bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crime drop in Ghana? Some insights from crime patterns and trends
Authors: Dziwornu Michael Gameli 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis study examines crime rate trends in Ghana in the context of research into the international crime drop. Ghanaian police-recorded crime data are imperfect, but crime rates appear to have increased to the early 2000s then to have declined significantly. However, the national trend for all crime types masks significant variation by crime type and region. The national trends appear, broadly speaking, consistent with long-term crime increases and decreases in high-income countries, but with a lag that may reflect Ghana’s economic development trajectory. This may be consistent with the routine activity perspective if both crime opportunities and economic development increased in parallel, followed by a crime decline that reflected increased security measures or other change. The study raises many questions that require further research, and some suggestions to that end are outlined.
Incorporating Sustainable and Technological Approaches in Pest Management of Invasive Arthropod Species
Authors: Bernaola Lina , Holt Jocelyn R 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Invasive arthropods can cause negative impacts on human health, damage to agriculture crops, irreparable environmental impacts, and other economic losses. Although native arthropods can be pests, invasive arthropods can pose unique challenges for identification and management. Current tools to manage invasive arthropods often focus on immediate solutions, such as the application of synthetic chemical pesticides, which can result in off-target effects (e.g., harm to native organisms, depletion of soil health, and increased insecticide resistance). In this review, we discuss sustainable approaches such as using soil microbes and biopesticides that are safe for the environment and human health, build soil health, and can be proactive in rebuilding ecosystems with resilience against invasive arthropods. We also discuss the incorporation of up-to-date technological and molecular tools (e.g., the use of drones, CRISPRs, and molecular identification of organisms from environmental samples) that allow for the enhancement of identification and management efforts associated with traditional integrated pest management (IPM). Implementing these tools into current management practices can enhance and accelerate early detection and allow for tailored management practices of invasive arthropods. These tools are not exclusive to monitoring invasive arthropods and can be used to monitor native pests or organisms relevant for conservation. Although our focus is on the management of invasive arthropods that have been introduced into North America, the knowledge provided may also be applicable to the management of invasive arthropods worldwide.
Finding Amica in the Archives: Navigating a Path between Strategic Collaboration and Independent Research
Authors: Armstrong-Partida Michelle , McDonough Susan 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
This article is a call for US-based historians to consider participating in strategic collaboration with fellow academics in their field. Out of a series of lucky encounters in person and with documentary collections, the authors, both archival historians, created a generous and expansive collaboration both in research and writing. Galvanized by the shift in working conditions occasioned by the coronavirus, the authors map out how the field in the United States should change to accommodate and reward such collaboration.
