bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of chemotherapy after curative esophagectomy in squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus: A propensity score‐matched analysis
Authors: Zhu Kai , Ren Peng , Yang Yueyang , Wang Ying , Xiao Wanyi , Zhang Hongdian , Yu Zhentao 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe efficacy of postoperative treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus has not yet been determined. In this retrospective study, we investigated whether postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (POCT) confers a survival benefit on patients who undergo curative esophagectomy.MethodsA total of 782 patients were enrolled in our study. The patients were divided into surgery alone (S) and surgery plus postoperative chemotherapy (S + POCT) groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to eliminate the differences in baseline characteristics. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), which was calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared with the log‐rank test. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify factors influencing the prognosis.ResultsOf 782 patients, 343 (43.9%) underwent S alone, and 439 (56.1%) underwent S + POCT before PSM. The five‐year OS rates were 42.3% and 47.8% in the S and S + POCT groups (p = 0.080), respectively. After PSM (296 patients per group), the five‐year OS rates were 48.7% and 56.2% in the S and S + POCT groups (p = 0.025), respectively. For different cycles of POCT, patients with more than three cycles had a better survival than those with less than three cycles. The significant predictive factors for OS were pN stage (HR = 1.861, 95% CI: 1.310–2.645, p = 0.001), number of dissected nodes (HR = 0.621, 95% CI: 0.494–0.781, p < 0.001) and POCT received (HR = 0.699, 95% CI: 0.559–0.875, p = 0.002), which were identified by multivariate Cox regression analyses in the matched samples.ConclusionsPOCT appears to improve the OS rate of patients with ESCC after resection, and at least four chemotherapy cycles are necessary. These conclusions warrant further confirmation in large‐scale multicenter randomized controlled trials.
Clinical‐radiological characteristics and intestinal microbiota in patients with pancreatic immune‐related adverse events
Authors: Tan Bei , Chen Min‐jiang , Guo Qi , Tang Hao , Li Yue , Jia Xin‐miao , Xu Yan , Zhu Liang , Wang Meng‐zhao , Qian Jia‐ming 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe pancreatic immune‐related adverse event (irAE) is a rare but increasingly occurrence disease with limited knowledge, which was associated with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).MethodsIn this case series study of pancreatic irAE patients, clinical and radiological manifestations are summarized. Baseline and post‐treatment fecal microbiota of immune‐related acute pancreatitis (irAP) patients were analyzed by the 16 s rDNA amplicon sequencing method.ResultsA total of six patients were enrolled into the study, and the onset of pancreatic irAEs occurred a median of 105 days after a median of 4.5 cycles with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). All patients had an effective response to ICIs. Abdominal pain was the main clinical manifestation. Serum amylase (sAMY) and lipase (sLIP) had dynamic changes parallel to clinical severity. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) did not accurately reveal the level of inflammation. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was a sensitive imaging method which showed decreased and increased signal intensity of pancreatic parenchyma in T1‐weighted fat‐saturated and diffusion‐weighted imaging, respectively. Glucocorticoids were the main treatment with a rapid initial effect followed by a slow improvement. After reinitiation of ICI therapy, pancreatic irAEs either deteriorated, remained stable or the patient developed severe pancreatic β‐cell destruction without irAP recurrence. The baseline microbiota of irAP had low Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio at phylum level, low relative abundance of Alistipes, Bacteroides and high Lachnospiraceae at genus level, compared to levels of pancreatic β‐cell destruction and post‐treatment of irAP.ConclusionsPancreatic irAE patients had corresponding abdominal pain and increase in sAMY/sLIP. MRI was found to be an ideal imaging modality. Treatment with glucocorticoids were the main approach. The microbiota showed relative changes at baseline and during treatment.
