bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Covert balancing: Great Powers, secondary states and US balancing strategies against China
Authors: Meijer Hugo , Simón Luis 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Throughout history, Great Powers have devised balancing strategies aimed at checking the ambitions of rival Great Powers. To do that, they have sought to enter and mobilize alliances and security partnerships with secondary states. Yet, the influence of secondary states on the balancing strategies of Great Powers remains largely under-estimated in the International Relations literature. Contrary to conventional wisdom, we posit that secondary state preferences play a key enabling or constraining role in shaping the balancing choices of Great Powers. We focus specifically on how the adoption of hedging strategies on the part of secondary states affects the balancing strategies of established Great Powers. We argue that when secondary states adopt a hedging strategy established Great Powers are incentivized to engage in what we call ‘covert balancing’. Covert balancing occurs when an established Great Power conceals its security cooperation with a secondary state beneath a cover that is seemingly unrelated to balancing a rising Great Power, thus working around the secondary state's hedging strategy while at the same time helping to generate a latent capacity to balance. We probe our argument by examining US balancing strategy against China in the Asia–Pacific.
Overexpression of Cancer-Associated Stem Cell Gene OLFM4 in the Colonic Epithelium of Patients With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Authors: Neyazi Mastura , Bharadwaj Sraddha S , Bullers Samuel , Varenyiova Zofia ,   Oxford IBD Cohort Study Investigators, Travis Simon , Arancibia-Cárcamo Carolina V , Powrie Fiona , Geremia Alessandra 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background
To examine immune-epithelial interactions and their impact on epithelial transformation in primary sclerosing cholangitis–associated ulcerative colitis (PSC-UC) using patient-derived colonic epithelial organoid cultures (EpOCs).

Methods
The EpOCs were originated from colonic biopsies from patients with PSC-UC (n = 12), patients with UC (n = 14), and control patients (n = 10) and stimulated with cytokines previously associated with intestinal inflammation (interferon (IFN) γ and interleukin (IL)-22). Markers of cytokine downstream pathways, stemness, and pluripotency were analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence. The OLFM4 expression in situ was assessed by RNAscope and immunohistochemistry.

Results
A distinct expression of stem cell–associated genes was observed in EpOCs derived from patients with PSC-UC, with lower expression of the classical stem-cell marker LGR5 and overexpression of OLFM4, previously associated with pluripotency and early stages of neoplastic transformation in the gastrointestinal and biliary tracts. High levels of OLFM4 were also found ex vivo in colonic biopsies from patients with PSC-UC. In addition, IFNγ stimulation resulted in the downregulation of LGR5 in EpOCs, whereas higher expression of OLFM4 was observed after IL-22 stimulation. Interestingly, expression of the IL-22 receptor, IL22RA1, was induced by IFNγ, suggesting that a complex interplay between these cytokines may contribute to carcinogenesis in PSC-UC.

Conclusions
Higher expression of OLFM4, a cancer stemness gene induced by IL-22, is present in PSC-UC, suggesting that IL-22 responses may result in alterations of the intestinal stem-cell niche in these patients.
Survival after left ventricular assist device implantation correlates with a novel device-based measure of heart rate variability: the heart rate score
Authors: Czermak Thomas , Seitelberger Valentina , Hagl Christian , Samson-Himmelstjerna Patrick-Nicolas , Groß Sven , Sadoni Sebastian , Heyn Oliver , Kellnar Antonia , Hartrampf Bonnie , Lemmermöhle Eric , Klier Ina , Rehms Raphael , Hoffmann Sabine , Estner Heidi L , Fichtner Stephanie , Lackermair Korbinian 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The heart rate score (HRS) serves as a device-based measure of impaired heart rate variability and is an independent predictor of death in patients with heart failure and a cardiac implantable electrical device. However, no data are available for predicting death from the HRS in patients with end stage heart failure and a left ventricular assist device.

METHODS
From November 2011 to July 2018, a total of 56 patients with a pre-existing cardiac implantable electrical device underwent left ventricular assist device implantation at our 2 study sites. The ventricular HRS was calculated retrospectively during the first cardiac implantable electrical device follow-up examination following the index hospitalization. Survival during follow-up was correlated with initial HRS.