Uncovering Causes of Childhood Death Using the Minimally Invasive Autopsy at the Community Level in an Urban Vulnerable Setting of Argentina: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Caballero Mauricio T , Grigaites Sebastian Diaz , De la Iglesia Niveyro Paola X , Esperante Sebastian , Bianchi Alejandra M , Nuño Alejandra , Valle Sandra , Afarian Gabriela , Ferretti Adrian J P , Baglivo Sofia Jares , De Luca Julian , Zea Cristian M , Caporal Paula , Labanca Maria Jose , Diamanti Adriana , Alvarez-Paggi Damian , Bassat Quique , Polack Fernando P ,   Community Mortality Network, Carballo Ana M , Hernandez Gabriela , Figueroa Paola , Ares Patricia E , Rodriquez Paquete Cesar A 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundPrecise determination of the causal chain that leads to community deaths in children in low- and middle-income countries is critical to estimating all causes of mortality accurately and to planning preemptive strategies for targeted allocation of resources to reduce this scourge.MethodsAn active surveillance population-based study that combined minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) and verbal autopsies (VA) among children under 5 was conducted in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from September 2018 to December 2020 to define the burden of all causes of community deaths.ResultsAmong 90 cases enrolled (86% of parental acceptance), 81 had complete MITS, 15.6% were neonates, 65.6% were post-neonatal infants, and 18.9% were children aged 1–5 years. Lung infections were the most common cause of death (CoD) in all age groups (57.8%). Among all cases of lung infections, acute bronchiolitis was the most common CoD in infants aged &lt;12 months (23 of 36, 63.9%), and bacterial pneumonia was the most common cause in children aged &gt;12 months (8 of 11, 72.7%). The most common comorbid condition in all age groups was undernutrition in 18 of 90 (20%). It was possible to find an immediate CoD in 78 of 81 subjects where MITS could be done. With this combined approach, we were able to determine that sudden infant death syndrome was overestimated in state reports.ConclusionsCoD determination by a combination of MITS and VA provides an accurate estimation of the chain of events that leads to death, emphasizing possible interventions to prevent mortality in children.
IoT Analytics-inspired Real-time Monitoring for Early Prediction of COVID-19 Symptoms
Authors: Manocha Ankush , Kumar Gulshan , Bhatia Munish 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
In this pandemic, providing a quality environment is considered one of the essential objectives of smart wellbeing observation. Therefore, the prediction of irregular events has become a fundamental requirement of assistive or clinical consideration. By concentrating on this need, a dew computation-inspired irregular physical event determination solution is presented to determine the symptoms of COVID-19 by analyzing the physical activities of the individuals at their initial stage. The benefit of the proposed solution is enhanced by forwarding the predicted outcomes and their occurrence within a speculated time on a private cloud database to decide the health seriousness. Furthermore, a dynamic decisive-module is introduced to notify medical specialists about the current wellbeing status of the individuals under monitoring. The real-time prediction efficiency of the proposed solution is determined by implementing and calculating the outcomes on both the dew and cloud platforms. The calculated outcomes exhibit the improved viability of the dew platform over the cloud platform by increasing the prediction speed of 46.27% for 40 and 45.54% for 30 frames per second. Moreover, the event prediction performance is justified over the state-of-the-art monitoring arrangements by achieving accuracy (92.88%), specificity (90.87%), sensitivity (88.26%) and F1-measure (89.53%) with the least decision-making delay.
Role of PDE10A in vascular smooth muscle cell hyperplasia and pathological vascular remodelling
Authors: Luo Lingfeng , Cai Yujun , Zhang Yishuai , Hsu Chia G , Korshunov Vyacheslav A , Long Xiaochun , Knight Peter A , Berk Bradford C , Yan Chen 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Aims
Intimal hyperplasia is a common feature of vascular remodelling disorders. Accumulation of synthetic smooth muscle cell (SMC)-like cells is the main underlying cause. Current therapeutic approaches including drug-eluting stents are not perfect due to the toxicity on endothelial cells and novel therapeutic strategies are needed. Our preliminary screening for dysregulated cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) in growing SMCs revealed the alteration of PDE10A expression. Herein, we investigated the function of PDE10A in SMC proliferation and intimal hyperplasia both in vitro and in vivo.

