bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Das medulläre Schilddrüsenkarzinom: Fokus systemische Therapie
Authors: Kiesewetter Barbara , Raderer Markus 
Published: October 2020

ZusammenfassungDas medulläre Schilddrüsenkarzinom (medullary thyroid cancer, MTC) stellt mit weniger als 5 % aller malignen Schilddrüsentumoren eine seltene Erkrankung dar. Während im lokalisierten und auch im oligometastatischen Setting die Chirurgie einen potenziell kurativen Therapieansatz bietet, sind die Möglichkeiten der zugelassenen systemischen Therapien bei inoperabel lokal fortgeschrittener oder metastasierter Erkrankung auch 2020 noch beschränkt. Derzeit stehen in Österreich zwei zugelassene Tyrosinkinaseinhibitoren (TKIs) zur Verfügung, Vandetanib und Cabozantinib, wobei deren Unterschiede und optimale Sequenzierung bis heute nur wenig untersucht wurden. Weitere Therapiekonzepte umfassen bei progredienter Erkrankung (wenn auch mit sehr niedriger Evidenz) klassische zytostatische Therapien, Peptid-Radio-Rezeptor-Therapie (PRRT) und zunehmend zielgerichtete Therapiekonzepte, wobei hier insbesondere RET-Inhibitoren bei Vorliegen einer entsprechenden Mutation sehr vielversprechend sind und gerade Einzug in die klinische Routine halten. Nicht zuletzt muss auch beachtet werden, dass das MTC selbst im metastasierten Setting oftmals einen nur langsam progredienten Verlauf aufweisen kann, sodass auch „active surveillance“ einen Teil des Managements darstellt. Der vorliegende Artikel gibt einen Überblick über etablierte Substanzen und neue therapeutische Konzepte.
The Final Act: Exploring the End of Pandemics
Authors: Paddeu Federica , Waibel Michael 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis Essay considers how adjudicators could determine the end of the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic. Considerable work examines the beginning and existence of pandemics and emergencies. By contrast, when either of these two phenomena end remains underexplored—creating legal uncertainty. This Essay reviews how pandemics as biological and social events end, considers how international bodies have approached the end of emergencies, and assesses what this might mean for adjudicators deciding on the end of the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic and related public health emergency.
The WHO—Destined to Fail?: Political Cooperation and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Benvenisti Eyal 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn this Essay, I argue that the World Health Organization (WHO) has not been equipped with the necessary authority to adequately fulfill its mission. The WHO was built on the mistaken assumption that attaining adequate global health is a matter of high-level coordination. However, the challenge of global health governance is, crucially, also one of complex political cooperation. I distinguish between different types of cooperation problems faced by the WHO and explain why achieving global health calls for intrusive powers by a governing authority—powers that the WHO does not enjoy.
The Perils of Pandemic Exceptionalism
Authors: Arato Julian , Claussen Kathleen , Heath J. Benton 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn response to the pandemic, most states have enacted special measures to protect national economies and public health. Many of these measures would likely violate trade and investment disciplines unless they qualify for one of several exceptions. This Essay examines the structural implications of widespread anticipated defenses premised on the idea of “exceptionalism.” It argues that the pandemic reveals the structural weakness of the exceptions-oriented paradigm of justification in international economic law.
Introduction to “The International Legal Order and the Global Pandemic”
Authors: Bradley Curtis A. , Helfer Laurence R. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis introduction provides an overview of thirteen essays selected in response to a worldwide call for papers for an Agora on “The International Legal Order and the Global Pandemic.” The essays in the Agora consider some of the most pressing challenges, as well as potential opportunities, that COVID-19 is creating for the international legal order. The specific topics addressed include the role of international organizations such as the World Health Organization, state responsibility, human rights, financial regulation, and international trade. Contributors were invited to address the theme from a historical, institutional, doctrinal, normative, critical, or geopolitical perspective, or a mix of perspectives.
Feasibility and impact of inverted classroom methodology for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic preparedness at an urban community hospital
Authors: Mena Lora Alfredo J. , Ali Mirza , Krill Candice , Borgetti Scott A. , Spencer Sherrie , Lavani Romeen , Takhsh Eden , Bleasdale Susan C. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractStrategies for pandemic preparedness and response are urgently needed for all settings. We describe our experience using inverted classroom methodology (ICM) for COVID-19 pandemic preparedness in a small hospital with limited infection prevention staff. ICM for pandemic preparedness was feasible and contributed to an increase in COVID-19 knowledge and comfort.