RESULTS
During the follow-up period, 46.4% of the patients (n = 26) died. The median follow-up period was 33.2 months. The median HRS after the index hospitalization was 41.1 ± 21.8%. More patients with an HRS &gt;65% died compared to patients with an HRS &lt;30% (76.9% vs 14.4%; P = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS
In our multicentre experience, survival of patients after an left ventricular assist device implant correlates with the HRS. After confirmation of our findings in a larger cohort, the effect of rate-responsive pacing will be within the scope of further investigation.
Balloon-expanding transcatheter aortic valve implantation for degenerated Mitroflow bioprostheses: clinical and echocardiographic long-term outcomes
Authors: Mosquera Victor X , Bouzas-Mosquera Alberto , Vilela-González Yago , Velasco Carlos , Salgado-Fernández Jorge , Calviño-Santos Ramón , Vázquez-González Nicolás , Vázquez-Rodríguez José M , Herrera-Noreña José M 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study aims to analyse the risks associated with valve-in-valve procedures for treating structural valve deterioration in Mitroflow bioprostheses, as well as to determine the impact of the original Mitroflow size on the patients’ long-term outcomes.

METHODS
Between January 2012 and September 2019, 21 patients (61.9% males; mean age 82.4 ± 5.4 years) were treated for Mitroflow deterioration with valve-in-valve procedures (12 transapical and 9 transfemoral).

