bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of upper tract urothelial carcinoma on response to BCG in patients with non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Bree Kelly K. , Hensley Patrick J. , Brooks Nathan A. , Matulay Justin , Li Roger , Nogueras Gonzalez Graciela M. , Navai Neema , Grossman Herbert Barton , Matin Surena F. , Dinney Colin P. N. , Kamat Ashish M. 
Published: January 2021

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) on bacillus Calmette‐Guerin (BCG) response and progression in patients with non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).Patients and MethodsWe performed an institutional review board‐approved review of patients with NMIBC treated with adequate intravesical BCG, as defined by the US Food and Drug Administration, at our institution between 2000 and 2018. Patients were stratified by presence of any UTUC and time of UTUC diagnosis (preceding vs synchronous to NMIBC diagnosis or metachronous disease after NMIBC diagnosis). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data overall and by groups, and t‐tests or Wilcoxon’s rank sum tests and Pearson’s chi‐squared or Fisher’s exact tests were used to analyse continuous and categorical data, respectively.ResultsOf 541 patients with NMIBC treated with adequate BCG, 59 (10.9 %) were diagnosed with UTUC. Of these, 34 had a history of UTUC prior to NMIBC (UTUC‐P; median [interquartile range {IQR}] 13.1 [7.4–27.6] months prior), while 25 developed UTUC after diagnosis of NMIBC (six synchronous and 19 metachronous; median [IQR] 12.1 [1.7–28.1] months after). Compared to the non‐UTUC group, patients with UTUC‐P were more likely to exhibit Tis without papillary tumour in the bladder (20.6% vs 5.0%; P < 0.001), but were less likely to have T1 disease on index transurethral resection (8.8% vs 49.4%; P < 0.001). Patients with UTUC‐P developed more recurrences (55.9% vs 34.0%; P = 0.010), any stage/grade progression (23.5% vs 9.8%; P = 0.012) and progression to muscle‐invasive or metastatic disease (17.6% vs 6.4%; P = 0.014). The presence of high‐grade UTUC‐P compared to low‐grade UTUC‐P was associated with increased NMIBC recurrence (68.2% vs 25.0%; P = 0.049). There was no significant difference in rates of recurrence or progression based on timing of UTUC with respect to the index bladder tumour, although this analysis was limited by small numbers.ConclusionsPresence of UTUC prior to a diagnosis of NMIBC was associated with an almost twofold increased recurrence and progression rates after adequate BCG therapy. This should be considered when counselling patients and designing cohorts for clinical trials.
Long‐term monitoring of seed dispersal by Asian elephants in a Sundaland rainforest
Authors: Tan Wei Harn , Hii Adeline , Solana‐Mena Alicia , Wong Ee Phin , Loke Vivienne P. W. , Tan Ange S. L. , Kromann‐Clausen Anders , Hii Ning , bin Pura Param , bin Tunil Muhamad Tauhid , A/L Din Sudin , Chin Chiew Foan , Campos‐Arceiz Ahimsa 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAsian elephants (Elephas maximus) have inhabited almost all forests in tropical Asia until recently, yet little is known about their role in ecological processes, particularly in the Sundaic forests of South‐East Asia. These forests are peculiar in their phenology, with supra‐annual and highly irregular episodes of mast fruiting. Here, we present a long‐term (6‐year) monitoring of the seeds dispersed by elephants in dipterocarp forests of northern Peninsular Malaysia. We conducted monthly dung surveys at two mineral licks (11.3 km apart) frequently visited by elephants. Additionally, we recorded haphazard observations of seeds and seedlings in elephant dung at other locations. We recorded a minimum of 48 morphospecies from at least 25 plant families dispersed by elephants. Elephant seed dispersal was very heterogenous in space, with only 30.3% of the morphospecies dispersed at both sites (Jaccard dissimilarity index = 0.48). Temporally, elephants dispersed seeds in sporadic pulses of abundance and diversity, without any apparent seasonality (seeds appeared in 19.1% of 1,284 dung piles and 57.1% of the 63 months in which we found dung) and with long periods without any seed being dispersed. Nearly half (48%) of the plants dispersed by elephants belong to a megafaunal dispersal syndrome. Our long‐term approach allowed us to unravel an important aspect of Asian elephants’ role and effectiveness in the seed dispersal cycle. Sundaland's forests are undergoing a rapid loss of their previously common megaherbivores (rhinos and elephants), with profound and long‐term consequences for ecosystem functioning.Abstract in Malay is available with online material.
