bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lessons from a multicentre retrospective study of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy combined with lanreotide for neuroendocrine tumours: a need for standardised practice
Authors: Prasad Vikas , Srirajaskanthan Raj , Toumpanakis Christos , Grana Chiara Maria , Baldari Sergio , Shah Tahir , Lamarca Angela , Courbon Frédéric , Scheidhauer Klemens , Baudin Eric , Truong Thanh Xuan-Mai , Houchard Aude , Dromain Clarisse , Bodei Lisa 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Purpose
PRELUDE aimed to assess use and effectiveness/safety of lanreotide autogel/depot (LAN) combined with 177Lu-DOTATOC or 177Lu-DOTATATE (LAN–peptide receptor radionuclide therapy [PRRT]) in patients with progressive neuroendocrine tumours (NETs).

Methods
International, non-interventional, retrospective, non-comparative analysis of medical records from patients with progressive metastatic or locally advanced grade 1 or 2 gastroenteropancreatic (GEP)- or lung-NETs. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) at end of last LAN–PRRT cycle. Secondary endpoints included PFS at last available follow-up, best overall response, objective response rate (ORR), presence and severity of diarrhoea and flushing, and safety. Post-hoc analyses were conducted to determine pre-treatment tumour growth rate (TGR) cutoffs that best predicted the ORR during treatment.

Results
Forty patients were enrolled (GEP-NETs, n = 39; lung-NETs, n = 1). PFS rates were 91.7% at end of last LAN–PRRT cycle and 95.0% at last available follow-up. In the full analysis set, best overall response among patients with GEP-NETs (n = 23) was stable disease (n = 14, 60.9%), partial response (n = 8, 34.8%) and progressive disease (n = 1, 4.3%). The ORR was 27.3% at end of last LAN–PRRT cycle and 36.8% at last available follow-up. Optimal baseline TGR cutoffs for predicting ORR at these time points were 1.18% and 0.33%, respectively. At baseline, 81.0% of patients had diarrhoea or flushing; both remained stable or improved in most cases. No increased adverse drug reactions were reported.

Conclusion
Despite the major recruitment shortfall for the PRELUDE study, effectiveness data were encouraging in this selected population, highlighting the potential usefulness and feasibility of LAN combined with and after PRRT in patients with GEP-NETs. The study also identified challenges associated with evaluating clinical practice in a rare-disease setting and highlighted the need for standardisation of PRRT procedures.

Trial registration
Trial number: NCT02788578; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02788578
Serum immunoglobulin G4 in Sjögren’s syndrome: a pilot study
Authors: Maślińska Maria , Wojciechowska Bożena , Mańczak Małgorzata , Kwiatkowska Brygida 
Published: February 2020