Unraveling the Black Mountain: Authoritarian Submission and Party Preference in Montenegro
Authors: Davidović Jovana 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWhy do some post-communist countries regularly experience democratic overturn of power while others do not? This article analyzes the role of authoritarianism, adopting a novel approach concentrating on three separate dimensions (authoritarian submission, conventionalism, authoritarian aggression). Examining Montenegro, a country that has not changed its incumbent government since the breakdown of communism, the article argues that authoritarian submission, which stands for an obedient relationship to a political authority, is a relevant factor for the domination of a single party—the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS). I test my assumptions using two surveys: the Montenegrin National Elections Study (2016) and a self-designed student survey. Notwithstanding the Montenegrin and Serb ethnic cleavage and economic preferences that remain significant for voting patterns, findings from both analyses confirm that submissive tendencies are important for voting behavior both for the national sample and for the educated young. This emphasizes the importance of psychological factors and the need to break submissive mindsets for successful democratic transformation in post-communist countries.
Accurate model for the ultra-relativistic interactions between laser beams and electrons
Authors: Popa Alexandru 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe present an accurate approach of the basic ultra-relativistic effects which occur at the interactions between laser beams and electrons and correspond to laser beam intensities greater than 1020 W/cm2. These effects are the generation of extremely bright pulses and the existence of a very large frequency spectrum of the radiation generated by this interaction, containing relative intense harmonics of orders higher than 800. Our results are in good agreement with the experimental results published in the literature.
Cancer obscures extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) at a tertiary hospital in Northern Malawi
Authors: Chisale M. R. O. , Sinyiza F. , Kaseka P. , Wu J. S. T. , Chimbatata C. , Mbakaya B. C. , Kamudumuli P. S. , Kayira A. B. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Data on the prevalence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) patients are limited in many African countries including Malawi. We conducted a retrospective review of all histology reports for cancer suspected patients at Mzuzu Central Hospital (MZCH) between 2013 and 2018 to determine the proportion of EPTB cases among cancer suspected patients and characterised them epidemiologically. All reports with inconclusive findings were excluded. In total, 2214 reports were included in the review, 47 of which reported EPTB, representing 2.1% (95% CI 1.6−2.8). The incidence of EPTB was significantly associated with sex, age and HIV status. Men were more than twice (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.2–3.9) as likely to have EPTB as women while those with HIV were more than six times (OR 6.4; 95% CI 1.7–24.8) as likely to have EPTB compared to those who were HIV-negative. EPTB demonstrated an inverse relationship with age. The highest proportion of EPTB was found from neck lymph nodes (10.3% (5.4–17.2)). A reasonable number of EPTB cases are diagnosed late or missed in Malawi's hospitals. There is a need for concerted efforts to increase EPTB awareness and likely come up with a policy to consider EPTB as a differential diagnosis in cancer suspected patients.
Fundamentals Matter: Forecasting the 2020 Democratic Presidential Nomination
Authors: Dowdle Andrew J. , Adkins Randall E. , Sebold Karen , Steger Wayne P. 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTPrevious studies used pre-primary variables (e.g., endorsements, national polls, and fundraising) and momentum variables from the Iowa and New Hampshire contests to predict presidential nomination outcomes. Yet, races with no elite favorite and no clear frontrunner in polls, such as in the 2020 Democratic race, are more difficult to forecast. We replicate and extend two forecasting models from 1980 to 2016 used by Dowdle et al. (2016) to predict the 2020 results. Our models suggest that Joe Biden may have been a stronger frontrunner than expected but that subsequent models may need to incorporate other early contests, such as the South Carolina primary. Overall, our results also argue that the fundamental factors in winning presidential nominations have remained relatively stable.
