bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nationwide in-hospital mortality rate following rectal resection for rectal cancer according to annual hospital volume in Germany
Authors: Diers J , Wagner J , Baum P , Lichthardt S , Kastner C , Matthes N , Matthes H , Germer C-T , Löb S , Wiegering A 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
The impact of hospital volume after rectal cancer surgery is seldom investigated. This study aimed to analyse the impact of annual rectal cancer surgery cases per hospital on postoperative mortality and failure to rescue.

Methods
All patients diagnosed with rectal cancer and who had a rectal resection procedure code from 2012 to 2015 were identified from nationwide administrative hospital data. Hospitals were grouped into five quintiles according to caseload. The absolute number of patients, postoperative deaths and failure to rescue (defined as in-hospital mortality after a documented postoperative complication) for severe postoperative complications were determined.

Results
Some 64 349 patients were identified. The overall in-house mortality rate was 3·9 per cent. The crude in-hospital mortality rate ranged from 5·3 per cent in very low-volume hospitals to 2·6 per cent in very high-volume centres, with a distinct trend between volume categories (P &lt; 0·001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis using hospital volume as random effect, very high-volume hospitals (53 interventions/year) had a risk-adjusted odds ratio of 0·58 (95 per cent c.i. 0·47 to 0·73), compared with the baseline in-house mortality rate in very low-volume hospitals (6 interventions per year) (P &lt; 0·001). The overall postoperative complication rate was comparable between different volume quintiles, but failure to rescue decreased significantly with increasing caseload (15·6 per cent after pulmonary embolism in the highest volume quintile versus 38 per cent in the lowest quintile; P = 0·010).

Conclusion
Patients who had rectal cancer surgery in high-volume hospitals showed better outcomes and reduced failure to rescue rates for severe complications than those treated in low-volume hospitals.
Eupatilin regulates proliferation and cell cycle of cervical cancer by regulating hedgehog signalling pathway
Authors: Wu Zhao , Zou Bingyu , Zhang Xun , Peng Xue 
Published: January 2020

Eupatilin (5,7‐dihydroxy‐3′,4′,6‐trimethoxyflavone) is a natural active substance found in génépi group plants, and its pharmacological activities has been proven to be useful in the treatment of various cancers. However, whether eupatilin demonstrates anti‐cancer activity in cervical cancer is still under evaluation. To clarify this, cancer cell lines and nude mouse model were used in this study. The results indicated that eupatilin could inhibit the occurrence of cervical cancer both in vivo and in vitro. Cervical cancer cell lines (C4‐1, HeLa, Caski, and Siha) and Ect1/E6E7 cells were incubated with eupatilin (40μM) for 48 hours. Compared with the control group, the viability of cervical cancer cells decreased significantly, while the apoptotic cells increased significantly. Cell cycle analysis showed that eupatilin treatment of HeLa and Caski cells reduced the proliferation index. Eupatilin at 40 mg/kg also inhibited tumour growth in tumour‐bearing mice. Interestingly, weakened hedgehog signalling was observed in cervical cancer cells and tumours from tumour‐bearing mice after eupatilin treatment. Our results reveal the inhibitory effect of eupatilin on cervical cancer and shed new light on the molecular mechanism of its therapeutic effect.Significance of the studyEupatilin inhibited proliferation via promoting apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in HeLa and Caski cervical cancer cell lines. In addition, nude mouse tumourigenicity assay proved that eupatilin can suppress tumour growth in vivo. Dramatically, these activities might be involved in hedgehog signal pathway.
Recanalization of superior mesenteric artery chronic total occlusion using hybrid algorithm and dissection reentry device
Authors: Memon Sehrish , Janzer Sean , Kalra Sanjog , George Jon C. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractChronic total occlusion (CTO) of mesenteric arteries with associated chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Endovascular intervention has been associated with high technical success with high rates of freedom from symptoms and long‐term patency. However, to achieve high procedural success, use of optimal vascular access and expertise in CTO hybrid algorithm including advanced dissection reentry strategies are essential. We present a case of CMI from severe celiac artery (CA) stenosis and CTO of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and inferior mesenteric artery (IMA). After treatment of CA stenosis, we were unsuccessful in our first attempt at recanalization of SMA CTO. On second attempt, left brachial artery (BA) access was obtained and the hybrid algorithm along with use of Stingray Reentry balloon (Boston Scientific) for dissection reentry into true lumen was successful in recanalizing the SMA CTO with placement of balloon expandable covered stents (CS). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report utilizing Sting‐ray Reentry balloon in the mesenteric arteries.
Atypical presentation of cerebellar posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a patient with HIV
Authors: Raya Michael , Nasir Imaad , Liu Antonio 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis case report is meant to widen the scope of lesion locations in posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) to include the brainstem, frontal lobe, and basal ganglia in order to increase the diagnosis and treatment of PRES.
Utility of genetic testing in athletes
Authors: Gray Belinda , Semsarian Christopher 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAthletes are some of the fittest members of our society, yet paradoxically carry an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). The athlete's underlying risk of SCD in sports may be increased due to a number of underlying structural, arrhythmic and inherited cardiac conditions (ICCs). There are also physiological adaptations, which occur in the cardiovascular system in athletes as a result of high‐level athletic activity and may be misinterpreted as pathology. Differentiation of “athlete's heart” from heart disease may be challenging due to the effects of exercise on the electrical and structural cardiac remodeling. Features such as prolongation of the QT interval, left ventricular hypertrophy and cavity dilatation, create significant overlap between physiology and inherited channelopathies and cardiomyopathies. Most inherited cardiac conditions have an underlying genetic basis to disease and genetic testing in an athlete can have diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic implications, including guiding exercise recommendations. Therefore, genetic testing can be a useful diagnostic tool when used carefully and appropriately by a trained cardio‐genetics expert.
Single‐ and Multiple‐Dose Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetic Profiles of ASP8062: Results From 2 Phase 1 Studies
Authors: Walzer Mark , Marek Gerard J. , Wu Ruishan , Nagata Masanori , Han David 
Published: January 2020

