bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
To what extent is male excess risk of advanced colorectal neoplasms explained by known risk factors? Results from a large German screening population
Authors: Niedermaier Tobias , Heisser Thomas , Gies Anton , Guo Feng , Amitay Efrat L. , Hoffmeister Michael , Brenner Hermann 
Published: July 2021

AbstractColorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and prevalence of its precursors are substantially higher among males than among females in most countries but the reasons for the male excess risk are incompletely understood. We aimed to assess to what extent it is explained by known risk factors. Prevalence of advanced neoplasia (AN, ie, CRC or advanced adenoma) and CRC risk and preventive factors were ascertained among 15 985 participants of screening colonoscopy aged 55‐79 years in Germany. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for the association between male sex and AN with and without adjustment for known risk and preventive factors. In age‐adjusted comparisons, men had 2‐fold increased risk for AN compared to women (OR = 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.79‐2.19). After comprehensive adjustment for medical, lifestyle and dietary factors, the OR was reduced to 1.52 (95% CI 1.30‐1.77), suggesting that these factors accounted for 47% of male excess risk. Male excess risk increased from proximal colon to distal colon and rectum, with age‐adjusted ORs (95% CI) of 1.63 (1.38‐1.91), 2.13 (1.85‐2.45) and 2.36 (1.95‐2.85), respectively, and with the proportion of excess risk explained by covariates being lower for AN in the rectum (26%) than for AN in the proximal (52%) or distal colon (46%). Male excess risk was somewhat lower (age‐adjusted OR 1.87) and explained excess risk was smaller (36%) when men were compared to women who never used hormone replacement therapy. In conclusion, most of the male excess risk and the potential to overcome it remain to be explored by further research.
Cutaneous metastasis emerging during chemotherapy and progressing during immunotherapy for urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Otsuka Isamu , Ueno Takashi , Terada Naoki , Mukai Shoichiro , Fukushima Tsuyoshi , Kiwaki Takumi , Nagano Masafumi 
Published: July 2021

IntroductionCutaneous metastasis of urothelial carcinoma is uncommon. We experienced a case of cutaneous metastasis that emerged during chemotherapy and progressed rapidly during immunotherapy for bladder tumor with lymph node metastasis.Case presentationA 77‐year‐old female patient received chemotherapy using gemcitabine and cisplatin for bladder urothelial carcinoma with para‐aortic and pelvic lymph node metastases (clinical stage T2N1M1). After eight courses of chemotherapy, skin rash appeared in the lower abdomen with leg edema caused by multiple lymphadenopathy. Skin biopsy revealed cutaneous metastasis of urothelial carcinoma. The cutaneous tumor progressed rapidly and the patient died 5 weeks after the start of second‐line pembrolizumab treatment.ConclusionA patient with cutaneous metastasis of urothelial carcinoma that emerged during chemotherapy had poor prognosis and lack of efficacy of an immune checkpoint inhibitor.
Echocardiography image segmentation using semi‐automatic numerical optimisation method based on wavelet decomposition thresholding
Authors: Kulkarni Pallavi , Madathil Deepa 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe propose optimisation based algorithm using wavelet decomposition for segmentation of echocardiography images. The objective of the proposed method is to find an optimal threshold value for segmentation. This threshold value is used for separating the left ventricle by segmenting wavelet decomposed coefficients. The proposed method evaluates the optimal value of threshold using a nonlinear derivative free optimising algorithm. Its objective function is the contrast property of GLCM. The contrast would be highest at the correct position of the boundary between image regions. Accordingly, optimization task is formulated as a maximization problem. The proposed method is an iterative process for finding optimum threshold. Segmentation is carried out using this optimised threshold value. Further, the exact left ventricle contour is extracted using morphological operations and user provided location input. The proposed method is observed to be performing better and found to have 94% accuracy compared to ground truth labels.
