bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Transcriptome-Wide Association Study Identifies Candidate Susceptibility Genes for Pancreatic Cancer Risk
Authors: Liu Duo , Zhou Dan , Sun Yanfa , Zhu Jingjing , Ghoneim Dalia , Wu Chong , Yao Qizhi , Gamazon Eric R. , Cox Nancy J. , Wu Lang 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is among the most well-characterized cancer types, yet a large proportion of the heritability of pancreatic cancer risk remains unclear. Here, we performed a large transcriptome-wide association study to systematically investigate associations between genetically predicted gene expression in normal pancreas tissue and pancreatic cancer risk. Using data from 305 subjects of mostly European descent in the Genotype-Tissue Expression Project, we built comprehensive genetic models to predict normal pancreas tissue gene expression, modifying the UTMOST (unified test for molecular signatures). These prediction models were applied to the genetic data of 8,275 pancreatic cancer cases and 6,723 controls of European ancestry. Thirteen genes showed an association of genetically predicted expression with pancreatic cancer risk at an FDR ≤ 0.05, including seven previously reported genes (INHBA, SMC2, ABO, PDX1, RCCD1, CFDP1, and PGAP3) and six novel genes not yet reported for pancreatic cancer risk [6q27: SFT2D1 OR (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.54 (1.25–1.89); 13q12.13: MTMR6 OR (95% CI), 0.78 (0.70–0.88); 14q24.3: ACOT2 OR (95% CI), 1.35 (1.17–1.56); 17q12: STARD3 OR (95% CI), 6.49 (2.96–14.27); 17q21.1: GSDMB OR (95% CI), 1.94 (1.45–2.58); and 20p13: ADAM33 OR (95% CI): 1.41 (1.20–1.66)]. The associations for 10 of these genes (SFT2D1, MTMR6, ACOT2, STARD3, GSDMB, ADAM33, SMC2, RCCD1, CFDP1, and PGAP3) remained statistically significant even after adjusting for risk SNPs identified in previous genome-wide association study. Collectively, this analysis identified novel candidate susceptibility genes for pancreatic cancer that warrant further investigation.

Significance:
A transcriptome-wide association analysis identified seven previously reported and six novel candidate susceptibility genes for pancreatic cancer risk.
Referral Criteria to Palliative Care for Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Chang Yuchieh Kathryn , Kaplan Holland , Geng Yimin , Mo Li , Philip Jennifer , Collins Anna , Allen Larry A. , McClung John A. , Denvir Martin A. , Hui David 
Published: September 2020

Background:
Patients with heart failure have significant symptom burden, care needs, and often a progressive course to end-stage disease. Palliative care referrals may be helpful but it is currently unclear when patients should be referred and by whom. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to examine referral criteria for palliative care among patients with heart failure.

Methods:
We searched Ovid, MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, and PubMed databases for articles in the English language from the inception of databases to January 17, 2019 related to palliative care referral in patients with heart failure. Two investigators independently reviewed each citation for inclusion and then extracted the referral criteria. Referral criteria were then categorized thematically.

Results:
Of the 1199 citations in our initial search, 102 articles were included in the final sample. We identified 18 categories of referral criteria, including 7 needs-based criteria and 10 disease-based criteria. The most commonly discussed criterion was physical or emotional symptoms (n=51 [50%]), followed by cardiac stage (n=46 [45%]), hospital utilization (n=38 [37%]), prognosis (n=37 [36%]), and advanced cardiac therapies (n=36 [35%]). Under cardiac stage, 31 (30%) articles suggested New York Heart Association functional class ≥III and 12 (12%) recommended New York Heart Association class ≥IV as cutoffs for referral. Prognosis of ≤1 year was mentioned in 21 (21%) articles as a potential trigger; few other criteria had specific cutoffs.

Conclusions:
This systematic review highlighted the lack of consensus regarding referral criteria for the involvement of palliative care in patients with heart failure. Further research is needed to identify appropriate and timely triggers for palliative care referral.
Association of Alcohol Intake With Hypertension in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The ACCORD Trial
Authors: Mayl Jonathan J. , German Charles A. , Bertoni Alain G. , Upadhya Bharathi , Bhave Prashant D. , Yeboah Joseph , Singleton Matthew J. 
Published: September 2020

Background
Heavy alcohol consumption has a well‐established association with hypertension. However, doubt persists whether moderate alcohol consumption has a similar link. This relationship is not well‐studied in patients with diabetes mellitus. We aimed to describe the association of alcohol consumption with prevalent hypertension in participants in the ACCORD (Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes) trial.

