bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uptake of bone‐modifying agents in patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer with bone metastases – prospective data from a multi‐site Australian registry
Authors: Wong Vanessa , de Boer Richard , Dunn Catherine , Anton Angelyn , Malik Laeeq , Greenberg Sally , Yeo Belinda , Nott Louise , Collins Ian M. , Torres Javier , Barnett Frances , Nottage Michelle , Gibbs Peter , Lok Sheau Wen
Published: May 2021

Background

International practice guidelines recommend administration of bone‐modifying agents (BMA) in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients with bone metastases to reduce skeletal‐related events (SRE). Optimal delivery of BMA in routine clinical practice, including agent selection and prescribing intervals, remains unclear.

Aim

To describe real‐world practice of Australian breast oncologists.

Methods

Prospective data from February 2015 to July 2020 on BMA delivery to MBC patients with bone metastases was analysed from Treatment of Advanced Breast Cancer in the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)‐Positive Australian Patient (TABITHA), a multi‐site Australian HER2+ MBC registry.

Results

Of 333 HER2+ MBC patients, 171 (51%) had bone metastases at diagnosis, with a mean age of 58.1 years (range, 32–87). One hundred and thirty (76%) patients received a BMA, with 90 (69%) receiving denosumab and 40 (31%) receiving a bisphosphonate. Patients who received a BMA were more likely to have received concurrent first‐line systemic anti‐HER2 therapy (95% vs 83%; P = 0.04), to present with bone‐only metastases at diagnosis (24% vs 7%; P = 0.02) and less likely to have visceral metastases (51% vs 71%; P = 0.03). Ten of 40 (25%) bisphosphonate patients and 45 of 90 (50%) denosumab patients received their BMA at the recommended 4‐weekly interval. Prescribing intervals varied over time. Adverse events reported were consistent with clinical trial data.

Conclusion

Three‐quarters of Australian HER2+ MBC patients with bone metastases receive a BMA, often at different schedules than guidelines recommend. Further studies, including all MBC subtypes, are warranted to better understand clinicians' prescribing rationale and potential consequences of current prescribing practice on SRE incidence.
Overexpression of vacuolar H+‐pyrophosphatase (H+‐PPase) gene from Ammopiptanthus nanus enhances drought tolerance in maize
Authors: Yu Haoqiang , Qu Jintao , Guo Xin , Li Li , Zhang Xiaofang , Yang Qingqing , Lu Yanli , Li Wanchen , Fu Fengling
Published: May 2021

Maize is acutely vulnerable to water deficit. Due to the slow progress in conventional breeding, more beneficial genes should be transformed into maize for improvement of drought tolerance. In the present study, the vacuolar H+‐pyrophosphatase (H+‐PPase) gene (AnVP1) from Ammopiptanthus nanus was transformed into maize by Agrobacterium‐mediated calli transformation. After identification of integration and ectopic expression of the AnVP1 gene by PCR amplification, DNA resequencing, reverse transcription PCR, real‐time quantitative PCR, Western blotting and measurement of H+‐PPase content, the transgenic lines were evaluated for their drought tolerance in greenhouse and field. The results of greenhouse phenotyping showed that the expression of AnVP1 decreased the negative effects of drought stress on transgenic maize with the improved performance, higher germination ratio, relative water content, biomass and more robust root system, slightly blasted leaves, lower electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde content. The results of yield phenotyping showed that kernel yield of L1, L4 and L10 lines was significantly higher than WT under water deficit conditions. In conclusion, ectopic expression of the AnVP1 gene significantly enhanced drought tolerance of the transgenic maize, which is hopefully used for commercialized release after further safety assessment, because the expression of some endogenous genes was affected slightly.
Plant growth and water economy of Solanum tuberosum in response to doubled CO2: Interaction between potassium and phosphorus
Authors: Yi Yan , Yano Katsuya
Published: May 2021

Potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) are essential macronutrients for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.); they play crucial roles in photoassimilate production that can also be affected by elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration (e[CO2]). However, the interactive effects of K and P nutrition under e[CO2] in potato have not been investigated. A pot experiment was carried out on potato plants in 1‐L pots with five K supply rates at two P supply rates in controlled‐environment chambers with ambient CO2 concentrations (a[CO2]) and an e[CO2] level of double a[CO2]. There was a significant interaction between K supply and P supply, but not between CO2 and K supply on total plant biomass, water use as well as water‐use efficiency (WUE). K supply could remarkably enhance the accumulation of plant biomass under e[CO2] by promoting tuber formation. The maximum total plant biomass increased by approximately 1.3‐fold under e[CO2] in this study, while the effect of CO2 was dependent on both P and K supply. Additionally, WUE was increased by e[CO2] and P and K supply. Both CO2 enrichment and K supply increased WUE by stimulating biomass accumulation and reducing water consumption. We concluded that the CO2‐fertilization effect and WUE were dependent on both P and K supply. Less biomass accumulation in response to K supply in plants with P deficiency indicates that a balanced nutrient status is crucial for crop production under e[CO2].
Lentiginous melanoma – should we change the paradigm?
Authors: Pietkiewicz P.
Published: May 2021

