bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spinal alignment shift between supine and prone CT imaging occurs frequently and regardless of the anatomic region, risk factors, or pathology
Authors: Wessels Lars , Komm Bettina , Bohner Georg , Vajkoczy Peter , Hecht Nils 
Published: August 2021

AbstractComputer-assisted spine surgery based on preoperative CT imaging may be hampered by sagittal alignment shifts due to an intraoperative switch from supine to prone. In the present study, we systematically analyzed the occurrence and pattern of sagittal spinal alignment shift between corresponding preoperative (supine) and intraoperative (prone) CT imaging in patients that underwent navigated posterior instrumentation between 2014 and 2017. Sagittal alignment across the levels of instrumentation was determined according to the C2 fracture gap (C2-F) and C2 translation (C2-T) in odontoid type 2 fractures, next to the modified Cobb angle (CA), plumbline (PL), and translation (T) in subaxial pathologies. One-hundred and twenty-one patients (C1/C2: n = 17; C3-S1: n = 104) with degenerative (39/121; 32%), oncologic (35/121; 29%), traumatic (34/121; 28%), or infectious (13/121; 11%) pathologies were identified. In the subaxial spine, significant shift occurred in 104/104 (100%) cases (CA: *p = .044; T: *p = .021) compared to only 10/17 (59%) cases that exhibited shift at the C1/C2 level (C2-F: **p = .002; C2-T: *p < .016). The degree of shift was not affected by the anatomic region or pathology but significantly greater in cases with an instrumentation length > 5 segments (“∆PL > 5 segments”: 4.5 ± 1.8 mm; “∆PL ≤ 5 segments”: 2 ± 0.6 mm; *p = .013) or in revision surgery with pre-existing instrumentation (“∆PL presence”: 5 ± 2.6 mm; “∆PL absence”: 2.4 ± 0.7 mm; **p = .007). Interestingly, typical morphological instability risk factors did not influence the degree of shift. In conclusion, intraoperative spinal alignment shift due to a change in patient position should be considered as a cause for inaccuracy during computer-assisted spine surgery and when correcting spinal alignment according to parameters that were planned in other patient positions.
Esophageal resection in Austria—preparing a national registry
Authors: Paireder Matthias , Asari Reza , Radlspöck Wolfgang , Fabbri Anna , Tschoner Andreas , Függer Reinhold , Zacherl Johannes , Schoppmann Sebastian F. 
Published: August 2021

Summary
Background
Esophageal resection is a technically challenging procedure. Despite improvements in perioperative management and outcome, it is still associated with considerably high morbidity and mortality rates even if performed in high-volume centers. This study aimed to shed light on the results of routine patient care in three representative referral centers concerning caseload and surgical and oncological outcomes.

Methods
This study is a retrospective, multicenter, national-wide analysis of a newly established database including perioperative and long-term outcome data from three referral centers in Austria.

Results
In a 6-year study period (2013–2018), 411 patients were eligible for analysis. The indication for esophageal resection was esophageal adenocarcinoma in 299 (72.7%) patients and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in 90 (21.9%) patients. The abdominothoracic approach (70.1%) was the most common operation, followed by transhiatal extended gastrectomy (14.8%) and a thoracic-abdominal-cervical approach (8.5%). Most patients (77.9%) underwent neoadjuvant therapy (chemotherapy 45.3%, radiochemotherapy in 32.6%). A minimally invasive approach was chosen in 25.3%. Major complications and mortality were seen in 21.7% and 2.9%, respectively. The 1‑year survival rate was 84%, 3‑year survival 60%, and 5‑year survival was 52%. The pooled overall median survival was 110 months (95% CI 33.97–186.03).