Conservation resource allocation, small population resiliency, and the fallacy of conservation triage
Authors: Wiedenfeld David A. , Alberts Allison C. , Angulo Ariadne , Bennett Elizabeth L. , Byers Onnie , Contreras‐MacBeath Topiltzin , Drummond Gláucia , da Fonseca Gustavo A. B. , Gascon Claude , Harrison Ian , Heard Nicolas , Hochkirch Axel , Konstant William , Langhammer Penny F. , Langrand Olivier , Launay Frederic , Lebbin Daniel J. , Lieberman Susan , Long Barney , Lu Zhi , Maunder Michael , Mittermeier Russell A. , Molur Sanjay , Khalifa al Mubarak Razan , Parr Michael J. , Ratsimbazafy Jonah , Rhodin Anders G. J. , Rylands Anthony B. , Sanderson Jim , Sechrest Wes , Soorae Pritpal , Supriatna Jatna , Upgren Amy , Vié Jean‐Christophe , Zhang Li 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSome conservation prioritization methods are based on the assumption that conservation needs overwhelm current resources and not all species can be conserved; therefore, a conservation triage scheme (i.e., when the system is overwhelmed, species should be divided into three groups based on likelihood of survival, and efforts should be focused on those species in the group with the best survival prospects and reduced or denied to those in the group with no survival prospects and to those in the group not needing special efforts for their conservation) is necessary to guide resource allocation. We argue that this decision‐making strategy is not appropriate because resources are not as limited as often assumed, and it is not evident that there are species that cannot be conserved. Small population size alone, for example, does not doom a species to extinction; plants, reptiles, birds, and mammals offer examples. Although resources dedicated to conserving all threatened species are insufficient at present, the world's economic resources are vast, and greater resources could be dedicated toward species conservation. The political framework for species conservation has improved, with initiatives such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and other international agreements, funding mechanisms such as The Global Environment Facility, and the rise of many nongovernmental organizations with nimble, rapid‐response small grants programs. For a prioritization system to allow no extinctions, zero extinctions must be an explicit goal of the system. Extinction is not inevitable, and should not be acceptable. A goal of no human‐induced extinctions is imperative given the irreversibility of species loss.
Adhesion molecules as diagnostic and severity biomarkers in pediatric community‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: Tanır Basaranoglu Sevgen , Ozsurekci Yasemin , Aykac Kubra , Iyigun Irem , Satirer Ozlem , Akin Mustafa Senol , Ceyhan Mehmet 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundDiscrimination of the cases with severe and mild pneumonia is crucial due to the requirement of hospitalization, additional management, and treatment protocols. We aimed to analyze the role of IL6 (Interleukin), IL8, IL10, VCAM‐1 (soluble Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule), and sSELE (soluble E‐selectin) in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP).MethodsPediatric patients with severe pneumonia (SP) were hospitalized and patients with mild disease (MP) were treated in the community. IL6, IL8, IL10, VCAM‐1, and sSELE levels of the patients were investigated and compared with the age‐ and gender‐matched healthy subjects.ResultsA total of 113 patients fulfilling the criteria for a diagnosis of CAP were enrolled in the study, 62 (54.8%) of which had SP and 51 (45%) had MP. MP and SP groups were significantly different in terms of IL8, IL10, and sSELE levels. Patients with SP and MP had significantly different WBC, ESR, and CRP values, as well.ConclusionsBesides classical acute phase parameters, inflammatory response parameters such as IL6 and VCAM‐1 levels may be helpful in diagnosis of pneumonia. In terms of determination of disease severity in pediatric CAP, systemic inflammatory markers like IL8 and IL10 and adhesion molecules like sSELE seem useful in clinical settings.
