bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
"Present and future of immunotherapy in Neuroendocrine Tumors"
Authors: Albertelli Manuela , Dotto Andrea , Nista Federica , Veresani Alessandro , Patti Luca , Gay Stefano , Sciallero Stefania , Boschetti Mara , Ferone Diego 
Published: April 2021

AbstractImmunotherapy, so promising in many neoplasms, still does not have a precise role in the treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). In this article, we provide an overview on the current knowledge about immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) applied to NENs, evaluating future perspectives in this setting of tumors.Evidence so far available for ICIs in gastroenteropancreatic (GEP)-NENs is definitively not as robust as for other tumors such as Small Cell Lung Cancer or Merkel Cell Carcinoma. In fact, with regard to the well-differentiated forms of NENs (NETs), the results obtained nowadays have been disappointing. However, the near future, might reserve interesting results for ICIs in GEP-NEN from a total of nine different ICI drugs, used throughout 19 randomised controlled trials. Such numbers highlight the growing attention gathering around NENs and ICIs, in response to the need of stronger evidences supporting such therapy.For the future, the most important aspect will be to study strategies that can make NETs more susceptible to response to ICI and, thus, enhance the effectiveness of these treatments. Therefore, the combination of conventional therapy, target therapy and immunotherapy deserve attention and warrant to be explored. A sequential chemotherapy, possibly inducing an increase in tumor mutational burden and tested before immunotherapy, could be a hypothesis deserving more consideration. A radiation treatment that increases tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, could be another approach to explore before ICIs in NENs. Equally essential will be the identification of biomarkers useful for selecting patients potentially responsive to this type of treatment.
Spatial distribution of multielements including lanthanides in sediments of Iron Gate I Reservoir in the Danube River
Authors: Culicov Otilia Ana , Trtić-Petrović Tatjana , Balvanović Roman , Petković Anđelka , Ražić Slavica 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRecent studies show that lanthanides (Ln) are becoming emerging pollutants due to their wide application in new technologies, but their environmental fate, transport, and possible accumulation are still relatively unknown. This study aims to determine major and trace elements including Ln in the Danube River sediment which either belong or close to the Iron Gate Reservoir. The Iron Gate Reservoir is characterized by accumulation of sediments as an effect of building hydropower dam Iron Gate I. The surface sediments were collected on the Danube River—1141 to 864 km and three tributaries along this waterway. Two samples of deep sediments were used for comparison. The results indicate the significant upward enrichment of Zn, Sb, Cr, Nd, and Dy in sediments belongs to the Iron Gate Reservoir. The sample 4-Smed is labelled as a hot spot of contamination with Zn, Cr, As, Sb, Nd, and Dy. Also, a trend of increasing concentration in the time period from 1995 to 2016 was found for elements Zn, Cr, and Ni in sediment samples in the Iron Gate Reservoir. Chemometric analysis shows the grouping of sample sites into clusters characterized by the following properties: (i) increased concentration of all measured elements (samples within the Iron Gate Reservoir); (ii) increased Cu concentration (11-Pek); and (iii) lower concentrations of the measured elements (deep sediments). The data presented hereby contribute to the monitoring of pollution of the River Danube sediments and give the first view of Ln profile in the studied sediments.
Argumentation und Narration in verschwörungstheoretischen Youtube-Videos
Authors: Niehr Thomas 
Published: April 2021

ZusammenfassungIn diesem Beitrag wird das Verhältnis von Argumentation und Narration in sogenannten Verschwörungstheorien näher beleuchtet. Im Anschluss an die in der klassischen Rhetorik beschriebene Funktion dernarratioin einer Gerichtsrede wird der Frage nachgegangen, in welcher Weise narrative Elemente bei verschwörungstheoretischen Argumentationen eingesetzt werden und welche Funktionen sie dabei übernehmen. Am Beispiel ausgewählter Youtube-Videos des Verschwörungstheoretikers Heiko Schrang wird illustriert, wie narrative Elemente eine Argumentation stützen und Rezipient*innen Anschluss an die eigenen Wissensbestände sichern können.