Linked article: H. Collgros et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021; 35: 1315–1322. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.17135.
Design and parameters optimization of root cutting tool based on garlic numerical simulation model
Authors: Chen Jianneng , Zhou Binsong , Jia Jiangming , Chen Zhiwei , Yu Chennan , Cai Shuanglei
Published: May 2021

To obtain the best tool parameters for garlic root cutting to reduce the root cutting force and improve efficiency, a linkage occlusion‐cutting mechanism was designed for a garlic root cutting force test. The physical and mechanical properties of garlic meat and garlic skin were measured and calculated by using a universal material testing machine. A plastic follow‐up model (MAT‐3) in the LS‐DYNA material library was used as a simulated garlic material model. A three‐dimensional model of the garlic and the tool was established and imported into ANSYS/LS‐DYNA to establish a garlic root cutting simulation model. The model was used for numerical calculation and analysis. The simulation parameters were optimized according to the actual cutting force change curve, and a reliable simulation model was obtained. The error between simulated result and actual measurement was 3.5%. Based on this reliable model, the effects of tool parameters on the root cutting force were explored. The optimal blade edge angle was 11°, the optimal blade back angle was 13°, and the cutting root force was reduced by 14.94%. The reliable model and optimal tool parameters provide a reference for the design and development of garlic root cutting equipment.

Practical Applications

Garlic is popular worldwide because of its high nutritional value and unique flavor. A reliable numerical simulation model for garlic will encourage researchers to design garlic‐processing equipment. The optimal tool parameters also provide a reference for garlic root cutting equipment.
Treatment strategy for locally advanced squamous cell cervical cancer with clinically positive pelvic lymph nodes metastasis
Authors: Shibutani Takashi , Nagao Shoji , Suzuki Kazuhiro , Yamamoto Kasumi , Jimi Tomoatsu , Yano Hiroko , Kitai Miho , Shiozaki Takaya , Yamaguchi Satoshi
Published: May 2021

Aim

To determine the optimal treatment for locally advanced squamous cell cervical cancer with clinical positive pelvic lymph nodes metastasis (cN1).

Methods

We enrolled patients with squamous cell cervical cancer with 2008 FIGO stages IB, IIA, or IIB diagnosed with cN1, who were treated at Hyogo Cancer Center between April 2010 and December 2016. Patients with para‐aortic lymph nodes metastasis were excluded.

Results

Of the 69 eligible patients, 24 underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), 11 underwent radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy (RH) with or without adjuvant RT, and 34 underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by RH as initial treatment. The regimens of NAC included dose‐dense TC (paclitaxel 80 mg/m2, days 1, 8, 15; and carboplatin at an area under the curve = 6 on day 1, every 3 weeks) and dose‐dense TP (paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, 15; and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1, every 3 weeks). The median observation period was 57 (12–107) months. The 5‐year disease‐free survival rates of the CCRT, RH, and NAC groups were 78.7%, 63.6%, and 88.2%, respectively (p = 0.14). The 5‐year overall survival rates of the CCRT, RH, and NAC groups were 78.6%, 70.1%, and 94.1%, respectively (p = 0.11).

Conclusions

We recommend avoiding RH as primary treatment for cN1 with locally advanced squamous cell cervical cancer. Although CCRT should be considered for cN1, further studies are required to determine if NAC followed by RH will serve as an effective option.
Leptomeningeal metastasis from cervical cancer: Report of two cases and a review of the literature
Authors: Omori Makiko , Ogawa Tatsuyuki , Oyama Keisuke , Tagaya Hikaru , Fukasawa Hiroko , Hirata Shuji
Published: May 2021

Leptomeningeal metastases from cervical cancer are extremely rare, with only 24 cases reported in the English‐language literature. Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is usually a late event, but it can develop at any stage. A 44‐year‐old woman presented with vertigo, tinnitus, diminution of hearing, and a cervical tumor at the initial visit. She underwent whole brain radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy. Five months after the initial visit, her condition deteriorated rapidly and she died. A 49‐year‐old woman underwent surgery and pelvic radiotherapy for cervical cancer. She underwent resection of lung metastases 2 years later and received systemic chemotherapy for lymph node metastases 4 years later. Five years after the initial visit, the patient suddenly presented with diplopia, headache, and vomiting; her clinical course was fulminant and she died. Most patients with LM present with diverse clinical manifestations and deteriorate rapidly despite multiple treatment modalities. Gynecologic oncologists should be aware of this rare complication.
Prenatal anemia and postpartum hemorrhage risk: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Omotayo Moshood O. , Abioye Ajibola I. , Kuyebi Moshood , Eke Ahizechukwu C.
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) has remained the leading cause of maternal mortality. While anemia is a leading contributor to maternal morbidity, molecular, cellular and anemia‐induced hypoxia, clinical studies of the relationship between prenatal‐anemia and PPH have reported conflicting results. Therefore, our objective was to investigate the outcomes of studies on the relationships between prenatal anemia and PPH‐related mortality.