RESULTS
Mean EuroSCORE I and EuroSCORE II were 28.2% ± 13.6% and 10.5% ± 6.1%, respectively. Six patients presented an indexed aortic root diameter &lt;14 mm/m2 and 7 patients a diameter of sinus of Valsalva &lt;30 mm. Implanted transcatheter valve sizes were 20 mm in 6 cases, 23 mm in 14 cases and 26 mm in 1 patient. A Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 complication occurred in 23.8% of cases, including 3 coronary occlusions. In-hospital mortality was 9.5%. The 20 mm transcatheter valves presented significantly higher postoperative peak and mean aortic gradients than other sizes (54.1 ± 11.3 mmHg vs 29.9 ± 9.6 mmHg, P = 0.003; and 29.3 ± 7.7 mmHg vs 17.4 ± 5.9 mmHg, P = 0.015, respectively). There were 12 cases of patient–prosthesis mismatch (57.1%) and 3 cases (14.3%) of severe patient–prosthesis mismatch. Cumulative survival was 85.7% ± 7.6% at 1 year, 74.3% ± 10% at 2 years and 37.1% ± 14.1% at 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS
Valve-in-valve procedures with balloon-expandable transcatheter valves associate a high risk of coronary occlusion in patients with indexed aortic root diameter &lt;14 mm/m2 and low coronary ostia &lt;12 mm. Valve-in valve procedures with 20 mm balloon-expandable transcatheter valves in ≤21 mm Mitroflow bioprosthesis leave significant residual transvalvular gradients that might obscure patients’ long-term outcomes.
Global epidemiology and socio-economic development correlates of the reproductive ratio of COVID-19
Authors: Breitling Lutz P 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe most commonly cited argument for imposing or lifting various restrictions in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an assumed impact on the reproductive ratio of the pathogen. It has furthermore been suggested that less-developed countries are particularly affected by this pandemic. Empirical evidence for this is lacking.MethodsBased on a dataset covering 170 countries, patterns of empirical 7-d reproductive ratios during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic were analysed. Time trends and associations with socio-economic development indicators, such as gross domestic product per capita, physicians per population, extreme poverty prevalence and maternal mortality ratio, were analysed in mixed linear regression models using log-transformed reproductive ratios as the dependent variable.ResultsReproductive ratios during the early phase of a pandemic exhibited high fluctuations and overall strong declines. Stable estimates were observed only several weeks into the pandemic, with a median reproductive ratio of 0.96 (interquartile range 0.72–1.34) 6 weeks into the analysis period. Unfavourable socio-economic indicators showed consistent associations with higher reproductive ratios, which were elevated by a factor of 1.29 (95% confidence interval 1.15 to 1.46), for example, in the countries in the highest compared with the lowest tertile of extreme poverty prevalence.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has allowed for the first time description of the global patterns of reproductive ratios of a novel pathogen during pandemic spread. The present study reports the first quantitative empirical evidence that COVID-19 net transmissibility remains less controlled in socio-economically disadvantaged countries, even months into the pandemic. This needs to be addressed by the global scientific community as well as international politics.
Wide Diurnal Temperature Amplitude and High Population Density Can Positively Affect the Life History of Sitobion avenae (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Xing Kun , Sun Dongbao , Zhang Jianzhen , Zhao Fei 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Diurnal temperature amplitude is known to have a large influence on insect life history. Population density affects intraspecific competition and many other aspects of insect life history. However, there is limited information on the interactive effects of these factors on insects. Here, we tested the interactive effects of three diurnal temperature amplitudes (22 ± 0°C, 22 ± 6°C, and 22 ± 12°C) and three population densities on the development, survival, longevity, and fecundity of the English grain aphid Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) (Homoptera: Aphididae). At a constant temperature, increasing population density reduced the growth and survival of early-instar nymphs, increased longevity, and reduced fecundity. At a low population density, increasing temperature amplitude inhibited nymph development. However, even at a high temperature amplitude, nymph survival rate was higher than expected, and reproduction was possible because the recovery of the lower night-temperatures eliminated thermal stress. Increasing the population density reduced, and even reversed, the negative effects of the wide temperature amplitude. This may reflect synergistic interactions between population density and wide temperature amplitude as these stressors each incur energetic costs. These findings emphasize the importance of temperature amplitude and population density for improving prediction accuracy and damage assessment during pest control modeling.
The Superworm, Zophobas morio (Coleoptera:Tenebrionidae): A ‘Sleeping Giant’ in Nutrient Sources
Authors: Rumbos C I , Athanassiou C G 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe aim of this review is to compile up-to-date information on the superworm, Zophobas morio (F.), regarding its biology and ecology, but also its further potential for use as a nutrient source for food and feed. We illustrate certain basic characteristics of the morphology and bio-ecology of this species, which is marginally considered as a ‘pest’ in durable amylaceous commodities. More recent data show that Z. morio can be a valuable nutrient and antimicrobial source that could be utilized further in insect-based feed and food production. The inclusion of this species in aquafeed has provided promising results in a wide range of feeding trials, both in terms of fish development and health. Additional data illustrate its potential for use in poultry, indicating that this species provides comparable results with those of other insect species that are used in feed. Moreover, Z. morio can be a viable waste management agent. This review aims to summarize the available data and underline data gaps for future research, toward the potential of the utilization of Z. morio for human food and animal feed. Based on the data presented, Z. morio appears to be a well-promising insect-based protein source, which potential still remains to be unfold.
Effects of silver nanoparticles–polysaccharide on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats
Authors: Hassan Amal I , Samir Amer , Youssef Hanan F , Mohamed Sahar S , Asker Mohsen S , Mahmoud Manal G 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Objectives
The first goal of this study was to synthesize the silver nanoparticles Alcaligenes xylosoxidans exopolysaccharide (Ag-AXEPS). The second objective was to analyse the role of Ag-AXEPS nanoparticles (NPS) in treating bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis.

Methods
Intratracheal bleomycin (2.5 U/kg) was administered to prompt pulmonary fibrosis in rats, and pulmonary fibrosis was treated with Ag-AXEPS nanoparticles (100 ppm/twice a week for four weeks).

Key ﬁndings
Ag-AXEPS nanoparticles significantly decreased the diversity of pulmonary inflammatory agents in rats with BLM-induced fibrosis. Reduced levels of respiratory tumor necrosis factor-alpha, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) were observed on treatment with synthesized Ag-AXEPS. Similarly, the treatment decreased IL-12, mRNA levels of BAX and plasma fibrosis markers like N-terminal procollagen III propeptide and transforming growth factor-β1. On the other hand, the treatment increased mRNA BCL2 and total antioxidant capacity. It also lowered the level of fibrosis, as was shown by a quantified pathologic study of hematoxylin–eosin-stained lung parts. The treatment, however, ensured that lung collagen was restored, as assessed by Masson’s trichrome stain, and that overall survival was increased and enhanced.

