bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Statin therapy and postoperative short‐term mortality after rectal cancer surgery
Authors: Pourlotfi Arvid , Ahl Rebecka , Sjolin Gabriel , Forssten Maximilian Peter , Bass Gary A. , Cao Yang , Matthiessen Peter , Mohseni Shahin 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAimThis study aimed to assess the correlation between regular statin therapy and postoperative mortality following surgical resection for rectal cancer.MethodThis retrospective cohort study included all adult patients undergoing abdominal rectal cancer surgery in Sweden between January 2007 and September 2016. Data were gathered from the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry, a large population‐based prospectively collected registry. Statin users were defined as patients with one or more collected prescriptions of a statin within 12 months before the date of surgery. The statin‐positive and statin‐negative cohorts were matched by propensity scores based on baseline demographics.ResultsA total of 11 966 patients underwent surgical resection for rectal cancer, of whom 3019 (25%) were identified as statin users. After applying propensity score matching (1:1), 3017 pairs were available for comparison. In the matched groups, statin users demonstrated reduced 90‐day all‐cause mortality (0.7% vs. 5.5%, p < 0.001) and also showed significantly reduced cause‐specific mortality due to cardiovascular and respiratory events, as well as sepsis and multiorgan failure. The significant postoperative survival benefit of statin users was seen despite a higher rate of cardiovascular comorbidity.ConclusionPreoperative statin therapy displays a strong association with reduced postoperative mortality following surgical resection for rectal cancer. The results from the current study warrant further investigation to determine whether a causal relationship exists.
A Principled Approach to Feature Selection in Models of Sentence Processing
Authors: Smith Garrett , Vasishth Shravan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAmong theories of human language comprehension, cue‐based memory retrieval has proven to be a useful framework for understanding when and how processing difficulty arises in the resolution of long‐distance dependencies. Most previous work in this area has assumed that very general retrieval cues like [+subject] or [+singular] do the work of identifying (and sometimes misidentifying) a retrieval target in order to establish a dependency between words. However, recent work suggests that general, handpicked retrieval cues like these may not be enough to explain illusions of plausibility (Cunnings & Sturt, 2018), which can arise in sentences like The letter next to the porcelain plate shattered. Capturing such retrieval interference effects requires lexically specific features and retrieval cues, but handpicking the features is hard to do in a principled way and greatly increases modeler degrees of freedom. To remedy this, we use well‐established word embedding methods for creating distributed lexical feature representations that encode information relevant for retrieval using distributed retrieval cue vectors. We show that the similarity between the feature and cue vectors (a measure of plausibility) predicts total reading times in Cunnings and Sturt’s eye‐tracking data. The features can easily be plugged into existing parsing models (including cue‐based retrieval and self‐organized parsing), putting very different models on more equal footing and facilitating future quantitative comparisons.
A robust goal is needed for species in the Post‐2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
Authors: Williams Brooke A. , Watson James E.M. , Butchart Stuart H.M. , Ward Michelle , Brooks Thomas M. , Butt Nathalie , Bolam Friederike C. , Stuart Simon N. , Mair Louise , McGowan Philip J. K. , Gregory Richard , Hilton‐Taylor Craig , Mallon David , Harrison Ian , Simmonds Jeremy S. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn 2010, Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 to address the loss and degradation of nature. Subsequently, most biodiversity indicators continued to decline. Nevertheless, conservation actions can make a positive difference for biodiversity. The emerging Post‐2020 Global Biodiversity Framework has potential to catalyze efforts to “bend the curve” of biodiversity loss. Thus, the inclusion of a goal on species, articulated as Goal B in the Zero Draft of the Post‐2020 Framework, is essential. However, as currently formulated, this goal is inadequate for preventing extinctions, and reversing population declines; both of which are required to achieve the CBD's 2030 Mission. We contend it is unacceptable that Goal B could be met while most threatened species deteriorated in status and many avoidable species extinctions occurred. We examine the limitations of the current wording and propose an articulation with robust scientific basis. A goal for species that strives to end extinctions and recover populations of all species that have experienced population declines, and especially those at risk of extinction, would help to align actors toward the transformative actions and interventions needed for humans to live in harmony with nature.