Intra‐household health effects of irrigation in Southern Ghana*
Authors: Okyere Charles Yaw , Ankrah Daniel Adu , Ahene‐Codjoe Ama Asantewah 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis article targets the empirical space of well‐defined theoretical and conceptual frameworks connecting irrigation to health outcomes but with limited evidence affected by observed and unobserved heterogeneity. Using a doubly robust estimator and panel data in Southern Ghana, the study finds that irrigation has mixed effects on health outcomes. The results show that there is no statistically significant increase in household and individual illness incidence, while that of malaria prevalence increases marginally for all individuals and substantially for children under 5 years. In contrast, the study finds a statistically significant increase in health status asvery healthyof all individuals, females and males. The analyses of the pathways show that there is a decrease in per capita bednets and self‐medication, while there are large improvements in health care financing and environmental quality. The overall findings suggest the possibility of irrigation leading to improvements in wellbeing, but this may come at the expense of increasing short‐term health challenges.
Detrimental or beneficial: Role of endothelial ENaC in vascular function
Authors: Zhang Jun , Yuan Hui‐Kai , Chen Shuo , Zhang Zhi‐Ren 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn the past, it was believed that the expression of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) was restricted to epithelial tissues, such as the distal nephron, airway, sweat glands, and colon, where it is critical for sodium homeostasis. Over the past two decades, this paradigm has shifted due to the finding that ENaC is also expressed in various nonepithelial tissues, notably in vascular endothelial cells. In this review, the recent findings of the expression, regulation, and function of the endothelial ENaC (EnNaC) are discussed. The expression of EnNaC subunits is reported in a variety of endothelial cell lines and vasculatures, but this is controversial across different species and vessels and is not a universal finding in all vascular beds. The expression density of EnNaC is very faint compared to ENaC in the epithelium. To date, little is known about the regulatory mechanism of EnNaC. Through it can be regulated by aldosterone, the detailed downstream signaling remains elusive. EnNaC responds to increased extracellular sodium with the feedforward activation mechanism, which is quite different from the Na+ self‐inhibition mechanism of ENaC. Functionally, EnNaC was shown to be a determinant of cellular mechanics and vascular tone as it can sense shear stress, and its activation or insertion into plasma membrane causes endothelial stiffness and reduced nitric oxide production. However, in some blood vessels, EnNaC is essential for maintaining the integrity of endothelial barrier function. In this context, we discuss the possible reasons for the distinct role of EnNaC in vasculatures.
Pathogenetic mechanisms of septic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Wang Runze , Xu Yuerong , Fang Yexian , Wang Chiyao , Xue Yugang , Wang Fangfang , Cheng Jin , Ren He , Wang Jie , Guo Wangang , Liu Li , Zhang Mingming 
Published: July 2021

AbstractSepsis is a serious complication after infection, whose further development may lead to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and so on. It is an important cause of death in critically ill patients who suffered an infection. Sepsis cardiomyopathy is a common complication that exacerbates the prognosis of patients. At present, though the pathogenesis of sepsis cardiomyopathy is not completely clear, in‐depth study of the pathogenesis of sepsis cardiomyopathy and the discovery of its potential therapeutic targets may decrease the mortality of sepsis patients and bring clinical benefits. This article reviews mitochondrial dysfunction, mitophagy, oxidation stress, and other mechanisms in sepsis cardiomyopathy.
