bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combined Biomaterials: Amniotic Membrane and Adipose Tissue to Restore Injured Bone as Promoter of Calcification in Bone Regeneration: Preclinical Model
Authors: Dziedzic Dilcele Silva Moreira , Francisco Júlio César , Mogharbel Bassam Felipe , Irioda Ana Carolina , Stricker Priscila Elias Ferreira , Floriano Juliana , de Noronha Lúcia , Abdelwahid Eltyeb , Franco Célia Regina Cavichiolo , de Carvalho Katherine Athayde Teixeira
Published: January 2021

Discarded tissues, like human amniotic membranes and adipose tissue, were investigated for the application of Decellularized Human Amniotic Membrane (DAM) as a viable scaffold for transplantation of Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) in bone regeneration of non-healing calvarial defects in rats. Amniotic membrane was decellularized to provide a scaffold for male Wistar rats ASCs expansion and transplantation. ASCs osteoinduction in vitro promoted the deposition of a mineralized bone-like matrix by ASCs, as calcified globular accretions associated with the cells on the DAM surface and inside the collagenous matrix. Non-healing calvarial defects on male Wistar rats were randomly divided in control without treatment, treatment with four layers of DAM, or four layers of DAM associated with ASCs. After 12 weeks, tissue blocks were examined by micro-computed tomography and histology. DAM promoted osteoconduction by increasing the collagenous matrix on both DAM treatments. DAM with ASCs stimulated bone deposition, demonstrated by a higher percentage of bone volume and trabecular bone number, compared to control. Besides the osteogenic capacity in vitro, ASCs stimulated the healing of calvarial defects with significant DAM graft incorporation concomitant with higher host bone deposition. The enhanced in vivo bone regeneration by undifferentiated ASCs loaded onto DAM confirmed the potential of an easily collected autologous cell source associated with a broadly available collagenous matrix in tissue engineering.
A deep learning framework for 18F-FDG PET imaging diagnosis in pediatric patients with temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Zhang Qinming , Liao Yi , Wang Xiawan , Zhang Teng , Feng Jianhua , Deng Jianing , Shi Kexin , Chen Lin , Feng Liu , Ma Mindi , Xue Le , Hou Haifeng , Dou Xiaofeng , Yu Congcong , Ren Lei , Ding Yao , Chen Yufei , Wu Shuang , Chen Zexin , Zhang Hong , Zhuo Cheng , Tian Mei
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Epilepsy is one of the most disabling neurological disorders, which affects all age groups and often results in severe consequences. Since misdiagnoses are common, many pediatric patients fail to receive the correct treatment. Recently, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) imaging has been used for the evaluation of pediatric epilepsy. However, the epileptic focus is very difficult to be identified by visual assessment since it may present either hypo- or hyper-metabolic abnormality with unclear boundary. This study aimed to develop a novel symmetricity-driven deep learning framework of PET imaging for the identification of epileptic foci in pediatric patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

Methods

We retrospectively included 201 pediatric patients with TLE and 24 age-matched controls who underwent 18F-FDG PET-CT studies. 18F-FDG PET images were quantitatively investigated using 386 symmetricity features, and a pair-of-cube (PoC)-based Siamese convolutional neural network (CNN) was proposed for precise localization of epileptic focus, and then metabolic abnormality level of the predicted focus was calculated automatically by asymmetric index (AI). Performances of the proposed framework were compared with visual assessment, statistical parametric mapping (SPM) software, and Jensen-Shannon divergence-based logistic regression (JS-LR) analysis.

Results

The proposed deep learning framework could detect the epileptic foci accurately with the dice coefficient of 0.51, which was significantly higher than that of SPM (0.24, P < 0.01) and significantly (or marginally) higher than that of visual assessment (0.31–0.44, P = 0.005–0.27). The area under the curve (AUC) of the PoC classification was higher than that of the JS-LR (0.93 vs. 0.72). The metabolic level detection accuracy of the proposed method was significantly higher than that of visual assessment blinded or unblinded to clinical information (90% vs. 56% or 68%, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

The proposed deep learning framework for 18F-FDG PET imaging could identify epileptic foci accurately and efficiently, which might be applied as a computer-assisted approach for the future diagnosis of epilepsy patients.

Trial registration

NCT04169581. Registered November 13, 2019

Public site: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04169581
Maintaining Standards in Colorectal Cancer Surgery During the Global Pandemic: A Cohort Study
Authors: Merchant Julia , Lindsey Ian , James David , Symons Nick , Boyce Stephen , Jones Oliver , George Bruce , Cunningham Chris
Published: January 2021

Aim

Cancer surgery in the COVID‐19 pandemic presents many new challenges. For each patient, the risk of contracting COVID‐19 during the perioperative period, with the potential for life‐threatening sequelae (1), has to be weighed against the risk of delaying treatment. We assessed the response and short‐term outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the pandemic at our institution.

Method

We report a prospective cohort study of all elective colorectal surgery cases performed at our Trust during the 11 weeks following the national UK lockdown on 23rd March 2020, compared with the same time period in 2019.

