bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Right atrial cardiac angiosarcoma treated with concurrent proton beam therapy and paclitaxel: A novel approach to a rare disease
Authors: Mangla Ankit , Gupta Amit , Mansur David B. , Abboud Salim , Rothermel Luke D. , Oliveira Guilherme H. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCardiac angiosarcoma is a rare malignancy with an aggressive course and poor prognosis. We present a 26‐year old man who came to our clinic with shortness of breath and was diagnosed with a right‐sided atrial mass. He underwent urgent resection of the mass. The pathology confirmed the mass to be cardiac angiosarcoma with positive microscopic margins (R1 resection). Since reresection was not feasible, the patient started treatment with concurrent paclitaxel (80 mg/m2 weekly) and proton beam therapy (61 Cobalt equivalent delivered over five weeks). After completing the concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy, he was treated with adjuvant chemotherapy using gemcitabine (900 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 8) and docetaxel (100 mg/m2 on Day 8) every three weeks. After three cycles, the patient developed severe dermatitis, and hence further chemotherapy was withheld. The patient is alive at 26 months since receiving his surgery and 18 months since the completion of treatment. Patients with cardiac angiosarcoma who undergo R1 resection have a median survival of six months. More radical approaches such as orthotopic heart‐lung transplant or prolonged durations of chemotherapy lead to minimal improvement in survival at the cost of increased morbidity. Here, we describe a novel approach to a rare disease that resulted in prolonged survival and led to a better quality of life without any long‐term morbidity to the patient.
Mediastinal undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma with pleural effusion cytopathologically misdiagnosed as epithelial malignant pleural mesothelioma: An autopsy case report
Authors: Matsumoto Kinnosuke , Nakamura Yukihiro , Inagaki Yuji , Taniguchi Yoshihiko , Tamiya Akihiro , Matsuda Yoshinobu , Kasai Takahiko , Atagi Shinji 
Published: February 2021

AbstractUndifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is a new disease in the World Health Organization's classification of tumors of soft tissue and bone published in 2013. Primary mediastinal UPS is rare, especially with pleural effusion. Herein, we describe the pathological findings of pleural effusion followed by mediastinal UPS, which was initially misdiagnosed as epithelial malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The cytopathological findings of the pleural effusion cell block often contribute to the diagnosis of various malignant tumors. However, these findings may lead to misdiagnosis of highly invasive mediastinal tumors such as UPS. A biopsy for primary mediastinal lesions should be performed because MPM rarely mimics mediastinal tumors with pleural effusion.
Improving outcomes for people with mild cognitive impairment: An Australian mixed‐methods pilot study
Authors: Theodoro de Freitas Luciana , Pain Tilley , Barnett Fiona 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveThis pilot study tested the feasibility and acceptability of an innovative functional task exercise program to ameliorate mild cognitive impairment.MethodsThe functional task exercise program was trialled on community‐dwelling adults aged 60 years or older. The 10‐week program was conducted in regional Australia and evaluated for acceptability and feasibility. Outcomes were assessed pre‐ and post‐ intervention and at three‐month follow‐up. Structured interviews were conducted with caregivers and participants at the end of the program.ResultsAcceptability was demonstrated, with approximately 80% of the 23 participants completing the program. Clinical improvements were demonstrated in several cognitive and functional measures using an uncontrolled pre‐post test design. Qualitative findings suggest feasibility as the program was viewed positively by participants and caregivers.ConclusionThe functional exercise program was acceptable, was feasible and improved outcomes in an Australian context. Research is urgently needed to identify and treat people with mild cognitive impairment living in the community.
Commons and cooperatives: A new governance of collective action
Authors: Guttmann Alexandre 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) is emerging as a social movement capable of moving society beyond the imbalances of the capitalist market economy and its top‐down regulation by the state. But the SSE's progress has been slow while unresolved challenges (e.g., climate, inequality) continue to intensify. Among communitarian responses to these challenges, the commons have shown great potential as a shared governance mechanism for the responsible management of common‐pool resources. To the extent that this success encourages broader applicability for commons, we focus also on commoning as crucial social practice rooted in collective action and adaptive governance. Adding this dimension of activism opens the possibility of enriching the SSE both in theory and practice for the purpose of strengthening its institutional make‐up, in particular cooperatives occupying a central position in SSE. Commoning enables us to conceive of tangible connections between commons and cooperatives as complementary modes of anti‐capitalist organization. We can illustrate this complementarity by analyzing how Ostrom's “design principles” for commons can help strengthen the ICA's Cooperative Principles. Useful lessons can be learned from concrete examples of commons–cooperative alliances, such as Ecuador's Buen Vivir initiative, the Enercoop PACA project in France, and Oakland's OmniCommons space.