Analyzing development patterns in research networks and technology
Authors: Wolf Patrick , Buchmann Tobias 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe present paper analyzes development patterns in research networks and technology as well as their co-evolution by the example of the currently highly transformative German automotive industry. We therefore introduce a consistent network-based approach for measuring change in research networks and the technological composition of patents. Our results show that the applied method is particularly useful for identifying structural similarities and main structural changes in research and patent networks. Further, the investigation of the co-evolutionary processes indicates that, regarding the German automotive industry, changes in technology lead to structural changes in the research network.
Infectious Disease Hospital Preparedness: Lessons Learned From the 2019 Measles Outbreak
Authors: Fifolt Matthew , Lee Rachael A , Nafziger Sarah , McCormick Lisa C 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjective:This paper: (1) explores the real and perceived threats to Emergency Departments (EDs) in addressing infectious disease cases in the US, like measles, and (2) identifies priorities for protecting employees, patients, and others stakeholders through hospital preparedness while streamlining processes and managing costs.Methods:A case study approach was used to describe the events that triggered an infectious disease emergency response in 1 ED in the southeast. Development of the case study was informed by emergency preparedness literature on Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program processes.Results:Hospital staff and administrators identified a number of factors that either positively contributed to disease containment or exacerbated conditions for disease transmission. Successes included early recognition of the potential threat, development of a multidisciplinary taskforce, and implementation of a pre-incident response plan. Challenges comprised of patient flow in crisis response, lab turnaround time, and employee records.Conclusions:The threat of exposure challenged daily operations and raised situational awareness among administrators and providers to issues that might arise during an infectious disease exposure. Recording emergency preparedness successes, remediating challenges, and sharing information with others may help minimize the threat of communicable diseases within hospital settings in the future.
Subjective accelerated aging moderates the association between COVID-19 health worries and peritraumatic distress among older adults
Authors: Greenblatt-Kimron Lee , Ring Lia , Hoffman Yaakov , Shrira Amit , Bodner Ehud , Palgi Yuval 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe present study examined whether subjective accelerated aging moderated the relationship between COVID-19 health worries and COVID-19 peritraumatic distress among older adults.MethodThe sample consisted of 277 older adults (M = 69.58,s.d.= 6.73, range 60–92) who answered an online questionnaire during the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in Israel. Participants completed the measures of background characteristics, exposure to COVID-19, COVID-19 health worries, subjective accelerated aging and COVID-19-based peritraumatic distress.ResultsHigher levels of COVID-19 health worries were correlated with higher levels of peritraumatic distress symptoms among older adults. Moreover, those reporting accelerated aging also reported a higher level of peritraumatic distress. Finally, the interaction between COVID-19 health worries and subjective accelerated aging predicted peritraumatic distress, suggesting that COVID-19 worries were associated with peritraumatic distress to a stronger degree among older adults who felt they were aging faster.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that negative views of aging may serve as an amplifying factor for traumatic distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although preliminary, the findings provide insight for potential screening and interventions of older adults at risk of developing peritraumatic distress symptoms during the global pandemic.
Optimizing the Measurement of Sexism in Political Surveys
Authors: Schaffner Brian F. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPolitical scientists are paying increasing attention to understanding the role of sexist attitudes on predicting vote choices and opinions on issues. However, the research in this area measures sexist attitudes with a variety of different items and scales. In this paper, I evaluate some of the most prominent contemporary measures of sexism and develop an approach for identifying optimal items based on (1) convergent validity, (2) predictive validity, and (3) distance from politics. I find that a subset of items from the hostile sexism scale exhibit the most desirable measurement properties and I conclude by recommending a simple two- to five-item reduced hostile sexism battery that will allow scholars to efficiently, validly, and consistently measure sexism.