A systematic review of illness perception interventions in type 2 diabetes: Effects on glycaemic control and illness perceptions
Authors: Alyami Mohsen , Serlachius Anna , O'Donovan Claire E. , van der Werf Bert , Broadbent Elizabeth 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAimsThis systematic review sought to synthesize the evidence regarding the effectiveness of illness perception interventions compared with control conditions at changing illness perceptions and improving glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes.MethodsSeven electronic databases were searched between October 2018 and May 2020. Randomized controlled trials that tested interventions informed by the Common‐Sense Model in adults with type 2 diabetes, and measured illness perceptions and glycaemic control at pre‐ and post‐intervention were included. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess risk of bias.ResultsA total of 4095 articles were identified, of which nine randomized control trials (2561 participants) across 12 publications were included in this review. Findings showed that all the illness perception domains were modified in at least one trial, with the exception of cyclical timeline perceptions. Coherence, personal control, treatment control and chronic timeline perceptions were the most frequently modified perceptions. Glycaemic control demonstrated an improvement in the intervention group compared to the control group at 3 and 6 months post‐intervention in two trials. Risk of bias assessment showed high risk of bias especially for the blinding of participants and the personnel domain.ConclusionsThere is limited evidence that interventions informed by the Common‐Sense Model can improve glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes through changing inaccurate illness perceptions. Recommendations for future research are to tailor intervention content based on baseline perceptions, measure the emotional and causal domains, and involve family members in the intervention. (PROSPERO registration: CRD42019114532).
Op‐Ed Writing Assignment in Supply Chain Management Courses
Authors: Kwon Hee Yoon , Zhang Jiayuan , Özpolat Koray , Lin Yufeng , Ng Adolf K.Y. 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTNewspaper op‐eds, dedicated to commentary essays from outside of a newspaper, function as a platform for the public to exchange opinions. We designed an op‐ed writing assignment as part of a semester‐long course project in global supply chain management (SCM). Student teams conducted research on a SCM topic, presented their findings in the classroom, and wrote an op‐ed for submission to a local or regional newspaper. This teaching brief describes the implementation of this assignment at a northeast U.S. university. The goals of this assignment were: (1) to educate students on how to write an op‐ed and (2) to educate students on how to publish their opinion articles. Insights on the benefits and challenges that students experienced from completing the op‐ed assignment are discussed. A description of a case‐based version of the op‐ed writing assignment used in a Canadian university is also provided.
Unmasking pulmonary hypertension following tricuspid valve replacement
Authors: Ajam Mustafa , Touma Rabih , Chehab Omar , Shokr Mohamed , Abidov Aiden 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this Viewpoint, we highlight a possible hemodynamic problem arising following tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) in patients with severe chronic tricuspid regurgitation, represented by “unmasking” of pulmonary hypertension (PH) following the surgery. We share an observation that should alert cardiologists to the fact that this increasingly utilized surgery is not risk free, and careful assessment of the right ventricular function and pulmonary circulation preoperatively is extremely important, especially in patients with preexisting risk factors for PH, since TVR may lead to a sudden increase in right ventricular afterload.
Integration of three‐dimensional echocardiography into the modern‐day echo laboratory
Authors: Hur David J. , Sugeng Lissa 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThree‐dimensional echocardiography (3DE) has emerged in recent decades from a conceptual, research tool to an important, useful imaging technique that can informatively impact daily clinical practice. However, its adoption into the modern‐day echo laboratory requires the acknowledgment of its value, coupled with proper leadership, education, and resources to implement and integrate its use with conventional echo techniques. 3DE integration involves important updates regarding equipment and patient selection, assimilation of 3D protocols into current clinical routine, laboratory workflow adaptation, storage, and reporting. This review will provide a practical blueprint and key points of how to integrate 3DE into today's echo laboratory, necessary resources to implement 3D workflow, logistical challenges that remain, and future directions to further improve assimilation of this relevant echo technique into the laboratory.
Limitations of the fasting proinsulin to insulin ratio as a measure of β‐cell health in people with and without impaired glucose tolerance
Authors: Egan Aoife M. , Laurenti Marcello C. , Hurtado Andrade Maria Daniela , Dalla Man Chiara , Cobelli Claudio , Bailey Kent R. , Vella Adrian 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe fasting proinsulin to insulin ratio is elevated in people with type 2 diabetes and has been suggested as a marker of β‐cell health. However, its utility in discriminating between individuals with varying degrees of β‐cell dysfunction is unclear. Proinsulin has a very different half‐life to insulin and unlike insulin does not undergo hepatic extraction prior to reaching the systemic circulation. Given these limitations, we sought to examine the relationship between fasting and postprandial concentrations of β‐cell polypeptides (proinsulin, insulin and C‐peptide) in people with normal and impaired glucose tolerance in differing metabolic environments.DesignSubjects were studied on two occasions in random order while undergoing an oral challenge. During one study day, free fatty acids were elevated (to induce insulin resistance) by infusion of Intralipid with heparin. Proinsulin to insulin and proinsulin to C‐peptide ratios were calculated for the 0‐, 30‐, 60‐ and 240‐minute time points. Insulin action (Si) and β‐cell responsivity (Φ) indices were calculated using the oral minimal model.ResultsThe fasting proinsulin to c‐peptide or fasting proinsulin to insulin ratios did not differ between groups and did not predict subsequent β‐cell responsivity to glucose during the glycerol or Intralipid study days in either group.ConclusionsAmong nondiabetic individuals, the fasting proinsulin to insulin ratio is not a useful marker of β‐cell function.
