bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retrospektive Mortalitätsstudie natürlicher Todesfälle der Generation 65+ im Obduktionsgut der Rechtsmedizin Frankfurt am Main anhand zweier Zeitintervalle
Authors: Wach A. , Faßbender C. , Ackermann H. , Parzeller M. 
Published: March 2021

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund und Ziel der Arbeit
In Deutschland vollzieht sich ein stetiger demografischer Wandel, welcher zu einer zunehmenden Alterung der Gesellschaft führt. Ziel der Arbeit war die Analyse der natürlichen Todesfälle mit einem Sterbealter ≥ 65 Jahre, da die gesundheitliche Vulnerabilität dieser Altersgruppe an Bedeutung gewinnt.

Material und Methoden
Retrospektiv wurden die Obduktionsgutachten aller natürlichen Todesfälle der ≥ 65-Jährigen im Institut der Rechtsmedizin des Universitätsklinikums der Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main in einem Zeitvergleich (Zeitraum I: 2000–2002; Zeitraum II: 2013–2015) ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse
In den Zeiträumen I und II wurden insgesamt 1206 Obduktionen in dieser Altersgruppe ermittelt. Davon wiesen 404 (33,5 %) eine nichtnatürliche Todesart auf, in 39 Fällen (3,2 %) lag eine Kombination aus natürlichem und nichtnatürlichem Tod vor, und in 94 Fällen (7,8 %) war die Todesart unklar. Die Mehrheit (n = 669; 55,5 %) verstarb an einer natürlichen Todesart. Die größte Gruppe davon (n = 350; 52,3 %) betraf kardiale Todesursachen, gefolgt von 132 (19,7 %) respiratorischen und 47 (7,0 %) abdominellen Todesursachen. Zudem lagen 37 (5,5 %) maligne Neoplasien, 37 (5,5 %) sonstige natürliche Todesursachen, 33 (4,9 %) Rupturen großer Gefäße und 33 (4,9 %) zerebrale Todesursachen vor. Im Vergleich der Zeiträume I und II fiel eine signifikante Abnahme der kardialen Todesursachen auf. Es kam insbesondere zu einer signifikanten Abnahme der hochgradigen bis verschließenden Koronarsklerosen. Zwischen beiden Geschlechtern zeigten sich signifikante Unterschiede. So wiesen Männer signifikant mehr Bypässe, Stents und Herznarben auf und erlitten ca. 10 Jahre vor den Frauen einen Myokardinfarkt.

Diskussion/Schlussfolgerung
Die Ergebnisse decken sich größtenteils mit der Literatur. Die Abnahme kardialer Todesursachen könnte auf eine zunehmend bessere medizinische Versorgung und eine signifikant zunehmende Implantationsrate von Stents zurückzuführen sein. Die Rolle der forensischen Gerontologie wird –gerade in Pandemiezeiten– zunehmend an Bedeutung gewinnen.
A comparison of positivity in complex and tropical toric geometry
Authors: Burgos Gil José Ignacio , Gubler Walter , Jell Philipp , Künnemann Klaus 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGiven a smooth complex toric variety we will compare real Lagerberg forms and currents on its tropicalization with invariant complex forms and currents on the toric variety. Our main result is a correspondence theorem which identifies the cone of invariant closed positive currents on the complex toric variety with closed positive currents on the tropicalization. In a subsequent paper, this correspondence will be used to develop a Bedford–Taylor theory of plurisubharmonic functions on the tropicalization.
Global prevalence and types of complementary and alternative medicines use amongst adults with diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Alzahrani Abdulaziz S. , Price Malcolm J. , Greenfield Sheila M. , Paudyal Vibhu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Aim
This study aimed to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of global prevalence and types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use amongst adults with diabetes.

Methods
Nine databases, including MEDLINE and EMBASE, were searched for studies published between 2009 and 2019 which included extractable data for CAM use in adult patients with diabetes. Study characteristics, types of CAM, and overall and subgroup prevalence data in relation to CAM use were extracted. Meta-analysis of aggregate level data on prevalence and prevalence ratios (PRs) was performed using a random effects model.