Conclusions
Our work showed that nanoparticles could be obtained at 37°C and may be a possible pulmonary fibrosis therapeutic agent.
Long-term risks after kidney donation: how do we inform potential donors? A survey from DESCARTES and EKITA transplantation working groups
Authors: Mjøen Geir , Maggiore Umberto , Kessaris Nicos , Kimenai Diederik , Watschinger Bruno , Mariat Cristophe , Sever Mehmet Sukru , Crespo Marta , Peruzzi Licia , Spasovski Goce , Sørensen Søren Schwartz , Heemann Uwe , Pascual Julio , Viklicky Ondrej , Courtney Aisling E , Hadaya Karine , Wagner Laszlo , Nistor Ionut , Hadjianastassiou Vassilis , Durlik Magdalena , Helanterä Ilkka , Oberbauer Rainer , Oniscu Gabriel , Hilbrands Luuk , Abramowicz Daniel 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background
Publications from the last decade have increased knowledge regarding long-term risks after kidney donation. We wanted to perform a survey to assess how transplant professionals in Europe inform potential kidney donors regarding long-term risks. The objectives of the survey were to determine how they inform donors and to what extent, and to evaluate the degree of variation.

Methods
All transplant professionals involved in the evaluation process were considered eligible, regardless of the type of profession. The survey was dispatched as a link to a web-based survey. The subjects included questions on demographics, the information policy of the respondent and the use of risk calculators, including the difference of relative and absolute risks and how the respondents themselves understood these risks.

Results
The main finding was a large variation in how often different long-term risks were discussed with the potential donors, i.e. from always to never. Eighty percent of respondents stated that they always discuss the risk of end-stage renal disease, while 56% of respondents stated that they always discuss the risk of preeclampsia. Twenty percent of respondents answered correctly regarding the relationship between absolute and relative risks for rare outcomes.

Conclusions
The use of written information and checklists should be encouraged. This may improve standardization regarding the information provided to potential living kidney donors in Europe. There is a need for information and education among European transplant professionals regarding long-term risks after kidney donation and how to interpret and present these risks.
Dietary recommendations for women with gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines
Authors: Mustafa Sara T , Hofer Olivia J , Harding Jane E , Wall Clare R , Crowther Caroline A 
Published: February 2021

AbstractContextDietary advice is the cornerstone of care for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) to improve maternal and infant health.ObjectivesThis study aimed to compare dietary recommendations made in clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for the management of GDM, evaluate their evidence base, identify research gaps, and assess CPG quality. The PRISMA guidelines were used.Data SourcesSix databases were searched for CPGs, published between 2000 and 2019, that included dietary advice for the management of GDM.Data ExtractionTwo reviewers independently assessed CPG quality (using the AGREE II tool) with respect to dietary recommendations (their strength, evidence base, and research gaps).Data AnalysisOf the 31 CPGs, 68% were assessed as low quality, mainly due to lack of editorial independence. Dietary advice was recommended as the first-line treatment by all CPGs, although the dietary recommendations themselves varied and sometimes were contradictory. Most dietary recommendations were strongly made (70%), but they were often based on very low-quality (54%), or low-quality (15%) evidence. Research gaps were identified for all diet-related recommendations.ConclusionHigh-quality research is needed to improve the evidence base and address the research gaps identified.Systematic Review RegistrationPROSPERO registration no. CRD42019147848.
Comparison of Transradial vs Transfemoral Access in Neurovascular Fellowship Training: Overcoming the Learning Curve
Authors: Al Saiegh Fadi , Sweid Ahmad , Chalouhi Nohra , Philipp Lucas , Mouchtouris Nikolaos , Khanna Omaditya , Avery Michael B , Schmidt Richard F , Ghosh Ritam , Hafazalla Karim , Weinberg Joshua H , Starke Robert M , Gooch M Reid , Tjoumakaris Stavropoula , Rosenwasser Robert H , Jabbour Pascal 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The transradial access (TRA) is rapidly gaining popularity for neuroendovascular procedures as there is strong evidence for its benefits compared to the traditional transfemoral access (TFA). However, the transition to TRA bears some challenges including optimization of the interventional suite set-up and workflow as well as its impact on fellowship training.