Results

Eighty‐five colorectal operations were performed during the 2020 (COVID) time period, and 179 performed in the 2019 (non‐COVID) time period. A significantly higher proportion of cases during the COVID period were cancer‐related (66% vs 26%, p < 0.00001). There was no difference in length of hospital stay, complications or readmissions. There were no mortalities in either cohort. Among the cancer patients, there were no differences in TMN staging, R1 resection rate or lymph node yields. No elective patient tested positive for COVID‐19 during the perioperative period.

Conclusion

At the height of the COVID pandemic, we maintained delivery the of high‐quality elective colorectal cancer surgery, with no worsening of short‐term outcomes and no compromise in the quality of cancer resections. Ongoing monitoring of this cohort is essential. The risks associated with COVID‐19 will continue for some time, necessitating adaptive responses to maintain high‐quality cancer services.
Effectiveness and safety of tacrolimus with or without eltrombopag, as a part of immunosuppressive treatment of aplastic anemia in adults: a retrospective case series
Authors: Martynova Anastasia , Chiu Victor , Mert Melissa , Hermel David , Weitz Ilene Ceil
Published: January 2021

First-line treatment of aplastic anemia(AA) and for AA patients ineligible for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has consisted of antithymocyte globulin (ATG), the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine A (CsA), and more recently eltrombopag. However, at our institution, we have successfully substituted another calcineurin inhibitor, tacrolimus, as a part of immunosuppressive threatment (IST) for AA due to more favorable toxicity profile. Since there is limited data on the use of tacrolimus in aplastic anemia, we conducted a retrospective review of twenty patients treated with tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive therapy (IST) as a first- or second-line treatment. The overall response rate was comparable to that of patients treated with CsA (18 patients). However, there were no cutaneous side effects observed in patients receiving tacrolimus, a relatively common finding with CsA use. Our data suggest that tacrolimus-based IST is a potential option in AA and might have a more favorable toxicity profile compared to CsA.
Comorbidities in psoriatic arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gupta Sonal , Syrimi Zoe , Hughes David M. , Zhao Sizheng Steven
Published: January 2021

The aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to: (1) describe the prevalence of commonly reported comorbidities in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), (2) compare the incidence and/or prevalence of comorbidities between PsA and control populations; and (3) examine the impact of comorbidities on PsA outcomes. We systematically searched Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using a predefined protocol in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Studies reporting only one comorbidity, or a few closely related diseases within one organ system, were excluded. Where possible, meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models. We included 39 studies amounting to over 152 thousand PsA patients. We performed meta-analysis for the prevalence of 21 commonly reported comorbidities. The most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension (pooled prevalence 34%), metabolic syndrome (29%), obesity (27%), hyperlipidaemia (24%) and any cardiovascular diseases (19%). Eleven studies consistently showed higher prevalence of comorbidities in PsA than controls. Five studies showed that comorbid patients had more severe disease, poorer quality of life, and increased discontinuation of treatment. Comorbidities, particularly cardiometabolic disorders, were highly prevalent in PsA and more common than in healthy controls. Comorbidities were associated with adverse disease features, but more research is needed on their impact on longitudinal outcomes such as treatment response, work productivity and mortality.
A risk factor analysis of complications after surgery for vulvar cancer
Authors: Gitas Georgios , Proppe L. , Baum S. , Kruggel M. , Rody A. , Tsolakidis D. , Zouzoulas D. , Laganà A. S. , Guenther V. , Freytag D. , Alkatout I.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Despite the less frequent use of surgery in patients with vulvar cancer, the high rates of postoperative complications are still a matter of concern. The aim of the present study was to identify risk factors that influence postoperative complications rates in vulvar cancer and identify specific clinical parameters that may influence their incidence.

Materials

Patients who underwent curative-intent surgery for squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva from 2003 to 2018 were selected. All patient characteristics were analyzed as risk factors for the development of postoperative lymphocele, lymphedema, and wound dehiscence. The patients were followed up for 2 years postoperatively.

Results

The investigation comprised 121 patients, of whom 18.1% developed wound dehiscence, 17.7% a lymphocele, and 20.4% lymphedema. We found no significant evidence of an association between patient’s characteristics and postoperative complications. The depth of tumor invasion and the appearance of lymph-node metastasis were significantly associated with postoperative complications. Free resection margins of 5 mm or more were associated with a reduced risk of postoperative complications compared to resection margins less than 5 mm. No complications were encountered after sentinel node biopsy (SNB). Complication rates were associated with inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy, but not with the extent of lymphadenectomy. The development of a lymphocele or wound dehiscence may be correlated with the development of long-term lymphedema.

Conclusion

FIGO stage at diagnosis influences the risk of postoperative complications. The use of SNB minimized postoperative complications. Correlations between the free microscopic resection margin distance and the risk of postoperative wound dehiscence must be investigated further.
Higher midlife CAIDE score is associated with increased brain atrophy in a cohort of cognitively healthy middle-aged individuals
Authors: Liu Xulin , Dounavi Maria-Eleni , Ritchie Karen , Wells Katie , Ritchie Craig W. , Su Li , Muniz-Terrera Graciela , O’Brien John T.
Published: January 2021

Background

Structural brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can occur decades before the onset of symptoms. The Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Dementia (CAIDE) score has been suggested to be associated with accelerated brain atrophy in middle-aged subjects but the regional specificity of atrophic areas remains to be elucidated.