Materials and Methods

Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, PROSPERO, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched for studies published before August 2019. Keywords included “anemia,” “hemoglobin,” “postpartum hemorrhage,” and “postpartum bleeding.” Only studies involving the association between anemia and PPH were included in the meta‐analysis. Our primary analysis used random effects models to synthesize odds‐ratios (ORs) extracted from the studies. Heterogeneity was formally assessed with the Higgins' I2 statistics, and explored using meta‐regression and subgroup analysis.

Results

We found 13 eligible studies investigating the relationship between prenatal anemia and PPH. Our findings suggest that severe prenatal anemia increases PPH risk (OR = 3.54; 95% CI: 1.20, 10.4, p‐value = 0.020). There was no statistical association with mild (OR = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.31, 1.17, p‐value = 0.130), or moderate anemia (OR = 2.09; 95% CI: 0.40, 11.1, p‐value = 0.390) and the risk of PPH.

Conclusion

Severe prenatal anemia is an important predictive factor of adverse outcomes, warranting intensive management during pregnancy. PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42020149184; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=149184.
Myocardial infarction in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma patients – a population‐based matched cohort study
Authors: Ekberg S. , Harrysson S. , Jernberg T. , Szummer K. , Andersson P.‐O. , Jerkeman M. , Smedby K. E. , Eloranta S.
Published: May 2021

Background

The outcome for diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients has improved with the immunochemotherapy combination R‐CHOP. An increased rate of heart failure is well documented following this treatment, whereas incidence and outcome of other cardiac complications, for example myocardial infarction, are less well known.

Method

We identified 3548 curatively treated DLBCL patients in Sweden diagnosed between 2007 and 2014, and 35474 matched lymphoma‐free general population comparators. The incidence, characteristics and outcome of acute myocardial infarctions (AMIs) were assessed using population‐based registers up to 11 years after diagnosis. The rate of AMI was estimated using flexible parametric models.

Results

Overall, a 33% excess rate of AMI was observed among DLBCL patients compared with the general population (HR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.14–1.55). The excess rate was highest during the first year after diagnosis and diminished after 2 years. High age, male sex and comorbidity were the strongest risk factors for AMI. Older patients (>70 years) with mild comorbidities (i.e. hypertension or diabetes) had a 61% higher AMI rate than comparators (HR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.10–2.35), whereas the corresponding excess rate was 28% for patients with severe comorbidities (HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.01–1.64). Among younger patients (≤70), a short‐term excess rate of AMI was limited to those with severe comorbidities. There was no difference in AMI characteristics, pharmacological treatment or 30‐day survival among patients and comparators.

Conclusion

DLBCL patients have an increased risk of AMI, especially during the first 2 years, which calls for improved cardiac monitoring guided by age and comorbidities. Importantly, DLBCL was not associated with differential AMI management or survival.
Diffusion‐weighted and dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI to assess radiation therapy response for head and neck paragangliomas
Authors: Ota Yoshiaki , Liao Eric , Kurokawa Ryo , Syed Faiz , Baba Akira , Kurokawa Mariko , Moritani Toshio , Srinivasan Ashok
Published: May 2021

Background and Purpose

The prediction of radiotherapy outcome in head and neck paragangliomas is clinically important. We investigated perfusion and diffusion markers for evaluation of response to radiotherapy of head and neck paragangliomas.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 330 consecutive patients from January 2016 to September 2019 with suspected head and neck paragangliomas, and enrolled 11 patients (2 males, 9 females; age: 55.2 ± 10.3 years) who had conventional MRI and dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE)‐MRI before and after radiation therapy. Radiation therapy, consisting of external beam radiotherapy or stereotactic radiotherapy, was conducted at the radiation oncology department in a single center. Mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), normalized mean ADC, and parameters of DCE‐MRI were compared between pre‐ and post‐treatment status by paired t‐test. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used for the relationship between tumor volume ratio (post‐treatment status/pre‐treatment status) and pre‐treatment and post‐treatment values.

Results

Mean and normalized ADC values were statistically higher in post‐treatment status than pre‐treatment status (p = 0.005, p = 0.005, respectively), and Ktrans (volume transfer constant between extravascular, extracellular space [EES], and blood plasma per minute) and Kep (rate transfer constant between EES and blood plasma per minute) were significantly lower in post‐treatment status than pre‐treatment status (p = 0.007, p = 0.027, respectively). The correlation coefficient of the relationship between tumor volume ratio and pre‐treatment Ktrans (r = 0.70; p = 0.016) and between tumor volume ratio and post‐treatment Ktrans and Kep (r = 0.83; p = 0.002, r = 0.8; p = 0.003, respectively) was statistically significant.

Conclusions

Ktrans has predictive potential to predict the response to radiation therapy of head and neck paragangliomas.
MR perfusion imaging: Half‐dose gadolinium is half the quality
Authors: Heit Jeremy J. , Christensen Soren , Mlynash Michael , Marks Michael P. , Faizy Tobias D. , Lansberg Maarten G. , Wintermark Max , Bammer Roland , Albers Gregory W.
Published: May 2021

Background and Purpose

Patients with acute ischemic stroke due to a large vessel occlusion (AIS‐LVO) undergo emergent neuroimaging triage for thrombectomy treatment. MRI is often utilized for this evaluation, and cerebral magnetic resonance perfusion (MRP) imaging is used to identify the presence of the salvageable penumbra. To determine if dose reduction is feasible, we assessed whether a half‐dose reduction in gadobenate provided sufficient MRP quality in AIS‐LVO patients.