Changes in aqueous and vitreous inflammatory cytokine levels in diabetic macular oedema: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Minaker Samuel A. , Mason Ryan H. , Lahaie Luna Gabriela , Farahvash Armin , Garg Anubhav , Bhambra Nishaant , Bapat Priya , Muni Rajeev H. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDiabetic macular oedema (DME) is considered a chronic inflammatory disease associated with aberrations in many intraocular cytokines. Studies assessing the role of these cytokines as biomarkers in the diagnosis and management of DME have demonstrated inconsistent findings. We quantitatively summarized data related to 116 candidate aqueous and vitreous inflammatory cytokines as biomarkers in DME. A systematic search without year limitation was performed up to 19 October 2020. Studies were included if they provided data on aqueous or vitreous cytokine concentrations in patients with DME. Effect sizes were generated as standardized mean differences (SMDs) of cytokine concentrations between patients with DME and controls. Data were extracted from 128 studies that included 4163 study eyes with DME and 1281 control eyes. Concentrations (standard mean difference, 95% confidence interval and p‐value) of aqueous IL‐6 (1.28, 0.57–2.00, p = 0.004), IL‐8 (1.06, 0.74–1.39, p < 0.00001), MCP‐1 (1.36, 0.57–2.16, p = 0.0008) and VEGF (1.31, 1.01–1.62, p < 0.00001) and vitreous VEGF (2.27, 1.55–2.99, p < 0.00001) were significantly higher in patients with DME (n = 4163) compared to healthy controls (n = 1281). No differences, failed sensitivity analyses or insufficient data were found between patients with DME and healthy controls for the concentrations of the remaining cytokines. This analysis implicates multiple cytokine biomarker candidates other than VEGF in DME and clarifies previously reported inconsistent associations. As the therapeutic options for DME expand to include multiple agents with multiple targets, it will be critical to manage the treatment burden with tailored therapy that optimizes outcomes and minimizes treatment burden. Intraocular cytokines have the promise of providing a robust individualized assessment of disease status and response to therapy. We have identified key candidate cytokines that may serve as biomarkers in individualized treatment algorithms.
Examination of a brief computerized Cognitive Anxiety Sensitivity intervention on obsessive–compulsive symptoms
Authors: Raines Amanda M. , Koscinski Brandon , Mathes Brittany M. , Portero Amberly K. , Allan Nicholas P. , Schmidt Norman B. 
Published: May 2021

ObjectivesDespite the existence of several first‐line treatments for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), many patients fail to experience symptom reduction and/or do not complete treatment. As a result, the field has increasingly moved towards identifying and treating malleable underlying risk factors that may in turn improve treatment efficacy. One salient underlying risk factor, anxiety sensitivity (AS) cognitive concerns, has been found to be uniquely associated with obsessive–compulsive (OC) symptom dimensions. However, no studies have yet examined whether reductions in AS cognitive concerns will lead to subsequent reductions in OC symptoms.MethodsThe current study attempted to fill this gap by recruiting individuals reporting elevations on both AS cognitive concerns and at least one OC symptom dimension. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a one‐session AS cognitive concerns intervention (n = 35) or a single health information control session (n = 37). AS cognitive concerns were assessed at post‐intervention and one‐month follow‐up.ResultsThe active intervention produced significantly greater reductions in AS cognitive concerns post‐intervention than the control intervention. However, this effect was no longer significant at one‐month follow‐up. Further, while there was not an effect of treatment condition on OC symptoms at one‐month follow‐up, changes in AS cognitive concerns from baseline to post‐intervention mediated changes in OC symptoms at one‐month follow‐up.ConclusionsFindings support previous research attesting to the malleable nature of AS. Extending this research, findings provide initial support for the efficacy of AS interventions among individuals with elevated OC symptoms.Practitioner points

Clinicians should consider assessing anxiety sensitivity (AS) among patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder.

If elevated, clinicians should consider targeting AS as an adjunct to treatment as usual.
