bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monitoring frequency of interferon gamma release assay for tuberculosis surveillance following infliximab therapy in patients with Crohn's disease
Authors: Yang Qin Yu , Liu Yi Juan , Xu Ye , Zhang Lin , Wang Cheng Dang 
Published: July 2021

ObjectiveTo characterize the pattern of positive conversion of interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) during infliximab therapy in China, which has a high burden of tuberculosis.MethodsEligible patients with CD who received serial IGRA screening during infliximab therapy from January 2015 to March 2020 were retrospectively included. The positive conversion rate of IGRA and the risk of subsequent tuberculosis of the patients were analyzed.ResultsA total of 128 patients with CD were included, and the median time from the initiation of IFX treatment to positive conversion or the last follow‐up test of IGRA was 43.6 weeks. At baseline 3.9% of the patients were positive for IGRA and received prophylactic anti‐tuberculosis treatment. In the other 123 patients with negative IGRA at baseline, 6.5% had IGRA positive conversion during infliximab treatment, and one (12.5%) who was exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis was diagnosed as having active tuberculosis. The conversion rate at 40 weeks, 2 years and 3 years after treatment were 10.0% (6/60), 2.2% (1/46) and 5.9% (1/17), respectively. Age, sex, history of smoking and alcohol consumption, disease severity (Crohn's disease activity index score) and immunosuppressive therapy were not significantly associated with latent tuberculosis test conversion.ConclusionsPositive conversion of IGRA occurs early during treatment with infliximab for CD and the monitoring frequency of IGRA should be appropriately increased at the early stage of treatment. Physicians should pay attention to patient's history of tuberculosis exposure and carry out surveillance in a timely fashion.
MRI sliding sign: Using MRI to assess rectouterine mobility in pelvic endometriosis
Authors: Fan Jim , McDonnell Rose , Jacques Angela , Fender Laura , Lo Glen 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIntroductionSurgical excision of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is complex and associated with morbidity. Diagnostic imaging plays an important role in the preoperative workup. We sought to determine the utility of single sagittal T2‐weighted MRI motion sequence in the preoperative assessment of pelvic mobility in patients with endometriosis.MethodsAn observational study at a single tertiary public referral centre in Australia. Eighty‐one MRI studies from 1 May 2019 to 3 December 2019, were enrolled. Studies were included if they were performed to stage endometriosis, including a T2‐weighted motion series, adequately covering a uterus, cervix and rectum. Fifty‐seven studies met inclusion criteria. The reference standard was a contemporaneous transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) reporting on pelvic organ mobility. Three subspecialist radiologists were then blindly asked to identify, on the cine loop: rectouterine immobility, superficial endometriosis (pelvic bowel adhesions), rectosigmoid Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis (DIE). Fleiss’ Kappa assessed interobserver agreement. Consensus MRI sensitivity and specificity were estimated against the reference standard (TVUS).ResultsMedian age was 35 years (range 19–51). Forty‐three cases had a contemporaneous TVUS; 14 reporting a sliding sign, 29 with fixed pelves. Interobserver agreement was ‘substantial’ (k = 0.79) for absent MRI sliding sign and ‘almost perfect’ (k = 0.90) for absence of DIE. Consensus MRI had 90% sensitivity (95% CI 73–98%) for pelvic immobility at TVUS (absent sliding sign). Interobserver agreement and consensus MRI sensitivity were higher for adhesions and immobility than normal findings.ConclusionAn MRI motion sequence can identify patients with pelvic adhesions and immobility, helping determine surgical difficulty when TVUS is not diagnostic.
Research in business history: From theorising to bizhismetrics
Authors: De Jong Abe 
Published: July 2021

AbstractEmpirical work is dominating business history, with a particular emphasis on case research using rich primary sources. I argue that the field of business history would benefit from a balanced combination of theoretical and empirical work. Restoring this balance requires that business historians build theories using their empirical observations. This approach – theorising – may enrich the field of business history and enhance the impact on related fields. I also argue that testing business history theory requires a broad set of empirical techniques, that is, bizhismetrics.