Extracellular vesicles in the development of organ‐specific metastasis
Authors: Urabe Fumihiko , Patil Kalyani , Ramm Grant A. , Ochiya Takahiro , Soekmadji Carolina 
Published: July 2021

AbstractDistant organ metastasis, often termed as organotropic metastasis or metastatic organotropism, is a fundamental feature of malignant tumours and accounts for most cancer‐related mortalities. This process is orchestrated by many complex biological interactions and processes that are mediated by a combination of anatomical, genetic, pathophysiological and biochemical factors. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increasingly being demonstrated as critical mediators of bi‐directional tumour‐host cell interactions, controlling organ‐specific infiltration, adaptation and colonization at the secondary site. EVs govern organotropic metastasis by modulating the pre‐metastatic microenvironment through upregulation of pro‐inflammatory gene expression and immunosuppressive cytokine secretion, induction of phenotype‐specific differentiation and recruitment of specific stromal cell types. This review discusses EV‐mediated metastatic organotropism in visceral (brain, lung, liver, and lymph node) and skeletal (bone) metastasis, and discusses how the pre‐metastatic education by EVs transforms the organ into a hospitable, tumour cell–friendly milieu that supports the growth of metastatic cells. Decoding the organ‐specific traits of EVs and their functions in organotropic metastasis is essential in accelerating the clinical application of EVs in cancer management.
On the relationship between ENSO diversity and the ENSO atmospheric teleconnection to high‐latitudes
Authors: Gushchina Daria , Kolennikova Maria , Dewitte Boris , Yeh Sang‐Wook 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has experienced changes in its properties since the 1990s, particularly increased occurrence of Central Pacific El Niño events. These events have influenced atmospheric circulation in the mid to high‐latitudes of both hemispheres through atmospheric teleconnection. Here it is shown that, in the Northern Hemisphere, the planetary circulation response to the Eastern Pacific (EP) event in boreal winter is associated with Rossby waves propagating poleward and is mostly confined to the Pacific region, while the Central Pacific (CP) event induces a negative phase of Arctic Oscillation (AO)‐like circulation pattern at planetary scale. In the Southern Hemisphere (SH), the difference between the circulation patterns associated with the two types of El Niño in austral summer is rather small and the response of the tropospheric circulation consists of an Antarctic Oscillation (AAO)‐like negative phase pattern. In the SH, the circulation response to CP Niño lasts longer than that to EP Niño. In particular, during EP Niño the composite circulation anomalies reverse sign from austral summer to winter, which is not the case during CP event. This adds an interhemispheric asymmetry dimension to the ENSO atmospheric teleconnection in the high‐latitudes in relation to ENSO diversity. These changes in the circulation are associated with surface air‐temperature anomalies that have the potential to exacerbate observed long‐term trends. A subgroup of CMIP5 models that realistically simulate both ENSO nonlinearity (diversity) and the AO and AAO‐like patterns are analysed, showing that in the warmer climate, the circulation response in the high‐latitudes to both types of events is amplified in both hemispheres.
Alienation and authenticity in intangible cultural heritage tourism production
Authors: Zhang Yang , Lee Timothy J. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis study investigates the dialectical relationship between authenticity and alienation in intangible cultural heritage (ICH) tourism studies, based on an evaluation of the role cultural values play in the provision of tourism in China. Data were obtained via a multi‐phase, mixed‐method project derived from specific respondents. An examination of chorus tourism performances in the Zhaoxing Dong Villages allows for insight into the subjective authenticity of the practitioners of ICH performances. The study has implications for tourism marketing that seeks to understand the authenticity issues on the supply side of ICH tourism.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Coping Motives are Independently Associated with Cannabis Craving Elicited by Trauma Cues
Authors: Farrelly Kyra N. , Romero‐Sanchiz Pablo , Mahu Tiberiu , Barrett Sean P. , Collins Pamela , Rasic Daniel , Stewart Sherry H. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractCannabis use is common among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), although its use can ultimately worsen PTSD outcomes. Cannabis‐use coping motives may help explain the PTSD–cannabis relationship. Frequent pairing of trauma cues with substance use to cope with negative affect can lead to conditioned substance craving. For the present cue‐reactivity study, we examined if PTSD symptoms were associated with cannabis craving elicited by a personalized trauma cue and explored whether coping motives mediated this hypothesized relationship; enhancement motives were included as a comparison mediator. Participants (N = 51) were trauma‐exposed cannabis users who completed validated assessments on PTSD symptom severity and cannabis use motives. They were then exposed to a personalized audiovisual cue based on their own traumatic experience after which they responded to questions on a standardized measure regarding their cannabis craving. The results demonstrated that PTSD symptoms were associated with increased cannabis craving following trauma cue exposure, B = 0.43, p = .004, 95% CI [0.14, 0.72]. However, the results did not support our hypothesis of an indirect effect through general coping motives, indirect effect = .03, SE = .08, 95% CI [−.10, .21]. We found an independent main effect of general coping motives on trauma cue–elicited cannabis craving, B = 1.86, p = .002, 95% CI [0.72, 3.01]. These findings have important clinical implications suggesting that clinicians should target both PTSD symptoms and general coping motives to prevent the development of conditioned cannabis craving to trauma reminders in trauma‐exposed cannabis users.