Methods

3T T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans of 160 cognitively healthy middle-aged participants (mean age = 52) in the PREVENT-Dementia cohort, from baseline and from follow-up after 2 years, were examined. Images were preprocessed using Computational Anatomy Toolbox 12. Voxel-based morphometry was performed in FSL 6.0.1 to identify areas of grey matter (GM) volume differences both cross-sectionally and longitudinally between subjects with high and low baseline CAIDE score (CAIDE score was dichotomized at cohort-median). A GM percentage of change map was created for each subject for evaluation of atrophy over 2 years. Analyses were adjusted for age, gender, education and total intracranial volume.

Results

Compared to subjects with CAIDE score ≤ 6 (low risk), subjects with CAIDE score > 6 (high risk) showed lower GM volume in the temporal, occipital, and fusiform cortex and lingual gyrus at baseline, and greater percentage of GM loss over 2 years in the supramarginal gyrus, angular gyrus, precuneus, lateral occipital cortex, superior parietal lobule and cingulate gyrus (corrected P < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated accelerated GM atrophy concentrated in several AD signature cortical regions in healthy middle-aged subjects with high CAIDE scores.
Meta-analysis of primary open versus closed cannulation strategy for totally implantable venous access port implantation
Authors: Klaiber Ulla , Probst Pascal , Hackbusch Matthes , Jensen Katrin , Dörr-Harim Colette , Hüttner Felix J. , Hackert Thilo , Diener Markus K. , Büchler Markus W. , Knebel Phillip
Published: January 2021

Background

There is still no reference standard for the implantation of totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAPs). A recently published multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) revealed a significantly greater risk of pneumothorax after closed cannulation than after an open strategy. The aim of this meta-analysis was to provide an update of the available evidence for the safety and effectiveness of primary open versus closed cannulation strategy.

Methods

RCTs comparing outcomes of open cut-down of the cephalic vein and closed cannulation of the subclavian vein were sought systematically in MEDLINE, Web of Science and CENTRAL. The primary outcome was the occurrence of pneumothorax. A beta-binominal model was applied to combine the respective outcomes, and results are presented as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Six RCTs with a total of 1831 patients were included in final analysis. Meta-analysis showed statistically significant superiority of the open cut-down technique regarding pneumothorax (OR 0.308, 95% CI 0.122 to 0.776), but a statistically significant higher failure of the primary technique for the open cut-down technique than for closed cannulation (OR 2.364, 95% CI 1.051 to 5.315). There were no significant differences between the two procedures regarding other morbidity endpoints.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis shows a general superiority of open cut-down of the cephalic vein over closed cannulation of the subclavian vein regarding the occurrence of pneumothorax. Open cut-down should be the first-line approach for TIVAP implantation. Closed cannulation should be performed with ultrasound as second-line procedure if the open technique fails.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42013005180
Role of dopamine and gray matter density in aging effects and individual differences of functional connectomes
Authors: Garzón Benjamín , Lövdén Martin , de Boer Lieke , Axelsson Jan , Riklund Katrine , Bäckman Lars , Nyberg Lars , Guitart-Masip Marc
Published: January 2021

With increasing age, functional connectomes become dissimilar across normal individuals, reflecting heterogenous aging effects on functional connectivity (FC). We investigated the distribution of these effects across the connectome and their relationship with age-related differences in dopamine (DA) D1 receptor availability and gray matter density (GMD). With this aim, we determined aging effects on mean and interindividual variance of FC using fMRI in 30 younger and 30 older healthy subjects and mapped the contribution of each connection to the patterns of age-related similarity loss. Aging effects on mean FC accounted mainly for the dissimilarity between connectomes of younger and older adults, and were related, across brain regions, to aging effects on DA D1 receptor availability. Aging effects on the variance of FC indicated a global increase in variance with advancing age, explained connectome dissimilarity among older subjects and were related to aging effects on variance of GMD. The relationship between aging and the similarity of connectomes can thus be partly explained by age differences in DA modulation and gray matter structure.
Any progress in informed consenting for cancer treatment? Results from a cross sectional analysis at a comprehensive cancer center
Authors: Schwaegermann Marie-Kristin , Schranz Melanie , Moehler Markus , Labenz Christian , Moringlane Alice , Schmidt Marcus , Theobald Matthias , Hess Georg
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Informed consent is required prior to any medical procedure. In the context of cancer treatment, special efforts are needed to inform cancer patients properly about treatment, potential sequelae and alternative therapies. Little is known about the effectiveness of current informed consent strategies and patients’ individual satisfaction. Given the heterogeneity in terms of age, education, sex and other factors, detailed understanding of patients’ comprehension and perception is the basis for further optimization of the informed consent process, which was the aim of the current investigation.

