Authors: Jeffords Russell M. 
Published: January 2025

The late Paleozoic column-bearing corals that generally have been designated as Lophophyllum are here assigned to Lophophyllidium Grabau. A neotype of Cyathaxonia prolifera McChesney, the genotype of Lophophyllidium, is described, and a revised generic diagnosis based on this material is given. Sinophyllum Grabau does not seem to have characters distinct from those of Lophophyllidium and accordingly these genera are considered to be synonymous.
Taxonomic problems encountered in a study of lophophyllid corals are discussed, and the nature of closely related lophophyllid genera is reviewed. Fifteen species are assigned to Lophophyllidium, of which thirteen are new. Descriptions are given of one new species from Morrow strata of Oklahoma, of two from beds of Lampasas age in southern Oklahoma, eight from the Des Moines series in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri, and two from the Missouri series in Oklahoma and Kansas. Specimens from Ohio are questionably referred to Lophophyllidium profundum (Edwards and Haime), a species that seems to be distinct from L. proliferum. The general character of the lower Pennsylvanian column-bearing coral fauna is described, and a terminology of lophophyllid coral structures is given.
Pennsylvanian Rocks and Fusulinids of East Utah and Northwest Colorado Correlated with Kansas Section
Authors: Thompson M.L 
Published: January 2025

Stratigraphic sections of Pennsylvanian rocks in the eastern Uinta Mountains of Utah and Colorado and of the lowermost Pennsylvanian in the eastern White River uplift area of northwestern Colorado are illustrated and discussed. Parts of the fusulinid faunas from these sections are described and illustrated. Largely on the basis of them, correlations are made with the stratigraphic section of the midcontinent region.
The Belden shale of the White River uplift is described as the Belden formation and limestones and shales of the Uinta Mountains, formerly referred to the upper part of the Brazer formation, are referred to it. The Pennsylvanian rocks in the eastern Uinta Mountains are divided, in ascending order, into the Belden formation, Hell's Canyon formation, Youghall formation, and Weber sandstone.
Four species of Millerella are described and illustrated from the Belden formation and several others are identified. As this fauna is composed entirely of Millerella, the Belden formation is referred to the Zone of Millerella and is correlated with the type section of the Morrowan of Arkansas and the Kearny formation of Kansas.
Species from the Hell's Canyon formation belonging to Millerella, Pseudostaffella, Eoschubertella, and Fusulinella are identified, 5 of them being described and illustrated. The Hell's Canyon formation is referred to the uppermost part of the Zone of Fusulinella. The Youghall formation contains an abundant fauna of Wedekindellina and Fusulina, 10 forms of which are described and illustrated. The Youghall formation is referred to the Zone of Fusulina and is correlated with the Cherokee of Kansas and Iowa.
No fossils were found in the Weber sandstone. Its age was not determined.