AbstractASP8062 is an orally active γ‐amino‐butyric acid type B (GABAB) receptor positive allosteric modulator currently in phase 2 development. Safety and pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of ASP8062 were evaluated in 2 studies in healthy subjects. The first study (a first‐in‐human study) evaluated single ascending doses (SAD) of ASP8062. The second study was composed of 2 parts: part 1 evaluated multiple ascending doses (MAD) of ASP8062 for 14 days, and part 2 was a single‐dose arm to assess the PK of ASP8062 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Fifty‐six men (SAD) and 56 subjects (24 women and 32 men; MAD) were enrolled. Across the SAD dosing range, area under the concentration‐time curve was dose proportional; increases in maximum plasma concentration appeared linear but were slightly less than dose proportional. Time to maximal concentration and half‐life were 1‐4 hours and ∼40‐50 hours, respectively; no food effect was observed. ASP8062 PK properties at steady state were similar to those following a single dose. Steady state was achieved by ∼day 9 with ∼2‐fold accumulation, and ASP8062 was detected in CSF. ASP8062 was well tolerated; no clear evidence of ASP8062's effects on safety, cognition, drug withdrawal, or suicidal ideation/behavior was observed. These data support the development of ASP8062 in indications where the GABAB receptor is a target.
Predicting crop yields and soil‐plant nitrogen dynamics in the US Corn Belt
Authors: Archontoulis Sotirios V. , Castellano Michael J. , Licht Mark A. , Nichols Virginia , Baum Mitch , Huber Isaiah , Martinez‐Feria Rafael , Puntel Laila , Ordóñez Raziel A. , Iqbal Javed , Wright Emily E. , Dietzel Ranae N. , Helmers Matt , Vanloocke Andy , Liebman Matt , Hatfield Jerry L. , Herzmann Daryl , Córdova S. Carolina , Edmonds Patrick , Togliatti Kaitlin , Kessler Ashlyn , Danalatos Gerasimos , Pasley Heather , Pederson Carl , Lamkey Kendall R. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWe used the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) to predict and explain maize and soybean yields, phenology, and soil water and nitrogen (N) dynamics during the growing season in Iowa, USA. Historical, current and forecasted weather data were used to drive simulations, which were released in public four weeks after planting. In this paper, we (1) describe the methodology used to perform forecasts; (2) evaluate model prediction accuracy against data collected from 10 locations over four years; and (3) identify inputs that are key in forecasting yields and soil N dynamics. We found that the predicted median yield at planting was a very good indicator of end‐of‐season yields (relative root mean square error [RRMSE] of ∼20%). For reference, the prediction at maturity, when all the weather was known, had a RRMSE of 14%. The good prediction at planting time was explained by the existence of shallow water tables, which decreased model sensitivity to unknown summer precipitation by 50–64%. Model initial conditions and management information accounted for one‐fourth of the variation in maize yield. End of season model evaluations indicated that the model simulated well crop phenology (R2 = 0.88), root depth (R2 = 0.83), biomass production (R2 = 0.93), grain yield (R2 = 0.90), plant N uptake (R2 = 0.87), soil moisture (R2 = 0.42), soil temperature (R2 = 0.93), soil nitrate (R2 = 0.77), and water table depth (R2 = 0.41). We concluded that model set‐up by the user (e.g. inclusion of water table), initial conditions, and early season measurements are very important for accurate predictions of soil water, N and crop yields in this environment.
Spatiotemporal control of gene expression boundaries using a feedforward loop
Authors: Bandodkar Prasad U. , Al Asafen Hadel , Reeves Gregory T. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundA feedforward loop (FFL) is commonly observed in several biological networks. The FFL network motif has been mostly studied with respect to variation of the input signal in time, with only a few studies of FFL activity in a spatially distributed system such as morphogen‐mediated tissue patterning. However, most morphogen gradients also evolve in time.ResultsWe studied the spatiotemporal behavior of a coherent FFL in two contexts: (a) a generic, oscillating morphogen gradient and (b) the dorsal‐ventral patterning of the early Drosophila embryo by a gradient of the NF‐κB homolog dorsal with its early target Twist. In both models, we found features in the dynamics of the intermediate node—phase difference and noise filtering—that were largely independent of the parameterization of the models, and thus were functions of the structure of the FFL itself. In the dorsal gradient model, we also found that proper target gene expression was not possible without including the effect of maternal pioneer factor Zelda.ConclusionsAn FFL buffers fluctuation to changes in the morphogen signal ensuring stable gene expression boundaries.