Methods and results
RT-qPCR, immunoblot, and in situ proximity ligation assay were performed to determine PDE10A expression in synthetic SMCs and injured vessels. We found that PDE10A mRNA and/or protein levels are up-regulated in cultured SMCs upon growth stimulation, as well as in intimal cells in injured mouse femoral arteries. To determine the cellular functions of PDE10A, we focused on its role in SMC proliferation. The anti-mitogenic effects of PDE10A on SMCs were evaluated via cell counting, BrdU incorporation, and flow cytometry. We found that PDE10A deficiency or inhibition arrested the SMC cell cycle at G1-phase with a reduction of cyclin D1. The anti-mitotic effect of PDE10A inhibition was dependent on cGMP-dependent protein kinase Iα (PKGIα), involving C-natriuretic peptide (CNP) and particulate guanylate cyclase natriuretic peptide receptor 2 (NPR2). In addition, the effects of genetic depletion and pharmacological inhibition of PDE10A on neointimal formation were examined in a mouse model of femoral artery wire injury. Both PDE10A knockout and inhibition decreased injury-induced intimal thickening in femoral arteries by at least 50%. Moreover, PDE10A inhibition decreased ex vivo remodelling of cultured human saphenous vein segments.

Conclusions
Our findings indicate that PDE10A contributes to SMC proliferation and intimal hyperplasia at least partially via antagonizing CNP/NPR2/cGMP/PKG1α signalling and suggest that PDE10A may be a novel drug target for treating vascular occlusive disease.
Syntactic Strategy Training for Theory of Mind in Deaf Children
Authors: Durrleman Stephanie , Dumont Annie , Delage Hélène 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) show delays in Theory of Mind (ToM) development. Complement sentences such as “Eliane says that Santa Clause exists” influence ToM performance. Can a training program targeting sentential complements enhance ToM? Twenty-one French-speaking DHH children (Mage = 8 years 11 months) with delays in ToM and sentential complements completed a first series of tests (T0). Children were tested again to control for maturation effects (T1), after which they were included in a 6- to 8-week training program targeting complements with verbs of communication. Post-training tests (T2) assessed if the training yielded improvements on complements (direct effect) and ToM (transfer effect). While no gains were noted in the absence of training (at T1), results indicate post-training (T2) improvements in complements and ToM tasks, suggesting that the acquisition of sentential complements provides a tool to represent subjective truths and boosts ToM reasoning in DDH children.
116 PROGNOSTIC IMPACT OF THE SHORT-AXIS DIAMETER FOR THE NODAL ASSESSMENT BEFORE PREOPERATIVE CHEMOTHERAPY IN ESOPHAGEAL CANCER
Authors: Ichikawa Hiroshi , Sudo Natsuru , Bamba Takeo , Hanyu Takaaki , Kano Yosuke , Motegi Daisuke , Muneoka Yusuke , Ishikawa Takashi , Hirose Yuki , Miura Kohei , Takizawa Kazuyasu , Nakano Masato , Shimada Yoshifumi , Nagahashi Masayuki , Sakata Jun , Kobayashi Takashi , Nakagawa Satoru , Kosugi Shin-ichi , Wakai Toshifumi 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Clinical N category (cN) is generally assessed by measuring the nodal diameter by CT before the initiation of primary treatment in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The short-axis diameter is recommended for evaluating treatment response in solid tumors by RECIST. This study aimed to elucidate the prognostic implication of the maximum short-axis diameter of lymph node (cN-size) before preoperative chemotherapy for ESCC.

Methods
We enrolled a total of 152 patients who underwent preoperative cisplatin/5-fluorouracil therapy (CF) followed by esophagectomy from 2005 to 2011. There were 127 men and 25 women with a median age of 65 years (range: 47–79 years). Clinically metastatic node was defined as follows; the node with cN-size ≥10 mm or that with 5 mm ≤ cN-size &lt;10 mm and contrast enhancement, round shape and/or central necrosis in CT before starting CF. The association between the maximum cN-size and the overall survival (OS) after surgery was statistically investigated. The median follow-up period was 87 months (range: 36–145 months).

Results
The number of patients with cN0 and cN1–3 was 60 and 92, respectively. Twenty-seven and 65 patients with cN1–3 were classified into cN-size &lt;10 mm and cN-size ≥10 mm group, respectively. The 5-year OS rates in cN0, cN-size &lt;10 mm and cN-size ≥10 mm groups were 70%, 51% and 45%, respectively (P = 0.006). Among Ut-Mt tumors, the OS in the cN-size &lt;10 mm group was significantly worse than that in the cN0 group (5-year OS rate: 45% vs. 74%, P = 0.048). However, there were no significant differences in the OS between these two groups in Lt tumors (67% vs. 64%, P = 0.789).

Conclusion
The maximum short-axis diameter of lymph node before preoperative chemotherapy is significantly associated with OS in patients with ESCC. Lymph node with 5 mm ≤ cN-size &lt;10 mm in the short axis should be treated as a metastatic node especially in Ut or Mt tumors, considering the poor prognosis.
145 ADVANTAGES OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE TRANSMEDIASTINAL ESOPHAGECTOMY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH ESOPHAGEAL CANCER
Authors: Nakamura Kei , Shiozaki Atsushi , Fujiwara Hitoshi , Konishi Hirotaka , Kudo Michihiro , Shimizu Hiroki , Arita Tomohiro , Kosuga Toshiyuki , Morimura Ryo , Kuriu Yoshiaki , Ikoma Hisashi , Kubota Takeshi , Okamoto Kazuma , Otsuji Eigo 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Esophagectomy for esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most invasive surgical procedures and, especially for elderly patients, postoperative respiratory complication (PRC) is still frequent and life-threatening. We started esophagectomy by a laparoscopic transhiatal approach in 2009, and single-port mediastinoscopic cervical approach in 2014. Nowadays, we have performed total mediastinal lymph node dissection without thoracic approach. The purpose of this study was to evaluate transmediastinal esophagectomy (TME) for the prevention of PRC in elderly patients.