Results
From the 38 studies included in the review, a total of 37 types of CAM and 223 types of herbs were identified. Pooled prevalence of CAM use was 51%. A wide variation in prevalence rates (predictive interval 8–93%) was observed. In the context of high heterogeneity, we found no evidence that CAM use was associated with gender, chronicity or type of diabetes. Approximately one third of patients did not disclose their use of CAM to healthcare professionals (95% PrI 25%, 97%). Herbal medicines, acupuncture, homoeopathy and spiritual healing were the common CAM types reported.

Conclusions
A wide variation in prevalence of CAM use by patients with diabetes was identified. Healthcare professionals should be aware of their patients’ use of CAM to ensure treatment optimization, avoid herb–drug interactions and promote medication adherence in diabetes. Diabetic reviews and clinical guidelines should incorporate exploration of patient use of CAM as many patients do not proactively disclose the use of CAM to their healthcare professionals.

Registration
The protocol for this study was registered with the Centre for Review and Dissemination (CRD). Protocol registration number CRD42019125036.
Pain Interference and Decreased Physical Function After Emergency General Surgery: Measuring Patient‐Reported Outcomes
Authors: Hatchimonji Justin S. , Bader Amanda L. , Ma Lucy W. , Chreiman Kristen , Byrne James P. , Reilly Patrick M. , Braslow Benjamin M. , Seamon Mark J. , Holena Daniel N. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIntroductionThere is increasing emphasis on patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) measures in healthcare, but this area remains largely unexplored in emergency general surgery (EGS) conditions. We hypothesized that postoperative patients in our EGS clinic would report detrimental changes in several domains of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL).MethodsWe administered the PROMIS‐29, a HRQoL measurement tool, to postoperative patients in our EGS clinic (11/2019–4/2020). Patients responded to measures of 7 domains. Domain scores were converted to t‐scores, allowing comparison to average values within the general US population (set to 50 by definition). We report the mean scores within each domain. Higher scores in negatively worded domains (e.g., “Depression”) are worse; vice versa for positively worded domains (e.g., “Physical Function”). Changes in scores at subsequent clinic visits were analyzed using the paired t‐test.ResultsThere were 97 patients who completed the PROMIS‐29 at the first postoperative visit. Mean (SD) age was 54.1 (16.2) years; 51% were male. There was no difference in our patients from the average US population in the domains of Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities, Anxiety, Fatigue, and Sleep Disturbance. However, EGS patients experienced significantly greater Pain Interference (56.1 [54.1, 58.1]) and worse Physical Function (40.6 [38.4, 42.7]) than average. For patients seen in follow‐up twice (13 patients, median interval between clinic visits 21 days), there were improvements in the domains of Physical Function (42.9 vs 37.3; p = 0.04) and Fatigue.ConclusionWe demonstrate room for improvement in the domains of pain interference and physical function. While positive changes over a relatively short period of time are encouraging, consideration should be given to patient perceptions of illness and lifestyle impact when managing EGS patients.
Environmental impact on the mechanical properties of Porites spp. corals
Authors: Moynihan Molly A. , Amini Shahrouz , Goodkin Nathalie F. , Tanzil Jani T. I. , Chua J. Q. Isaiah , Fabbro Gareth N. , Fan Tung-Yung , Schmidt Daniela N. , Miserez Ali 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDespite the economic and ecological importance of corals’ skeletal structure, as well as their predicted vulnerability to future climate change, few studies have examined the skeletal mechanical properties at the nanoscale. As climate change is predicted to alter coral growth and physiology, as well as increase mechanical stress events (e.g., bioerosion, storm frequency), it is crucial to understand how skeletal mechanical properties change with environmental conditions. Moreover, while material properties are intimately linked to the chemical composition of the skeleton, no previous study has examined mechanical properties alongside carbonate geochemical composition. Using Porites coral cores from a wide range of reef environments (Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan), we correlated coral’s micro-mechanical properties with chemical composition. In contrast to previous mechanical measurements of reef-building corals, we document unprecedented variability in the hardness, stiffness, and micro-cracking stress of Porites corals across reef environments, which may significantly decrease the structural integrity of reef substrate. Corals from environments with low salinity and high sedimentation had higher organic content and fractured at lower loads, suggesting that skeletal organic content caused enhanced embrittlement. Within individual coral cores, we observed seasonal variability in skeletal stiffness, and a relationship between high sea surface temperature, increased stiffness, and high-density. Regionally, lower Sr/Ca and higher Mg/Ca coincided with decreased stiffness and hardness, which is likely driven by increased amorphous calcium carbonate and skeletal organic content. If the coral is significantly embrittled, as measured here in samples from Singapore, faster erosion is expected. A decrease in skeletal stiffness will decrease the quality of reef substrate, enhance the rate of bioerosion by predators and borers, and increase colony dislodgement, resulting in widespread loss of structural complexity.
The prognostic significance of lactate dehydrogenase levels in seminoma patients with advanced disease: an analysis by the Global Germ Cell Tumor Collaborative Group (G3)
Authors: Seidel Christoph , Daugaard Gedske , Nestler Tim , Tryakin Alexey , Fedyanin Mikhail , Fankhauser Christian Daniel , Hermanns Thomas , Aparicio Jorge , Heinzelbecker Julia , Paffenholz Pia , Heidenreich Axel , De Giorgi Ugo , Cathomas Richard , Lorch Anja , Fingerhut Anna , Gayer Fabian , Bremmer Felix , Giannatempo Patrizia , Necchi Andrea , Raggi Daniele , Aurilio Gaetano , Casadei Chiara , Hentrich Marcus , Tran Ben , Dieckmann Klaus-Peter , Brito Margarido , Ruf Christian , Mazzocca Alessandro , Vincenzi Bruno , Stahl Olof , Bokemeyer Carsten , Oing Christoph 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The prognostic significance of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in patients with metastatic seminoma is not defined. We investigated the prognostic impact of LDH levels prior to first-line systemic treatment and other clinical characteristics in this subset of patients.