Syntaxonomy and biogeography of the Irano‐Turanian mires and springs
Authors: Naqinezhad Alireza , Nowak Arkadiusz , Świerszcz Sebastian , Jalili Adel , Kamrani Asghar , Wheeler Bryan D. , Shaw Susan C. , Attar Farideh , Nobis Marcin , Nowak Sylwia , Hájek Michal 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAimsTo develop the first comprehensive syntaxonomic classification for patchy montane mire and spring vegetation across the Irano‐Turanian phytogeographical region in Iran, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and to explore the effects of the main environmental and geographic gradients on their distribution.LocationAlborz Mountain range (Iran), Pamir‐Alai Mountains (Tajikistan) and Tian Shan Mountains (Kyrgyzstan); total area about 3,000,000 km2.MethodsA database of 1,015 vegetation relevés including a total of 675 vascular and bryophyte taxa was established, covering the large mountains ranges of the Irano‐Turanian regions in Iran, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, at altitudes ranging from 1,300 to 4,505 m a.s.l. A semi‐supervisedk‐means analysis was performed. Additional analyses were carried out to show differences among predefined vegetation groups in terms of phytogeographical, climatic and compositional factors.ResultsTwo large groups of mire communities, referable to mires and springs were identified. Twenty associations, one subassociation and four alliances of these wetlands, belonging to three orders and three classes, were defined. Among them, ten associations, one subassociation and two alliances were formally described as new syntaxa. Moreover, a new orderCaricetalia orbicularis, that comprises phytogeographically unique vegetation of the Irano‐Turanian mires, is proposed.ConclusionsBased on our results and comparison between the Irano‐Turanian and other phytogeographical regions, we propose a first comprehensive syntaxonomic synopsis for the Irano‐Turanian mires and springs. Despite some identical character species and their vicariant nature, the Irano‐Turanian, Euro‐Siberian and Mediterranean mires and springs show considerable compositional differences. Irano‐Turanian wetlands contain a large and distinct set of endemic plant species, which are mixed with Euro‐Siberian species in the west and north, but predominate in the eastern locations. They have a patchy pattern and scattered distribution and serve as inland hotspots of wetland vegetation in the vast dry landscape of southwest and Central Asia.
The effect of aging on infliximab exposure and response in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Kantasiripitak Wannee , Verstockt Bram , Alsoud Dahham , Lobatón Triana , Thomas Debby , Gils Ann , Vermeire Séverine , Ferrante Marc , Dreesen Erwin 
Published: February 2021

AimsControversies regarding infliximab treatment in elderly patients with inflammatory bowel diseases remain. We evaluated the effect of patient's age on infliximab exposure, efficacy and safety.MethodsRetrospective case‐control data of patients receiving infliximab induction treatment were analysed. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed to estimate individual pharmacokinetic parameters. A logistic regression model was used to investigate the effect of exposure on endoscopic remission. Repeated time‐to‐event models were developed to describe the hazard of safety events over time.ResultsA total of 104 patients (46 elderly, ≥65 years) were included. A two‐compartment population pharmacokinetic model with linear elimination adequately described the data. Infliximab clearance decreased with older age, higher serum albumin, lower fat‐free mass, lower C‐reactive protein and absence of immunogenicity. Yet, infliximab exposure was not significantly different between elderly and nonelderly. Regardless of age, an infliximab trough concentration at week (w)14 of 15.6 mg/L was associated with a 50% probability of attaining endoscopic remission between w6 and w22. Infliximab exposure during induction treatment was not a risk factor of (severe) adverse events. The hazard of severe adverse events and malignancy increased by 2% and 7%, respectively, with increasing year of age. Concomitant immunomodulator use increased the hazard of infection by 958%, regardless of age.ConclusionsElderly patients attained infliximab exposure and endoscopic remission similarly to nonelderly patients. Therefore, the same infliximab trough concentration target can be used in therapeutic drug monitoring. The hazards of severe adverse events and malignancy increased with age, but not with infliximab exposure.