AbstractImmunoglobulin IgG4 plays a role in the pathogenesis of the Mikulicz disease previously considered a form of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). We investigated serum levels of IgG4, total IgG, C3, and C4 serum complementary components in patients suspected of Sjögren’s syndrome. Basic laboratory and immunological tests, including IgG4 and IgG concentration, were performed on 20 healthy and 68 suspected of pSS individuals. We distinguished: group I: 48 pSS patients; group II (sicca): 20 patients with dryness without pSS. We revealed: statistical differences between groups I and II concerning hypergammaglobulinemia, ESR, RF, ANA, Ro, and La antibodies; lower IgG4 levels and IgG4/IgG ratio in group I compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.0435; 0.0035, respectively); no significant differences in the concentrations of IgG4 and IgG4/IgG ratio between sicca and control groups. significantly lower (p < 0.0002) C4 levels in group I compared to other groups; significant differences in C4 concentration and IgG4/IgG ratio between three groups (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0090, respectively); a weak negative correlation between C4 and IgG (r =− 0.274) in the whole database; weak positive correlation between C4 and IgG4/IgG ratio (r = 0.237); a negative correlation of IgG4, IgG4/Ig ratio and C4 with focus score (r = − 0.281; r = − 0.327; r = − 0.406, respectively). IgG4 serum levels were significantly decreased compared to healthy subjects. IgG4 and C4 levels correlated with infiltrations in minor salivary glands. Hypergammaglobulinemia and decreased serum C4 component levels are typical for pSS.
A simplified ICA-based local similarity stereo matching
Authors: Chen Suting , Zhang Jinglin , Jin Meng 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSince the existing stereo matching methods may fail in the regions of non-textures, boundaries and tiny details, a simplified independent component correlation algorithm (ICA)-based local similarity stereo matching algorithm is proposed. In order to improve the DispNetC, the proposed algorithm first offers the simplified independent component correlation algorithm (SICA) cost aggregation. Then, the algorithm introduces the matching cost volume pyramid, which simplifies the pre-processing process for the ICA. Also, the SICA loss function is defined. Next, the region-wise loss function combined with the pixel-wise loss function is defined as a local similarity loss function to improve the spatial structure of the disparity map. Finally, the SICA loss function is combined with the local similarity loss function, which is defined to estimate the disparity map and to compensate the edge information of the disparity map. Experimental results on KITTI dataset show that the average absolute error of the proposed algorithm is about 37% lower than that of the DispNetC, and its runtime consuming is about 0.6 s lower than that of GC-Net.
Lateralization of increased density of Iba1-immunopositive microglial cells in the anterior midcingulate cortex of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Authors: Petrasch-Parwez Elisabeth , Schöbel Andreas , Benali Alia , Moinfar Zahra , Förster Eckart , Brüne Martin , Juckel Georg 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThere is increasing evidence from genetic, biochemical, pharmacological, neuroimaging and post-mortem studies that immunological dysregulation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of psychoses. The involvement of microglia in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (BD) has remained controversial, however, since results from various post-mortem studies are still inconclusive. Here, we analyzed the estimated density of microglia of age-matched individuals with schizophrenia (n = 17), BD (n = 13), and non-psychiatric control subjects (n = 17) in the anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC), a brain area putatively involved in the pathogenesis of psychoses, using ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1)—immunohistochemistry. The microglial cells displayed a homogenously distributed Iba1—staining pattern in the aMCC with slightly varying activation states in all three groups. The estimated microglial densities did not differ significantly between individuals with schizophrenia, BD and control subjects. Remarkably, when both hemispheres were investigated separately within the three groups, the density was significantly lateralized towards the right aMCC in schizophrenia (p = 0.01) and—even more evident—in BD subjects (p = 0.008). This left–right lateralization was not observed in the control group (p = 0.52). Of note, microglial density was significantly lower in BD individuals who did not commit suicide compared with BD individuals who died from suicide (p = 0.002). This difference was not observed between individuals with BD who committed suicide and controls. The results, tentatively interpreted, suggest a hitherto unknown increased lateralization of microglial density to the right hemisphere in both psychiatric groups. If confirmed in independent samples, lateralization should be considered in all post-mortem studies on microglia. Density differences between suicide and non-suicide individuals needs further elucidation.
Functional connectivity correlates of infant and early childhood cognitive development