The Ediacaran ‘Miaohe Member’ of South China: new insights from palaeoredox proxies and stable isotope data
Authors: Bridger Paul , Poulton Simon W. , Zhou Ying , Li Chao , Zhang Kun , Shields Graham A. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThroughout the Ediacaran Period, variable water-column redox conditions persisted along productive ocean margins due to a complex interplay between nutrient supply and oceanographic restriction. These changing conditions are considered to have influenced early faunal evolution, with marine anoxia potentially inhibiting the development of the ecological niches necessary for aerobic life forms. To understand this link between oxygenation and evolution, the combined geochemical and palaeontological study of marine sediments is preferable. Located in the Yangtze Gorges region of southern China, lagoonal black shales at Miaohe preserve alga and putative metazoans, including Eoandromeda, a candidate total-group ctenophore, thereby providing one example of where integrated study is possible. We present a multi-proxy investigation into water-column redox variability during deposition of these shales (c. 560–551 Ma). For this interval, reactive iron partitioning indicates persistent water-column anoxia, while trace metal enrichments and other geochemical data suggest temporal fluctuations between ferruginous, euxinic and rare suboxic conditions. Although trace metal and total organic carbon values imply extensive basin restriction, sustained trace metal enrichment and δ15Nsed data indicate periodic access to open-ocean inventories across a shallow-marine sill. Lastly, δ13Corg values of between −35‰ and −40‰ allow at least partial correlation of the shales at Miaohe with Member IV of the Doushantuo Formation. This study provides evidence for fluctuating redox conditions in the lagoonal area of the Yangtze platform during late Ediacaran time. If these low-oxygen environments were regionally characteristic, then the restriction of aerobic fauna to isolated environments can be inferred.
Psychiatric comorbidity as predictor and moderator of binge-eating disorder treatment outcomes: an analysis of aggregated randomized controlled trials
Authors: Lydecker Janet A. , Grilo Carlos M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundPsychiatric comorbidity is common in binge-eating disorder (BED) but effects on treatment outcomes are unknown. The current study aimed to determine whether psychiatric comorbidity predicted or moderated BED treatment outcomes.MethodsIn total, 636 adults with BED in randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) were assessed prior, throughout, and posttreatment by doctoral research-clinicians using reliably-administered semi-structured interviews, self-report measures, and measured weight. Data were aggregated from RCTs testing cognitive-behavioral therapy, behavioral weight loss, multi-modal (combined pharmacological plus cognitive-behavioral/behavioral), and/or control conditions. Intent-to-treat analyses (all available data) tested comorbidity (mood, anxiety, ‘any disorder’ separately) as predictors and moderators of outcomes. Mixed-effects models tested comorbidity effects on binge-eating frequency, global eating-disorder psychopathology, and weight. Generalized estimating equation models tested binge-eating remission (zero binge-eating episodes during the past month; missing data imputed as failure).ResultsOverall, 41% of patients had current psychiatric comorbidity; 22% had mood and 23% had anxiety disorders. Psychiatric comorbidity did not significantly moderate the outcomes of specific treatments. Psychiatric comorbidity predicted worse eating-disorder psychopathology and higher binge-eating frequency across all treatments and timepoints. Patients with mood comorbidity were significantly less likely to remit than those without mood disorders (30% v. 41%). Psychiatric comorbidity neither predicted nor moderated weight loss.ConclusionsPsychiatric comorbidity was associated with more severe BED psychopathology throughout treatment but did not moderate outcomes. Findings highlight the need to improve treatments for BED with psychiatric comorbidities but challenge perspectives that combining existing psychological and pharmacological interventions is warranted. Treatment research must identify more effective interventions for BED overall and for patients with comorbidities.