Methods
1) Patients with EC performed TME (n = 238) were compared with those performed the right thoracotomy (n = 185).
2) Outcomes of TME for elderly patients (75 years and older, n = 48) was evaluated by comparing with non-elderly patients (n = 190).
3) Elderly patients performed subtotal esophagectomy were divided into 2 groups according to the presence (n = 12) or absence (n = 51) of PRC. The two groups were compared about clinicopathological factors, and risk factors of PRC were analyzed.

Results
1) Percentage of elderly patients was higher in TME group (20.2% vs 8.1%). The operative time and bleeding were decreased by TME. The number of resected LNs and pR0 rate were not different between two groups. In TME groups, the occurrence of PRC was significantly reduced (10.1% vs 28.1%).
2) 81.3% of elderly patients were able to extubation on 0POD, and there was no significant difference in PRC between two groups.
3) Univariate analysis showed that surgical approach was significantly different between two groups. Multivariate analysis showed that thoracotomy was the strongest risk factor of PRC for elderly patients.

Conclusion
This study showed that our surgical procedure was less invasive during operation and resulted in a safe en-bloc mediastinal lymph node dissection. For elderly patients, TME was the effective minimally invasive approach and was able to reduce the occurrence of PRC.
153 THE CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF INCOMPLETE BOLUS CLEARANCE IN PATIENTS WITH DYSPHAGIA
Authors: Manabe Noriaki , Ayaki Maki , Nakamura Jun , Fujita Minoru , Suehiro Mitsuhiko , Kamada Tomoari , Kawamoto Hirofumi , Yamatsuji Tomoki , Naomoto Yoshio , Haruma Ken 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

The primary function of the esophagus is to facilitate bolus transport to the stomach. High-resolution manometry assesses the functions of esophageal motility, but not the clearance of bolus transit through the esophagus. The development of combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and manometry (MII-EM) has enabled simultaneous measurement of bolus transport and manometry. This study investigated the effects of bolus transit on esophageal motility disorders and its effect on the quality of life of patients with dysphagia.

Methods
A total of 810 wet swallows were reviewed and analyzed in 81 patients with dysphagia who underwent MII-EM. Incomplete bolus clearance (IBC) was defined based on impedance measurement. IBC was classified into four types (A: normal, B: incomplete clearance in the upper esophagus, C: incomplete clearance in the lower esophagus, D: incomplete clearance of the whole esophagus), and was also evaluated according to the appearance rate of complete bolus transit. Then, the clinical significance of IBC was determined by our previously validated dysphagia symptom score and the SF8 quality of life instrument (physical component summary and mental component summary).

Results
There were 16 cases of esophageal achalasia (Ach), 9 of esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO), 8 of distal esophageal spasm (DES), 7 of Jackhammer esophagus (JE), 2 of absent contractility (AC), 10 of ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) and 29 normal cases. The figure shows the breakdown of IBC for each disorder. Complete bolus transit was found in 27.8% in EGJOO, 52.5% in DES, 14.2% in JE, 4.0% in IEM, and 83.3% in normal; no CBT was found in Ach and AC. Patients with IBC had significantly higher dysphagia symptom scores (p &lt; 0.05) and lower mental component summaries (p &lt; 0.05) than those without.