The association between oral health status and the clinical outcome of cirrhotic patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation
Authors: Wu Ju‐Hui , Lee Chen‐Yi , Chang Wen‐Tsan , Wu Po‐Hsuan , Chen Lin‐Ann , Huang Jian‐Wei , Su Wen‐Lung , Kuo Kung‐Kai 
Published: July 2021

AbstractLiver transplantation (LT) candidates often present with poor oral hygiene, which could potentially lead to systemic infections and sepsis owing to their cirrhotic state. In this study, we investigated the oral health status of LT candidates and propose guidance for the detection and treatment of encountered oral lesions among these patients. The decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index was determined through oral examination. The presence of dental calculus was detected using panoramic radiography and defined by the radiopaque dental calculus (RDC). From January 2011 to August 2018, 56 LT candidates were enrolled with a median follow‐up of 39 months. The overall mean numbers of decayed, missing, and filled teeth among these patients were 2.7 ± 2.8, 10.9 ± 8.3, and 5.4 ± 4.5, respectively. Eighteen patients (32.1%) had RDC. The 5‐year survival rates of all 56 patients was 57.7%, while that of those who either received LT (23 patients) or not were 82.1% and 39.8%, respectively. A Cox regression model revealed better overall survival of patients after LT (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.067, p = 0.001), worse survival among patients with RDC (aHR = 3.468, p = 0.010), at Child–Pugh stages B and C (aHR for stage B = 11.889, p = 0.028; aHR for stage C = 19.257, p = 0.013) compared to patients at Child–Pugh stage A, and those with a model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score ≥25 (aHR = 13.721, p = 0.018). This study demonstrates that RDC was associated with worse prognosis in LT candidates. We therefore recommend that interprofessional collaboration should be a routine preoperative procedure for the evaluation of oral hygiene among LT candidates.
Impact of Body Mass Index and Discomfort on Upper Airway Stimulation: ADHERE Registry 2020 Update
Authors: Suurna Maria V. , Steffen Armin , Boon Maurits , Chio Eugene , Copper Marcel , Patil Reena Dhanda , Green Katherine , Hanson Ronald , Heiser Clemens , Huntley Colin , Kent David , Larsen Christopher , Manchanda Shalini , Maurer Joachim T. , Soose Ryan , de Vries Nico , Walia Harneet K. , Thaler Erica ,   ADHERE Registry Investigators
Published: July 2021

Objectives/HypothesisTo provide the ADHERE registry Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) outcomes update, including analyses grouped by body mass index (BMI) and therapy discomfort.Study DesignProspective observational study.MethodsADHERE captures UAS outcomes including apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), therapy usage, patient satisfaction, clinician assessment, and safety over a 1‐year period. BMI ≤32 kg/m2 (BMI32) and 32 < BMI ≤35 kg/m2 (BMI35) group outcomes were examined.ResultsOne thousand eight hundred forty‐nine patients enrolled in ADHERE, 1,019 reached final visit, 843 completed the visit. Significant changes in AHI (−20.9, P < .0001) and ESS (− 4.4, P < .0001) were demonstrated. Mean therapy usage was 5.6 ± 2.2 hr/day. Significant therapy use difference was present in patients with reported discomfort versus no discomfort (4.9 ± 2.5 vs. 5.7 ± 2.1 hr/day, P = .01). Patients with discomfort had higher final visit mean AHI versus without discomfort (18.9 ± 18.5 vs. 13.5 ± 13.7 events/hr, P = .01). Changes in AHI and ESS were not significantly different. Serious adverse events reported in 