Methods

Patients with a new cancer diagnosis and recent informed consent were asked to complete a questionnaire about satisfaction, comprehension, time management, physician–patient relationship and other items of the informed consent process. Patients were followed for 6 months and invited to complete a follow-up questionnaire.

Results

In total, 89 patients completed the first questionnaire and 52 the follow-up questionnaire. Subjective understanding was assumed high, however, this did not correlate with objective understanding. Age and education were identified as influencing factors for comprehension. 85% of the patients were satisfied with the information provided. A major gap was the information on alternative therapies. Moreover, not all patients perceived the consent dialog as such, and particularly the individual treatment intention partially remained unclear for some patients.

Conclusions

To ensure that informed consent is based on solid understanding, informed consenting must be patient-centered and consider the individual expectations, needs and abilities of cancer patients. Further studies are required to develop tailored informed consent strategies.
Drug-induced anaphylaxis during general anesthesia in 14 tertiary hospitals in Japan: a retrospective, multicenter, observational study
Authors: Horiuchi Tatsuo , Takazawa Tomonori , Orihara Masaki , Sakamoto Shinya , Nagumo Kazuhiro , Saito Shigeru
Published: January 2021

Since perioperative anaphylaxis occurs suddenly, and it can be life-threatening, anesthesiologists need to have sufficient knowledge of the epidemiology of perioperative anaphylaxis and appropriate coping strategies to deal with it. Recent studies conducted in Western countries reported the characteristics of perioperative anaphylaxis in each country. However, there are few studies of perioperative anaphylaxis in Japan. To bridge the gap between Japan and other countries, the data of 46 anaphylaxis patients at Gunma University Hospital and 13 neighboring hospitals between 2012 and 2018 were collected and analyzed. The recently developed clinical scoring system was combined with a skin test to include only cases with a definite diagnosis. The most common causative agents were sugammadex, followed by rocuronium, cefazolin, and antibiotics other than cefazolin. Furthermore, the characteristics of anaphylaxis for each causative drug were identified. Time from drug administration to appearance of the first symptom was the longest in the cefazolin group. The incidence of canceled operation was the highest in the rocuronium group. Although it is unclear whether the results of this study can apply to Japan as a whole, the information about the agents responsible for perioperative anaphylaxis and the characteristics of anaphylaxis due to each agent would be helpful to anesthesiologists.
A comparison of laparoscopic procedures performed by novice medical students using 8K ultra-high-definition/two-dimensional and 2K high-definition/three-dimensional monitors
Authors: Shonaka Tatsuya , Tani Chikayoshi , Iwata Hiroyoshi , Otani Masahide , Hasegawa Kimiharu , Matsuno Naoto , Furukawa Hiroyuki , Yoshida Akitoshi , Sumi Yasuo
Published: January 2021

Purpose

8K Ultra-high-definition (UHD) imaging has been developed in accordance with the progression of imaging technologies. We evaluated laparoscopic procedures performed by novice medical students using 2K/two-dimensional (2D), 2K/three-dimensional (3D) and 8K/2D monitors, with a particular focus on depth perception.

Methods

Nine medical students were enrolled. They performed two tasks using 2K/2D, 2K/3D and 8K/2D monitors. In Task 1, they were asked to grasp three metal rods with forceps using each hand. In Task 2, they were asked to grasp a metal rod with forceps held in the right hand, pass the metal rod through a metal ring and transfer it to their left hand.

Results

In Task 1, when performed with the dominant hand, the procedures performed using 2K/3D took a significantly shorter time than those performed using 8K/2D (P = 0.04). However, there was no significant difference among the three groups in the time required for procedures performed by the non-dominant hand. In Task 2, the procedure time with 2K/2D was significantly longer than that with 2K/3D or 8K/2D (P = 0.02).

Conclusion

2K/3D showed superior utility to 8K/2D for performing forceps procedures using the dominant hand. However, when the movement of both hands was coordinated (“bi-hand coordination”), the laparoscopic procedures were performed almost as deftly with 8K/2D and 2K/3D.
A modified dental age assessment method for 5- to 16-year-old eastern Chinese children
Authors: Pan Jing , Shen Checheng , Yang Zhao , Fan Linfeng , Wang Miaochen , Shen Shihui , Tao Jiang , Ji Fang
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Age estimation is widely applied in the field of orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and forensic science. Dental age estimation by the radiological method is frequently used because of its convenience and noninvasiveness. However, there are not enough suitable methods for eastern Chinese children. This study aimed to establish a modified formula for eastern Chinese children according to the Demirjian method and then compared the accuracy of the modified method with the Demirjian method and Willems method.

Materials and methods

A total of 2367 dental panoramic radiographs from individuals aged 5–16 years of eastern China were collected as samples. Age estimation was conducted using the Demirjian and Willems methods. The polynomial curve fitting method was used to modify the Demirjian method to improve its application to the eastern Chinese children. The paired t test and accuracy ratio were used to compare the applicability of the modified methods with two commonly used methods.