The Hijab Penalty: Feminist Backlash to Muslim Immigrants
Authors: Choi Donghyun Danny , Poertner Mathias , Sambanis Nicholas 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWhy do native Europeans discriminate against Muslim immigrants? Can shared ideas between natives and immigrants reduce discrimination? We hypothesize that natives' bias against Muslim immigrants is shaped by the belief that Muslims hold conservative attitudes about women's rights and this ideational basis for discrimination is more pronounced among native women. We test this hypothesis in a large‐scale field experiment conducted in 25 cities across Germany, during which 3,797 unknowing bystanders were exposed to brief social encounters with confederates who revealed their ideas regarding gender roles. We find significant discrimination against Muslim women, but this discrimination is eliminated when Muslim women signal that they hold progressive gender attitudes. Through an implicit association test and a follow‐up survey among German adults, we further confirm the centrality of ideational stereotypes in structuring opposition to Muslims. Our findings have important implications for reducing conflict between native–immigrant communities in an era of increased cross‐border migration.
Measuring Attitudes toward Public Spending Using a Multivariate Tax Summary Experiment
Authors: Barnes Lucy , Blumenau Jack , Lauderdale Benjamin E. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIt is difficult to measure public views on trade‐offs between spending priorities because public understanding of existing government spending is limited and the budgetary problem is complicated. We present a new measurement strategy using a continuous treatment, multivariate choice experiment. The experiment proposes deficit‐neutral bundles of changes in spending and taxation, allowing us to investigate attitudes toward modifications to the existing budget. We then use a structural choice model to estimate public preferences over spending categories and the taxation level, on average and as a function of respondent attributes. In our application, we find that the UK public favors paying more in tax to finance large spending increases across major budget categories, that spending preferences are multidimensional, and that younger people prefer lower levels of taxation and spending than older people.
Corneal immune cell morphometry as an indicator of local and systemic pathology: A review
Authors: Chinnery Holly R. , Zhang Xin Yuan , Wu Ching Yi , Downie Laura E. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe corneal epithelium contains a population of resident immune cells commonly referred to as dendritic cells (DCs), or Langerhans cells. A unique advantage of the transparent cornea being situated at the surface of the eye is that these cells can be readily visualised using in vivo confocal microscopy. Over the past decade, interest in the involvement of corneal DCs in a range of ocular and systemic diseases has surged. For most studies, the number of corneal DCs has been the main outcome of interest. However, more recently attention has shifted towards understanding how DC morphology may provide insights into the inflammatory status of the cornea, and in some cases, the health of the peripheral nervous system. In this review, we provide examples of recent methodologies that have been used to classify and measure corneal DC morphology and discuss how this relates to local and systemic inflammatory conditions in humans and rodents.