Sensitivity of Boana pulchella (Anura: Hylidae) Tadpoles to Environmentally Relevant Concentrations of Chlorpyrifos: Effects at the Individual and Biochemical Levels
Authors: Barreto Evelina , Salgado Costa Carolina , Demetrio Pablo , Lascano Cecilia , Venturino Andrés , Natale Guillermo S. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We report sublethal effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of chlorpyrifos at the individual (swimming alterations) and biochemical (esterase activities and antioxidant enzymes) levels in the Montevideo tree frog Boana pulchella larvae. The 50% lethal concentration at 96 h (LC50-96h) for chlorpyrifos in stage-29 B. pulchella tadpoles was 0.98 mg/L, which was close to the 65th percentile of published anuran species sensitivity. In B. pulchella, chlorpyrifos disrupted biochemical processes: tadpoles showed a significant inhibition of esterase activity and a significant induction of antioxidant enzymes, indicating a response to an environmental challenge causing oxidative stress. Using principal components analysis, we could associate chlorpyrifos reduction in esterase activity with swimming alterations at 0.5 mg/L of the toxicant. The biochemical biomarkers reported in the present study respond at levels 20 times lower than the LC50-96h and were associated with a biologically important response—swimming behavior. The link of responses across different levels of biological organization was demonstrated. The species is suitable as a model for ecotoxicological studies at different levels, including the individual and biochemical levels, and may be considered a good reference organism in environmental control programs. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:834–841. © 2020 SETAC
Abstract
Experimental design performed to evaluate the toxicity of the insecticide chlorpyrifos on Boana pulchella larvae, at the individual and biochemical level. The multivariate approach allowed integrating all evaluated endpoints.
A high‐accurate content popularity prediction computational modeling for mobile edge computing using matrix completion technology
Authors: Tan Jiawei , Liu Wei , Wang Tian , Zhao Ming , Liu Anfeng , Zhang Shaobo 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMobile edge computing (MEC) is envisioned as a promising platform for supporting emerging computation‐intensive applications on capacity and resource constrained mobile devices (MDs). In this platform, the task with high computing resource demand can be offloaded to edge nodes for computing. Moreover, the computing result can be cached to edge nodes. When other MDs request the task that has been cached, the edge nodes can directly return the result to MD. However, the storage capacity of edge nodes is limited, the effective task prediction and caching scheme is one of the key issues for MEC. In this article, a matrix completion technology based content popularity prediction joint cache placement (MCTCPP‐CP) scheme is proposed to tackle this issue for MEC. On the one hand, the MCTCPP‐CP scheme is the first scheme using matrix completion (MC) technology to content popularity prediction. It proved by experiments that the accuracy of using MC technology to estimate caching content is improved compared with the previous methods. On the other hand, a cache placement decision approach based on the benefit of unit storage is proposed. Extensive numerical studies demonstrate the superior performance of our MCTCPP‐CP scheme. The key performance indicators such as task duration, hit rate, estimated error are better than previous schemes by about: 0.13% to 14.01%, 17.28% to 37.65%, and 8.17%.
An update on human astrocytes and their role in development and disease
Authors: de Majo Martina , Koontz Mark , Rowitch David , Ullian Erik M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractHuman astrocytes provide trophic as well as structural support to the surrounding brain cells. Furthermore, they have been implicated in many physiological processes important for central nervous system function. Traditionally astrocytes have been considered to be a homogeneous class of cells, however, it has increasingly become more evident that astrocytes can have very different characteristics in different regions of the brain, or even within the same region. In this review we will discuss the features of human astrocytes, their heterogeneity, and their generation during neurodevelopment and the extraordinary progress that has been made to model these fascinating cells in vitro, mainly from induced pluripotent stem cells. Astrocytes' role in disease will also be discussed with a particular focus on their role in neurodegenerative disorders. As outlined here, astrocytes are important for the homeostasis of the central nervous system and understanding their regional specificity is a priority to elucidate the complexity of the human brain.
Human iPSC‐derived microglia: A growing toolset to study the brain's innate immune cells
Authors: Hasselmann Jonathan , Blurton‐Jones Mathew 
Published: January 2020