A prognostic immune risk score for diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Ma Shu‐Yun , Tian Xiao‐Peng , Cai Jun , Su Ning , Fang Yu , Zhang Yu‐Chen , Wang Jin‐Ni , Peter Gale Robert , Cai Qing‐Qing 
Published: May 2021

SummaryWe constructed a prognostic score for persons with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) based on infiltrating immune cells. Data of 956 consecutive subjects were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and assigned to training (GSE10846, n = 305) or validation (GSE87371 n = 206 and GSE117556 n = 445 combined) cohorts. Proportions of non‐lymphoma cells in the sample were inferred using the ESTIMATE algorithm. An immune risk score was constructed comprised of eight types of non‐lymphoma immune cells calculated using the CIBERSORT algorithm. Five‐year survival of subjects with an immune risk score ≤ 0·45 in the training cohort was better than that of subjects with a score > 0·45 (hazard ratio [HR] = 3·99; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2·74, 5·82; P < 0·001). HR in the validation cohort was HR = 2·17 (1·47, 3·21; P < 0·001). Enrichment analyses indicated correlations with genes controlling immune‐related biological processes and pathways. A nomogram comprised of the immune risk score and most covariates including age, lactate dehydrogenase concentration (LDH), lymphoma‐type (germinal centre B cell [GCB] versus non‐GCB), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG‐PS) and rituximab therapy had a C‐statistic of 0·76 compared with C‐statistics of 0·69 and 0·69 for the International Prognostic Index (IPI) and Revised International Prognostic Index (R‐IPI). These data indicate the immune risk score is an accurate, independent survival predictor in persons with DLBCL.
Community identification, social support, and loneliness: The benefits of social identification for personal well‐being
Authors: McNamara Niamh , Stevenson Clifford , Costa Sebastiano , Bowe Mhairi , Wakefield Juliet , Kellezi Blerina , Wilson Iain , Halder Moon , Mair Elizabeth 
Published: May 2021

Levels of loneliness across the world have reached epidemic proportions, and their impact upon population health is increasingly apparent. In response, policies and initiatives have attempted to reduce loneliness by targeting social isolation among residents of local communities. Yet, little is known about the social psychological processes underpinning the relationships between community belonging, loneliness, and well‐being. We report three studies which apply the Social Identity Approach to Health to examine the mechanisms underpinning the relationships between community identity, health, and loneliness. Hypotheses were tested through secondary analyses of the 2014–2015 UK Community Life Survey (N = 4,314) as well as bespoke household surveys in a more (N = 408) and less (N = 143) affluent community at high risk of loneliness. Studies 1 and 2a demonstrated that the relationship between community identification and well‐being was mediated by increased social support and reduced loneliness. In Study 2b, community identification predicted well‐being through reduced loneliness, but not through social support. Our results are the first to evidence these relationships and suggest that community‐level interventions that enhance community identification and peer support can promote a potential Social Cure for loneliness.
Use of a panel of four microRNAs in CSF as a predicted biomarker for postoperative neoangiogenesis in moyamoya disease
Authors: Wang Gang , Wen Yunyu , Chen Siyuan , Zhang Guozhong , Li Mingzhou , Zhang Shichao , Qi Songtao , Feng Wenfeng 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIntroduction and AimsAt present, the treatment for moyamoya disease (MMD) primarily consists of combined direct and indirect bypass surgery. Nevertheless, more than half of indirect bypass surgeries fail to develop good collaterals from the dura and temporal muscle. This study aimed to investigate whether microRNAs (miRNAs) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) could serve as biomarkers for the prediction of postoperative collateral formation.MethodsMoyamoya disease patients with indirect bypass surgery were divided into angiogenesis and non‐angiogenesis groups, CSF was obtained, and miRNA sequencing was performed using the CSF. Candidate miRNAs were filtered and subsequently verified through qRT‐PCR. The diagnostic utility of these differential miRNAs was investigated by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Finally, the potential biological processes and signaling pathways associated with candidate miRNAs were analyzed using R software.ResultsThe expression levels of four miRNAs (miR‐92a‐3p, miR‐486‐3p, miR‐25‐3p, and miR‐155‐5p) were significantly increased in the angiogenesis group. By combining these four miRNAs (area under the curve [AUC] =0.970), we established an accurate predictive model of collateral circulation after indirect bypass surgery in MMD patients. GO and KEGG analyses demonstrated a high correlation with biological processes and signaling pathways related to angiogenesis.ConclusionThe 4‐miRNA signature is a good model to predict angiogenesis after indirect bypass surgery and help the surgeon to select a appreciate bypass strategy.