Ivabradine plus conventional treatment vs conventional treatment alone in reducing the mean heart rate in heart transplant recipients: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: dos Santos Carolina Casadei , Rossi Neto Joao Manoel , Finger Marco Aurelio , Timerman Ari , Contreras Carlos , Chaccur Paulo 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe absence of afferent nerves for heart rate (HR) regulation leaves the transplanted heart under the influence of its internal and hormonal control. The HR of heart transplantation (HTx) recipients varies from to 90–110 bpm, indicating a lack of vagal parasympathetic tone. We hypothesized that the reduction in mean HR using an If‐channel antagonist (ivabradine) could be effective and safe in HTx recipients. The primary objective of this open‐label randomized clinical trial was to compare the mean HR at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months after randomization between an ivabradine plus conventional treatment group (IG) and conventional treatment alone group (CG). The secondary objectives were reduction in mortality, graft dysfunction, and ventricular mass. All patients were randomized between 1 and 12 months after HTx. Ivabradine started at randomization. Of the 35 patients, 54.28% were in the CG and 45.72% in the IG. There were no significant between‐group differences in demographics. Over time, the HR differences between the groups became significant (P < .01). There were no significant between‐group differences in mortality, graft dysfunction, and ventricular mass. We conclude that ivabradine could effectively and consistently reduce the HR in HTx recipients.
Service‐Level Agreement with Dynamic Inventory Policy: The Effect of the Performance Review Period and the Incentive Structure
Authors: Hosseinifard Zahra , Shao Lusheng , Talluri Srinivas 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACTPerformance measures are often outlined in the section of the service‐level agreement (SLA) of the contract between a supplier and a retailer. They are monitored periodically, and penalty and/or bonus payments are imposed in each performance review period, according to the SLA clauses. Previous studies have mostly considered a static inventory policy in analyzing SLAs. However, in practice, the supplier may have an opportunity to adjust the stock level in each inventory review period, according to the observed performance. This study analyzes the dynamic stocking decision for a supplier facing an SLA where the supplier sells a single product to the retailer. The ready rate is used to measure the performance in an SLA. To this end, models for both lump‐sum and linear penalty/bonus structures are developed, and the optimal stocking decisions for a strategic supplier are calculated using the stochastic dynamic programming approach. The results are then compared with the optimal static inventory policy, and new insights are derived to efficiently design an inventory system for the suppliers that are subject to service‐level incentives. In addition, we investigate the impact of SLA parameters—such as the length of the performance review period and incentive structures—on a supplier's performance, with the probability of meeting or exceeding the target service levels and the supplier's cost. We also consider the impact of demand distribution and inventory holding costs. Results show that under lump‐sum incentives, a longer performance review period benefits both the supplier and the buyer, given that the average ready rate increases with less variability as the length of the performance review period increases, leading to decrements in the supplier's total costs. In this scenario, there is a higher chance of gaining bonuses/avoiding penalties for a strategic supplier who adopts a dynamic inventory policy. On the other hand, under linear incentives, the impact of the performance review period on the supplier's cost and the performance measure (i.e., ready rate) is complicated and depends on the magnitude of the holding cost and the bonus and/or penalty structure of the contract. Under this scheme, the performance of a static inventory policy is highly dependent on the holding cost because a high holding cost may lead to failure to meet the contract requirements in terms of the service level.