The novel driver gene ASAP2 is a potential druggable target in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Fujii Atsushi , Masuda Takaaki , Iwata Michio , Tobo Taro , Wakiyama Hiroaki , Koike Kensuke , Kosai Keisuke , Nakano Takafumi , Kuramitsu Shotaro , Kitagawa Akihiro , Sato Kuniaki , Kouyama Yuta , Shimizu Dai , Matsumoto Yoshihiro , Utsunomiya Tohru , Ohtsuka Takao , Yamanishi Yoshihiro , Nakamura Masafumi , Mimori Koshi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTargeting mutated oncogenes is an effective approach for treating cancer. The 4 main driver genes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are KRAS, TP53, CDKN2A, and SMAD4, collectively called the “big 4” of PDAC, however they remain challenging therapeutic targets. In this study, ArfGAP with SH3 domain, ankyrin repeat and PH domain 2 (ASAP2), one of the ArfGAP family, was identified as a novel driver gene in PDAC. Clinical analysis with PDAC datasets showed that ASAP2 was overexpressed in PDAC cells based on increased DNA copy numbers, and high ASAP2 expression contributed to a poor prognosis in PDAC. The biological roles of ASAP2 were investigated using ASAP2‐knockout PDAC cells generated with CRISPR‐Cas9 technology or transfected PDAC cells. In vitro and in vivo analyses showed that ASAP2 promoted tumor growth by facilitating cell cycle progression through phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). A repositioned drug targeting the ASAP2 pathway was identified using a bioinformatics approach. The gene perturbation correlation method showed that niclosamide, an antiparasitic drug, suppressed PDAC growth by inhibition of ASAP2 expression. These data show that ASAP2 is a novel druggable driver gene that activates the EGFR signaling pathway. Furthermore, niclosamide was identified as a repositioned therapeutic agent for PDAC possibly targeting ASAP2.
The declining wealth of the middle class, 1983–2016
Authors: Wolff Edward N. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis article considers trends in wealth at the middle and top of the distribution, with a particular focus on the period around the Great Recession. It illustrates that leverage rates of middle class families relative to high‐wealth families were beneficial to relative rates of return of middle class families for most periods since 1983 but was extremely detrimental during the Great Recession. It also considers the savings rates over time among high‐wealth and middle class families, showing that dissaving slowed the recovery in wealth—especially among the middle class. Differential leverage was also a key factor explaining wealth inequality trends.
Sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors and the risk of urinary tract infection among diabetic patients in Japan: Target trial emulation using a nationwide administrative claims database
Authors: Takeuchi Yoshinori , Kumamaru Hiraku , Hagiwara Yasuhiro , Matsui Hiroki , Yasunaga Hideo , Miyata Hiroaki , Matsuyama Yutaka 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAimTo assess the risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) occurrence associated with sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitor use relative to biguanide use in diabetes in a population‐based cohort study using a target trial emulation framework.MethodsUsing a Japanese nationwide administrative claims database, we constructed a cohort of patients aged ≥40 years who were dispensed SGLT2 inhibitors, dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors or biguanides between April 2014 and March 2015. For computational ease, we randomly sampled 100% of SGLT2 inhibitor users, 3% of DPP‐4 inhibitor users, and 20% of biguanide users; new antidiabetic drug initiators were analysed. We estimated the intention‐to‐treat (ITT) hazard ratios (HRs) of UTI with inverse probability of treatment (IPT)‐weighted Coxʼs proportional hazards models that ignored subsequent treatment changes. Treatment weights were computed using patient sex, age, medications, medical history and hospitalization history. We also estimated per‐protocol (PP) HRs using IPT‐ and inverse probability of censoring‐weighted Coxʼs models that adjusted for nonrandom treatment changes.ResultsWe analysed 11 364 SGLT2 inhibitor initiators, 9035 DPP‐4 inhibitor initiators, and 10 359 biguanide initiators. When compared with biguanide initiators, SGLT2 inhibitor initiators had a crude HR of 1.14 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05‐1.24), an ITT HR of 0.94 (95% CI 0.86‐1.03), and a PP HR of 0.90 (95% CI 0.78‐1.03); and DPP‐4 inhibitor initiators had a crude HR of 1.13 (95% CI 1.04‐1.23), an ITT HR of 0.85 (95% CI 0.77‐0.94), and a PP HR of 0.83 (95% CI 0.71‐0.95).ConclusionUse of SGLT2 inhibitors or DPP‐4 inhibitors did not increase the risk of UTI compared with biguanide use. Accounting for treatment changes did not substantially influence the estimated effects.