BAPTA, a calcium chelator, neuroprotects injured neurons in vitro and promotes motor recovery after spinal cord transection in vivo
Authors: Kang Kyu‐ree , Kim Jin , Ryu Bokyeong , Lee Seul‐Gi , Oh Min‐Seok , Baek Jieun , Ren Xiaoping , Canavero Sergio , Kim C‐Yoon , Chung Hyung Min 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimDespite animal evidence of a role of calcium in the pathogenesis of spinal cord injury, several studies conducted in the past found calcium blockade ineffective. However, those studies involved oral or parenteral administration of Ca++ antagonists. We hypothesized that Ca++ blockade might be effective with local/immediate application (LIA) at the time of neural injury.MethodsIn this study, we assessed the effects of LIA of BAPTA (1,2‐bis (o‐aminophenoxy) ethane‐N, N, N′, N'‐tetraacetic acid), a cell‐permeable highly selective Ca++ chelator, after spinal cord transection (SCT) in mice over 4 weeks. Effects of BAPTA were assessed behaviorally and with immunohistochemistry. Concurrently, BAPTA was submitted for the first time to multimodality assessment in an in vitro model of neural damage as a possible spinal neuroprotectant.ResultsWe demonstrate that BAPTA alleviates neuronal apoptosis caused by physical damage by inhibition of neuronal apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. This translates to enhanced preservation of electrophysiological function and superior behavioral recovery.ConclusionThis study shows for the first time that local/immediate application of Ca++ chelator BAPTA is strongly neuroprotective after severe spinal cord injury.
Research biases create overrepresented “poster children” of marine invasion ecology
Authors: Watkins Hannah V. , Yan Helen F. , Dunic Jillian C. , Côté Isabelle M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractNonnative marine species are increasingly recognized as a threat to the world's oceans, yet are poorly understood relative to their terrestrial and freshwater counterparts. Here, we conducted a systematic review of 2,203 research articles on nonnative marine animals to determine whether the current literature reflects the known diversity of marine invaders, how much we know about these species, and how frequently their impacts are measured. We found that only 39% of nonnative animals listed in the World Register of Introduced Marine Species appeared in the peer‐reviewed English literature. Of those, fewer than half were the subject of more than one study. There is currently little focus on the consequences of marine introductions: only 9.9% of studies quantified the impact of nonnative species. Finally, our knowledge of nonnative marine species is heavily limited by strong taxonomic biases consistent across all phyla, resulting in one or two disproportionately well‐studied representatives for each phylum, which we refer to as the “poster children” of invasion. These gaps in the literature make it difficult to effectively triage the most detrimental invasive species for management and illustrate the challenges in achieving the global biodiversity goals of preventing and managing the introduction and establishment of invasive species.
PTH‐induced EndMT via miR‐29a‐5p/GSAP/Notch1 pathway contributed to valvular calcification in rats with CKD
Authors: Wang Liting , Tang Rining , Zhang Yuxia , Chen Sijie , Guo Yu , Wang Xiaochen , Liu Zixiao , Liu Hong , Zhang Xiaoliang , Liu Bi‐Cheng 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundEndothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a common pathophysiology in valvular calcification (VC) among non‐chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. However, few studies were investigated in CKD‐induced VC. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) was considered to be an important component of EndMT in CKD‐induced cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, determining whether PTH could induce valvular EndMT and elucidating corresponding mechanism involved further study.MethodsPerforming a 5/6 nephrectomy with a high phosphorus diet was done to construct VC models in rats with CKD. miRNA sequencing was used to ascertain changes in microRNA in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) intervened by PTH. VC was observed by Von Kossa staining and scanning electron microscope.ResultsPTH induced valvular EndMT in VC. Global microRNA expression profiling of HUVECs was examined in PTH versus the control in vitro, in which miR‐29a‐5p was most notably decreased and was resumed by PTHrP(7‐34) (PTH‐receptor1 inhibitor). Overexpression of miR‐29a‐5p could inhibit PTH‐induced EndMT in vitro and valvular EndMT in vivo. The dual‐luciferase assay verified that γ‐secretase‐activating protein (GASP) served as the target of miR‐29a‐5p. miR‐29a‐5p‐mimics, si‐GSAP and DAPT (γ‐secretase inhibitor) inhibited PTH‐induced γ‐secretase activation, thus blocking Notch1 pathway activation to inhibit EndMT in vitro. Moreover, Notch1 pathway activation was observed in VC. Blocking Notch1 pathway activation via AAV‐miR‐29a and DAPT inhibited valvular EndMT. In addition, blocking Notch1 pathway activation was also shown to alleviate VC.ConclusionPTH activates valvular EndMT via miR‐29a‐5p/GSAP/Notch1 pathway, which can contribute to VC in CKD rats.
