bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surgical outcomes of 215 patients with thymic epithelial tumors: A single‐center experience
Authors: Tian Wenxin , Sun Yaoguang , Wu Qingjun , Jiao Peng , Ma Chao , Yu Hanbo , Huang Chuan , Tong Hongfeng 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the oncological prognosis and neurological outcomes for patients with thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) after thymectomy.MethodsConsecutive patients with TETs who underwent thymectomy at Beijing Hospital from January 2011 to December 2018 were retrospectively enrolled into the study. Clinical, pathological, and perioperative data was collected. Patients were followed‐up by telephone interview and outpatient records. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 19.0.ResultsA total of 215 patients (115 men and 100 women) were included in this study of which 133 patients (61.9%) had TETs associated with myasthenia gravis (MG), and 82 patients (38.1%) had thymic tumors without MG. A total of 194 (90.2%) patients were successfully followed‐up. The median follow‐up period was 42 months. The five‐year overall survival (OS) rate was 88.6%. MG was the first cause of death for patients with MG (6/10). Prognosis in MG patients was similar to those without MG. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that TNM stage III + IV was an independent risk factor for OS. Incomplete resection and younger age were risk factors for tumor recurrence. For patients with MG, the cumulative complete stable remission (CSR) rate increased with the postoperative follow‐up period, and the five‐year CSR rate was 44.7%. Univariate Cox analysis indicated that age, preoperative MG duration and preoperative medication might correlate with CSR. Multivariate Cox analysis only indicated older age as a negative factor of achieving CSR.ConclusionsMG had little influence on OS and tumor recurrence of thymic tumors. The new TNM staging system was an independent prognostic factor. Incomplete resection and younger age were risk factors for tumor recurrence. Older age was a negative factor of achieving CSR for thymoma patients with MG after extended thymectomy.Key pointsSignificant findings of the studyMG was not a prognostic factor for thymic tumors. The new TNM staging system was useful for prediction of prognosis. Incomplete resection and younger age were risk factors for tumor recurrence. Older age led to a lower probability of achieving CSR for thymomatous MG.What this study addsThis study had a relatively large sample size of patients with thymic epithelial tumors in a single center. We evaluated not only the oncological prognosis, but also neurological outcomes after thymectomy, which was a more comprehensive assessment of surgical effect for thymic epithelial tumors.
Targeting eradication of introduced watersnakes using integral projection models
Authors: Rose Jonathan P. , Todd Brian D. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractProjection models are frequently used to identify and evaluate management actions to control or eradicate non‐native species. Integral projection models (IPMs) are an appealing option for many taxa because IPMs can model vital rates as a function of continuous variables, like size, without discretizing into a few classes. Despite their strengths, IPMs have yet to see widespread use in invasive species management. Here, we used an IPM to evaluate management actions for an introduced population of common watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon) recently established in California, USA, where they pose a threat to many highly imperiled native fauna. We developed the IPM using data on the survival, growth and fecundity of native and non‐native populations of N. sipedon to identify management targets that would facilitate its eradication. Population growth of N. sipedon was most sensitive to the growth and survival of snakes during their first year, when they grow from approximately 180 mm snout–vent length (SVL) to 350 mm, providing a clear target for eradication efforts. The IPM also provided finer resolution life‐history information for targeting eradication than a simple size class‐based matrix model. Simulated eradication effort showed funnel trapping, which targets all but the smallest and largest snakes, was more effective at decreasing population growth than hand capture focused on snakes >400 mm SVL. Our study highlights the value of IPMs for targeting eradication of introduced or invasive species, and we argue for wider adoption of these models for evaluating management actions.
Does translocation affect short‐term survival in a long‐lived species, the Spanish imperial eagle?