Methods

A prospective observational study of all patients presenting to our neurovascular referral center with AIS‐LVO was performed. MRP was done with a half‐dose of gadolinium (0.1 ml/kg body weight) over a period of 10 months. MRP images were compared to a consecutive historical cohort of full‐dose gadolinium (0.2 ml/kg body weight) MRP studies and rated for image quality (poor, borderline, or good) that determined thrombectomy eligibility.

Results

Fifty‐four half‐dose and 127 full‐dose patients were included. No differences in patient demographics or stroke presentation details were identified. MRP quality differed between half‐ and full‐dose scans (p < 0.001), which were rated as poor (40.7% vs. 6.3%), borderline (18.5% vs. 26.8%), and good quality (40.7% vs. 66.9%), respectively. MRP image quality was then dichotomized into poor and sufficient (borderline and good) quality groups; half‐dose studies were more likely to have poor quality compared to full‐dose studies (40.7% vs. 6.3%; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Half‐dose gadolinium administration for MRP in AIS‐LVO patients results in poor image quality in a substantial number of studies. MR cerebral perfusion performed with half‐dose gadolinium may adversely affect stroke patient triage for thrombectomy.
Effectiveness of the POWER Program in Improving Physical Activity and Executive Function in Fifth Grade Students
Authors: Hecht Mindy Feldman , Garber Carol Ewing
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

High volumes of school‐based sedentary time may impact academic achievement and executive function negatively. This study evaluated a multimodal classroom program's (POWER) effect on fifth graders' physical activity (PA) and executive function.

METHODS

Six 5th grade classes (3 = intervention [POW]; 3 = waitlist control [CONT]) in 2 diverse New Jersey schools participated. Data were collected before, during, and post‐intervention. PA was assessed via accelerometer, executive function by NIH Toolbox, and academic achievement via standardized math tests. The POW principal, teachers, and select students participated in follow‐up interviews. Group comparisons were made by multivariate repeated‐measures ANOVA and linear regression.

RESULTS

PA decreased in both groups over time, but POW's post‐intervention class‐time PA was significantly higher than CONT's. POW's NIH Toolbox score increased 3 percentiles more than CONT's. Intervention fidelity was associated with significantly higher scores for one NIH Toolbox test. Student math test scores increased significantly for both schools, but there was no significant main effect for group. POW's feedback was positive, with the principal reporting fewer disciplinary referrals and teachers and students conveying positive growth.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, POW's positive changes and the favorable reception of POWER support POWER'S ability to improve children's socioemotional and physical health.
Testing a self‐affirmation intervention for improving the psychosocial health of Black and White medical students in the United States
Authors: Perry Sylvia P. , Wages James E. , Skinner‐Dorkenoo Allison L. , Burke Sara E. , Hardeman Rachel R. , Phelan Sean M.
Published: May 2021

Self‐affirmation interventions have been shown to mitigate the negative psychological effects of stereotype threat on Black students in secondary and undergraduate education. However, there is currently limited research testing whether Black students in medical schools may also experience the negative influences of stereotype threat. Until now, it has been unclear whether Black (vs. White) students experience a lower sense of belonging in medical school and whether they can benefit from self‐affirmation interventions during medical training. With a longitudinal field experiment, we tested (a) whether Black (vs. White) medical students in the US experience decrements in psychological well‐being (i.e., fatigue, depression, anxiety), sense of belonging, perceived residency competitiveness, and residency goal stability; and (b) the extent to which a self‐affirmation intervention would ameliorate any observed disparities in these outcomes for Black students. With a sample of 234 Black and 182 White medical students across 50 schools in the United States, we found that Black students tended to report more fatigue and less belonging than White students; however, the self‐affirmation intervention did not significantly influence students’ fatigue, depression, anxiety, or belonging. Unexpectedly, Black students in the self‐affirmation (vs. control) condition reported lower perceived competitiveness for residency. White students’ perceived competitiveness for residency was unaffected by the intervention. Exploratory analyses revealed that Black (vs. White) students were less likely to indicate stable residency goals over time, which may be an indication of threat; however, this racial gap was eliminated with the intervention. We discuss the plausible reasons for these findings and provide recommendations for future work in this area.
Outpatient telecardiology perceptions among rural, suburban, and urban veterans utilizing in‐person cardiology versus telecardiology services: A mixed methods analysis
Authors: Finley Brooke A. , Palitsky Roman , Charteris Elaine , Pacheco Christy , Kapoor Divya
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To better understand opportunities and barriers to implementation and adoption, this mixed‐methods study qualitatively examined attitudes toward telecardiology services among veterans who use in‐person (IP) outpatient cardiology service versus those using telecardiology (TC) outpatient services.

Methods

Free‐text responses were collected from N = 179 veterans enrolled in Veteran Health Administration (VHA) IP or TC services in 3 rural‐serving, outpatient telehealth clinics and 1 large, metropolitan outpatient center. Mixed‐method analyses of responses included thematic analysis, followed by comparison of code categories and themes between IP and TC groups.