Vertebrate responses to human land use are influenced by their proximity to climatic tolerance limits
Authors: Williams Jessica J. , Newbold Tim 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimLand‐use change leads to local climatic changes, which can induce shifts in community composition. Indeed, human‐altered land uses favour species able to tolerate greater temperature and precipitation extremes. However, environmental changes do not impact species uniformly across their distributions, and most research exploring the impacts of climatic changes driven by land use has not considered potential within‐range variation. We explored whether a population's climatic position (the difference between species' thermal and precipitation tolerance limits and the environmental conditions a population experiences) influences their relative abundance across land‐use types.LocationGlobal.MethodsUsing a global dataset of terrestrial vertebrate species and estimating their realized climatic tolerance limits, we analysed how the abundance of species within human‐altered habitats relative to that in natural habitats varied across different climatic positions (controlling for proximity to geographic range edge).ResultsA population's thermal position strongly influenced abundance within human‐altered land uses (e.g. agriculture). Where temperature extremes were closer to species' thermal limits, population abundances were lower in human‐altered land uses (relative to natural habitat) compared to areas further from these limits. These effects were generally stronger at tropical compared to temperate latitudes. In contrast, the influences of precipitation position were more complex and often differed between land uses and geographic zones. Mapping the outcome of models revealed strong spatial variation in the potential severity of decline for vertebrate populations following conversion from natural habitat to cropland or pasture, due to their climatic position.Main conclusionsWe highlight within‐range variation in species' responses to land use, driven (at least partly), by differences in climatic position. Accounting for spatial variation in responses to environmental changes is critical when predicting population vulnerability, producing successful conservation plans, and exploring how biodiversity may be impacted by future land‐use and climate change interactions.
Predicting the nationwide outmigration timing of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts along 12 degrees of latitude in Norway
Authors: Vollset Knut Wiik , Lennox Robert J. , Lamberg Anders , Skaala Øystein , Sandvik Anne Dagrun , Sægrov Harald , Kvingedal Eli , Kristensen Torstein , Jensen Arne Johan , Haraldstad Tormod , Barlaup Bjørn Torgeir , Ugedal Ola 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimAccurate predictions about transition timing of salmon smolts between freshwater and marine environments are key to effective management. We aimed to use available data on Atlantic salmon smolt migration to predict the emigration timing in rivers throughout Norway.LocationIn this study, we used outmigration timing data of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts from 41 rivers collected from 1984 to 2018 to make a predictive model for the timing of out‐migrating salmon smolts along 12 degrees latitude.MethodsSmolt migration data were collated from rivers where smolts are monitored with traps, video and tagging and matched to river‐specific metadata. Using a mixed‐effects generalized additive model, we tested for the effects of spatial location, air temperature, river flow and counting methods on the timing of 25% smolt emigration from rivers.ResultsAfter accounting for spatial effects and repeated measures (across years and among rivers), air temperature and counting method were significant drivers of the estimated timing of smolt emigration. In‐sample predictions yielded strong correlation with observed values, as did 10‐fold cross‐validation. Out‐of‐sample predictions suggested that the previous national estimates underestimated the migration timing in southern populations (linear model intercept = 39.73 days).ConclusionModel‐derived estimates of run timing can be used to more accurately predict the timing of outmigration in order to better calibrate environmental flows and regulate management of marine industries such as aquaculture that may affect migration success at this particularly sensitive life stage.