Methods and Results

Alcohol consumption was categorized as none, light (1–7 drinks/week), moderate (8–14 drinks/week), and heavy (≥15 drinks/week). Blood pressure was categorized using American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines as normal, elevated blood pressure, stage 1 hypertension, and stage 2 hypertension. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the association between alcohol consumption and prevalent hypertension. A total of 10 200 eligible participants were analyzed. Light alcohol consumption was not associated with elevated blood pressure or any stage hypertension. Moderate alcohol consumption was associated with elevated blood pressure, stage 1, and stage 2 hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 1.79; 95% CI, 1.04–3.11,
P
=0.03; OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.05–2.60,
P
=0.03; and OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.03–2.54,
P
=0.03, respectively). Heavy alcohol consumption was associated with elevated blood pressure, stage 1, and stage 2 hypertension (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.17–3.12,
P
=0.01; OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.03–6.17,
P
=0.03; and OR, 3.04; 95% CI, 1.28–7.22,
P
=0.01, respectively).

Conclusions
Despite prior research, our findings show moderate alcohol consumption is associated with hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and elevated cardiovascular risk. We also note a dose‐risk relationship with the amount of alcohol consumed and the degree of hypertension.
Network Localization of Executive Function Deficits in Patients with Focal Thalamic Lesions
Authors: Hwang Kai , Bruss Joel , Tranel Daniel , Boes Aaron D. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The human thalamus has been suggested to be involved in executive function, based on animal studies and correlational evidence from functional neuroimaging in humans. Human lesion studies, examining behavioral deficits associated with focal brain injuries, can directly test the necessity of the human thalamus for executive function. The goal of our study was to determine the specific lesion location within the thalamus as well as the potential disruption of specific thalamocortical functional networks, related to executive dysfunction. We assessed executive function in 15 patients with focal thalamic lesions and 34 comparison patients with lesions that spared the thalamus. We found that patients with mediodorsal thalamic lesions exhibited more severe impairment in executive function when compared to both patients with thalamic lesions that spared the mediodorsal nucleus and to comparison patients with lesions outside the thalamus. Furthermore, we employed a lesion network mapping approach to map cortical regions that show strong functional connectivity with the lesioned thalamic subregions in the normative functional connectome. We found that thalamic lesion sites associated with more severe deficits in executive function showed stronger functional connectivity with ACC, dorsomedial PFC, and frontoparietal network, compared to thalamic lesions not associated with executive dysfunction. These are brain regions and functional networks whose dysfunction could contribute to impaired executive functioning. In aggregate, our findings provide new evidence that delineates a thalamocortical network for executive function.
A Hybrid Downscaling Approach for Future Temperature and Precipitation Change
Authors: Erlandsen Helene Birkelund , Parding Kajsa M. , Benestad Rasmus , Mezghani Abdelkader , Pontoppidan Marie 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe used empirical–statistical downscaling in a pseudoreality context, in which both large-scale predictors and small-scale predictands were based on climate model results. The large-scale conditions were taken from a global climate model, and the small-scale conditions were taken from dynamical downscaling of the same global model with a convection-permitting regional climate model covering southern Norway. This hybrid downscaling approach, a “perfect model”–type experiment, provided 120 years of data under the CMIP5 high-emission scenario. Ample calibration samples made rigorous testing possible, enabling us to evaluate the effect of empirical–statistical model configurations and predictor choices and to assess the stationarity of the statistical models by investigating their sensitivity to different calibration intervals. The skill of the statistical models was evaluated in terms of their ability to reproduce the interannual correlation and long-term trends in seasonal 2-m temperature T2m, wet-day frequency fw, and wet-day mean precipitation μ. We found that different 30-yr calibration intervals often resulted in differing statistical models, depending on the specific choice of years. The hybrid downscaling approach allowed us to emulate seasonal mean regional climate model output with a high spatial resolution (0.05° latitude and 0.1° longitude grid) for up to 100 GCM runs while circumventing the issue of short calibration time, and it provides a robust set of empirically downscaled GCM runs.
Modeling the Effects of Lakes in the Tibetan Plateau on Diurnal Variations of Regional Climate and Their Seasonality
Authors: Zhu Lingjing , Jin Jiming , Liu Yimin 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn this study, we investigated the effects of lakes in the Tibetan Plateau (TP) on diurnal variations of local climate and their seasonal changes by using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model coupled with a one-dimensional physically based lake model. We conducted WRF simulations for the TP over 2000–10, and the model showed excellent performance in simulating near-surface air temperature, precipitation, lake surface temperature, and lake-region precipitation when compared to observations. We carried out additional WRF simulations where all the TP lakes were replaced with the nearest land-use types. The differences between these two sets of simulations were analyzed to quantify the effects of the TP lakes on the local climate. Our results indicate that the strongest lake-induced cooling occurred during the spring daytime, while the most significant warming occurred during the fall nighttime. The cooling and warming effects of the lakes further inhibited precipitation during summer afternoons and evenings and motivated it during fall early mornings, respectively. This study lays a solid foundation for further exploration of the role of TP lakes in climate systems at different time scales.
Education and Welfare: Some Findings from the Scandinavian Survey
Authors: Uusitalo Hannu 
Published: September 2020