Conclusion
This first publication of the Austrian Society of Esophageal Surgery shows that the outcome of esophageal surgery for cancer in Austria compares well with that of renowned international centers. However, a more comprehensive approach including as many national centers as possible will improve outcome research, offer quality management, and improve patient safety. The study group invites all Austrian institutions performing esophagectomy to participate in the initiative.
Pathogens detected in the tick Haemaphysalis concinna in Western Poland: known and unknown threats
Authors: Dwużnik-Szarek Dorota , Mierzejewska Ewa Julia , Alsarraf Mohammed , Alsarraf Mustafa , Bajer Anna 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn recent years, a new focus of the relict tickHaemaphysalis concinnawas discovered in Western Poland, near Wolsztyn, Greater Poland voivodeship. This species may play an important role in the circulation of pathogens of medical and veterinary importance. In the present study we tested 880 juvenile ticks collected from rodents, including 427H. concinna, 443Ixodes ricinusand 10Dermacentor reticulatusfor three of the most common pathogens vectored by ticks in Poland:RickettsiaandBabesiaspp. andBorrelia burgdorferis.l. Additionally, molecular techniques were applied for accurate identification of tick host species (the volesMicrotusandAlexandromys). Our study found differences in the range and prevalence of vectored pathogens between the three tick species. DNA of all three pathogens was found inI. ricinus. In juvenileH. concinna, DNA ofBabesia microti,Borrelia afzeliiandRickettsiasp. was identified. Moreover, DNA of a new unnamedBabesiaspecies related toB. crassa, was found in twoH. concinnanymphs. This genotype ofBabesiawas previously identified inH. concinnain the Far East and then in Central Europe. DNA ofRickettsia raoultiandB. afzeliiwas detected inD. reticulatusnymphs.Among rodent hosts,Alexandromys oeconomusseems to be host of the highest significance for juvenile tick stages and was the only host species withB. afzeliidetected in blood samples. Using phylogenetic methods, we confirmed a clear division between rodents from the generaMicrotusandAlexandromys. Moreover, we found thatA. oeconomustrapped in Western Poland clustered with a Central EuropeanA. oeconomusallopatric phylogroup.
Evidence of Strong Flux Underestimation by Bulk Parametrizations During Drifting and Blowing Snow
Authors: Sigmund Armin , Dujardin Jérôme , Comola Francesco , Sharma Varun , Huwald Hendrik , Melo Daniela Brito , Hirasawa Naohiko , Nishimura Kouichi , Lehning Michael 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe influence of drifting and blowing snow on surface mass and energy exchange is difficult to quantify due to limitations in both measurements and models, but is still potentially very important over large areas with seasonal or perennial snow cover. We present a unique set of measurements that make possible the calculation of turbulent moisture, heat, and momentum fluxes during conditions of drifting and blowing snow. From the data, Monin–Obukhov estimation of bulk fluxes is compared to eddy-covariance-derived fluxes. In addition, large-eddy simulations with sublimating particles are used to more completely understand the vertical profiles of the fluxes. For a storm period at the Syowa S17 station in East Antarctica, the bulk parametrization severely underestimates near-surface heat and moisture fluxes. The large-eddy simulations agree with the eddy-covariance fluxes when the measurements are minimally disturbed by the snow particles. We conclude that overall exchange over snow surfaces is much more intense than current models suggest, which has implications for the total mass balance of the Antarctic ice sheet and the cryosphere.
Expression and Characterization of a Potent Long-Acting GLP-1 Receptor Like Agonist, Exendin-4-Fc
Authors: Zhang Wen , Li Ming , Zan Yanlu , Bai Yi 
Published: August 2021