Authors: Muriel R. , Balbontín J. , Calabuig C. P. , Morlanes V. , Ferrer M. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn long‐lived species, usually with deferred maturity and low release numbers, the success of conservation translocations is especially sensitive to survival and site fidelity during the prolonged establishment phase. Concurrent management actions usually implemented in threatened populations may also influence translocation‐related responses. Therefore, the specific performance of translocations should be ideally assessed on vital rates of comparable management groups while accounting for other conservation actions. In this study, we analysed the impact of translocation on the short‐term survival and the relative contribution of electrocution on power pylons by comparing translocated and wild‐reared radio‐tracked juvenile Spanish imperial eagles Aquila adalberti before and after the implementation of further long‐term conservation actions of the species and other generic measures in southern Spain. A multi‐event multi‐state capture–recapture approach accounting for tag retention was applied on a long‐term dataset of resightings and dead recoveries throughout the first 2 years after fledging. Survival probability was similar in translocated and contemporary non‐translocated eagles, but higher than in wild‐reared birds before the generalization of multi‐action plans from the 1980s. It was also higher during early dispersal than in the post‐fledging dependence period. Although mortality due to electrocution decreased in absolute terms after implementing anti‐electrocution measures, its relative contribution as the main mortality source did not differ between translocated and wild‐reared birds or between periods (65%). Our results show that when translocations are properly implemented, observed vital rates of released animals can be comparable to those of wild‐reared individuals subjected to similar generic management addressing mortality sources. As for any management action, post‐release monitoring should play a key role in translocation programmes, with emphasis on comparative studies analysing potential factors affecting survival under active management contexts.
Pseudoglucagonoma syndrome: Description of an ‘Idiopatic’ case
Authors: Ferrara Gerardo , Ingordo Irene , Ingordo Vito 
Published: May 2020

AbstractA case of pseudoglucagonoma syndrome, that is necrolytic migratory erythema, in a patient with no coexistent glucagonoma, is described. The patient was a 59‐year‐old man with waxing and waning dermatitis of the buttocks, characterised by arciform erythematous papulo‐squamous lesions with micro‐pustulation. Histopathology was characteristic for necrolytic migratory erythema, but no other underlying disease was detected. Other cases of pseudoglucagonoma syndrome described in literature are briefly reviewed.
Transperineal ultrasound predicts endoscopic and histological healing in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Sagami Shintaro , Kobayashi Taku , Aihara Kanako , Umeda Misaki , Morikubo Hiromu , Matsubayashi Mao , Kiyohara Hiroki , Nakano Masaru , Ohbu Makoto , Hibi Toshifumi 
Published: May 2020

SummaryBackgroundTransabdominal ultrasound is useful to assess inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC); however, the assessment of the rectum is challenging and a barrier for its widespread use.AimTo evaluate if transperineal ultrasound is useful for predicting endoscopic and histological findings of the rectum in UC.MethodsFifty‐three consecutive adults with UC who required colonoscopy were included and transperineal ultrasound was performed in combination with transabdominal ultrasound within a week before or after colonoscopy with rectal biopsy. Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES) ≤1 was defined as endoscopic healing and Geboes score <2.1, Robarts histopathology index ≤6, and Nancy index ≤1 were defined as histological healing. Limberg score and bowel wall thickness were recorded with transperineal ultrasound. Faecal calprotectin was also measured.ResultsExcellent correlation was confirmed between colonoscopy and transabdominal ultrasound in all segments except for the rectum. Rectal bowel wall thickness and Limberg score in transperineal ultrasound well correlated with rectal MES and histological indices. Bowel wall thickness ≤4 mm predicted endoscopic (Area under the curve [AUC] = 0.90) and histological (AUC = 0.87‐0.89) healing. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, only bowel wall thickness in transperineal ultrasound was a significant independent predictor for rectal endoscopic and histologic healing (P < 0.05) and the predictability was better than faecal calprotectin.ConclusionsTransperineal ultrasound predicts endoscopic and histological healing of the rectum. The combination of transperineal ultrasound with transabdominal ultrasound visualises the entire colorectum and is an ideal modality for the treat‐to‐target strategy.Clinical Trials Registry number UMIN000033611 (https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000038323).