Revisiting My Self‐Quarantine Experience through a Data‐Driven Approach
Authors: Lee Sheng‐Hung 
Published: February 2021

One constructive possibility was that as a designer, I could authentically capture my personal self‐quarantine experience to identify user pain points, and improve the school's quarantine procedures to help more people in the future.Undeterred by an unplanned quarantine, a student uses technology and questions the experience from four perspectives in hopes of improving it for others.
What Didn't Happen to Me Last Year?
Authors: Middleton Zoë 
Published: February 2021

Covid had begun to creep across America and change the way we operated in business. I missed the non‐stop hustle and bustle, always on the go, wheels‐up lifestyle.Hers was a world of travel. The pandemic may have changed that, but this designer expanded her horizons in 2020 in ways she never imagined.
Opportunities to improve ecosystem‐based fisheries management by recognizing and overcoming path dependency and cognitive bias
Authors: Fulton Elizabeth Ann 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe rate of change in marine ecosystems and the speed with which pressure on those systems is escalating are much faster than rates of institutional change or management responses. The continued promulgation of a century‐old management approach (i.e., single species maximum sustainable yield), despite decades of scientific warnings regarding its flaws, highlights how fisheries management and science can be constrained by path dependency and psychological traps. Major disruptions to the functioning of fisheries created by climate and SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19) present an opportunity to take a step back and introduce alternative approaches more appropriate to the extant conditions in the majority of global fisheries. This reset point, in combination with a proliferation of cheaper technological options, provides the opportunity for fisheries in emerging economies to reach a sustainable position without retracing the steps, or holding to the assumptions behind the fisheries management approaches applied in regions such as Europe, North America or Australia.
Using an educational intervention to assess and improve disease‐specific knowledge and health literacy and numeracy in adolescents and young adults with haemophilia A and B
Authors: Bhatt Nidhi , Boggio Lisa , Simpson Mindy L. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIntroductionHealth literacy (HL) and health numeracy (HN) are underestimated barriers to treatment adherence in patients with haemophilia.AimTo test the ability of an educational intervention to improve knowledge, HL, HN, adherence and joint health in adolescent and young adult (AYA) males with haemophilia.MethodsWe performed a longitudinal pilot study of 41 participants aged 12–21 years with haemophilia A or B during two clinic visits 6–12 months apart. The first visit included a comprehensive pre‐intervention assessment: demographics, knowledge survey, Montreal Cognitive Assessment testing, 5‐question tool to assess baseline HN, assessment of HL with the Rapid Estimate of Adolescent Literacy in Medicine tool, history of adherence and Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS). An educational intervention using a visual aid explained basic pharmacokinetic (PK) concepts and personal teaching regarding haemophilia treatment regimens was used during this visit. The second visit included a post‐intervention assessment: a reassessment of knowledge, HL, HN, HJHS, adherence to prescribed therapy and number of joint bleeds since the pre‐intervention visit.ResultsForty‐one males with haemophilia A or B were enrolled in the study. Of these, 33 completed the post‐intervention assessment. Knowledge (p = .002) and HN (p = .05) were significantly improved post‐intervention, although the HL, number of joint bleeds, adherence to prescribed therapy and HJHS were not.ConclusionsParticipants with low HL and/or HN may benefit from alternate methods of education such as audiovisual material. Education using audiovisual materials improved knowledge and HN in this study; however, this did not affect adherence to prescribed therapy.