Conclusion
Patients with dysphagia with esophageal dysmotility were classified into two groups: those with and without IBC. Assessment of bolus transport is an important clinical marker for patients with dysphagia, because those with IBC had a significantly higher dysphagia symptom scores and impaired quality of life.
157 SURGICAL PROCEDURE TO REDUCE ANASTOMOTIC LEAKAGE AFTER ESOPHAGECTOMY
Authors: Okumura Tomoyuki , Watanabe Toru , Takeda Naoya , Mori Kosuke , Toumatsu Yuko , Hoshino Yui , Uotani Tomohumi , Yamazaki Takeyosi , Sukegawa Kenta , Hirano Katsuhisa , Shibuya Kazuto , Hojo Shozo , Matsui Koushi , Yoshioka Isaku , Fujii Tsutomu 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Anastomotic leakage (AL) is one of the major complications of gastro-esophageal anastomosis after esophagectomy, which causes short-term morbidity and mortality, as well as poor long-term survival.
The aim of this study was to investigate factors which were associated with AL after esophagectomy in order to determine the optimal surgical technique to reduce AL.

Methods
A total of 128 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer underwent subtotal esophagectomy followed by retrosternal reconstruction with gastric conduit with cervical anastomosis using circular staple in our institute from January 2008 and January 2020. The relationship between AL and surgical procedures as well as clinicopathological characteristics of the patients were retrospectively investigated. In addition, we divided the patients into 65 cases in former period (December 2015) and 63 cases in later period (January 2016-) to compare the incidence of AL.

Results
AL was observed in 12 cases (9.4%) of the 128 patients. The incidence of AL decreased from 16.9% (11/65) in former period to 1.6% (1/63) in later period (p = 0.004). In comparison between the cases with and without AL (12 cases vs 116cases), statistically significant difference was seen in BMI (average ± SD, 24.2 ± 4.7 vs 21.6 ± 3.1; p = 0.02), anastomotic site (posterior wall/greater curvature, 11/1 vs 54/62; p = 0.004), and level of anastomosis (above/below superior border of manubrium of sternum, 12/0 vs 33/83; p &lt; 0.001). While multivariate analysis revealed that former or later period were the only independent factors relevant to AL (p = 0.01).

Conclusion
Surgical procedure which avoid excessive pressure on the gastric tube from the surrounding structures, such as sternum, may take an important role in reduction of AL after esophagectomy. However, multiple factors, such as nutritional status and obesity, also influence risk of anastomotic leakage.
204 ENDOSCOPIC EVIDENCE OF BILE REFLUX IS A STRONG INDEPENDENT FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRESENCE OF BARRETT’S ESOPHAGUS
Authors: Iwaya Yugo , Nagaya Tadanobu , Suga Tomoaki , Nakayama Yoshiko , Umemura Takeji 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Several basic researches have indicated that there is a significant relationship between bile reflux and the pathogenesis of Barrett’s esophagus (BE). However, only few clinical studies have been reported regarding the endoscopic finding of bile reflux and Barrett’s esophagus. Our objective is to evaluate whether the endoscopic evidence of bile reflux is an independent factor associated with the presence of BE.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database comprised of consecutive Japanese patients who underwent screening gastroscopy. Endoscopic findings of BE, reflux esophagitis, atrophic gastritis and sliding hernia were recorded. Evaluation of a BE was based on the Prague criteria. Endoscopic evidence of bile reflux was defined as the presence of yellow or green juice observed by white light image or red juice by narrow band image (NBI) in the gastric fundus. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors that differed significantly between patients with or without BE.

Results
A total of 454 patients were enrolled; 124 (27%) had BE and 126 (28%) had endoscopic evidence of bile reflux. Compared to patients without BE, patients with BE were more likely to be old, male and to have sliding hernia and endoscopic evidence of bile reflux on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, endoscopic evidence of bile reflux was a stronger independent factor associated with BE (odds ratio(OR) 11.3, 95% confidence interval(CI) 6.56–19.4) compared to the presence of sliding hernia (OR 3.58, 95%CI 2.14–6.0).

Conclusion
Endoscopic evidence of bile reflux identified by white light or NBI is a strong independent factor associated with the presence of BE, implying that this finding should be considered as an important parameter to determine the surveillance strategy for gastroesophageal reflux disease patients same as the presence of sliding hernia.