Findings

Fifteen thematic coding categories were identified, which comprised 4 valence categories (favorable or unfavorable attitudes toward TC and IP), as well as themes pertaining to obstacles and opportunities for TC implementation. Overall, veterans enrolled in TC held more favorable attitudes toward TC than those enrolled in IP. Veteran responses included structural concerns (eg, time demands, access, and travel), as well as humanistic qualities (rapport, competence, and face‐to‐face contact). Differences were observed between the responses of veterans who reported dwelling in urban, suburban, and rural communities, with rural‐identifying veterans generally holding more favorable attitudes toward TC than suburban‐identifying veterans.

Conclusions

TC users had overwhelmingly positive perceptions of TC. Conversely, unfavorable attitudes from IP patients toward TC did not appear to be borne out in the responses of TC users. On the contrary, TC users’ responses may indicate opportunities for allaying the concerns of TC‐naïve veterans. This suggests promise for developing tailored education to dispel barriers for TC service implementation.
Perspectives on self‐sampling for cancer screening among rural and urban women: Multilevel factors related to acceptability
Authors: Stoltzfus Kelsey C. , Popalis Madyson L. , Reiter Paul L. , Moss Jennifer L.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Self‐sampling tests may be used to overcome barriers to screening that are more prevalent in rural populations compared to urban populations. This study aims to qualitatively examine the attitudes toward established and novel self‐sampling tests for cervical and colorectal cancer among women, comparing themes from rural versus urban areas.

Methods

We recruited women (ages 45‐65) from 28 counties in Pennsylvania. Four focus groups were conducted with women from metropolitan counties, and 7 focus groups were conducted with women from nonmetropolitan counties. A brief survey was conducted prior to the focus group regarding general health and willingness to complete self‐sampling tests for cervical and colorectal cancer.

Findings

We identified 3 themes about the potential for self‐sampling for cancer screening: advantages and disadvantages of self‐sampling compared to traditional testing, impact of self‐sampling on patient interactions with their health care providers/clinics, and implications for improving/worsening access to quality health care services. We detected differences in responses from rural versus urban participants in the potential impact of self‐sampling for cancer screening.

Conclusions

There are several barriers and facilitators at the individual, interpersonal, and organizational levels that influence the feasibility of implementing self‐sampling for cancer screening in routine clinical practice. Rural participants face unique barriers to cancer screening across all levels. These findings can be used to guide interventions aimed at increasing the use of self‐sampling methods.
Why study turn‐taking sequences in interspecies interactions?
Authors: Mondémé Chloé
Published: May 2021

The “turn‐taking” system, a notion referring to the dynamics of verbal exchanges in face‐to‐face interaction, is often presented as the hallmark of human language (Levinson, 2016). However, recent works have investigated turn‐taking mechanisms in several nonhuman taxa, thus referring to the moment‐by‐moment coordinated alternation of actions or vocalizations, for instance in primates or birds. These findings have been interpreted as evidence of elementary forms of sequence organization in the animal world, and therefore as evidences of an evolutionary pathway, leading from very rough forms of signal alternation, to the complex multimodal and conversational turn‐taking system used by humans. This article first reviews and discusses these findings. It then makes the case for going beyond the study of uniquelyintra‐specific forms of communication and interaction. It argues that considering interspecies interaction is of interest for social sciences in general, and linguistics scholarship in particular, at least in two respects. First, on an empirical level, to investigate a widespread phenomenon, namely ordinary human‐animal interactions, as it occurs mostly in domestic settings—a topic that has been relatively neglected in the study of social interaction so far (for a range of reasons that we shall touch on). Secondly, on a more speculative level, it assumes that ordinary interspecies interactions, especially as they unfold with domestic pets or wild animals in natural settings (vs. in experimental settings), are a valuable locus to explore rudimentary forms of sequence organization, that are neither governed by linguistic and cultural norms, nor entirely the product of stereotypical species‐related behavioral patterns. We posit that fundamental principles of sociality are to be found in the contextual adjustments of multimodal actions and in the emergence of meaning in interspecies interactions.
Estimating the attributable fraction of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma due to hepatitis B and C
Authors: Duffell Erika , Cortez‐Pinto Helena , Simonova Marieta , Dalgard Olav , Dahl Elin Hoffmann , de Martel Catherine , Mozalevskis Antons , Buti Maria , Pavlova Slava , Hadzhilova Tnaiq , Simões Carolina , Katzarov Krum , Mardh Otilia
Published: May 2021