Reciprocity Game
Authors: Chen Linfeng 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis paper shows that reciprocity comes from the desire to cooperate in finitely repeated prisoner's dilemma game. Before playing the finitely repeated prisoner's dilemma game, players choose the reciprocity level and commit to it, and the reciprocity level is public information. There are T equilibria if the prisoner's dilemma game is repeated for T periods, and each equilibrium is associated with different levels of cooperation. Further, if players choose their reciprocity levels sequentially, then the most cooperative equilibrium will be the unique equilibrium. However, reciprocity does not matter for the one‐period game and the infinitely repeated game.
Pre‐planning and its effects on repeated dishonest behavior: An experiment
Authors: Chowdhury Subhasish M. , Kim Chulyoung , Kim Sang‐Hyun 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe investigate experimentally the effects of the opportunity to pre‐plan one's action on dynamic (im)moral decision makings in two stages. In the experiment we either provided the subjects at the outset with the information that they might be able to tell lies to improve their payoff repeatedly (hence they could pre‐plan accordingly), or provided such information at the beginning of each stage (and hence they could not pre‐plan). Furthermore, we controlled whether they had the incentive to resort to telling a lie in the first stage or not. Our two main findings are: (i) when subjects were not informed about the second opportunity to lie at the outset, those who had an opportunity to lie in the first stage lied more often in the second stage compared to those who did not have such an opportunity; and (ii) pre‐planning induced subjects to lie more often in the first stage. We conjecture that pre‐planning invited a compensatory, instead of consistent, action, and thus induced more dishonest responses in the beginning and fewer later. We also discuss the extent of ‘partial lying’, i.e., lying in only one stage, across the treatments and its effect on the overall rate of lying.
Serum sCD40L levels are increased in patients with psoriatic arthritis and are associated with clinical response to apremilast
Authors: Venerito V , Natuzzi D , Bizzoca R , Lacarpia N , Cacciapaglia F , Lopalco G , Iannone F 
Published: May 2020

Summary
The pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) involves several pathways, including the CD40/CD40L signaling which promotes the release of multiple cytokines. Transmembrane CD40L is also released in soluble form (sCD40L) and phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) seems to be involved in its cleavage. We aimed to investigate whether apremilast, a PDE4 inhibitor, could modify circulating levels of sCD40L in PsA patients, and the possible associations of these changes with clinical response. Consecutive PsA patients starting apremilast in routine clinical practice were prospectively observed. Disease Activity of Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA), Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), Leeds Enthesitis Score (LEI) and serum samples were collected at baseline and at 6 months. Samples were run in a Bio-Plex ProTM plate for sCD40L. To investigate the association of sCD40L level with DAPSA based minor response, low disease activity (LDA) and/or remission at 6 months of treatment, multivariate logistic regression models with backward selection (P &lt; 0·05) were built. We studied 27 patients (16 of 27 women, 59·6%) with PsA and mean age [± standard deviation (s.d.)] of 58·4 ± 10 years. A significant reduction of the mean values of DAPSA, LEI and PASI was detected at 6 months. Mean serum levels of sCD40L decreased from baseline 5364 ± 2025 pg/ml to 4412 ± 2629 at 6 months (P = 0·01). Baseline DAPSA [odds ratio (OR) = 0·80, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0·65–0·98] and sCD40L (OR = 1·001, 95% CI = 1·0001–1·0027) were independently associated with DAPSA LDA/remission at 6 months. In PsA patients, sCD40L levels decrease upon apremilast treatment and might predict short-term clinical response to apremilast.