AbstractHuman GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) can produce a remarkable improvement in glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, its clinical benefits are limited by its short half-life, which is less than 2 min because of its small size and rapid enzymatic inactivation by dipeptidyl peptidase IV. We engineered Exendin-4-Fc, a 66-kDa fusion protein by linking an IgG2 Fc to Exendin-4. A stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary cell line was obtained using electroporation. Exendin-4-Fc stimulated insulin secretion in INS-1 cells in a dose- and glucose-dependent manner and increased insulin mRNA expression. The plasma half-life of Exendin-4-Fc in cynomolgus monkeys was approximately 133.92 ± 25.1 h. In the KKAy mouse model of diabetes, one intraperitoneal injection of Exendin-4-Fc (1 mg/kg) reduced blood glucose levels for 5 days. A 4-week repeat-administration study identified sustained effects on blood glucose levels. Oral glucose tolerance tests conducted at the beginning and end of this 4-week period showed that Exendin-4-Fc produced a stable glucose lowering effect. In addition, KKAy mice treated with Exendin-4-Fc showed statistically significant weight loss from day 23. In conclusion, these properties of Exendin-4-Fc demonstrated that it could be a potential long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Grief’s impact on sensorimotor expectations: an account of non-veridical bereavement experiences
Authors: Millar Becky 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe philosophy of grief has directed little attention to bereavement’s impact on perceptual experience. However, misperceptions, hallucinations and other anomalous experiences are strikingly common following the death of a loved one. Such experiences range from misperceiving a stranger to be the deceased, to phantom sights, sounds and smells, to nebulous quasi-sensory experiences of the loved one’s presence. This paper draws upon the enactive sensorimotor theory of perception to offer a phenomenologically sensitive and empirically informed account of these experiences. It argues that they can be understood as deriving from disruption to both sensorimotor expectations and perceived opportunities for action, stemming from the upheaval of bereavement. Different facets of the enactive sensorimotor approach can help to explain different types of post-bereavement perceptual experience. Post-bereavement misperceptions can be accounted for through the way that alterations to sensorimotor expectations can result in atypical ‘amodal completion’, while bereavement hallucinations can be understood as ‘appearances’ that fail to form part of the usual patterns of sensorimotor contingency. Quasi-sensory experiences of the presence of the deceased can be understood as resulting from changes to perceived affordances. This paper aims to demonstrate the explanatory value of key aspects of the sensorimotor approach by highlighting how they can help to explain the phenomenology of post-bereavement experiences. However, it also illuminates certain areas in which the sensorimotor approach ought to be supplemented, especially if it is to account for tight connections between perception, affect, and intersubjectivity that are salient in grief.
The queen of the island: On the density and distribution of the Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) in Cozumel
Authors: García-Arroyo Michelle , Gómez-Martínez Miguel A. , MacGregor-Fors Ian 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is one of the most successful invasive bird species across the world. Worryingly, the invasive dove is a known reservoir of many diseases, some of which can potentially infect mammals (including human beings). Additionally, aggressive behaviors have been recorded toward other bird species resulting in territory and nest usurpation. Thus, the presence of this species poses an important risk for native species with similar habits, particularly in insular systems. Based on this, we carried out this study to assess the density and distribution of the Eurasian Collared-Dove in the island of Cozumel, as well as to evaluate the relationship between their abundance and the environmental characteristics of the places they inhabit. We estimated their distance-corrected densities in the island's largest town and performed an inverse distance weighting (IDW) interpolation to visualize their distribution. We performed a generalized linear model (GLM) to assess relationships between the environmental variables and the abundance of doves using a reduced model procedure. We obtained 137 records of doves present in 94% of all survey sites and an estimated density of 6.8 ind/ha, for a total of 6,670 doves in San Miguel de Cozumel. We did not find a spatial pattern of the dove's distribution on the urban setting, but we found an interaction between their abundances with tree cover and building height. Our findings, together with previous evidence of infection risk and aggressive behavior, make this species a threat to the native species communities of fragile ecosystems such as the island of Cozumel.
Ageing and Self-Care in India: Examining the Role of the Market in Determining a New Course of Growing Old among Middle Class Older Adults in Urban India
Authors: Gangopadhyay Jagriti 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWith the decline of the joint family system, middle class older adults in urban India are increasingly relying on the Self-Care approach as later-life care arrangements. In particular, these older adults are relying on the market for their everyday physical and emotional care needs. Applying the North American Successful Ageing model and the political economy and consumer culture of ageing framework, the present study highlights how the market is creating a new imagination of growing old in urban India. Additionally, through qualitative interviews, the study demonstrates how perceptions regarding the ageing body among middle class older adults in urban India are gradually transforming. Finally, the study indicates how with changing filial and intergenerational ties, familial care is being replaced by the market.
Moral Molecules: Morality as a Combinatorial System
Authors: Curry Oliver Scott , Alfano Mark , Brandt Mark J. , Pelican Christine 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWhat is morality? How many moral values are there? And what are they? According to the theory of morality-as-cooperation, morality is a collection of biological and cultural solutions to the problems of cooperation recurrent in human social life. This theory predicts that there will be as many different types of morality as there are different types of cooperation. Previous research, drawing on evolutionary game theory, has identified at least seven different types of cooperation, and used them to explain seven different types of morality: family values, group loyalty, reciprocity, heroism, deference, fairness and property rights. Here we explore the conjecture that these simple moral ‘elements’ combine to form a much larger number of more complex moral ‘molecules’, and that as such morality is a combinatorial system. For each combination of two elements, we hypothesise a candidate moral molecule, and successfully locate an example of it in the professional and popular literature. These molecules include: fraternity, blood revenge, family pride, filial piety, gavelkind, primogeniture, friendship, patriotism, tribute, diplomacy, common ownership, honour, confession, turn taking, restitution, modesty, mercy, munificence, arbitration, mendicancy, and queuing. These findings indicate that morality – like many other physical, biological, psychological and cultural systems – is indeed a combinatorial system. Thus morality-as-cooperation provides a principled and powerful theory, that explains why there are many moral values, and successfully predicts what they will be; and it generates a systematic framework that has the potential to explain all moral ideas, possible and actual. Pursuing the many implications of this theory will help to place the study of morality on a more secure scientific footing.
In-depth profiling of COVID-19 risk factors and preventive measures in healthcare workers
Authors: Wratil Paul R. , Schmacke Niklas A. , Osterman Andreas , Weinberger Tobias , Rech Jochen , Karakoc Burak , Zeilberger Mira , Steffen Julius , Mueller Tonina T. , Spaeth Patricia M. , Stern Marcel , Albanese Manuel , Thun Hella , Reinbold Julia , Sandmeyer Benedikt , Kressirer Philipp , Grabein Béatrice , Falkai Peter , Adorjan Kristina , Hornung Veit , Kaderali Lars , Klein Matthias , Keppler Oliver T. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To determine risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in healthcare workers (HCWs), characterize symptoms, and evaluate preventive measures against SARS-CoV-2 spread in hospitals.