AbstractRecent advances in the generation of microglia from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have provided exciting new approaches to examine and decipher the biology of microglia. As these techniques continue to evolve to encompass more complex in situ and in vivo paradigms, so too have they begun to yield novel scientific insight into the genetics and function of human microglia. As such, researchers now have access to a toolset comprised of three unique “flavors” of iPSC‐derived microglia: in vitro microglia (iMGs), organoid microglia (oMGs), and xenotransplanted microglia (xMGs). The goal of this review is to discuss the variety of research applications that each of these techniques enables and to highlight recent discoveries that these methods have begun to uncover. By presenting the research paradigms in which each model has been successful, as well as the key benefits and limitations of each approach, it is our hope that this review will help interested researchers to incorporate these techniques into their studies, collectively advancing our understanding of human microglia biology.
Variations in glacier volume and snow cover and their impact on lake storage in the Paiku Co Basin, in the Central Himalayas
Authors: Zhang Xingxing , Wang Rui , Yao Zhijun , Liu Zhaofei 
Published: January 2020

AbstractGlaciers and snow cover are important constituents of the surface of the Tibetan Plateau. The responses of these phenomena to global environmental changes are sensitive, rapid and intensive due to the high altitudes and arid cold climate of the Tibetan Plateau. Based on multisource remote sensing data, including Landsat images, MOD10A2 snow product, ICESat, Cryosat‐2 altimetry data and long‐term ground climate observations, we analysed the dynamic changes of glaciers, snow melting and lake in the Paiku Co basin using extraction methods for glaciers and lake, the degree‐day model and the ice and lake volume method. The interaction among the climate, ice‐snow and the hydrological elements in Paiku Co is revealed. From 2000 to 2018, the basin tended to be drier, and rainfall decreased at a rate of −3.07 mm/a. The seasonal temperature difference in the basin increased, the maximum temperature increased at a rate of 0.02°C/a and the minimum temperature decreased at a rate of −0.06°C/a, which accelerated the melting from glaciers and snow at rates of 0.55 × 107 m3/a and 0.29 × 107 m3/a, respectively. The rate of contribution to the lake from rainfall, snow and glacier melted water was 55.6, 27.7 and 16.7%, respectively. In the past 18 years, the warmer and drier climate has caused the lake to shrink. The water level of the lake continued to decline at a rate of −0.02 m/a, and the lake water volume decreased by 4.85 × 108 m3 at a rate of −0.27 × 108 m3/a from 2000 to 2018. This evaluation is important for understanding how the snow and ice melting in the central Himalayas affect the regional water cycle.
Threshold effects in the relationship between financial development and income inequality
Authors: Chakroun Mohamed 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis paper investigates the existence of nonlinearities in the relationship between financial development and income inequality, using the instrumental variable threshold regression introduced by Caner and Hansen in2004. It is shown, on the basis of cross‐sectional data of 60 developed and developing countries, that there is a significant financial development threshold effect in the finance–inequality nexus. Particularly, our findings are consistent with the Greenwood and Jovanovic hypothesis of an inverted U‐shaped relationship between banking sector development and inequality. However, there is no evidence for an inverted U‐shaped relationship between stock market development and inequality. Besides, our estimates lead to inconclusive results regarding the impact of stock market development on income distribution in low‐ and lower‐middle‐income countries. Our results show that under the lower regime, the weight of the market is very light and its contribution to income distribution does not matter, whereas under the higher regime, market expansion leads to more inequity.
A Model‐Based Approach to Design, Organize, and Monitor Dismantling and Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities
Authors: Lafon Maxence , Chapurlat Vincent , Milot Jean‐François , Moitrier Cyril 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTDismantling and Decommissioning (D&D) of nuclear facilities involves complex operations, requiring various activities’ many stakeholders to collaborate, and must address numerous significant constraints. The CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission), is conducting research to better pilot these operations, reduce their costs and timeframes, and improve overall performance. However, many issues remain, leading to studying and implementing, in the form of a method with appropriate tools, systemic principles and complex project and systems engineering. This method first formalizes and specifies the entire requirement set to consider. Second, based on these requirements, the method will enable the project team to structure, check, and demonstrate the project's coherence and feasibility from both the technological and organizational viewpoints. Lastly, the method should permit a constant D&D strategy and product management re‐evaluation, depending on the possible D&D project evolution. Developing demonstration software aims to provide the functionalities requested for the design, and future enterprise software implementation and maintenance, which should provide a complete D&D project Digital Mock‐Up being interoperable and connected to the tools and databases of the stakeholders’ information systems.