“Look! It is not a bamoule!”: 18‐ and 24‐month‐olds can use negative sentences to constrain their interpretation of novel word meanings
Authors: de Carvalho Alex , Crimon Cécile , Barrault Axel , Trueswell John , Christophe Anne 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTwo word‐learning experiments were conducted to investigate the understanding of negative sentences in 18‐ and 24‐month‐old children. In Experiment 1, after learning that bamoule means “penguin” and pirdaling means “cartwheeling,” 18‐month‐olds (n = 48) increased their looking times when listening to negative sentences rendered false by their visual context (“Look! It is not a bamoule!” while watching a video showing a penguin cartwheeling); however, they did not change their looking behavior when negative sentences were rendered true by their context (“Look! It is not pirdaling!” while watching a penguin spinning). In Experiment 2, 24‐month‐olds (n = 48) were first exposed to a teaching phase in which they saw a new cartoon character on a television (e.g., a blue monster). Participants in the affirmative condition listened to sentences like “It's a bamoule!” and participants in the negative condition listened to sentences like “It's not a bamoule!.” At test, all participants were asked to find the bamoule while viewing two images: the familiar character from the teaching phase versus a novel character (e.g., a red monster). Results showed that participants in the affirmative condition looked more to the familiar character (i.e., they learned the familiar character was a bamoule) than participants in the negative condition. Together, these studies provide the first evidence for the understanding of negative sentences during the second year of life. The ability to understand negative sentences so early might support language acquisition, providing infants with a tool to constrain the space of possibilities for word meanings.
Brucellosis aortitis: An interesting case
Authors: Joghataie Pegah , Salahi Sarvenaz , Hosseini Leila , Rezaeian Nahid 
Published: January 2021

AbstractA 24‐year‐old woman referred to our radiology department with the diagnosis of new positive blood culture brucellosis and severe aortic regurgitation for evaluation of periaortic thickening. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging elegantly revealed the presence of active aortitis, most probably caused by brucellosis.
Left ventricular and atrial global strain evaluation within subtypes of ventricular remodeling
Authors: Espinola‐Zavaleta Nilda , Antonio‐Villa Neftali Eduardo , Briseño‐Diaz Nidia , Oregel‐Camacho Diego , Camacho‐Camacho Gyselle , Keirns Candace , Alexanderson‐Rosas Erick 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundLeft ventricular hypertrophy is associated with poor prognosis and adverse events. Left ventricular and left atrial global strain and left atrial reservoir strain (LV‐GS; LA‐GS; LA‐RS) could be used as markers for myocardial function in different ventricular remodeling forms. This study aimed to evaluate LV‐GS and LA‐GS scores in different ventricular remodeling variants and identify risk factors for myocardial dysfunction.Methods and ResultsThis cross‐sectional study was divided into four groups of ventricular remodeling: normal geometry, eccentric hypertrophy (EH), concentric hypertrophy (CH), and concentric remodeling (CR). Strain analysis was obtained using standardized protocols.We included 121 subjects, 33 with previous myocardial infarction (MI). We found that EH had the lowest LV‐GS and CH, the lowest LA‐GS, and LA‐RS. Atrial and ventricular dysfunction was present in 40 (33%) and 14 (11.5%) subjects, respectively. Smoking, male sex, and previous MI were associated with LV dysfunction and smoking and dyslipidemia with LA dysfunction; EH was closely associated with LV dysfunction and CH with LA dysfunction.ConclusionsWe conclude that different ventricular geometry types had echocardiographic profiles associated with different risk factors for dysfunction assessed by strain. The assessment of ventricular remodeling by global strain could be used as a complementary tool in the echocardiographic evaluation of ventricular and atrial function.
Integrated care and outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation and comorbidities
Authors: Proietti Marco , Vitolo Marco , Lip Gregory Y. H. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundIntegrated care for management of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients has been associated with a reduction in adverse events. The ‘Atrial fibrillation Better Care (ABC) pathway’ has been proposed to streamline such integrated management. In this paper, we analysed the impact of ABC pathway adherent clinical management on outcomes in AF patients with high‐risk ‘metabolic’ comorbidities (i.e. diabetes mellitus [DM], chronic kidney disease [CKD], metabolic syndrome [MetS].MethodsPatients from the SPORTIF III and V trials and with available data to evaluate ABC criteria were analysed. DM, CKD and MetS were evaluated according to baseline data. A composite of major adverse cardiovascular events and all‐cause death was the study outcome.ResultsA total of 3637 patients (median age 72 [IQR 66‐77], 30.3% female) were analysed. DM was evident in 23.4%, CKD in 25.8% and MetS in 31.5% among the overall cohort. Respectively, 23.2% were ABC pathway adherent in the DM subgroup, 21.2% in CKD and 23.7% in MetS subgroups. Composite outcome occurred less frequently in patients managed adherent to ABC pathway than those nonadherents, in all three groups. In the final multivariate model, ABC adherent care was inversely associated with a lower risk of composite outcome in the DM (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.23‐0.88), CKD (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.36‐0.98) and MetS (HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.19‐0.71) subgroups.ConclusionsIn high‐risk AF patients with DM, CKD and MetS, ABC pathway adherent management was associated with a lowered risk of the composite outcome of cardiovascular events, cardiovascular and all‐cause death.