Results

The mean chronological age (CA) of the subjects was 11.20 ± 3.29 years for boys and 10.99 ± 3.12 years for girls. The mean difference values between the CA and dental age (DA) (CA–DA) using the Demirjian and Willems methods were 0.73 and 0.7 for boys, respectively, and both 0.79 for girls. The modified method using the polynomial curve fitting presented a smaller underestimation compared with CA for both boys (0.04 years) and girls (0.09 years), which showed a high suitability to Chinese children to some extent.

Conclusions

The Willems method was more accurate in estimating DA compared with the Demirjian method. However, the modified method was more accurate than the two methods; therefore, it can be used in eastern Chinese children.

Clinical relevance

It was thought to be a non-invasive, convenient, and efficient method to connect DA and CA. By estimating dental age, pediatrist, and orthodontists can better understand the development of permanent teeth and provide a more accurate orthodontic treatment time and treatment plan to children patients.
Early evidence for emotional play contagion in juvenile ravens
Authors: Wenig Katharina , Boucherie Palmyre H. , Bugnyar Thomas
Published: January 2021

Perceiving, evaluating and reacting towards conspecifics’ emotional states are important challenges of social group living. Emotional contagion describes an alignment of emotional states between individuals and is widely believed to be based on behavioral synchronization, i.e., behavioral contagion. As basic empathy-like processes, the occurrence of both forms of contagion seems to underlie early ontogenetic trajectories in humans and non-human species. In the present study, we assessed play as a context for studying the development of emotional contagion and its interlink with behavioral contagion in ten juvenile common ravens. Ravens are exceptional players that engage in all three forms of play: object, locomotion and social play. To assess potential ontogenetic patterns of both behavioral and emotional contagion, we tested juvenile ravens at two different periods of early development, at three- and six-month post-hatching. We elicited object play in one or several ravens (demonstrators) in a standardized experimental environment, using a playground setup. At both test ages, we found evidence for emotional contagion as observer ravens showed an increase of locomotion and social play after we provided the demonstrator(s) with the playground setup, but no significant changes in the amount of object play. Hence, observers did not copy motor patterns from demonstrator(s) but engaged in other forms of play. Our findings speak for a transfer of a general mood state in the context of play in ravens as young as 3 months and against behavioral mimicry as a precondition for emotional contagion.
A tribute to Rudolf Vetschera
Authors: Stummer Christian , Engin Ayşegül
Published: January 2021

On the occasion of the 65th birthday of Prof. Dr. Rudolf Vetschera, colleagues from all over the world contributed their works in order to compile an issue that is meant as a tribute to his achievements, wisdom, and kindness.
Pulsed field gradient NMR diffusion measurement in nanoporous materials
Authors: Kärger Jörg , Avramovska Marija , Freude Dieter , Haase Jürgen , Hwang Seungtaik , Valiullin Rustem
Published: January 2021

Labeling in diffusion measurements by pulsed field gradient (PFG) NMR is based on the observation of the phase of nuclear spins acquired in a constant magnetic field with purposefully superimposed field gradients. This labeling does in no way affect microdynamics and provides information about the probability distribution of molecular displacements as a function of time. An introduction of the measuring principle is followed by a detailed description of the ranges of measurements and their limitation. Particular emphasis is given to an explanation of possible pitfalls in the measurements and the ways to circumvent them. Showcases presented for illustrating the wealth of information provided by PFG NMR include a survey on the various patterns of concentration dependence of intra-particle diffusion and examples of transport inhibition by additional transport resistances within the nanoporous particles and on their external surface. The latter information is attained by combination with the outcome of tracer exchange experiments, which are shown to become possible via a special formalism of PFG NMR data analysis. Further evidence provided by PFG NMR concerns diffusion enhancement in pore hierarchies, diffusion anisotropy and the impact of diffusion on chemical conversion in porous catalysts. A compilation of the specifics of PFG NMR and of the parallels with other measurement techniques concludes the paper.
Representing variation in a spoken corpus of an endangered dialect: the case of Torlak
Authors: Vuković Teodora
Published: January 2021

The paper presents a spoken corpus of the endangered Torlak dialect from the Timok area of Southeast Serbia. This dialect expresses a great deal of variation in the use of non-standard features under the influence of standard Serbian (SSr). Accounting for this variation, a specific methodology has been selected for collection, sampling, transcription and annotation. Between 2015 and 2017, semi-structured interviews were conducted in the field eliciting spontaneous speech in the form of long narratives about traditional culture and history. The corpus comprises 500,697 tokens of semi-orthographic transcripts representing 80 h of recording from locations evenly distributed across the Timok area of the Torlak dialect zone, thus enabling a spatial contrastive analysis. The majority of speakers in the corpus are older people whose language represents the highly non-standard variety. In order to allow for analysis of language change under the influence of SSr, the corpus includes a number of younger people whose speech is closer to SSr. Tools for automatic PoS annotation and lemmatization that were lacking were developed based on the existing resources for SSr. For tagger training, a dialect sample of 27,000 manually verified tokens was merged with an existing training set for SSr.
Correction to: Bumetanide Oral Liquid Formulation for the Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Design of Two Phase III Studies (SIGN Trials)
Authors: Crutel Véronique , Lambert Estelle , Penelaud Pierre-François , Albarrán Severo Cristina , Fuentes Joaquin , Rosier Antoine , Hervás Amaia , Marret Stéphane , Oliveira Guiomar , Parellada Mara , Kyaga Simon , Gouttefangeas Sylvie , Bertrand Marianne , Ravel Denis , Falissard Bruno
Published: January 2021