GDP‐network CoVaR: A tool for assessing growth‐at‐risk
Authors: De Meo Emanuele , Tizzanini Giacomo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe propose a tool to predict risks to economic growth and international business cycles spillovers: the gross domestic product (GDP)‐Network conditional value at risk (CoVaR). Our methodology to assess Growth‐at‐Risk is composed of two building blocks. In the first step, we apply a machine learning methodology, namely the network‐based NETS by Barigozzi and Brownlees, to identify significant linkages between pair of countries. In the second step, applying the CoVaR methodology by Adrian and Brunnermeier, and exploiting international statistics on trade flows and GDPs, we derive the entire distribution of Economic Growth spillover exposures at the bilateral, country and global level for different quantiles of tail events on economic growth. We find that Economic Growth Spillover probability distribution is time‐varying, left‐skewed and in some cases bi‐ or even multi‐modal. Second, we prove that our two‐step approach outperforms alternative one‐step quantile regression models in predicting risks to economic growth. Finally, we show that Global exposure to economic growth tail events is decreasing over time.
Intra‐amygdala metaplasticity modulation of fear extinction learning
Authors: Saha Rinki , Kriebel Martin , Anunu Rachel , Volkmer Hansjuergen , Richter‐Levin Gal 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe amygdala is a key brain region involved in emotional memory formation. It is also responsible for memory modulation in other brain areas. Under extreme conditions, amygdala modulation may lead to the generation of abnormal plasticity and trauma‐related psychopathologies. However, the amygdala itself is a dynamic brain region, which is amenable to long‐term plasticity and is affected by emotional experiences. These alterations may modify the way the amygdala modulates activity and plasticity in other related brain regions, which in turn may alter the animal's response to subsequent challenges in what could be termed as “Behavioral metaplasticity.”Because of the reciprocal interactions between the amygdala and other emotion processing regions, such as the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) or the hippocampus, experience‐induced intra‐amygdala metaplasticity could lead to alterations in mPFC‐dependent or hippocampus‐dependent behaviors. While initiated by alterations within the basolateral amygdala (BLA), such alterations in other brain regions may come to be independent of BLA modulation, thus establishing what may be termed “Trans‐regional metaplasticity.” In this article, we review evidence supporting the notions of intra‐BLA metaplasticity and how this may develop into “Trans‐regional metaplasticity.” Future research is needed to understand how such dynamic metaplastic alterations contribute to developing psychopathologies, and how this knowledge may be translated into promoting novel interventions in psychopathologies associated with fear, stress, and trauma.
Defining the course of tumefactive multiple sclerosis: A large retrospective multicentre study
Authors: Di Gregorio Maria , Torri Clerici Valentina Liliana Adriana , Fenu Giuseppe , Gaetani Lorenzo , Gallo Antonio , Cavalla Paola , Ragonese Paolo , Annovazzi Pietro , Gajofatto Alberto , Prosperini Luca , Landi Doriana , Nicoletti Carolina Gabri , Di Carmine Caterina , Totaro Rocco , Nociti Viviana , De Fino Chiara , Ferraro Diana , Tomassini Valentina , Tortorella Carla , Righini Isabella , Amato Maria Pia , Manni Alessia , Paolicelli Damiano , Iaffaldano Pietro , Lanzillo Roberta , Moccia Marcello , Buttari Fabio , Fantozzi Roberta , Cerqua Raffaella , Zagaglia Sara , Farina Deborah , De Luca Giovanna , Buscarinu Maria Chiara , Pinardi Federica , Cocco Eleonora , Gasperini Claudio , Solaro Claudio Marcello , Di Filippo Massimiliano 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackground and purposeTumefactive multiple sclerosis (TuMS) (i.e., MS onset presenting with tumefactive demyelinating lesions [TDLs]) is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. We performed a multicentre retrospective study to describe the clinical characteristics and the prognostic factors of TuMS.MethodsOne hundred two TuMS patients were included in this retrospective study. Demographic, clinical, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), laboratory data and treatment choices were collected.ResultsTuMS was found to affect women more than men (female:male: 2.4), with a young adulthood onset (median age: 29.5 years, range: 11–68 years, interquartile range [IQR]: 38 years). At onset, 52% of TuMS patients presented with the involvement of more than one functional system and 24.5% of them with multiple TDLs. TDLs most frequently presented with an infiltrative MRI pattern (38.7%). Cerebrospinal fluid immunoglobulin G oligoclonal bands were often demonstrated (76.6%). In 25.3% of the cases, more than one acute‐phase treatment was administered, and almost one‐half of the patients (46.6%) were treated with high‐efficacy treatments. After a median follow‐up of 2.3 years (range: 0.1–10.7 years, IQR: 3.4 years), the median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was 1.5 (range: 0–7, IQR: 2). Independent risk factors for reaching an EDSS score ≥3 were a higher age at onset (odds ratio [OR]: 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.14, p < 0.01), a higher number of TDLs (OR: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.02–2.74, p < 0.05) and the presence of infiltrative TDLs (OR: 3.34, 95% CI: 1.18–9.5, p < 0.001) at baseline.ConclusionsThe management of TuMS might be challenging because of its peculiar characteristics. Large prospective studies could help to define the clinical characteristics and the best treatment algorithms for people with TuMS.