Base editing‐mediated perturbation of endogenous PKM1/2 splicing facilitates isoform‐specific functional analysis in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Lin Jianxiang , Wu Susu , Shen Qingmei , Liu Jie , Huang Shisheng , Peng Guangdun , Qiao Yunbo 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectivesPKM1 and PKM2, which are generated from the alternative splicing of PKM gene, play important roles in tumourigenesis and embryonic development as rate‐limiting enzymes in glycolytic pathway. However, because of the lack of appropriate techniques, the specific functions of the 2 PKM splicing isoforms have not been clarified endogenously yet.Materials and methodsIn this study, we used CRISPR‐based base editors to perturbate the endogenous alternative splicing of PKM by introducing mutations into the splicing junction sites in HCT116 cells and zebrafish embryos. Sanger sequencing, agarose gel electrophoresis and targeted deep sequencing assays were utilized for identifying mutation efficiencies and detecting PKM1/2 splicing isoforms. Cell proliferation assays and RNA‐seq analysis were performed to describe the effects of perturbation of PKM1/2 splicing in tumour cell growth and zebrafish embryo development.ResultsThe splicing sites of PKM, a 5’ donor site of GT and a 3’ acceptor site of AG, were efficiently mutated by cytosine base editor (CBE; BE4max) and adenine base editor (ABE; ABEmax‐NG) with guide RNAs (gRNAs) targeting the splicing sites flanking exons 9 and 10 in HCT116 cells and/or zebrafish embryos. The mutations of the 5’ donor sites of GT flanking exons 9 or 10 into GC resulted in specific loss of PKM1 or PKM2 expression as well as the increase in PKM2 or PKM1 respectively. Specific loss of PKM1 promoted cell proliferation of HCT116 cells and upregulated the expression of cell cycle regulators related to DNA replication and cell cycle phase transition. In contrast, specific loss of PKM2 suppressed cell growth of HCT116 cells and resulted in growth retardation of zebrafish. Meanwhile, we found that mutation of PKM1/2 splicing sites also perturbated the expression of non‐canonical PKM isoforms and produced some novel splicing isoforms.ConclusionsThis work proved that CRISPR‐based base editing strategy can be used to disrupt the endogenous alternative splicing of genes of interest to study the function of specific splicing isoforms in vitro and in vivo. It also reminded us to notice some novel or undesirable splicing isoforms by targeting the splicing junction sites using base editors. In sum, we establish a platform to perturbate endogenous RNA splicing for functional investigation or genetic correction of abnormal splicing events in human diseases.
Recognition of prior learning in France: Where have the RPL‐ready applicants gone?
Authors: Werquin Patrick 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis article analyses results of reforms and revisions of the system for recognition of prior learning outcomes in France (Validation des acquis de l'expérience, VAE), especially from a quantitative perspective. The development of the recognition of prior learning system in France is reviewed and described. The analysis presented focuses on reasons for a decrease in the number of applicants over the previous decade. An important factor is that earlier generations of applicants were better suited and better prepared for recognition of prior learning outcomes and for participating in the VAE system. Applicants are no longer as ready for participating in the VAE process. Provision of supplementary modular learning has not met the need to complete the qualification process and achieve a full qualification for applicants who are not VAE‐ready. The VAE system has been struggling to reach and validate the less VAE‐ready layers of the population seeking or needing a qualification. Therefore, the number of participants in VAE has continued to decrease. Sustained challenges for a further development of the VAE system include a lack of in‐depth guidance, appropriate provision of top‐up modular training, as well as access and scheduling—so that adults can enrol despite occupational and personal constraints. The article concludes by discussing reasons for this decrease in the number of VAE applicants in France and possible ways forward as France moves towards adopting practices for awarding certificates for labour market competences, i.e., certificates that are not in the main National Qualifications Catalogue.
Predicting primary treatment failure using interim FDG‐PET scanning in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Wight Joel , Wai Shin Hnin , Shen Edward , Lee Sze‐Ting , Berlangieri Salvatore , Fancourt Tineke , Hawkes Eliza , Hannah Anthony , Leung Teresa , Chong Geoffrey 
Published: July 2021

AbstractInterim FDG‐PET (iPET) in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is increasingly practised and used in clinical trials to adapt further therapy. However, the optimum timing and methodology of iPET remains controversial. We retrospectively analysed the iPET results and outcomes of 200 DLBCL patients where FDG‐PET was routinely performed at baseline, after 2 cycles (iPET2) and at completion of chemoimmunotherapy. iPET was also performed after 4 cycles (iPET4) where at iPET2, Deauville score (DS) was ≥4. Scans were assessed by blinded expert lymphoma PET physicians for DS, maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax), total metabolic tumour volume (TMTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). Treatment failure was defined as death, progression or refractory disease. 95.5% of patients received R‐CHOP. No baseline PET parameter was predicted for EFS or OS independent of the NCCN‐IPI. The multivariable analysis at iPET2 showed DS5 (19.5% of cases) predicted treatment failure (HR 6.29, 95% CI 3.01‐13.17, P < .001), but DS4 was equivalent to DS1‐3. At iPET4, ΔSUVmax < 66% predicted treatment failure (HR 5.49, 95% CI 3.03‐9.99, P < .001). By multivariable analysis of all time points, high NCCN‐IPI and DS5 at iPET2 were negative predictors of survival. These findings were independent of novel prognostic markers.