The author of the article would like to add a video abstract as a supplementary material for a published article. The supplementary file is published with this correction.
The original article has been corrected.
Ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation—real-life results from a middle-volume electrophysiology laboratory
Authors: Kulakowski Piotr , Sikorska Agnieszka , Piotrowski Roman , Kryński Tomasz , Baran Jakub
Published: January 2021

Introduction

A significant improvement in safety and efficacy of ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) has been reported by experienced centers over recent years; however, data from real-life surveys and smaller electrophysiology (EP) laboratories have been less optimistic.

Aim

To asses efficacy of ablation for PAF in a middle-volume EP center over last years.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 1 year efficacy and safety of ablation for PAF in three cohorts of patients treated between 2011 and 2014 (period I), 2015–2017 (period II), and 2018–2019 (period III).

Results

Of 234 patients (mean age 57 ± 9 years, 165 males), 81 (35%) were treated in period I, 84 (36%) in period II, and 69 (29%) in period III. The overall efficacy of ablation during all analyzed periods was 67%. The overall efficacy of ablation increased over time—from 56% in period I to 68% in period II and 81% in period III. Significant improvement was achieved using radiofrequency ablation (RF) (53% in period I vs 82% in period III, and 55% in period II vs 82% in period III, p = 0.003 and 0.0012, respectively) whereas positive trend in the improvement of cryoballoon efficacy was NS. The rate of peri-procedural complications was 9% and it did not change significantly over time.

Conclusions

This real-life observational study from a medium volume EP center shows that progress in PAF ablation, especially RF, reported by highly-skilled centers, can be reproduced in real life by less experienced operators.
Problem Behavior and Life Satisfaction in Early Adolescence: Longitudinal Findings in a Chinese Context
Authors: Zhu Xiaoqin , Shek Daniel T. L.
Published: January 2021

This study tested the reciprocal relationships between problem behavior (PB) and life satisfaction (LS) as well as the relationships between their trajectories of change. Using a three-wave dataset collected from 3,328 Chinese junior secondary school students in Hong Kong, this study identified bidirectional associations between PB and LS. For PB, while externalizing behavior was indexed by ″delinquent behavior″ and ″problem behavioral intention″, internalizing behavior was indexed by ″deliberate self-harm″ and ″suicidal behavior″. As expected, both types of PB negatively predicted future LS. Besides, changes in PB also negatively predicted changes in LS. While the predictions of externalizing behavior on LS were similar among boys and girls and declined over time, the prediction of internalizing behavior appeared to be stronger and more persistent for boys than for girls. A novel finding was that while earlier LS positively predicted later PB, changes in LS negatively predicted changes in PB over time. The present findings underscore the dynamic relationships between problem behavior and life satisfaction over time and across genders in early adolescent years.
Daily Identity Dynamics in Adolescence Shaping Identity in Emerging Adulthood: An 11-Year Longitudinal Study on Continuity in Development
Authors: Becht Andrik I. , Nelemans Stefanie A. , Branje Susan J. T. , Vollebergh Wilma A. M. , Meeus Wim H. J.
Published: January 2021

According to identity theory, short-term day-to-day identity exploration and commitment processes are the building blocks for long-term development of stable commitments in emerging adulthood. This key assumption was tested in a longitudinal study including 494 individuals (43% girls, Mage T1 = 13.31 years, range 11.01–14.86 years) who were followed from adolescence into emerging adulthood, covering ages 13 to 24 years. In the first five years, adolescents reported on their daily identity processes (i.e., commitment, reconsideration and in-depth exploration) across 75 assessment days. Subsequently, they reported on their identity across four (bi-) annual waves in emerging adulthood. Findings confirmed the existence of a dual-cycle process model of identity formation and identity maintenance that operated at the within-person level across days during adolescence. Moreover, individual differences in these short-term identity processes in adolescence predicted individual differences in identity development in emerging adulthood. Specifically, those adolescents with low daily commitment levels, and high levels of identity reconsideration were more likely to maintain weak identity commitments and high identity uncertainty in emerging adulthood. Also, those adolescents characterized by stronger daily changes in identity commitments and continuing day-to-day identity uncertainty maintained the highest identity uncertainty in emerging adulthood. These results support the view of continuity in identity development from short-term daily identity dynamics in adolescence to long-term identity development in emerging adulthood.
The main drivers of methane emissions differ in the growing and flooded fallow seasons in Mediterranean rice fields
Authors: Martínez-Eixarch Maite , Alcaraz Carles , Viñas Marc , Noguerol Joan , Aranda Xavier , Prenafeta-Boldú Frances-Xavier , Català-Forner Mar , Fennessy M. Siobhan , Ibáñez Carles
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To assess 1) the cumulative greenhouse gas emissions –GHG- and global warming potential (methane – CH4- and nitrous oxide) from rice fields in the growing and fallow seasons, and 2) the environmental and agronomic drivers of CH4 emissions, and their relative capacity to explain CH4 variation.