Authors: Bruchhage Muriel M. K. , Ngo Giang-Chau , Schneider Nora , D’Sa Viren , Deoni Sean C. L. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractChildhood is defined by the development of cognitive abilities as well as brain growth and function. While prior neuroimaging studies have investigated early development fragmentally, we studied the typical development of functional network connectivity continuously from infancy to childhood (average of 24 months) in 196 singleton term born children, as well as their emergence with age and visual, motor, and language abilities as assessed using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning. We demonstrate a cross-age shift to networks linked to higher-order cognitive processes, paralleling previous findings about developmental courses of functional connectivity networks. When investigating skill associations with functional connectivity independent of age, we revealed distinct network connectivity patterns for visual, motor, and language skills as each of them become more and more refined along childhood development. Specifically, the amount of functional networks recruited increases with skill complexity, with an exceeding involvement of higher order networks enabling daily maintenance and coordination of cognitive functions. Further, both motor and language network connectivity patterns overlapped in network connectivity patterns for the default mode, visual, salience, and dorsal attention networks, possibly implicating their overarching contribution to each other’s and higher cognitive development.
Neuroanatomical tract-tracing techniques that did go viral
Authors: Lanciego Jose L. , Wouterlood Floris G. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractNeuroanatomical tracing methods remain fundamental for elucidating the complexity of brain circuits. During the past decades, the technical arsenal at our disposal has been greatly enriched, with a steady supply of fresh arrivals. This paper provides a landscape view of classical and modern tools for tract-tracing purposes. Focus is placed on methods that have gone viral, i.e., became most widespread used and fully reliable. To keep an historical perspective, we start by reviewing one-dimensional, standalone transport-tracing tools; these including today’s two most favorite anterograde neuroanatomical tracers such asPhaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin and biotinylated dextran amine. Next, emphasis is placed on several classical tools widely used for retrograde neuroanatomical tracing purposes, where Fluoro-Gold in our opinion represents the best example. Furthermore, it is worth noting that multi-dimensional paradigms can be designed by combining different tracers or by applying a given tracer together with detecting one or more neurochemical substances, as illustrated here with several examples. Finally, it is without any doubt that we are currently witnessing the unstoppable and spectacular rise of modern molecular-genetic techniques based on the use of modified viruses as delivery vehicles for genetic material, therefore, pushing the tract-tracing field forward into a new era. In summary, here, we aim to provide neuroscientists with the advice and background required when facing a choice on which neuroanatomical tracer—or combination thereof—might be best suited for addressing a given experimental design.
A rigorous derivation of mean-field models describing 2D micro phase separation
Authors: Niethammer Barbara , Oshita Yoshihito 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWe study the free boundary problem describing the micro phase separation of diblock copolymer melts in the regime that one component has small volume fraction$$\rho $$ρsuch that the micro phase separation results in an ensemble of small disks of one component. We consider the two dimensional case in this paper, whereas the three dimensional case was already considered in Niethammer and Oshita (Calc Var PDE 39:273–305, 2010). Starting from the free boundary problem restricted to disks we rigorously derive the heterogeneous mean-field equations on a time scale of the order of$${\mathcal {R}}^{3}\ln (1/\rho )$$R3ln(1/ρ), where$${\mathcal {R}}$$Ris the mean radius of disks. On this time scale, the evolution is dominated by coarsening and stabilization of the radii of the disks, whereas migration of disks becomes only relevant on a larger time scale.
Smell and taste in cervical dystonia
Authors: Herr Thorsten , Hummel Thomas , Vollmer Marcus , Willert Carsten , Veit Birgitt , Gamain Julie , Fleischmann Robert , Lehnert Bernhard , Mueller Jan-Uwe , Stenner Andrea , Kronenbuerger Martin 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe pathophysiology of cervical dystonia is not completely understood. Current concepts of the pathophysiology propose that it is a network disorder involving the basal ganglia, cerebellum and sensorimotor cortex. These structures are primarily concerned with sensorimotor control but are also involved in non-motor functioning such as the processing of information related to the chemical senses. This overlap lets us hypothesize a link between cervical dystonia and altered sense of smell and taste. To prove this hypothesis and to contribute to the better understanding of cervical dystonia, we assessed olfactory and gustatory functioning in 40 adults with idiopathic cervical dystonia and 40 healthy controls. The Sniffin Sticks were used to assess odor threshold, discrimination and identification. Furthermore, the Taste Strips were applied to assess the combined taste score. Motor and non-motor deficits of cervical dystonia including neuropsychological and psychiatric alterations were assessed as cofactors for regression analyses. We found that cervical dystonia subjects had lower scores than healthy controls for odor threshold (5.8 ± 2.4 versus 8.0 ± 3.2; p = 0.001), odor identification (11.7 ± 2.3 versus 13.1 ± 1.3; p = 0.001) and the combined taste score (9.5 ± 2.2 versus 11.7 ± 2.7; p < 0.001), while no difference was found in odor discrimination (12.0 ± 2.5 versus 12.9 ± 1.8; p = 0.097). Regression analysis suggests that age is the main predictor for olfactory decline in subjects with cervical dystonia. Moreover, performance in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment is a predictor for gustatory decline in cervical dystonia subjects. Findings propose that cervical dystonia is associated with diminished olfactory and gustatory functioning.
Novel mutation of SCN9A gene causing generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus in a Chinese family
Authors: Zhang Tian , Chen Mingwu , Zhu Angang , Zhang Xiaoguang , Fang Tao 
Published: February 2020