Methods
Files from two registry studies and one single-institution database were analyzed retrospectively. Uni- and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify patient characteristics associated with recurrence free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and complete response rate (CRR).

Results
The dataset included 351 metastatic seminoma patients with a median follow-up of 5.36 years. Five-year RFS, OS and CRR were 82%, 89% and 52%, respectively. Explorative analysis revealed a cut-off LDH level of < 2.5 upper limit of normal (ULN) (n = 228) vs. ≥ 2.5 ULN (n = 123) to be associated with a significant difference concerning OS associated with 5-years OS rates of 93% vs. 83% (p = 0.001) which was confirmed in multivariate analysis (HR 2.87; p = 0.004). Furthermore, the cut-off LDH < 2.5 ULN vs. ≥ 2.5 ULN correlated with RFS and CRR associated with a 5-years RFS rate and CRR of 76% vs. 86% (p = 0.012) and 32% vs. 59% (p  ≤  0.001), respectively.

Conclusions
LDH levels correlate with treatment response and survival in metastatic seminoma patients and should be considered for their prognostic stratification.
Global illumination in sparse voxel octrees
Authors: Max Nelson 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis paper enhances the voxel-to-voxel radiance shooting, propagation, and scattering algorithm of Max [20]. It reduces the memory requirements by storing the radiance only on the occupied cells of a sparse voxel octree and by sampling only 24 propagation direction bins instead of 96 or more. It gives a modification of the propagation algorithm to compensate for the larger solid angle of the direction bins and allows for position-dependent fully anisotropic scattering. For a volume of $$n^3$$

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voxels, the computation time is $$O(n^3(\mathrm {log}\,n)^{3/2})$$