Eric Williams and William Forbes: copper, colonial markets, and commercial capitalism†
Authors: Zahedieh Nuala 
Published: January 2021

AbstractEric Williams placed the Caribbean centre stage in discussions of Britain's industrial revolution and historians are increasingly persuaded by his intuition that the Atlantic trading system, underpinned by enslaved labour, played a major role. Early critics focused discussion on the profits of the slave trade but his thesis was broader, and more sophisticated, than they acknowledged. It left room for linkages of many kinds and it is now time to take a broader look at the connections between the rise of merchant capitalism, in which slavery played a central role, and British economic growth. This study looks at one small, fast‐growing industry, wrought copper, largely through the lens of William Forbes, a London smith. Quantitative data from output and trade records are combined with Forbes's business records to show how the demands of sugar cultivation, a particularly concentrated form of agro‐industrial activity, stimulated the development of a supply network which chained thousands of workers in Cornwall, South Wales, Bristol, and London to enslaved labour in the fields and factories of the Caribbean. Market opportunities allowed Forbes to amass great wealth but also directed investment, innovation, and the accumulation of skills that shaped Britain's particular path to industrial revolution.
Inconsistent effects of agricultural practices on soil fungal communities across 12 European long‐term experiments
Authors: Hannula Silja Emilia , Di Lonardo Dominico Paolo , Christensen Bent T. , Crotty Felicity V. , Elsen Annemie , van Erp Peter J. , Hansen Elly M. , Rubæk Gitte H. , Tits Mia , Toth Zoltan , Termorshuizen Aad J. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractCropping practices have a great potential to improve soil quality through changes in soil biota. Yet the effects of these soil‐improving cropping systems on soil fungal communities are not well known. Here, we analysed soil fungal communities using standardized measurements in 12 long‐term experiments and 20 agricultural treatments across Europe. We were interested in whether the same practices (i.e., tillage, fertilization, organic amendments and cover crops) applied across different sites have predictable and repeatable effects on soil fungal communities and guilds. The fungal communities were very variable across sites located in different soil types and climatic regions. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were the fungal guild with most unique species in individual sites, whereas plant pathogenic fungi were most shared between the sites. The fungal communities responded to the cropping practices differently in different sites and only fertilization showed a consistent effect on AMF and plant pathogenic fungi, whereas the responses to tillage, cover crops and organic amendments were site, soil and crop‐species specific. We further show that the crop yield is negatively affected by cropping practices aimed at improving soil health. Yet, we show that these practices have the potential to change the fungal communities and that change in plant pathogenic fungi and in AMF is linked to the yield. We further link the soil fungal community and guilds to soil abiotic characteristics and reveal that especially Mn, K, Mg and pH affect the composition of fungi across sites. In summary, we show that fungal communities vary considerably between sites and that there are no clear directional responses in fungi or fungal guilds across sites to soil‐improving cropping systems, but that the responses vary based on soil abiotic conditions, crop type and climatic conditions.Highlights
Soil fungi were analysed using standardized measurements in 12 long‐term experiments and 20 agricultural treatments
Fungal communities responded to the cropping practices differently at different sites
Only reduced fertilization showed a consistent effect on AMF and plant pathogenic fungi, whereas the responses to tillage, cover crops and organic amendments were site specific.
Fungal community structure varied significantly between sites, crops and climate conditions; therefore, more cross‐site studies are needed in order to manage beneficial soil fungi in agricultural systems.