Changes in real‐world treatment patterns for diabetic macular oedema from 2009 to 2019 and 5‐year outcomes: Data from the Fight Retinal Blindness! Registry
Authors: Biechl Anne C. , Bhandari Sanjeeb , Nguyen Vuong , Arnold Jennifer J. , Young Stephanie , Fraser‐Bell Samantha , Mehta Hemal , Gillies Mark , Barthelmes Daniel 
Published: May 2020

AbstractImportanceEvaluating the treatment outcomes of diabetic macular oedema (DMO) in routine clinical practice provides data for comparison with those of clinical trials.BackgroundPhase 3 clinical trials of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors for DMO have reported significant improvements in visual acuity (VA) not previously reported with laser and steroid treatments.DesignRetrospective analysis of observational data from routine clinical practice.ParticipantsEyes receiving treatments for DMO tracked in the Fight Retinal Blindness! Registry.MethodsWe analysed 510 eyes (347 patients) that started DMO treatment between 2009 and 2014.Main Outcome MeasuresChanges in DMO treatment patterns and mean change in VA (letters logMAR) and central subfield thickness (CST) 5 years after starting treatment.ResultsTreatment choice for DMO changed to predominantly VEGF inhibitors from 2009 to 2014. A total of 238 eyes (47%) were followed for at least 5 years. The mean VA at the start of treatment improved from 2009 (58 letters) to 2014 (68 letters) while mean VA change at 5 years were + 4.5 and + 5.3 letters for eyes starting treatment in 2009 and 2014, respectively. The mean CST dropped from 401 μm at baseline to 314 μm at 5 years. Eyes received a median of four injections in the first, two in the second, third and fourth and three in the fifth years.Conclusions and RelevanceChanging the treatment of DMO from macular laser and intravitreal triamcinolone to VEGF inhibitors from 2011 onwards was associated with better VA outcomes, part of which were due to better VA at the start of treatment. The outcomes of treatment in eyes in real‐world practice were, however, worse than those reported by clinical trials, likely because they were undertreated.
Factors associated with use of immunohistochemical markers in the histopathological diagnosis of cutaneous melanocytic lesions
Authors: May Caitlin J. , Piepkorn Michael W. , Knezevich Stevan R. , Elder David E. , Barnhill Raymond L. , Lee Annie C. , Flores Martiniano J. , Kerr Kathleen F. , Reisch Lisa M. , Elmore Joann G. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundMelanocytic tumors are often challenging and constitute almost one in four skin biopsies. Immunohistochemical (IHC) studies may assist diagnosis; however, indications for their use are not standardized.MethodsA test set of 240 skin biopsies of melanocytic tumors was examined by 187 pathologists from 10 US states, interpreting 48 cases in Phase I and either 36 or 48 cases in Phase II. Participant and diagnosis characteristics were compared between those who reported they would have ordered, or who would have not ordered IHC on individual cases. Intraobserver analysis examined consistency in the intent to order when pathologists interpreted the same cases on two occasions.ResultsOf 187 participants interpreting 48 cases each, 21 (11%) did not request IHC tests for any case, 85 (45%) requested testing for 1 to 6 cases, and 81 (43%) requested testing for ≥6 cases. Of 240 cases, 229 had at least one participant requesting testing. Only 2 out of 240 cases had more than 50% of participants requesting testing. Increased utilization of testing was associated with younger age of pathologist, board‐certification in dermatopathology, low confidence in diagnosis, and lesions in intermediate MPATH‐Dx classes 2 to 4. The median intraobserver concordance for requesting tests among 72 participants interpreting the same 48 cases in Phases I and II was 81% (IQR 73%‐90%) and the median Kappa statistic was 0.20 (IQR 0.00, 0.39).ConclusionSubstantial variability exists among pathologists in utilizing IHC.
Bolus insulin dose depends on previous‐day race intensity during 5 days of professional road‐cycle racing in athletes with type 1 diabetes: A prospective observational study
Authors: Moser Othmar , Dietrich Marlene , McCarthy Olivia , Bracken Richard M. , Eckstein Max L. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAimsTo assess insulin therapy, macronutrient intake and glycaemia in professional cyclists with type 1 diabetes (T1D) over a 5‐day Union Cycliste Internationale road‐cycle race.Material and methodsIn this prospective observational study, seven professional cyclists with T1D (age 28 ± 4 years, body mass index 20.9 ± 0.9 kg/m2, glycated haemoglobin concentration 56 ± 7 mmol/mol [7.3% ± 0.6%]) were monitored during a five‐stage professional road cycling race. Real‐time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) data, smart insulin pen dose data and macronutrient intake were assessed by means of repeated‐measure one‐way ANOVA and post hoc testing. Associations between exercise physiological markers and rtCGM data, insulin doses and macronutrient intake were assessed via linear regression modelling (P ≤ 0.05).ResultsBolus insulin dose was significantly reduced over the 5‐day period (P = 0.03), while carbohydrate intake (P = 0.24) and basal insulin doses remained unchanged (P = 0.64). A higher mean previous‐day race intensity was associated with a lower mean sensor glucose level (P = 0.03), less time above range level 2 (>13.9 mmol/L [250 mg/dL]; P = 0.05) and lower doses of bolus insulin (P = 0.04) on the subsequent day. No significant associations were found for any other glycaemic range and glycaemic variability (P > 0.05).ConclusionsThis is the first study to demonstrate the influence of previous‐day race intensity on subsequent bolus insulin dose requirements in professional cyclists with T1D. These data may help inform therapeutic strategies to ensure safe exercise performance.