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Similar dietary regulation of IGF-1- and IGF-binding proteins by animal and plant protein in subjects with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Schüler Rita , Markova Mariya , Osterhoff Martin A. , Arafat Ayman , Pivovarova Olga , Machann Jürgen , Hierholzer Johannes , Hornemann Silke , Rohn Sascha , Pfeiffer Andreas F. H. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIncreased animal but not plant protein intake has been associated with increased mortality in epidemiological studies in humans and with reduced lifespan in animal species. Protein intake increases the activity of the IGF-1 system which may provide a link to reduced lifespan. We, therefore, compared the effects of animal versus plant protein intake on circulating levels of IGF-1 and the IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP)-1 and IGFBP-2 over a 6-week period. Thirty seven participants with type 2 diabetes consumed isocaloric diets composed of either 30% energy (EN) animal or plant protein, 30% EN fat and 40% EN carbohydrates for 6 weeks. The participants were clinically phenotyped before and at the end of the study. Both diets induced similar and significant increases of IGF-1 which was unaffected by the different amino acid compositions of plant and animal protein. Despite improvements of insulin sensitivity and major reductions of liver fat, IGFBP2 decreased with both diets while IGFBP-1 was not altered. We conclude that animal and plant protein similarly increase IGF-1 bioavailability while improving metabolic parameters and may be regarded as equivalent in this regard.
Patients with non-idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss show hearing improvement more often than patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Thielker Jovanna , Heuschkel Anne , Boeger Daniel , Buentzel Jens , Esser Dirk , Hoffmann Kerstin , Jecker Peter , Mueller Andreas , Radtke Gerald , Guntinas-Lichius Orlando 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIntroductionTo compare inpatient treated patients with idiopathic (ISSNHL) and non-idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (NISSNHL) regarding frequency, hearing loss, treatment and outcome.MethodsAll 574 inpatient patients (51% male, median age: 60 years) with ISSNHL and NISSNHL, who were treated in federal state Thuringia in 2011 and 2012, were included retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed.ResultsISSNHL was diagnosed in 490 patients (85%), NISSNHL in 84 patients (15%). 49% of these cases had hearing loss due to acute otitis media, 37% through varicella-zoster infection or Lyme disease, 10% through Menière disease and 7% due to other reasons. Patients with ISSNHL and NISSNHL showed no difference between age, gender, side of hearing loss, presence of tinnitus or vertigo and their comorbidities. 45% of patients with ISSNHL and 62% with NISSNHL had an outpatient treatment prior to inpatient treatment (p < 0.001). The mean interval between onset of hearing loss to inpatient treatment was shorter in ISSNHL (7.7 days) than in NISSNHL (8.9 days;p = 0.02). The initial hearing loss of the three most affected frequencies in pure-tone average (3PTAmax) scaled 72.9 dBHL ± 31.3 dBHL in ISSNHL and 67.4 dBHL ± 30.5 dBHL in NISSNHL. In the case of acute otitis media, 3PTAmax (59.7 dBHL ± 24.6 dBHL) was lower than in the case of varicella-zoster infection or Lyme disease (80.11 dBHL ± 34.19 dBHL;p = 0.015). Mean absolute hearing gain (Δ3PTAmaxabs) was 8.1 dB ± 18.8 dB in patients with ISSNHL, and not different in NISSNHL patients with 10.2 dB ± 17.6 dB. A Δ3PTAmaxabs ≥ 10 dB was reached in 34.3% of the patients with ISSNHL and to a significantly higher rate of 48.8% in NISSNHL patients (p = 0.011).ConclusionsISSNHL and NISSNHL show no relevant baseline differences. ISSNHL tends to have a higher initial hearing loss. NISSHNL shows a better outcome than ISSNHL.
Nothing but hot air?—On the molecular ballistic analysis of backspatter generated by and the hazard potential of blank guns
Authors: Euteneuer Jan , Gosch Annica , Courts Cornelius 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBlank cartridge guns are prevalent especially in countries with laws restricting access to conventional firearms, and it is a common misconception that these weapons are harmless and only used as toys or for intimidation. However, although their harming potential is well-documented by numerous reports of accidents, suicides, and homicides, a systematic molecular biological investigation of traces generated by shots from blank cartridges at biological targets has not been done so far. Herein, we investigate the occurrence and analyzability of backspatter generated by shots of different types of blank cartridge guns firing different types of blank ammunition at ballistic gelatin model cubes doped with human blood and radiological contrast agent soaked into a spongious matrix and covered with three different variants of skin simulants. All skin simulants were penetrated, and backspatter was created in 100% of the shots in amounts sufficient for forensic short tandem repeat (STR) typing that resulted in the correct identification of the respective blood donor. Visible backspatter was documented on the muzzle and/or inside the barrel in all cases, and in 75% of cases also on the outer surfaces and on the shooter’s hand(s). Wound cavities were measured and ranged between 1 and 4.5 cm in depth. Discussing our findings, we provide recommendations for finding, recovering, and analyzing trace material from blank guns, and we demonstrate the considerable hazard potential of these devices, which is further emphasized by the presentation of a comprehensive overview of the pertinent literature on injuries inflicted by blank guns.