Methods
In a cross-sectional study conducted between May 27 and August 12, 2020, after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, we obtained serological, epidemiological, occupational as well as COVID-19-related data at a quaternary care, multicenter hospital in Munich, Germany.

Results
7554 HCWs participated, 2.2% of whom tested positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Multivariate analysis revealed increased COVID-19 risk for nurses (3.1% seropositivity, 95% CI 2.5–3.9%, p = 0.012), staff working on COVID-19 units (4.6% seropositivity, 95% CI 3.2–6.5%, p = 0.032), males (2.4% seropositivity, 95% CI 1.8–3.2%, p = 0.019), and HCWs reporting high-risk exposures to infected patients (5.5% seropositivity, 95% CI 4.0–7.5%, p = 0.0022) or outside of work (12.0% seropositivity, 95% CI 8.0–17.4%, p < 0.0001). Smoking was a protective factor (1.1% seropositivity, 95% CI 0.7–1.8% p = 0.00018) and the symptom taste disorder was strongly associated with COVID-19 (29.8% seropositivity, 95% CI 24.3–35.8%, p < 0.0001). An unbiased decision tree identified subgroups with different risk profiles. Working from home as a preventive measure did not protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection. A PCR-testing strategy focused on symptoms and high-risk exposures detected all larger COVID-19 outbreaks.

Conclusion
Awareness of the identified COVID-19 risk factors and successful surveillance strategies are key to protecting HCWs against SARS-CoV-2, especially in settings with limited vaccination capacities or reduced vaccine efficacy.
Cytokinetic Abscission Regulation in Neural Stem Cells and Tissue Development
Authors: McNeely Katrina C. , Dwyer Noelle D. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Purpose of Review
How stem cells balance proliferation with differentiation, giving rise to specific daughter cells during development to build an embryo or tissue, remains an open question. Here, we discuss recent evidence that cytokinetic abscission regulation in stem cells, particularly neural stem cells (NSCs), is part of the answer. Abscission is a multi-step process mediated by the midbody, a microtubule-based structure formed in the intercellular bridge between daughter cells after mitosis.