A goal of the WHO strategy on the elimination of hepatitis as a public threat is a 65% reduction in the attributable mortality. Deaths related to hepatitis B and C infections are mostly due to decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but accurately measuring mortality is challenging as death certificates often do not capture the underlying disease. The aim of this collaborative study between European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) was to assess a WHO‐developed protocol to support countries in implementing studies to collect data on the fraction of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma attributable to hepatitis B and C. Three sentinel sites (in Bulgaria, Norway and Portugal) collected data for patients first admitted or seen in their centres during 2016. Patients with cirrhosis or HCC were identified through patient files or healthcare databases using ICD‐10 codes. The proportion of patients with cirrhosis and HCC who tested positive for HBV and HCV were calculated to estimate the aetiological fractions. After the pilot study was completed, each site was asked about the feasibility and acceptability of the protocol. A total of 1249 patients presenting with cirrhosis and/or HCC were evaluated across the three sites. The prevalence of HBV and HCV among cases of cirrhosis showed that in Norway and Portugal, HCV was responsible for about one‐quarter of the cases, whereas in Bulgaria, HBV was more common. For HCC, HCV was responsible for more than one‐third of cases in Norway and Portugal, while in Bulgaria HBV was more frequent as the underlying cause. Results obtained during the pilot study were comparable to published estimates obtained through statistical modelling or meta‐analyses. Several challenges were reported from the sites involved in the pilot including the considerable time needed for reviewing the hospital records and extracting patient data. The pilot demonstrated the feasibility of collecting data on the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among patients with cirrhosis and HCC in sentinel sites. This method can be used to estimate mortality attributable to HBV and HCV for elimination monitoring. Where easily implementable, sentinel studies are the best way to empower countries, get up‐to date data and closely monitor the changes in the attributable fraction at a country level.
Hepatitis B virus genome diversity in adolescents: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate treatment effect and HBeAg serocon version
Authors: Combet Christophe , Bhardwaj Neeru , Hedskog Charlotte , Podlaha Ondrej , Gaggar Anuj , Murray Karen F. , Mo Hongmei , Svarovskaia Evguenia , Zoulim Fabien
Published: May 2021

More systematic analysis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome diversity, linked with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) treatment and HBeAg seroconversion, are needed. GS‐US‐174–0115 was a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, Phase 3, 192‐week clinical trial that evaluated TDF in adolescents with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). HBV full‐genome deep sequencing was performed using Illumina MiSeq at baseline (BL; n = 85), Week 8 (W8; n = 80), Week 72 (W72; PBO only, n = 42), and treatment‐free follow‐up (TDF only, n = 25). The viral diversity was calculated using Shannon entropy and population nucleotide diversity with a 2% variant cutoff. Our data showed (i) a higher viral diversity in the X region at baseline than the core/polymerase/surface regions, (ii) higher core/surface viral diversity at baseline for patients with seroconversion, (iii) an expected reduction in viral diversity after 8 weeks of TDF treatment, and (iv) a drop in viral diversity at W72 for patients receiving placebo with a seroconversion (n = 7). The higher viral diversity in X was associated with higher baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (p < .001). Patients with greater reduction of diversity at W8 of TDF treatment had higher baseline ALT levels. For placebo patients who seroconverted, the drop in viral diversity at W72 (p = .04) coincided with reduction of serum HBV DNA (average change from baseline = −4.10 log10 copies/ml) and unique combinations of variants were enriched in a patient's viral population post seroconversion. The basal core promoter (BCP) variants, A1762T and G1764A, and the pC variant, G1896A, were most often enriched at or after seroconversion.
EASL‐ALEH 2015 algorithm for the use of transient elastography in treatment‐naive patients with hepatitis B: An independent validation
Authors: Nana Jean , Skaare Kristina , Bosson Jean Luc , Leroy Vincent , Asselah Tarik , Adler Michael , Sturm Nathalie , Zarski Jean‐Pierre
Published: May 2021

Various non‐invasive methods have been evaluated in chronic hepatitis B, but none of them have been fully validated for the assessment of liver fibrosis. The issued EASL‐ALEH 2015 guidelines provide detailed algorithms based on LSM and ALT serum levels. The aim of our study was to validate the diagnostic accuracy of this algorithm and to better understand discrepancies. Four hundred and thirteen patients from 3 centres were retrospectively included. All included patients were classified for fibrosis stage according to results of a liver biopsy. The overall diagnostic value was expressed with AUROCs given with 95% confidence intervals for the diagnostic targets. For each diagnostic target, optimal cut‐offs were determined according to the Youden method. For the population of patients with ALT<N (n = 65), the AUROCs of TE were 0.75 (0.62–0.88) and 0.72 (0.56–0.88) for F ≥ 2 and F ≥ 3 diagnostic targets. Taking the EASL cut‐offs, the prevalence of significant fibrosis was 8%, 38% and 67% when LSM was <6kPa, between 6 and 9 kPa or >9 kPa, respectively. For patients with ALT>N but ≤5N (n = 306), AUROCs of transient elastography were 0.79 (0.73–0.84) and 0.84 (0.75–0.92) for F ≥ 2 and F ≥ 3 diagnostic targets. The prevalence of significant fibrosis was, respectively, 15%, 52% and 85% when LSM was <6kPa, between 6 and 12 kPa or >12 kPa. Our study independently validates the EASL‐ALEH algorithm based on ALT levels and LSM assessed by transient elastography.
Seasonal dynamics of mycoplankton in the Yellow Sea reflect the combined effect of riverine inputs and hydrographic conditions
Authors: Wang Mengmeng , Ma Yiyuan , Cai Lei , Tedersoo Leho , Bahram Mohammad , Burgaud Gaëtan , Long Xuedan , Zhang Shoumei , Li Wei
Published: May 2021