Methods

A two-year multisite field experiment covering the agronomic and environmental variability of a rice growing area in NE Iberian Peninsula was conducted with monthly samplings of GHG and monitoring of both environmental and agronomic factors. Information-theoretic framework analysis was used to assess the relative contribution of the environmental and agronomic variables on methane emissions.

Results

Two thirds of the CH4 is emitted in the fallow season. Edaphic factors exert more influence during the growing season whereas agronomic factors have a higher impact in the fallow. The implications of these findings on the design of improved mitigation options rice are discussed.

Conclusions

Soils with higher soil sulphate concentration, bulk density and clay content emit less CH4 in growing season. In the fallow season, the rates of both straw input and nitrogen fertilization stimulate CH4 emissions.

Graphical abstract
Metabolomics analysis reveals altered metabolites in lean compared with obese adolescents and additional metabolic shifts associated with hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance in obese adolescents: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Müllner Elisabeth , Röhnisch Hanna E. , von Brömssen Claudia , Moazzami Ali A.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance (IR) are strongly associated with obesity and are forerunners of type 2 diabetes. Little is known about metabolic alterations separately associated with obesity, hyperinsulinaemia/IR and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in adolescents.

Objectives

To identify metabolic alterations associated with obesity, hyperinsulinaemia/IR and hyperinsulinaemia/IR combined with IGT in obese adolescents.

Methods

81 adolescents were stratified into four groups based on body mass index (lean vs. obese), insulin responses (normal insulin (NI) vs. high insulin (HI)) and glucose responses (normal glucose tolerance (NGT) vs. IGT) after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The groups comprised: (1) healthy lean with NI and NGT, (2) obese with NI and NGT, (3) obese with HI and NGT, and (4) obese with HI and IGT. Targeted nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomics analysis was performed on fasting and seven post-OGTT plasma samples, followed by univariate and multivariate statistical analyses.

Results

Two groups of metabolites were identified: (1) Metabolites associated with insulin response level: adolescents with HI (groups 3–4) had higher concentrations of branched-chain amino acids and tyrosine, and lower concentrations of serine, glycine, myo-inositol and dimethylsulfone, than adolescents with NI (groups 1–2). (2) Metabolites associated with obesity status: obese adolescents (groups 2–4) had higher concentrations of acetylcarnitine, alanine, pyruvate and glutamate, and lower concentrations of acetate, than lean adolescents (group 1).

Conclusions

Obesity is associated with shifts in fat and energy metabolism. Hyperinsulinaemia/IR in obese adolescents is also associated with increased branched-chain and aromatic amino acids.
Optimal decision rules in multilateral aid funds
Authors: Dreher Axel , Simon Jenny , Valasek Justin
Published: January 2021

While existing research has suggested that delegating foreign aid allocation decisions to a multilateral aid fund may incentivize recipient countries to invest in bureaucratic quality, our analysis links the fund’s decision rules to recipient-country investment by explicitly modeling the decision-making within multilateral aid funds. We find that majority rule induces stronger competition between recipients, resulting in higher investments in bureaucratic quality. Despite this advantage, unanimity can still be optimal since the increased investment under majority comes at the cost of low aid allocation to countries in the minority. The qualitative predictions of our model rationalize our novel empirical finding that, relative to organizations that use a consensus rule, organizations that use majority are more responsive to changes in recipient-country quality.
Asymptotics for volatility derivatives in multi-factor rough volatility models
Authors: Lacombe Chloe , Muguruza Aitor , Stone Henry
Published: January 2021

We study the small-time implied volatility smile for Realised Variance options, and investigate the effect of correlation in multi-factor models on the linearity of the smile. We also develop an approximation scheme for the Realised Variance density, allowing fast and accurate pricing of Volatility Swaps. Additionally, we establish small-noise asymptotic behaviour of a general class of VIX options in the large strike regime.
There are no three physiological narrowings in the upper urinary tract: a new concept of the retroperitoneal anatomy around the ureter
Authors: Kamo Minobu , Nozaki Taiki , Horiuchi Saya , Muraishi Natsuka , Yamamura Jin , Akita Keiichi
Published: January 2021

The widely held dogma of three physiological narrowings in the upper urinary tract has proven incorrect by recent several studies using computed tomography images. There are only two common obstruction sites: the upper ureter and the ureterovesical junction. The second narrowing, where the ureter crosses the iliac vessels, cannot be regarded anymore as a common obstruction site. The mechanism by which stones lodge in the upper ureter is explained anatomically by the change in ureteral mobility and compliance at the level where the ureter exits the perirenal space. This level can be identified radiologically as the point where the ureter crosses under the ipsilateral gonadal veins, termed the “crossing point”. Kinking of the upper ureter is another manifestation of this anatomical phenomenon, visible in radiological images. It is caused by loosening of the ureter at or above the crossing point (within the perirenal space), corresponding with renal descent such as during the inspiratory phase. This new anatomical discovery in the retroperitoneum will not only bring about a paradigm shift in terms of the physiological narrowings in the upper urinary tract, but may also lead to the development of new surgical concepts and approaches in the area.
Latent Membrane Protein 1 Promotes Tumorigenesis Through Upregulation of PGC1β Signaling Pathway
Authors: Feng Jia , Chen Qi , Zhang Ping , Huang Xiaodong , Xie Weiguo , Zhang Hongyu , Yao Paul
Published: January 2021

Natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) is an aggressive Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated non-Hodgkin lymphoma with poor prognosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential mechanism of latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1)-mediated tumorigenesis and provide a novel therapeutic strategy for targeting the EBV DNA genome. We found that LMP1 upregulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) coactivator-1β (PGC1β) through activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Furthermore, the activated PGC1β upregulated the expression of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1) through the coactivation of nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) and GA-binding protein α (GABPα), preventing reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated base incision in the EBV genome and favoring its survival. Interruption of hexokinase domain component 1 (HKDC1) by either shRNA or Tf-D-HKC8 peptide suppressed the interaction of HKDC1 with voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1), triggering mitochondrial dysfunction and excessive generation of ROS, thus resulting in EBV suppression through ROS-mediated DNA damage. Suppression of the EBV genome inhibited the expression of the LMP1/PGC1β/HKDC1/OGG1 signaling pathway, forming a positive feed forward loop for the generation of ROS, hence inhibiting the EBV genome and subsequent EBV-associated tumor development. We concluded that LMP1 triggers EBV-associated tumorigenesis through activation of the PGC1β pathway. This study provided a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of EBV-associated tumors by targeting HKDC1.

Graphical Abstract
Temporal Dynamics of ICP, CPP, PRx, and CPPopt in High-Grade Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and the Relation to Clinical Outcome
Authors: Svedung Wettervik Teodor , Howells Timothy , Lewén Anders , Ronne-Engström Elisabeth , Enblad Per
Published: January 2021

Background

High intracranial pressure (ICP) and low cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) may induce secondary brain injury following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). In the current study, we aimed to determine the temporal incidence of insults above/below certain ICP/CPP thresholds, the role of pressure autoregulation in CPP management (PRx and CPPopt), and the relation to clinical outcome.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 242 patients were included with aSAH, who were treated in the neurointensive care unit, Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden, 2008–2018, with ICP monitoring the first 10 days post-ictus. Data from ICP, pressure autoregulation (PRx), CPP, and CPPopt (the CPP with the lowest/optimal PRx) were analyzed the first 10 days. The percentage of good monitoring time (GMT) above/below various ICP and CPP thresholds was calculated, e.g., ICP > 20 mm Hg (%), CPP < 60 mm Hg (%), and ∆CPPopt (CPP–CPPopt) < − 10 mm Hg (%).

Results

Of the 242 patients, 63 (26%) had favorable (GOS-E 5–8) and 179 (74%) had unfavorable (GOS-E 1–4) outcome at 12 months. Higher proportion (GMT) of ICP insults above 20 mm Hg was most common the first 3 days post-ictus and was then independently associated with unfavorable outcome. CPP gradually increased throughout the 10 days post-ictus, and higher proportion of GMT with CPP < 90 mm Hg was independently associated with unfavorable outcome in the late vasospasm phase (days 6.5–10). PRx was above 0 throughout the 10 days and deteriorated in the late vasospasm phase. Higher values were then independently associated with unfavorable outcome. There was no difference in GMT of CPP deviations from CPPopt between the outcome groups.

Conclusions

Avoiding intracranial hypertension early and maintaining a high CPP in the vasospasm phase when the pressure autoregulation is most disturbed may improve clinical outcome after aSAH.
Real-Time Assessment of Causal Attribution Shift and Stay Between Two Successive Tests of Movement Aids
Authors: Ohashi Takumi , Watanabe Makiko , Takenaka Yuma , Saijo Miki
Published: January 2021

The development of welfare assistive devices for frail elderly people has attracted significant attention for its effort to improve the quality of life and reduce the burden on caregivers. However, it is challenging to conduct multiple user tests because of the significant burden on the elderly; thus, we need efficient ways to extract insight through different approaches. In this study, we aim to elucidate real-time transitions in users’ emotions and achievement motivation while using such a device. We synthesize an utterance analysis method based on attribution theory, in which all users’ utterances are attributed to four categories (ability, effort, task difficulty, and luck) that follow the developed coding rules. Knowing the transitions in causal attribution allows us to extract salient experiences for users, especially by extracting shifts from them and analyzing why the shift occurred and what exactly was happening before and after the shift. If only salient user experiences can be referenced from the aggregate data, useful information can be extracted in a short time to improve system characteristics and the environment. We discussed the validity and reliability of the proposed method by conducting a user test of an electric-assisted four-wheeled cycle for frail elderly people in Kakegawa city in Shizuoka, Japan. We also succeeded in marking the points that need attention, which is about 33% of the total amount of utterance data (1626 utterances), and thus confirmed the potential of the proposed method. Future research should examine how the developed methodology can help designers improve assistive device development, as well as how it can contribute to other fields such as education and social assistance.