Effectiveness of cognitive remediation in depression: a meta-analysis
Authors: Legemaat Amanda M. , Semkovska Maria , Brouwer Marlies , Geurtsen Gert J. , Burger Huibert , Denys Damiaan , Bockting Claudi L. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundPreliminary evidence suggests beneficial effects of cognitive remediation in depression. An update of the current evidence is needed. The aim was to systematically assess the effectiveness of cognitive remediation in depression on three outcomes.MethodsThe meta-analysis was pre-registered on PROSPERO (CRD42019124316). PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched on 2 February 2019 and 8 November 2020 for peer-reviewed published articles. We included randomized and non-randomized clinical trials comparing cognitive remediation to control conditions in adults with primary depression. Random-effects models were used to calculate Hedges' g, and moderators were assessed using mixed-effects subgroup analyses and meta-regression. Main outcome categories were post-treatment depressive symptomatology (DS), cognitive functioning (CF) and daily functioning (DF).ResultsWe identified 5221 records and included 21 studies reporting on 24 comparisons, with 438 depressed patients receiving cognitive remediation and 540 patients in a control condition. We found a small effect on DS (g = 0.28, 95% CI 0.09–0.46, I2 40%), a medium effect on CF (g = 0.60, 95% CI 0.37–0.83, I2 44%) and a small effect on DF (g = 0.22, 95% CI 0.06–0.39, I2 3%). There were no significant effects at follow-up. Confounding bias analyses indicated possible overestimation of the DS and DF effects in the original studies.ConclusionsCognitive remediation in depression improves CF in the short term. The effects on DS and DF may have been overestimated. Baseline depressive symptom severity should be considered when administering cognitive remediation.
Prevalence of internalizing disorders, symptoms, and traits across age using advanced nonlinear models
Authors: van Loo Hanna M. , Beijers Lian , Wieling Martijn , de Jong Trynke R. , Schoevers Robert A. , Kendler Kenneth S. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundMost epidemiological studies show a decrease of internalizing disorders at older ages, but it is unclear how the prevalence exactly changes with age, and whether there are different patterns for internalizing symptoms and traits, and for men and women. This study investigates the impact of age and sex on the point prevalence across different mood and anxiety disorders, internalizing symptoms, and neuroticism.MethodsWe used cross-sectional data on 146 315 subjects, aged 18–80 years, from the Lifelines Cohort Study, a Dutch general population sample. Between 2012 and 2016, five current internalizing disorders – major depression, dysthymia, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and panic disorder – were assessed according to DSM-IV criteria. Depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, neuroticism, and negative affect (NA) were also measured. Generalized additive models were used to identify nonlinear patterns across age, and to investigate sex differences.ResultsThe point prevalence of internalizing disorders generally increased between the ages of 18 and 30 years, stabilized between 30 and 50, and decreased after age 50. The patterns of internalizing symptoms and traits were different. NA and neuroticism gradually decreased after age 18. Women reported more internalizing disorders than men, but the relative difference remained stable across age (relative risk ~1.7).ConclusionsThe point prevalence of internalizing disorders was typically highest between age 30 and 50, but there were differences between the disorders, which could indicate differences in etiology. The relative gap between the sexes remained similar across age, suggesting that changes in sex hormones around the menopause do not significantly influence women's risk of internalizing disorders.