Sufficient conditions for hyperbolicity and consistency of the dynamic equations for fluid-saturated solids
Authors: Osinov Vladimir A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPrevious studies showed that the dynamic equations for a porous fluid-saturated solid may lose hyperbolicity and thus render the boundary-value problem ill-posed while the equations for the same but dry solid remain hyperbolic. This paper presents sufficient conditions for hyperbolicity in both dry and saturated states. Fluid-saturated solids are described by two different systems of equations depending on whether the permeability is zero or nonzero (locally undrained and drained conditions, respectively). The paper also introduces a notion of wave speed consistency between the two systems as a necessary condition which must be satisfied in order for the solution in the locally drained case to tend to the undrained solution as the permeability tends to zero. It is shown that the symmetry and positive definiteness of the acoustic tensor of the skeleton guarantee both hyperbolicity and the wave speed consistency of the equations.
Evaluation of a worldwide EQA scheme for complex clonality analysis of clinical lymphoproliferative cases demonstrates a learning effect
Authors: Keppens Cleo , Boone Elke , Gameiro Paula , Tack Véronique , Moreau Elisabeth , Hodges Elizabeth , Evans Paul , Brüggemann Monika , Carter Ian , Lenze Dido , Sarasquete Maria Eugenia , Möbs Markus , Liu Hongxiang , Dequeker Elisabeth M. C. , Groenen Patricia J. T. A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractClonality analysis of immunoglobulin (IG) or T-cell receptor (TR) gene rearrangements is routine practice to assist diagnosis of lymphoid malignancies. Participation in external quality assessment (EQA) aids laboratories in identifying systematic shortcomings. The aim of this study was to evaluate laboratories’ improvement in IG/TR analysis and interpretation during five EQA rounds between 2014 and 2018. Each year, participants received a total of five cases for IG and five cases for TR testing. Paper-based cases were included for analysis of the final molecular conclusion that should be interpreted based on the integration of the individual PCR results. Wet cases were distributed for analysis of their routine protocol as well as evaluation of the final molecular conclusion. In total, 94.9% (506/533) of wet tests and 97.9% (829/847) of paper tests were correctly analyzed for IG, and 96.8% (507/524) wet tests and 93.2% (765/821) paper tests were correctly analyzed for TR. Analysis scores significantly improved when laboratories participated to more EQA rounds (p=0.001). Overall performance was significantly lower (p=0.008) for non-EuroClonality laboratories (95% for IG and 93% for TR) compared to EuroClonality laboratories (99% for IG and 97% for TR). The difference was not related to the EQA scheme year, anatomic origin of the sample, or final clinical diagnosis. This evaluation showed that repeated EQA participation helps to reduce performance differences between laboratories (EuroClonality versus non-EuroClonality) and between sample types (paper versus wet). The difficulties in interpreting oligoclonal cases highlighted the need for continued education by meetings and EQA schemes.
The perspectives of mapping and monitoring of the sense of self in neurosurgical patients
Authors: Schaller Karl , Iannotti Giannina Rita , Orepic Pavo , Betka Sophie , Haemmerli Julien , Boex Colette , Alcoba-Banqueri Sixto , Garin Dorian F. A. , Herbelin Bruno , Park Hyeong-Dong , Michel Christoph M. , Blanke Olaf 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSurgical treatment of tumors, epileptic foci or of vascular origin, requires a detailed individual pre-surgical workup and intra-operative surveillance of brain functions to minimize the risk of post-surgical neurological deficits and decline of quality of life. Most attention is attributed to language, motor functions, and perception. However, higher cognitive functions such as social cognition, personality, and the sense of self may be affected by brain surgery. To date, the precise localization and the network patterns of brain regions involved in such functions are not yet fully understood, making the assessment of risks of related post-surgical deficits difficult. It is in the interest of neurosurgeons to understand with which neural systems related to selfhood and personality they are interfering during surgery. Recent neuroscience research using virtual reality and clinical observations suggest that the insular cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, and temporo-parietal junction are important components of a neural system dedicated to self-consciousness based on multisensory bodily processing, including exteroceptive and interoceptive cues (bodily self-consciousness (BSC)). Here, we argue that combined extra- and intra-operative approaches using targeted cognitive testing, functional imaging and EEG, virtual reality, combined with multisensory stimulations, may contribute to the assessment of the BSC and related cognitive aspects. Although the usefulness of particular biomarkers, such as cardiac and respiratory signals linked to virtual reality, and of heartbeat evoked potentials as a surrogate marker for intactness of multisensory integration for intra-operative monitoring has to be proved, systemic and automatized testing of BSC in neurosurgical patients will improve future surgical outcome.