Little is known about how multiple factors including land‐based inputs and ocean currents affect the spatiotemporal distribution of the mycoplankton in coastal regions. To explore the seasonal changes of mycoplanktonic communities and potential environmental drivers, we collected water samples from the Yellow Sea, used here as a model for subtropical sea habitats, in different seasons over two years. Compared with winter and spring, summer exhibited higher levels of fungal richness and community heterogeneity in the water column. The seasonal shifts in mycoplankton diversity and community composition were mainly ascribed to freshwater inputs, the Cold Water Mass and invasion of the Yellow Sea Warm Current. Among the physicochemical variables tested, temperature was the primary determinant of fungal diversity and showed contrasting influences on fungal richness in the surface and bottom waters during summer. In addition, we provide evidence for the community similarity and dissolved nutrients of different water bodies to highlight the potential origin of the Cold Water Mass. Our findings bring new understanding on the factors determining the dynamics of mycoplankton communities by modelling the influence of physicochemical variables and tracking the geographical distribution of certain fungal taxa.
Neuropathology of the spinal nerve roots, spinal cord, and brain in the first autopsied case of Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease 4F with a D651N mutation in the periaxin gene
Authors: Shintaku Masayuki , Maeda Kengo , Shiohara Masanori , Namura Tomo , Kushima Ryoji
Published: May 2021

Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT) 4F is an autosomal recessive, hereditary peripheral neuropathy, mostly caused by mutations in the periaxin gene (PRX). This article reports neuropathological findings of the spinal nerve roots, spinal cord, and brain of a patient with CMT4F and a D651N missense mutation in PRX. The patient was a 74‐year‐old woman who had a history of peripheral neuropathy with onset at the age of 30 years. She also had a history of infantile paralysis at the age of 18 months. The most pronounced autopsy finding was diffuse enlargement of anterior and posterior nerve roots, accentuated at the lumbo‐sacral levels. On microscopy, the swollen nerve roots showed a loss of large‐diameter myelinated fibers and formation of numerous onion bulbs. Most of the onion bulbs lacked the central, regenerating thin myelin sheaths, and in large‐diameter nerve fibers whose axons had been lost, collagen fibers occupied the center of the onion bulbs. Some nerve roots formed glial bundles at the proximal end. The spinal cord showed degeneration of the gracile fascicles, and the lumbar segment anterior horn showed an asymmetric neuronal loss with rarefaction of the neuropil. The brain did not show any notable changes except for multiple foci of a radial microcolumnar arrangement of neurons in the cerebral cortex. Degeneration of the lumbar segment anterior horn is most likely secondary to the anterior radiculopathy, but a localized circulatory disturbance is another possibility.
Bariatric surgery and the liver—Mechanisms, benefits, and risks
Authors: Lefere Sander , Onghena Louis , Vanlander Aude , van Nieuwenhove Yves , Devisscher Lindsey , Geerts Anja
Published: May 2021

The prevalence of obesity and metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has risen dramatically over the past decades. At present, bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for this global health problem, through effects on food intake, gut hormone secretion, metabolic signaling pathways, and adipose tissue dysfunction. The liver occupies a central role in carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism. Notably, a reduction in hepatic fat content and an improvement in hepatic insulin resistance are among the earliest beneficial effects of bariatric surgery, which has therefore emerged as an attractive treatment option for NAFLD. However, as the scope and popularity of weight loss surgery have expanded, new questions have arisen regarding its safety in patients with liver cirrhosis, the outcome of liver transplantation in patients with a history of bariatric surgery, and over incidental reports of liver failure following surgery. Studies in humans and rodents have also linked bariatric surgery to an increased risk of developing alcohol use disorder, a major risk factor for liver disease. This review integrates data from clinical and translational research to delineate both the beneficial impact of bariatric surgery on the liver and the potential risks involved.
Medicaid and fiscal federalism during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Clemens Jeffrey , Ippolito Benedic , Veuger Stan
Published: May 2021

We analyze the effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on state and local government finances, with an emphasis on health spending needs and the role of the Medicaid program. We first find that enhanced federal matching funds are roughly the same size as expected increases in state Medicaid costs nationwide over the entirety of the federal budget window. Second, we show that there is substantial variation in states' exposure to increases in Medicaid program costs. Third, we show that the formulas through which fiscal relief has been distributed impact the extent to which aid targets the states experiencing the greatest need.
Jewish pronatalism: Policy and praxis
Authors: Raucher Michal
Published: May 2021

Pronatalism is the practice and ideology of encouraging biological reproduction. While many religions as well as national and ethnic identities can be described as pronatalist, scholarship about reproduction among Jews often describes Jews and Judaism as foundationally and absolutely pronatalist. This article demonstrates the nuances of existing pronatalism in Jewish policy and practice, and highlights diverse reproductive practices and strategies among Jews in order to demonstrate that pronatalism is not the sum total of Jewish reproductive policy, advocacy, or praxis. Section 2 provides a brief overview of some of the biblical and rabbinic sources that many view as religious roots for Jewish prontalism. The sections 3.1 and 3.2 focus on Jewish pronatalism in Israel and America. Throughout this article, we will see how pronatalism has been applied and internalized through ethnic, racial, and able‐bodied lenses. While pronatalism is undoubtedly a strong cultural and religious force, this article provides a nuanced picture of reproduction among Jews by considering reproductive practices and strategies of Jewish women to be in conversation with pronatalist policies and ideologies. By decentering pronatalism in the study of reproduction and attitudes toward reproduction, we see that demographic continuity is just one of many considerations in Jewish reproductive practices.
Surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea in childhood: Lessons for the way forward
Authors: Nixon Gillian M.
Published: May 2021