AbstractGeneralized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) is a complex familial epilepsy syndrome. It is mainly caused by mutations in SCN1A gene, encoding type 1 voltage-gated sodium channel α-subunit (NaV1.1), and GABRA1 gene, encoding the α1 subunit of the γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor, while seldom related with SCN9A gene, encoding the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7. In this study, we investigated a Chinese family with an autosomal dominant form of GEFS+. DNA sequencing of the whole coding region revealed a novel heterozygous nucleotide substitution (c.5873A>G) causing a missense mutation (p.Y1958C). This mutation was predicted to be deleterious by three different bioinformatics programs (The polyphen2, SIFT, and MutationTaster). Our finding reports a novel likely pathogenic SCN9A Y1958C heterozygous mutation in a Chinese family with GEFS+ and provides additional supports that SCN9A variants may be associated with human epilepsies.
Functional characterization and fitness cost of spinosad-resistant alleles in Ceratitis capitata
Authors: Guillem-Amat Ana , Ureña Enric , López-Errasquín Elena , Navarro-Llopis Vicente , Batterham Philip , Sánchez Lucas , Perry Trent , Hernández-Crespo Pedro , Ortego Félix 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe sustainability of control programs for the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, for citrus crops in Spain has been threatened by the development of resistance to malathion and lambda-cyhalothrin in recent years. Spinosad is widely used without apparent loss of efficacy. However, a highly resistant strain, JW-100s, has been obtained after laboratory selection. Spinosad resistance in JW-100s has been associated with different mutant alleles of the α6 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (Ccα6) including an isoform-specific truncation allele, Ccα63aQ68*. Using the GAL4 > UAS system in Drosophila melanogaster to demonstrate expression of this truncated α6 subunit, in a dα6 loss-of-function genetic background, does not rescue susceptibility to spinosad, while the expression of Ccα6 wild-type isoforms does. We have also generated C. capitata isolines from JW-100s homozygous for: (1) the Ccα63aQ68*Δ3b-4 allele, which contains the mutation 3aQ68*, and (2) the Ccα63aQ68*–K352* allele, which contains the mutations 3aQ68* and K352*. Neither of these produce complete Ccα6 transcripts. The frequency of resistant alleles declined when in competition with individuals carrying the wild-type allele. Through extensive testing of both biological and behavioral fitness traits, we identified a reduced ability of Ccα63aQ68*Δ3b-4 males to detect the parapheromone and to mate with females carrying the Ccα63aQ68*–K352* allele in competition experiments. Thus, not only the potential for spontaneous resistant mutations to arise in Ccα6 but also their fitness costs must be considered when planning resistance management strategies for C. capitata.
Ticagrelor Inhibits Toll-Like and Protease-Activated Receptor Mediated Platelet Activation in Acute Coronary Syndromes
Authors: Wadowski Patricia P. , Weikert Constantin , Pultar Joseph , Lee Silvia , Eichelberger Beate , Koppensteiner Renate , Lang Irene M. , Panzer Simon , Gremmel Thomas 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Since ticagrelor inhibits the cellular uptake of adenosine, thereby increasing extracellular adenosine concentration and biological activity, we hypothesized that ticagrelor has adenosine-dependent antiplatelet properties. In the current study, we compared the effects of ticagrelor and prasugrel on platelet activation in acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods
Platelet surface expression of P-selectin and activated glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa in response to adenosine diphosphate (ADP), the toll-like receptor (TLR)-1/2 agonist Pam3CSK4, the TLR-4 agonist lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the protease-activated receptor (PAR)-1 agonist SFLLRN, and the PAR-4 agonist AYPGKF were measured by flow cytometry in blood from 80 ticagrelor- and 80 prasugrel-treated ACS patients on day 3 after percutaneous coronary intervention. Residual platelet aggregation to arachidonic acid (AA) and ADP were assessed by multiple electrode aggregometry and light transmission aggregometry.