The contribution of depressive ‘disorder characteristics’ to determinations of prognosis for adults with depression: an individual patient data meta-analysis
Authors: Buckman Joshua E. J. , Saunders Rob , Cohen Zachary D. , Barnett Phoebe , Clarke Katherine , Ambler Gareth , DeRubeis Robert J. , Gilbody Simon , Hollon Steven D. , Kendrick Tony , Watkins Edward , Wiles Nicola , Kessler David , Richards David , Sharp Deborah , Brabyn Sally , Littlewood Elizabeth , Salisbury Chris , White Ian R. , Lewis Glyn , Pilling Stephen 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to investigate general factors associated with prognosis regardless of the type of treatment received, for adults with depression in primary care.MethodsWe searched Medline, Embase, PsycINFO and Cochrane Central (inception to 12/01/2020) for RCTs that included the most commonly used comprehensive measure of depressive and anxiety disorder symptoms and diagnoses, in primary care depression RCTs (the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule: CIS-R). Two-stage random-effects meta-analyses were conducted.ResultsTwelve (n = 6024) of thirteen eligible studies (n = 6175) provided individual patient data. There was a 31% (95%CI: 25 to 37) difference in depressive symptoms at 3–4 months per standard deviation increase in baseline depressive symptoms. Four additional factors: the duration of anxiety; duration of depression; comorbid panic disorder; and a history of antidepressant treatment were also independently associated with poorer prognosis. There was evidence that the difference in prognosis when these factors were combined could be of clinical importance. Adding these variables improved the amount of variance explained in 3–4 month depressive symptoms from 16% using depressive symptom severity alone to 27%. Risk of bias (assessed with QUIPS) was low in all studies and quality (assessed with GRADE) was high. Sensitivity analyses did not alter our conclusions.ConclusionsWhen adults seek treatment for depression clinicians should routinely assess for the duration of anxiety, duration of depression, comorbid panic disorder, and a history of antidepressant treatment alongside depressive symptom severity. This could provide clinicians and patients with useful and desired information to elucidate prognosis and aid the clinical management of depression.
Review of infective dose, routes of transmission and outcome of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-COV-2: comparison with other respiratory viruses
Authors: Karimzadeh Sedighe , Bhopal Raj , Nguyen Tien Huy 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is pandemic. Prevention and control strategies require an improved understanding of SARS-CoV-2 dynamics. We did a rapid review of the literature on SARS-CoV-2 viral dynamics with a focus on infective dose. We sought comparisons of SARS-CoV-2 with other respiratory viruses including SARS-CoV-1 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. We examined laboratory animal and human studies. The literature on infective dose, transmission and routes of exposure was limited specially in humans, and varying endpoints were used for measurement of infection. Despite variability in animal studies, there was some evidence that increased dose at exposure correlated with higher viral load clinically, and severe symptoms. Higher viral load measures did not reflect coronavirus disease 2019 severity. Aerosol transmission seemed to raise the risk of more severe respiratory complications in animals. An accurate quantitative estimate of the infective dose of SARS-CoV-2 in humans is not currently feasible and needs further research. Our review suggests that it is small, perhaps about 100 particles. Further work is also required on the relationship between routes of transmission, infective dose, co-infection and outcomes.
Adjuvant chemotherapy versus observation following neoadjuvant therapy and surgery for resectable stages I–II pancreatic cancer
Authors: Ma Sung Jun , Serra Lucas M. , Bartl Austin J. , Han Hye Ri , Fekrmandi Fatemeh , Iovoli Austin J. , Hermann Gregory M. , Yu Han , Singh Anurag K. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAim:This National Cancer Database (NCDB) analysis was performed to evaluate the outcomes of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) versus observation for resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with neoadjuvant therapy (NT).Materials and methods:The NCDB was queried for primary stages I–II cT1-3N0-1M0 resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with NT (2004–2015). Baseline patient, tumour and treatment characteristics were extracted. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). With a 6-month conditional landmark, Kaplan–Meier analysis, multivariable Cox proportional hazards method and 1:1 propensity score matching was used to analyse the data.Results:A total of 1,737 eligible patients were identified, of which 1,247 underwent post-operative observation compared to 490 with AC. The overall median follow-up was 34·7 months. The addition of AC showed improved survival on the multivariate analysis (HR 0·78, p < 0·001). AC remained statistically significant for improved OS, with a median OS of 26·3 months versus 22·3 months and 2-year OS of 63·9% versus 52·9% for the observation cohort (p < 0·001). Treatment interaction analysis showed OS benefit of AC for patients with smaller tumours.Findings:Our findings suggest a survival benefit for AC compared to observation following NT and surgery for resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma, especially in patients with smaller tumours.