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Preferences for Prevention: People Assume Expensive Problems Have Expensive Solutions
Authors: Andrews Talbot M. , Ryan John Barry
Published: May 2021

People support inefficient spending on preventing disasters, and these preferences are translated into inefficient policies as elected officials try to appeal to their constituents. Here, we find preferences for prevention spending are biased by the “cost conflation” mechanism, where people assume expensive problems have expensive solutions. In this article, we present a formal model of collective action, and illustrate how cost conflation causes people to deviate from the equilibria. We test for these hypothesized deviations using an incentivized experiment. The experimental subjects engage in cost conflation—they believe the costs of disaster prevention are positively related to the costs of disaster damages, even when explicitly told otherwise. As a result, they fail to prevent smaller disasters and pay too much to prevent large disasters when cheap solutions exist. Furthermore, we provide evidence that overemphasizing disaster damages undermines successful disaster prevention because people view these disasters as too big to solve.
The State of State Environmental Policy Research: A Thirty‐Year Progress Report
Authors: Woods Neal D.
Published: May 2021

This article examines trends in American state environmental policy scholarship from 1990 to 2019 and assesses the progress that has been made during that time in addressing the numerous deficiencies noted by Lester and Lombard (1990). A survey of more than 300 published articles suggests that researchers have made significant advances in theory and methodology over the last three decades. Yet some core elements of Lester and Lombard's critique continue to apply, and more work needs to be done to reach their goal of a theoretically coherent and methodologically sound body of research. The article concludes by offering suggestions for scholars working in the field.
Generalized linear model for subordinated Lévy processes
Authors: Mselmi Farouk
Published: May 2021

Generalized linear models, introduced by Nelder and Wedderburn, allowed to model the regression of normal and nonnormal data. While doing so, the analysis of these models could not be obtained without the explicit form of the variance function. In this paper, we determine the link and variance functions of the natural exponential family generated by the class of subordinated Lévy processes. In this framework, we introduce a class of variance functions that depends on the Lambert function. In this regard, we call it the Lambert class, which covers the variance functions of the natural exponential families generated by the subordinated gamma processes and the subordinated Lévy processes by the Poisson subordinator. Notice that the gamma process subordinated by the Poisson one is excluded from this class. The concept of reciprocity in natural exponential families was given in order to obtain an exponential family from another one. In this context, we get the reciprocal class of the natural exponential family generated by the class of subordinated Lévy processes. It is well known that the variance function represents an essential element for the determination of the quasi‐likelihood and deviance functions. Then, we use the expression of our variance function in order to maintain them. This leads us to analyze the proposed generalized linear model. We illustrate some of our models with applications to the daily exchange rate returns of the Tunisian Dinar against the U.S. Dollar and the damage incidents of ships.
Characterising the frequency‐response of ultra‐soft polymers with the Virtual Fields Method
Authors: Graham Aaron , Siviour Clive
Published: May 2021

This paper presents a novel apparatus, combined with application of the Virtual Fields Method (VFM) for the high frequency characterisation of the mechanical response of ultra‐soft materials. The viscoelastic response is characterised under harmonic deviatoric loading at a range of frequencies using the dynamic VFM in the frequency domain. Obtaining useful high rate data on soft materials is challenging using typical test methodologies, as the low speed of sound in the material makes stress equilibrium difficult to obtain; additionally, the low stiffness results in small stresses and weak measurement signals. This novel apparatus and analysis method have been shown capable of obtaining important material characterisation data that would be impossible to access using currently existing test techniques.
The ContingentA Priori, Linguistic Stipulation, and Singular Thought
Authors: Lee Jeonggyu
Published: May 2021

The primary aim of this paper is to provide the exact diagnosis of the contingenta prioridebate so far by untangling complicated issues surrounding it, such as singular thought, linguistic stipulation, and epistemic justification. I will first maintain that most philosophers' arguments for or against the contingenta prioriare ultimately based on one of two conflicting intuitions about linguistic stipulation: sceptics of the contingenta priorihave appealed to the intuition that extra‐linguistic knowledge cannot be acquired through the stroke of a pen, whereas proponents of it have appealed to the other intuition that one is in a position to understand a name that one introduces by oneself into one's own language. Then I will reconstruct the sceptics' and proponents' positions in their strongest form respectively and examine where they disagree, and finally I will argue that the contingenta prioridebate cannot help but end in a stalemate without further scrutiny into singular thought. From this diagnosis, I conclude that in order to appropriately judge whether a contingent proposition is knowablea priori, we must first independently investigate what the conditions for singular thought are: the contingenta priorirides on the singular thought debate.