The relationship and impact of a person's educational level on his level of welfare are examined conceptually and empirically. The empirical data were collected in 1972 and allow comparisons between the Nordic countries. The paper starts with a short description of the approaches utilized in studying welfare in the Nordic countries during the past ten years. The good of man is in two parts: welfare which can be approached objectively, and well-being, which is a subjective concept. The research done in the Nordic countries has focused mainly on welfare and less on well-being, at least when compared with research done on the continent of Europe and in America. Education is seen to have two roles in welfare. On the one hand it is a resource which people can use in improving their living conditions; on the other, it is a value in itself. Empirical data show that in the socioeconomic achievement process, education has a crucial role. In addition, well-educated people have slightly better living conditions than poorly educated people. Their housing level is better, their physical and mental health is better, etc. These slight advantages of the well-educated people should not be exaggerated, but it does seem likely that education actually functions as a resource which can be used in advancing one's level of welfare. The relationship between educational level and (subjectively measured) well-being is shown to be very slight and in some cases virtually nonexistent. This result is not characteristic of education alone: it has been found that objective indicators in general are slightly correlated with subjective indicators of well-being. On the basis of the empirical data used here it seems that education is similarly related to welfare and well-being in all the Nordic countries. Of course slight differences might be observed but the similarity is the major pattern.
Randomised controlled trial of integrated cognitive behavioural treatment and motivational enhancement for comorbid social anxiety and alcohol use disorders
Authors: Stapinski Lexine A , Sannibale Claudia , Subotic Mirjana , Rapee Ronald M , Teesson Maree , Haber Paul S , Baillie Andrew J 
Published: September 2020

Objective: Alcohol use disorder and social anxiety disorder are interconnected disorders that commonly co-occur. We report the first trial to assess whether integrated treatment for social anxiety and alcohol use disorder comorbidity improves outcomes relative to standard alcohol-focussed treatment. Method: Participants were recruited to a randomised controlled trial, and randomly allocated to one of two treatments, Integrated ( n = 61) or Control (alcohol-focussed; n = 56). Assessment and treatment session were conducted at two sites in Sydney, Australia. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) clinical diagnosis of social anxiety disorder and (2) Diagnosis or sub-clinical symptoms of alcohol use disorder. Diagnoses were determined according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.). All participants ( n = 117) received 10 sessions of cognitive behavioural treatment and motivational enhancement. The Integrated treatment simultaneously targeted social anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder and the connections between these disorders. The Control treatment focussed on alcohol use disorder only. Outcomes were assessed at 6-month follow-up, with interim assessments at post-treatment and 3 months. Primary outcomes were social anxiety disorder severity (composite Social Phobia Scale and Social Interaction Anxiety Scale), alcohol use disorder severity (standard drinks per day and Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire) and quality of life (Short-Form Health survey) was assessed to capture the combined impairment of social anxiety and alcohol use disorder comorbidity. Results: At 6-month follow-up, both conditions showed significant reductions in social anxiety and alcohol use disorder symptoms, and improved quality of life. There was no evidence of between-condition differences for alcohol outcomes, with mean consumption reduced by 5.0 (0.8) and 5.8 (1.0) drinks per day following Alcohol and Integrated treatments, respectively. Integrated treatment achieved greater improvements in social anxiety symptoms (mean difference = −14.9, 95% confidence interval = [−28.1, −1.6], d  = 0.60) and quality of life (mean difference = 7.6, 95% confidence interval = [1.2, 14.0], d  = 0.80) relative to alcohol-focused treatment. Conclusion: These results suggest that integrated social anxiety and alcohol use disorder treatment enhances quality of life and social anxiety disorder symptom improvement, but not alcohol outcomes, compared to treatment focussed on alcohol use disorder alone.
Effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine in autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Lee Tsung-Min , Lee Kuan-Min , Lee Chuan-Ya , Lee Hsin-Chien , Tam Ka-Wai , Loh El-Wui 
Published: September 2020