Free trade and the environment – evidence from Chinese cities
Authors: Zhang Yunzhi 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis paper studies the impact of trade openness and the proportion of exporters on environmental quality through the scale, composition and technique effects from 1998 to 2007 using firm- and city-level data for 287 Chinese cities. Our results reveal that, on average, trade openness has a detrimental impact on the environment in Chinese cities, but this impact remains heterogeneous across regions. A higher proportion of exporters improves the environment in central and eastern cities while generating nevertheless more pollution in western cities. As regards the sector-specific impact, we find that the higher proportion of exporters in the mining and less-polluting manufacturing sectors in eastern cities diminishes the emissions of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5). Our finding also suggests that a pollution haven effect emerges in China at the city level. Finally, our results confirm the presence of an environmental Kuznets curve effect for the PM2.5 pollutant across Chinese cities.
Luminous Crown Residual Vs. Bright Space Segment: Characteristical Structures for the Intermittent Positive and Negative Leaders of Triggered Lightning
Authors: Jiang Rubin , Qie Xiushu , Li ZongXiang , Zhang Hongbo , Li Xiao , Yuan Shanfeng , Liu Mingyuan , Sun Zhuling , Srivastava Abhay , Liu Minzhi , Ma Zilong , Lv Guanlin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe identify and investigate the intermittent propagation of upward positive and negative leaders in rocket‐triggered lightning based on comprehensive observations of fine time‐resolved optical, current, and electromagnetic fields. There is an abrupt luminous crown blooming due to the achievement of a positive leader step, after which the channel weakens and the head degrades. During the positive leader pausing, residual structure is recognized at area of previous luminous crown blooming, in the form of a floating segment. Our observation point to a possible mechanism that it connects with the positive leader head, causing a forward‐step and a sharp current pulse. This is to some extent similar to negative leader stepping, in which the space leader emerges and connection between the space leader and the channel head occurs. The generation of clustered space leaders give rise to negative channel branching, but the residual structure in positive leader just leads to individual step.
A multicenter prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled phase II/III trial for preemptive acute graft-versus-host disease therapy
Authors: Weissinger Eva M. , Metzger Jochen , Schleuning Michael , Schmid Christoph , Messinger Diethelm , Beutel Gernot , Wagner-Drouet Eva-Maria , Schetelig Johannes , Baurmann Herrad , Rank Andreas , Stolzl Friedrich , Schäfer-Eckart Kerstin , Westphal Karin , Bethge Wolfgang , von Harsdorf S. , Bunjes Donald W. , Heidenreich Daniela , Klein Stefan , Holler Ernst , Kreipe Hans H. , Jonigk Danny , Türüchanow Irina , Raad Julia , Papkalla Armin , von der Leyen Heiko , Hambach Lothar , Hamwi Iyas , Ehrlich Steve , Krauter Jurgen , Stadler Michael , Ganser Arnold 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAcute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) contributes to about 50% of transplant-related mortality (non-relapse mortality) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Here the predictive value of a urinary proteomic profile (aGvHD_MS17) was tested together with preemptive prednisolone therapy. Two-hundred and fifty-nine of 267 patients were eligible for analysis. Ninety-two patients were randomized upon aGvHD_MS17 classification factor above 0.1 to receive either prednisolone (2–2.5 mg/kg, N = 44) or placebo (N = 47; N = 1 randomization failure) for 5 days followed by tapering. The remaining 167 patients formed the observation group. The primary endpoint of the randomized trial was incidence of aGvHD grade II between randomization and day +100 post HSCT. Analysis of the short-term preemptive prednisolone therapy in the randomized patients showed no significant difference in incidence or severity of acute GvHD (HR: 1.69, 95% CI: 0.66–4.32, P = 0.27). Prednisolone as preemptive treatment did not lead to an increase in relapse (20.2% in the placebo and 14.0% in the prednisolone group (P = 0.46)). The frequency of adverse events was slightly higher in the placebo group (64.4% versus 50%, respectively). Taken together, the results of the Pre-GvHD trial demonstrated the feasibility and safety of preemptive prednisolone treatment in the randomized patients.