Recent Findings
Human mutations and mouse knockouts in abscission genes reveal that subtle disruptions of NSC abscission can cause brain malformations. Experiments in several epithelial systems have shown that midbodies serve as scaffolds for apical junction proteins and are positioned near apical membrane fate determinants. Abscission timing is tightly controlled and developmentally regulated in stem cells, with delayed abscission in early embryos and faster abscission later. Midbody remnants (MBRs) contain over 400 proteins and may influence polarity, fate, and ciliogenesis.

Summary
As NSCs and other stem cells build tissues, they tightly regulate three aspects of abscission: midbody positioning, duration, and MBR handling. Midbody positioning and remnants establish or maintain cell polarity. MBRs are deposited on the apical membranes of epithelia, can be released or internalized by surrounding cells, and may sequester fate determinants or transfer information between cells. Work in cell lines and simpler systems has shown multiple roles for abscission regulation influencing stem cell polarity, potency, and daughter fates during development. Elucidating how the abscission process influences cell fate and tissue growth is important for our continued understanding of brain development and stem cell biology.
Global externalities from avoided emissions in the Costa Rican cattle sector: opportunities for more efficient mitigation policies
Authors: Dall’Orsoletta Felipe , Cechin Andrei Domingues 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe livestock sector has had an important contribution to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In Costa Rica, more than 20% of emissions come from beef and milk production. This paper performs a cost–benefit analysis of a climate policy in the Costa Rican cattle sector, and tries to innovate by including the positive global externality of emissions reduction into the analysis; to assess the extent to which it affects the attractivity of the referred policy. National sectorial policies for climate change mitigation generate global benefits, such as avoided GHG emissions into the atmosphere—a global public good. However, such global positive externalities, which represented 13% to 31% of the policy’s benefits in the widest scenario of our study, are usually not included in national climate planning, which may lead efficient policies to be dismissed. This paper shows that taking externalities into account makes sectorial climate mitigation policies more efficient, i.e., more appealing for investments. Benefit–cost ratios varied between 0.27 and 7.31 and break-even points average around the third and fourth years. Moreover, the results under different economic assumptions varied in terms of net benefits, but viability balance (viable vs. unviable scenarios) remained stable for different settings. The crucial question remains on how to best balance such global positive externalities to be advantageous to both funders and beneficiaries, enabling an efficient global climate mitigation strategy.
A pilot feasibility study investigating the impact of increasing sucrose intakes on body composition and blood pressure
Authors: Scott Sophie , Young Julie , Lodge John K. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractEpidemiological and intervention studies have reported negative health effects of sucrose intake, but many of these studies were not representative of typical dietary habits. In this pilot study, we aimed to test the effect of increasing sucrose intakes for 1 week on body composition and blood pressure and explore the feasibility of consuming high intakes of sucrose in addition to a habitual diet. In a randomised crossover design study, twelve healthy participants (50 % female, age 28⋅4 ± 10 years, BMI 25 ± 3 kg/m2), consumed either 40, 80 or 120 g sucrose in 500 ml water in addition to their habitual diet every day for 1 week, with a 1-week washout between treatment periods. Body composition (assessed using bioelectrical impedance) and blood pressure measurements were taken before and after each intervention phase. All participants reported no issues with consuming the sucrose dose for the intervention period. There was a significant increase in systolic blood pressure following 120 g sucrose intake (P= 0⋅006), however there was no significant changes to blood pressure, body weight, BMI, percentage protein, fat or water (P> 0⋅05) when comparing change from baseline values. There was also no effect of sucrose intakes on energy or macronutrient intakes during the intervention (P> 0⋅05). We show here that varying doses of sucrose over a 1-week period have no effect on body composition or blood pressure. The amounts of sucrose used were an acceptable addition to the habitual diet and demonstrate the feasibility of larger-scale studies of chronic sucrose supplementation.