Treatment of a congenital lateral patellar luxation by recession trochleoplasty in a donkey foal
Authors: Abu‐Seida A. M. , Shamaa A. A. 
Published: December 2020

SummaryThe present report describes the surgical treatment of a congenital lateral patellar luxation in a 6‐month‐old female donkey foal. The foal was presented with a slight crouched position, muscle atrophy, moderate lameness, reluctance to flex the right hindlimb at a walk and slight effusion of the right stifle joint. The foal responded painfully to the stifle flexion test. Irreducible lateral luxation of the right patella was confirmed on physical examination and radiography. The animal was treated surgically by recession trochleoplasty and imbrication of the medial joint capsule. The animal gradually improved after surgery, and good clinical results were reported after 6 months post‐operatively. In conclusion, congenital lateral luxation of the patella should be considered as a congenital cause of lameness in donkeys and surgical repair by recession trochleoplasty and medial imbrication of the joint capsule can be helpful to treat this problem.
Lessons From the Field: Developing and Implementing an Intervention for Jailed Parents and Their Children
Authors: Charles Pajarita , Kerr Margaret , Wirth Jennifer , Jensen Sarah , Massoglia Michael , Poehlmann‐Tynan Julie 
Published: December 2020

ObjectiveIn this Lesson from the Field, we describe an intervention designed by our transdisciplinary team focusing on opportunities for enhanced parent–child visits when a parent is incarcerated in jail. We present implementation challenges and lessons learned from our pilot feasibility study.BackgroundSeparation from one's parent because of incarceration has become an increasingly common experience for U.S. children, with one in 14 children experiencing a coresident parent leaving for prison or jail. Parental incarceration is associated with elevated risk for less optimal child development outcomes, yet few evidence‐based interventions are available to mitigate this risk.ExperienceOur field experience underscores knowledge about intervention development and lessons learned in four areas: (a) use of visit coaching with jailed parents and caregivers, (b) application of video chat technology, (c) serving families holistically, and (d) developing family‐focused services in jails.Conclusion and ImplicationsOur study highlights the value of integrating multiple perspectives, ensuring flexibility with families, combining technology with enhanced support strategies, and collaborating with community organizations and government agencies. The intervention can be implemented without extensive training and can be useful across different family professionals working with families involved in the criminal justice system.
Crystal and solution structure of NDRG1, a membrane‐binding protein linked to myelination and tumour suppression
Authors: Mustonen Venla , Muruganandam Gopinath , Loris Remy , Kursula Petri , Ruskamo Salla 
Published: December 2020

N‐myc downstream‐regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) is a tumour suppressor involved in vesicular trafficking and stress response. NDRG1 participates in peripheral nerve myelination, and mutations in the NDRG1 gene lead to Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth neuropathy. The 43‐kDa NDRG1 is considered as an inactive member of the α/β hydrolase superfamily. In addition to a central α/β hydrolase fold domain, NDRG1 consists of a short N terminus and a C‐terminal region with three 10‐residue repeats. We determined the crystal structure of the α/β hydrolase domain of human NDRG1 and characterised the structure and dynamics of full‐length NDRG1. The structure of the α/β hydrolase domain resembles the canonical α/β hydrolase fold with a central β sheet surrounded by α helices. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering and CD spectroscopy indicated a variable conformation for the N‐ and C‐terminal regions. NDRG1 binds to various types of lipid vesicles, and the conformation of the C‐terminal region is modulated upon lipid interaction. Intriguingly, NDRG1 interacts with metal ions, such as nickel, but is prone to aggregation in their presence. Our results uncover the structural and dynamic features of NDRG1, as well as elucidate its interactions with metals and lipids, and encourage studies to identify a putative hydrolase activity of NDRG1.DatabasesThe coordinates and structure factors for the crystal structure of human NDRG1 were deposited to PDB (PDB ID: 6ZMM).