Photoreceptor protection by mesenchymal stem cell transplantation identifies exosomal MiR-21 as a therapeutic for retinal degeneration
Authors: Deng Chun-Lei , Hu Cheng-Biao , Ling Sheng-Tao , Zhao Na , Bao Li-Hui , Zhou Feng , Xiong Ye-Cheng , Chen Tao , Sui Bing-Dong , Yu Xiao-Rui , Hu Cheng-Hu 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPhotoreceptor apoptosis is recognized as one key pathogenesis of retinal degeneration, the counteraction of which represents a promising approach to safeguard visual function. Recently, mesenchymal stem cell transplantation (MSCT) has demonstrated immense potential to treat ocular disorders, in which extracellular vesicles (EVs), particularly exosomes, have emerged as effective ophthalmological therapeutics. However, whether and how MSCT protects photoreceptors against apoptotic injuries remains largely unknown. Here, we discovered that intravitreal MSCT counteracted photoreceptor apoptosis and alleviated retinal morphological and functional degeneration in a mouse model of photoreceptor loss induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). Interestingly, effects of MSCT were inhibited after blockade of exosomal generation by GW4869 preconditioning. Furthermore, MSC-derived exosomal transplantation (EXOT) effectively suppressed MNU-provoked photoreceptor injury. Notably, therapeutic efficacy of MSCT and EXOT on MNU-induced retinal degeneration was long-lasting as photoreceptor preservance and retinal maintenance were detected even after 1–2 months post to injection for only once. More importantly, using a natural occurring retinal degeneration model caused by a nonsense mutation of Phosphodiesterase 6b gene (Pde6bmut), we confirmed that MSCT and EXOT prevented photoreceptor loss and protected long-term retinal function. In deciphering therapeutic mechanisms regarding potential exosome-mediated communications, we identified that miR-21 critically maintained photoreceptor viability against MNU injury by targeting programmed cell death 4 (Pdcd4) and was transferred from MSC-derived exosomes in vivo for functional regulation. Moreover, miR-21 deficiency aggravated MNU-driven retinal injury and was restrained by EXOT. Further experiments revealed that miR-21 mediated therapeutic effects of EXOT on MNU-induced photoreceptor apoptosis and retinal dysfunction. These findings uncovered the efficacy and mechanism of MSCT-based photoreceptor protection, indicating exosomal miR-21 as a therapeutic for retinal degeneration.
RNF180 mediates STAT3 activity by regulating the expression of RhoC via the proteasomal pathway in gastric cancer cells
Authors: Wu Zizhen , Liu Huifang , Sun Weilin , Du Yingxin , He Wenting , Guo Shiwei , Chen Liqiao , Zhao Zhenzhen , Wang Pengliang , Liang Han , Deng Jingyu 
Published: October 2020

AbstractRing finger protein 180 (RNF180) is an important member of the E3 ubiquitin ligase family. As a tumor suppressor gene, RNF180 is significantly associated with the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer (GC) and can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of GC cells. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) are considered one of the most common oncogenes in human cancers with a key role in GC progression. In this study, we explored the molecular signaling pathways by which RNF180 could potentially regulate STAT3 through transcriptomics and proteomics experiments. Here, we found RNF180 overexpression could suppress STAT3 phosphorylation in GC cells. Ubiquitin label-free experiments showed that the ubiquitination level of Ras homolog gene family member C (RhoC) is significantly increased in GC cells transfected with an RNF180 expression vector (RNF180-GFP vector) compared with cells transfected with an empty vector (vehicle vector). We subsequently demonstrated that RNF180 could directly combine with RhoC and promote the ubiquitination and degradation of RhoC protein in GC cells. The phosphorylation level of STAT3 significantly decreased in GC cells after RhoC knockdown using small hairpin RNA (shRNA). Together, these results reveal RNF180 could inhibit GC progression by reducing the phosphorylation of STAT3 via the ubiquitination and degradation of RhoC protein in GC cells. Thus, the protein may be considered a novel therapeutic target for patients with GC.