Objective: Currently, pharmaceutical treatment options for autism spectrum disorder are limited. Brain glutaminergic dysregulation is observed in autism spectrum disorder. N-acetylcysteine, which can be converted to glutathione and subsequently release glutamate into the extracellular space, and thus reduce glutamatergic neurotransmission at synapses, is considered a potential drug for autism spectrum disorder treatment. Here, we analyzed the treatment effects of N-acetylcysteine on autism spectrum disorder in randomized controlled trials. Study design: Updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources: By systematically searching the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library, we obtained five randomized controlled trials. Study selection: Meta-analyses were performed to examine the improvement in autistic behaviors as measured by the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, Social Responsiveness Scale and Repetitive Behavior Scale–Revised, using mean difference with a 95% confidence interval and a random-effects model. Data Synthesis: After 8–12 weeks of N-acetylcysteine supplementation, the pooled result of four trials revealed an improvement in Aberrant Behavior Checklist total score (mean difference = 1.31, 95% confidence interval = [0.42, 2.20]). When one trial was excluded, the sensitivity test result was stronger (mean difference = 1.88, 95% confidence interval = [0.92, 2.83]). The pooled results of three trials revealed significant improvements in hyperactivity (mean difference = 4.80, 95% confidence interval = [1.20, 8.40]) and irritability (mean difference = 4.07, 95% confidence interval = [1.13, 7.04]). Regarding Social Responsiveness Scale, the pooled result of two trials showed significant improvement in social awareness after 8–12 weeks of N-acetylcysteine supplementation (mean difference = 1.34, 95% confidence interval = [0.09, 2.59]). No differences were observed in the pooled results of two trials using Repetitive Behavior Scale, either in the total or the subscales. Conclusion: We concluded that N-acetylcysteine is safe and tolerable, reduces hyperactivity and irritability and enhances social awareness in children with autism spectrum disorder. However, further evidence should be sought before a general recommendation.
Influence of an adjuvant antidepressant on the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pluijms Esther M , Kamperman Astrid M , Hoogendijk Witte JG , Birkenhäger Tom K , van den Broek Walter W 
Published: September 2020

Objective: The primary indication for electroconvulsive therapy is medication-resistant major depression. There is some evidence that combining electroconvulsive therapy with an antidepressant, instead of electroconvulsive therapy monotherapy, might improve remission rates. However, data on this topic have not been systematically studied. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effectiveness of an adjuvant antidepressant during electroconvulsive therapy for major depression. Methods: Embase, Medline Ovid, Web of Science, Cochrane Central, PsychINFO Ovid and Google Scholar were searched up to January 2019. Randomized controlled trials and cohort studies reporting on the influence of an adjuvant antidepressant on the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy for major depression were included. Authors independently screened records, extracted data and assessed study quality. We reported this systematic review and meta-analysis following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Results: Nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed a significant advantage of adjuvant antidepressants versus placebo. The overall effect size per category of antidepressant was as follows: tricyclic antidepressants: Hedges’ g 0.32 (95% confidence interval: [0.14, 0.51]) ( k = 6) with low heterogeneity ( I2: 4%, p = 0.39); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors/serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors: Hedges’ g 0.27 (95% confidence interval: [0.03, 0.52]) ( k = 2) with a lack of heterogeneity ( I2: 0%, p = 0.89); and monoamine oxidase inhibitors: Hedges’ g 0.35 (95% confidence interval: [−0.07, 0.77]) with moderate heterogeneity ( I2: 43%, p = 0.17) ( k = 3). Conclusion: An adjuvant antidepressant enhances the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy for major depression. Tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors/serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors and monoamine oxidase inhibitors showed the same effect size. However, the effect sizes of tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors are most likely underestimated, due to insufficient doses in most of the included studies. We recommend the routine use of an adequately dosed antidepressant during electroconvulsive therapy for major depression.
Interpersonal Distance in the SARS-CoV-2 Crisis
Authors: Welsch Robin , Hecht Heiko , Chuang Lewis , von Castell Christoph 
Published: September 2020

Background Mandatory rules for social distancing to curb the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic require individuals to maintain a critical interpersonal distance above 1.5 m. However, this contradicts our natural preference, which is closer to 1 m for non-intimate encounters, for example, when asking a stranger for directions. Objective This review addresses how humans typically regulate interpersonal distances, in order to highlight the challenges of enforcing atypically large interpersonal distances. Method To understand the challenges posed by social distancing requirements, we integrate relevant contributions from visual perception, social perception, and human factors. Results To date, research on preferred interpersonal distances suggests that social distancing could induce discomfort, heighten arousal, and decrease social signaling in the short term. While the protracted effects of social distancing are unclear, we propose hypotheses on the mid- to long-term consequences of violating preferred norms of interpersonal distances. Conclusion We suggest that enforcing a physical distance of 1.5–2 m presents a serious challenge to behavioral norms. Application We address how notifications, architectural design, and visualizations could be effectively applied to promote interpersonal distance requirements.