OBJECTIVE
To compare the learning curves of TFA and TRA for diagnostic cerebral angiograms in neuroendovascular fellowship training.

METHODS
We prospectively collected diagnostic angiogram procedural data on the performance of 2 neuroendovascular fellows with no prior endovascular experience who trained at our institution from July 2018 until June 2019. Metrics for operator proficiency were minutes of fluoroscopy time, procedure time, and volume of contrast used.

RESULTS
A total of 293 diagnostic angiograms were included in the analysis. Of those, 57.7% were TRA and 42.3% were TFA. The median contrast dose was 60 cc, and the median radiation dose was 14 000 μGy. The overall complication rate was 1.4% consisting of 2 groin hematomas, 1 wrist hematoma, and 1 access-site infection using TFA. The crossover rate to TFA was 2.1%. Proficiency was achieved after 60 femoral and 95 radial cases based on fluoroscopy time, 52 femoral and 77 radial cases based on procedure time, and 53 femoral and 64 radial cases based on contrast volume.

CONCLUSION
Our study demonstrates that the use of TRA can be safely incorporated into neuroendovascular training without causing an increase in complications or significantly prolonging procedure time or contrast use.
The Role of Narrative Cues in Shaping ADT
Authors: Tamborini Ron , Grizzard Matthew , Hahn Lindsay , Kryston Kevin , Ulusoy Ezgi 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In the current chapter, we provide additional specificity to Zillmann’s dispositional model of emotional reactivity to dramatic happenings. By integrating research on altruistic intuitions and egoistic intuitions we advance understandings of the mechanisms that underlie disposition formation processes (i.e., how viewers come to like/dislike narrative characters) and story outcome evaluation processes (i.e., whether viewers like/dislike a narrative’s resolution). We first explain how research on the disposition formation process has been advanced by applying an a priori categorization scheme of altruistic intuitions adapted from moral psychology. This scheme provides a definition of good/bad behavior as behavior that upholds/violates altruistic intuitions. We describe how audiences evaluate those upholding/violating behaviors to form liking/disliking toward narrative characters and highlight how narrative cues can amplify the effect of certain altruistic intuitions in this process. After discussion of disposition formation, we describe how an a priori categorization scheme of egoistic intuitions might similarly advance understanding of the story outcome evaluation process. We provide a more explicit definition of positive and negative story outcomes based on the satisfaction/thwarting of a character’s egoistic intuitions. Several important processes are described in better detail with such a definition, and we outline empirical investigations that could help advance disposition research considerably. We extend this discussion to examine the separate roles of altruistic and egoistic intuition satisfaction in determining audience response to more complex narratives involving conflict between two or more intuitions. The chapter concludes by discussing the potential advantages of integrating altruistic and egoistic intuitions into Zillmann’s dispositional model.
Who Stays and Who Goes: Understanding the Immigration Vote in the 2015 UK General Election
Authors: Maynard Julia 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
How do voters choose between a mainstream party and a populist radical right party (PRRP)? Existing research says that PRRP voters share specific attitudinal characteristics, but many mainstream party voters also have these attitudes. Drawing on spatial theories of party competition, voters make their decision to vote for a mainstream party or a PRRP based on their perceived placement of the mainstream party on immigration. Looking at the case of the 2015 United Kingdom (UK) General Election with the British Election Study Panel Survey, I analyse voters that think immigration is the most important issue facing the UK. These are the voters that prioritise the same issue as UK Independence Party (UKIP). The findings show that those who perceive the Conservative Party will reduce immigration are less likely to vote UKIP than those who perceive the Conservative Party will not reduce immigration. This relationship holds even when the respondent is highly Eurosceptic and anti-immigration.