Multivariate pattern analysis of fMRI data for imaginary and real colours in grapheme–colour synaesthesia
Authors: Ruiz Mathieu J. , Dojat Michel , Hupé Jean‐Michel 
Published: May 2020

AbstractGrapheme–colour synaesthesia is a subjective phenomenon related to perception and imagination, in which some people involuntarily but systematically associate specific, idiosyncratic colours to achromatic letters or digits. Its investigation is relevant to unravel the neural correlates of colour perception in isolation from low‐level neural processing of spectral components, as well as the neural correlates of imagination by being able to reliably trigger imaginary colour experiences. However, functional MRI studies using univariate analyses failed to provide univocal evidence of the activation of the “colour network” by synaesthesia. Applying multivariate (multivoxel) pattern analysis (MVPA) on 20 synaesthetes and 20 control participants, we tested whether the neural processing of real colours (concentric rings) and synaesthetic colours (black graphemes) shared patterns of activations. Region of interest analyses in retinotopically and anatomically defined visual areas revealed neither evidence of shared circuits for real and synaesthetic colour processing, nor processing difference between synaesthetes and controls. We also found no correlation with individual experiences, characterised by measuring the strength of synaesthetic associations. The whole brain searchlight analysis led to similar results. We conclude that revealing the neural coding of the synaesthetic experience of colours is a hard task which requires the improvement of our current methodology: for example involving more individuals and achieving higher MR signal to noise ratio and spatial resolution. So far, we have not found any evidence of the involvement of the cortical colour network in the subjective experience of synaesthetic colours.
CRY1‐CBS binding regulates circadian clock function and metabolism
Authors: Cal‐Kayitmazbatir Sibel , Kulkoyluoglu‐Cotul Eylem , Growe Jacqueline , Selby Christopher P. , Rhoades Seth D. , Malik Dania , Oner Hasimcan , Asimgil Hande , Francey Lauren J. , Sancar Aziz , Kruger Warren D. , Hogenesch John B. , Weljie Aalim , Anafi Ron C. , Kavakli Ibrahim Halil 
Published: May 2020

Circadian disruption influences metabolic health. Metabolism modulates circadian function. However, the mechanisms coupling circadian rhythms and metabolism remain poorly understood. Here, we report that cystathionine β‐synthase (CBS), a central enzyme in one‐carbon metabolism, functionally interacts with the core circadian protein cryptochrome 1 (CRY1). In cells, CBS augments CRY1‐mediated repression of the CLOCK/BMAL1 complex and shortens circadian period. Notably, we find that mutant CBS‐I278T protein, the most common cause of homocystinuria, does not bind CRY1 or regulate its repressor activity. Transgenic CbsZn/Zn mice, while maintaining circadian locomotor activity period, exhibit reduced circadian power and increased expression of E‐BOX outputs. CBS function is reciprocally influenced by CRY1 binding. CRY1 modulates enzymatic activity of the CBS. Liver extracts from Cry1−/− mice show reduced CBS activity that normalizes after the addition of exogenous wild‐type (WT) CRY1. Metabolomic analysis of WT, CbsZn/Zn, Cry1−/−, and Cry2−/− samples highlights the metabolic importance of endogenous CRY1. We observed temporal variation in one‐carbon and transsulfuration pathways attributable to CRY1‐induced CBS activation. CBS‐CRY1 binding provides a post‐translational switch to modulate cellular circadian physiology and metabolic control.