Responses of soil N2O emissions and their abiotic and biotic drivers to altered rainfall regimes and co‐occurring wet N deposition in a semi‐arid grassland
Authors: Shi Yujie , Wang Junfeng , Ao Yunna , Han Jiayu , Guo Zhihan , Liu Xinyuan , Zhang Jinwei , Mu Chunsheng , Le Roux Xavier 
Published: July 2021

AbstractGlobal change factors such as changed rainfall regimes and nitrogen (N) deposition contribute to increases in the emission of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) from the soil. In previous research, N deposition has often been simulated by using a single or a series of N addition events over the course of a year, but wet N deposition actually co‐occurs with rainfall. How soil N2O emissions respond to altered rainfall amount and frequency, wet N deposition, and their interactions is still not fully understood. We designed a three‐factor, fully factorial experiment with factors of rainfall amounts (ambient, −30%) rainfall frequency (ambient, ±50%) and wet N deposition (with/without) co‐occurring with rainfall in semi‐arid grassland mesocosms, and measured N2O emissions and their possible biotic and abiotic drivers. Across all treatments, reduced rainfall amount and N deposition increased soil N2O emissions by 35% and 28%, respectively. A significant interactive effect was observed between rainfall amount and N deposition, and to a lesser extent between rainfall frequency and N deposition. Without N deposition, reduced rainfall amount and altered rainfall frequency indirectly affected soil N2O emissions by changing the abundance of nirK and soil net N mineralization, and the changes in nirK abundance were indirectly driven by soil N availability rather than directly by soil moisture. With N deposition, both the abundance of nirK and the level of soil water‐filled pore space contributed to changes in N2O emissions in response to altered rainfall regimes, and the changes in the abundance of nirK were indirectly driven by plant N uptake and nitrifier (ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria) abundance. Our results imply that unlike wetter grassland ecosystems, reduced precipitation may increase N2O emissions, and N deposition may only slightly increase N2O emissions in arid and semi‐arid N‐limited ecosystems that are dominated by grasses with high soil N uptake capacity.
Earlier winter/spring runoff and snowmelt during warmer winters lead to lower summer chlorophyll‐a in north temperate lakes
Authors: Hrycik Allison R. , Isles Peter D. F. , Adrian Rita , Albright Matthew , Bacon Linda C. , Berger Stella A. , Bhattacharya Ruchi , Grossart Hans‐Peter , Hejzlar Josef , Hetherington Amy Lee , Knoll Lesley B. , Laas Alo , McDonald Cory P. , Merrell Kellie , Nejstgaard Jens C. , Nelson Kirsten , Nõges Peeter , Paterson Andrew M. , Pilla Rachel M. , Robertson Dale M. , Rudstam Lars G. , Rusak James A. , Sadro Steven , Silow Eugene A. , Stockwell Jason D. , Yao Huaxia , Yokota Kiyoko , Pierson Donald C. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWinter conditions, such as ice cover and snow accumulation, are changing rapidly at northern latitudes and can have important implications for lake processes. For example, snowmelt in the watershed—a defining feature of lake hydrology because it delivers a large portion of annual nutrient inputs—is becoming earlier. Consequently, earlier and a shorter duration of snowmelt are expected to affect annual phytoplankton biomass. To test this hypothesis, we developed an index of runoff timing based on the date when 50% of cumulative runoff between January 1 and May 31 had occurred. The runoff index was computed using stream discharge for inflows, outflows, or for flows from nearby streams for 41 lakes in Europe and North America. The runoff index was then compared with summer chlorophyll‐a (Chl‐a) concentration (a proxy for phytoplankton biomass) across 5–53 years for each lake. Earlier runoff generally corresponded to lower summer Chl‐a. Furthermore, years with earlier runoff also had lower winter/spring runoff magnitude, more protracted runoff, and earlier ice‐out. We examined several lake characteristics that may regulate the strength of the relationship between runoff timing and summer Chl‐a concentrations; however, our tested covariates had little effect on the relationship. Date of ice‐out was not clearly related to summer Chl‐a concentrations. Our results indicate that ongoing changes in winter conditions may have important consequences for summer phytoplankton biomass and production.