Communication strategies to encourage child participation in an oral health promotion session: An exemplar video observational study
Authors: Yuan Siyang , Humphris Gerry , Macpherson Lorna M. D. , Ross Alastair , Freeman Ruth 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe oral health promotion sessions for young children and parents in a clinical setting pose challenges to the dental team.AimTo apply PaeD‐TrICS (Paediatric dental triadic interaction coding scheme) to investigate the interaction of child, parent and dental nurse and determine the effect of nurse and parental behaviours on child participation within an oral health promotion session.MethodA video observational study was applied. The sample consisted of a dental nurse and 22 children aged 2‐5 years in a general dental practice in Scotland. Behaviours were catalogued with time stamps using PaeD‐TrICS. Analysis of behavioural sequences with child participation as the dependent variable was conducted using multilevel modelling.ResultsChildren varied significantly in their participation rate. The statistical model explained 28% of the variance. The older the child and longer consultations significantly increased child participation. Both nurse and parental behaviour had immediate influence on child participation. Parental facilitation had a strong moderating effect on the influence of the nurse on child participation.ConclusionsChild participation was dependent on nurse and parent encouragement signalling an important triadic communication process. The coding scheme and analysis illustrates an important tool to investigate these advisory sessions designed for delivering tailored messages to young children and parents.Patient or Public ContributionThe dental staff, child patients and their parents were involved closely in the conduct and procedures of the present study.
Global insight into microwave stoneware firing: Macro and microstructural changes
Authors: Santos Tiago , Gomes Celso S. F. , Hennetier Luc , Costa Vítor A. F. , Costa Luís C. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIndustrial competition and environmental concerns lead to the exploration of alternative and energy‐efficient technologies for ceramic materials processing. The main objective of this work was to present microwave heating as a viable option for stoneware processing. Stoneware functional properties are presented and discussed, with emphasis on impact strength, water absorption, porosity, and color. Microstructure analyses show that microwave‐ and gas‐fired samples have higher densifications than electrically fired samples. A relevant finding for processing conditions is that microwave firing requires temperatures approximately 100°C lower than those required by conventional firing. Microwave‐fired samples’ rupture energies are approximately twice (0.57 ± 0.06 (J)) those of the reference samples (0.26 ± 0.03 (J)), and their water absorptions are approximately one‐half (1.5% at 1170°C and 0.8% at 1190°C) of those of the reference samples (2.0%), whereas the water absorption of electrically fired samples at 1180°C has been estimated to be 7.5%. Color analysis also evidences a shift to lower microwave firing temperatures, what is attributed to the enhanced transformations promoted by microwave heating when comparing with the transformations promoted by conventional (gas or electric) heating.
Successful improved peripheral tissue perfusion was seen in patients with atherosclerosis after 12 months of treatment with aged garlic extract
Authors: Lindstedt Sandra , Wlosinska Martiné , Nilsson Ann‐Christin , Hlebowicz Joanna , Fakhro Mohammed , Sheikh Rafi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPatients with arteriolosclerosis have impaired microvascular perfusion leading to impaired wound healing. Aged garlic extract has shown to have a positive impact on vascular elasticity. The present study aimed to assess the effect of long‐term treatment with AGE on peripheral tissue perfusion in patients with confirmed atherosclerosis. Ninety three patients with a CT‐scan confirmed coronary artery arteriolosclerosis were randomised in a double‐blind manner to placebo or 2400 mg AGE daily for 1 year. Peripheral tissue perfusion was evaluated at 0‐ and 12‐months using Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging. Measurement of post occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) using acetylcholine iontophoresis (Ach) was conducted. After 12 months a significant increase of 21.6% (95% CI 3.2%‐40.0%, P < .05) was seen in the relative change of PORH in the AGE compared with the placebo group. The same response was seen for CVC and Ach with an increase of 21.4% (95% CI 3.4%‐39.4%, P < .05) in the AGE group compared with the placebo group. Aged garlic extract regenerated peripheral tissue perfusion and increase microcirculation in patients with arteriolosclerosis. Adequate peripheral tissue perfusion and tissue oxygen tension are important prerequisites for successful tissue repair. Restored microcirculation in patients could hypothetically facilitate wound healing.