Results
ADP-induced platelet activation and aggregation, and AA-induced platelet aggregation were similar in patients on ticagrelor and prasugrel, respectively (all p ≥ 0.3). Further, LPS-induced platelet surface expression of P-selectin and activated GPIIb/IIIa did not differ significantly between ticagrelor- and prasugrel-treated patients (both p > 0.4). In contrast, Pam3CSK4-induced platelet surface expression of P-selectin and activated GPIIb/IIIa were significantly lower in ticagrelor-treated patients (both p ≤ 0.005). Moreover, SFLLRN-induced platelet surface expression of P-selectin and activated GPIIb/IIIa were significantly less pronounced in patients on ticagrelor therapy compared to prasugrel-treated patients (both p < 0.03). Finally, PAR-4 mediated platelet activation as assessed by platelet surface expression of activated GPIIb/IIIa following stimulation with AYPGKF was significantly lower in patients receiving ticagrelor (p = 0.02).

Conclusion
Ticagrelor inhibits TLR-1/2 and PAR mediated platelet activation in ACS patients more strongly than prasugrel.
Enforcement Intensity in Danish Drug Control, 1996–2017
Authors: Moeller Kim 
Published: February 2020

AbstractEnforcement intensity towards drug law offences in Denmark has increased since 2004, making Denmark one of the few Western countries that is heading towards a more repressive drug control approach. The aim of this study is to examine patterns and correlates of drug enforcement intensity over time. Policy documents and criminal statistics on drug law offences, from 1996 to 2017, are analysed in the context of the rationality perspective and the theory of policy coherence. Time series analyses and bivariate tests of statistical significance are used to examine enforcement intensity over time, between seasons, and in the gender and ethnic composition of convictions. Three periods are identified, delineated by documents that set forth drug policy aims. From 1996 to 2003, a series of qualitative changes to the legal framework was introduced, followed by a quantitative increase in enforcement pressure from 2004 to 2010 with a focus on Copenhagen. From 2011 to 2017, other regions of the country also increased enforcement. The increased intensity in drug control followed a period of increasing cannabis prevalence rates. The increase in reported minor drug law offences correlated with increased seasonal variations and increased disparity in the gender and ethnicity of convicted individuals.
The star product in interacting quantum field theory
Authors: Hawkins Eli , Rejzner Kasia 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWe propose a new formula for the star product in deformation quantization of Poisson structures related in a specific way to a variational problem for a functionS, interpreted as the action functional. Our approach is motivated by perturbative algebraic quantum field theory (pAQFT). We provide a direct combinatorial formula for the star product, and we show that it can be applied to a certain class of infinite-dimensional manifolds (e.g. regular observables in pAQFT). This is the first step towards understanding how pAQFT can be formulated such that the only formal parameter is$$\hbar $$ħ, while the coupling constant can be treated as a number. In the introductory part of the paper, apart from reviewing the framework, we make precise several statements present in the pAQFT literature and recast these in the language of (formal) deformation quantization. Finally, we use our formalism to streamline the proof of perturbative agreement provided by Drago, Hack, and Pinamonti and to generalize some of the results obtained in that work to the case of a nonlinear interaction.
Winter habitat selection of Corvids in an urban ecosystem
Authors: Szala Klaudia , Dylewski Łukasz , Tobolka Marcin 
Published: February 2020

AbstractUrban areas attract birds during the winter when cities provide a predictable source of food and relatively stable weather conditions. However, many other factors determine the occurrence of birds in cities. This study analysed the relationship between corvids wintering in the city of Poznań, in western Poland and habitat features. Each of 32 research site was investigated three times. The most abundant species was the rook (mean = 17.4 individuals/site); the most frequent was the Eurasian magpie (88% of all sites). To determine variables that influence the abundance of birds, a set of generalised linear models was created, with model averaging being selected for each species. The abundance of hooded crows was positively influenced by surface of parks, water and by the length of tram tracks. The number of rooks was positively linked with the number of walnut trees, garbage cans and the surface of the water and negatively linked with the length of watercourses. Jackdaw was affected positively by the number of garbage cans, the surface of the water and negatively by the cover of trees. The number of magpies was associated with the number of walnut trees, garbage cans and negatively influenced by the surface of trees. None of the investigated habitat variables significantly affected the abundance of European jay. We also found a positive correlation between the abundances of hooded crow, rook, jackdaw and magpie. The results indicate that corvids wintering in urban ecosystems exhibit selectivity toward specific habitat features and that preferences differ among the studied species.