The effect of low‐level laser therapy on the success rate of inferior alveolar nerve blocks in mandibular molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Topçuoğlu Hüseyin Sinan , Akpınar Burak 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAimTo evaluate the effect of low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) on the success rate of inferior alveolar nerve blocks (IANB) in mandibular molar teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP).MethodologyEighty‐eight patients who were diagnosed with SIP were randomly divided into two groups: the group in which only IANB was applied and the group in which IANB + LLLT was applied. IANB was applied to patients in the control group with 4% articaine. LLLT was applied to the patients in the experimental group in addition to IANB. The pain experienced during the operation was evaluated using a visual analog scale. If the patients reported moderate or severe pain during the treatment, the IANB was defined as unsuccessful. Pearson's chi‐square test was used to analyse anaesthetic success rates.ResultsWhilst the anaesthesia success rate was 34% in the group where only IANB was applied, it was 57% in the group in which LLLT was applied in addition to IANB. There was a significant difference between the groups (p = .032).ConclusionsThe application of LLLT to support IANB in mandibular molar teeth with SIP increased the success of anaesthesia. However, it was insufficient for a complete pulpal anaesthesia.
Clascoterone: a new topical anti‐androgen for acne management
Authors: Santhosh Parvathy , George Mamatha 
Published: July 2021

AbstractClascoterone is an androgen receptor inhibitor which has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older. It competes with androgens, especially dihydrotestosterone, for androgen‐receptor binding and limits their binding, thus inhibiting downstream signaling of pathways involved in the pathogenesis of acne. It inhibits androgen receptor‐regulated gene transcription, and antagonizes lipid and inflammatory cytokine production in a dose‐dependent manner in human primary sebocytes. Clascoterone is commercially available as 1% (10 mg/g) cream. Adverse effects of topical clascoterone are mild and infrequent, and are mostly limited to local skin reactions. Long‐term safety studies have shown an absence of systemic antiandrogenic effects like reduced libido or feminization in male participants. Clascoterone seems a promising topical drug with a novel mechanism of action that could be added to the armamentarium of therapies for acne.
Faking by actual applicants on personality tests: A meta‐analysis of within‐subjects studies
Authors: Hu Jing , Connelly Brian S. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundResearchers have used within‐subjects designs to assess personality faking in real‐world contexts. However, no research is available to (a) characterize the typical finding from these studies and (b) examine variability across study results.AimsThe current study was aimed at filling these gaps by meta‐analyzing actual applicants’ responses to personality measurements in high‐stakes contexts versus low‐stakes contexts reported in within‐subjects studies.Materials & MethodsThis meta‐analysis examined 20 within‐subjects applicant–honest studies (where individuals completed an assessment once as applicants and again in a low‐stakes setting).ResultsWe found that applicants had moderately higher (more socially desirable) means, slightly reduced variability, and stronger rank‐order consistency in high‐stakes settings. The assessment order moderated the findings; studies with a high‐to‐low order (where the high‐stakes setting was introduced first) showed a stronger faking effect—demonstrated by higher means and weaker rank‐order consistencies—than those in a low‐to‐high order.Discussion and ConclusionThese findings are consistent with expectations that, relative to low‐stakes situations, individuals tend to exaggerate, in a positive direction, their personality descriptions as job applicants. In addition, assessment order matters when understanding the magnitudes of faking effects.