The differential immune responses to COVID-19 in peripheral and lung revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing
Authors: Xu Gang , Qi Furong , Li Hanjie , Yang Qianting , Wang Haiyan , Wang Xin , Liu Xiaoju , Zhao Juanjuan , Liao Xuejiao , Liu Yang , Liu Lei , Zhang Shuye , Zhang Zheng 
Published: October 2020

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanism that leads to immune dysfunction in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is crucial for the development of effective treatment. Here, using single-cell RNA sequencing, we characterized the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from uninfected controls and COVID-19 patients and cells in paired broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF). We found a close association of decreased dendritic cells (DCs) and increased monocytes resembling myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), which correlated with lymphopenia and inflammation in the blood of severe COVID-19 patients. Those MDSC-like monocytes were immune-paralyzed. In contrast, monocyte-macrophages in BALFs of COVID-19 patients produced massive amounts of cytokines and chemokines, but secreted little interferons. The frequencies of peripheral T cells and NK cells were significantly decreased in severe COVID-19 patients, especially for innate-like T and various CD8+ T cell subsets, compared to healthy controls. In contrast, the proportions of various activated CD4+ T cell subsets among the T cell compartment, including Th1, Th2, and Th17-like cells were increased and more clonally expanded in severe COVID-19 patients. Patients’ peripheral T cells showed no sign of exhaustion or augmented cell death, whereas T cells in BALFs produced higher levels of IFNG, TNF, CCL4, CCL5, etc. Paired TCR tracking indicated abundant recruitment of peripheral T cells to the severe patients’ lung. Together, this study comprehensively depicts how the immune cell landscape is perturbed in severe COVID-19.
Prosociality predicts labor market success around the world
Authors: Kosse Fabian , Tincani Michela M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA large literature points to the importance of prosociality for the well-being of societies and individuals. However, most of this work is based on observations from western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) societies, questioning the generalizability of these findings. Here we present a global investigation of the relation between prosociality and labor market success. Our analysis uses experimentally validated measures of prosociality and is based on about 80,000 individuals in 76 representative country samples. We show a sizable and robust positive relation between prosociality and labor market success around the world that does not systematically differ across continents or by countries’ economic development. These findings generalize the positive relation between prosociality and labor market success to a wide geographical context.
A sandwich-type cluster containing Ge@Pd3 planar fragment flanked by aromatic nonagermanide caps
Authors: Xu Hong-Lei , Tkachenko Nikolay V. , Wang Zi-Chuan , Chen Wei-Xing , Qiao Lei , Muñoz-Castro Alvaro , Boldyrev Alexander I. , Sun Zhong-Ming 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSandwich-type clusters with the planar fragment containing a heterometallic sheet have remained elusive. In this work, we introduce the [K(2,2,2-crypt)]4{(Ge9)2[η6-Ge(PdPPh3)3]} complex that contains a heterometallic sandwich fragment. The title compound is structurally characterized by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which reveals the presence of an unusual heteroatomic metal planar fragment Ge@Pd3. The planar fragment contains a rare formal zerovalent germanium core and a peculiar bonding mode of sp2-Ge@(PdPPh3)3 trigonal planar structure, whereas the nonagermanide fragments act as capping ligands. The chemical bonding pattern of the planar fragment consists of three 2c-2e Pd-Ge σ-bonds attaching Pd atoms to the core Ge atom, while the binding between the planar fragment and the aromatic Ge9 ligands is provided by six 2c-2e Pd-Ge σ-bonds and two delocalized 4c-2e σ-bonds. The synthesized cluster represents a rare example of a sandwich compound with the heteroatomic metal planar fragment and inorganic aromatic capping ligands.
Deep learning-assisted comparative analysis of animal trajectories with DeepHL
Authors: Maekawa Takuya , Ohara Kazuya , Zhang Yizhe , Fukutomi Matasaburo , Matsumoto Sakiko , Matsumura Kentarou , Shidara Hisashi , Yamazaki Shuhei J. , Fujisawa Ryusuke , Ide Kaoru , Nagaya Naohisa , Yamazaki Koji , Koike Shinsuke , Miyatake Takahisa , Kimura Koutarou D. , Ogawa Hiroto , Takahashi Susumu , Yoda Ken 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA comparative analysis of animal behavior (e.g., male vs. female groups) has been widely used to elucidate behavior specific to one group since pre-Darwinian times. However, big data generated by new sensing technologies, e.g., GPS, makes it difficult for them to contrast group differences manually. This study introduces DeepHL, a deep learning-assisted platform for the comparative analysis of animal movement data, i.e., trajectories. This software uses a deep neural network based on an attention mechanism to automatically detect segments in trajectories that are characteristic of one group. It then highlights these segments in visualized trajectories, enabling biologists to focus on these segments, and helps them reveal the underlying meaning of the highlighted segments to facilitate formulating new hypotheses. We tested the platform on a variety of trajectories of worms, insects, mice, bears, and seabirds across a scale from millimeters to hundreds of kilometers, revealing new movement features of these animals.