2.3% of patients. Device revision rate was 1.9%. Surgical success was less likely in BMI35 versus BMI32 patients (59.8% vs. 72.2%, P = .02). There was a significant therapy use difference: 5.8 ± 2.0 hr/day in BMI32 versus 5.2 ± 2.2 hr/day in BMI35 (P = .028).ConclusionsData from ADHERE demonstrate high efficacy rates for UAS. Although surgical response rate differs between BMI32 and BMI35 patient groups, the AHI and ESS reduction is similar. Discomfort affects therapy adherence and efficacy. Thus, proper therapy settings adjustment to ensure comfort is imperative to improve outcomes.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 131:2616–2624, 2021
Hydrolysis of glycerophosphocholine epoxides by human group IIA, V, and X secretory phospholipases A2
Authors: Kuksis Arnis , Pruzanski Waldemar 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis study was prompted by recent reports that epoxyeicosatrienoic (EET) and epoxyeicosatetraenoic (EEQ) acids accelerate tumor growth and metastasis by stimulation of angiogenesis, while eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and epoxydocosapentaenoic (EDP) acids inhibit angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis. Cytochrome P450 epoxygenases convert arachidonic to EET, eicosapentaenoic acid to EEQ, and docosahexaenoic acid to EDP, which are found both in free form and esterified to glycerophosphocholine (GPC). Both free and esterified epoxy (EP) acids are also formed during lipid autoxidation. For biological activity, the GPC‐EP requires hydrolysis, which we presumed could occur by sPLA2s located in proximity of lipoproteins carrying the lipid epoxides. The plasma lipoproteins were isolated by ultracentrifugation and analyzed by LC/ESI‐MS. The GPC‐EPs were identified by reference to standards and to retention times of phospholipid masses. The GPC‐EP monoepoxides (corrected for isobaric ether overlaps) in stored human LDL, HDL, HDL3, or APHDL ranged from 0 to 1 nmol/mg protein, but during 4‐h incubation at 37°C increased to 1–5 nmol/mg protein. An incubation of autoxidized LDL, HDL, or HDL3 with 1 μg/ml of group V or X sPLA2 resulted in complete hydrolysis of diacyl GPC epoxide esters. Group IIA sPLA2 at 1 μg/ml failed to produce significant hydrolysis in 4 h, but at 2.5 μg/ml in 8 h yielded almost 80% hydrolysis, which represented complete diacyl GPC‐EP hydrolysis. The present study shows that group IIA, V, and X sPLA2s are capable of extensive hydrolysis of PtdCho epoxides of autoxidized plasma lipoproteins. Therefore, all three human sPLA2s were potentially capable of inducing epoxide biological activity in vivo.
In situ three‐dimensional video tracking of tagged individuals within site‐attached social groups of coral‐reef fish
Authors: Engel Anael , Reuben Yaela , Kolesnikov Irina , Churilov Dmitri , Nathan Ran , Genin Amatzia 
Published: July 2021

AbstractTracking the movement of all individual group members in their natural environment remains a challenging task. Using advances in computer vision and Deep Learning, we developed and tested a semi‐automated in situ tracking system to reconstruct simultaneous three‐dimensional trajectories of marked individuals in social groups of a coral‐reef fish. Our system has a temporal resolution of 10s of milliseconds, allowing for multiple 30‐min tracking sessions that have been repeated over weeks to months. We present the technique and illustrate its application for Dascyllus marginatus, a planktivorous damselfish that lives in social groups associated with branching corals. Our technique identified all individuals 85–100% of the time, with a mean spatial error of ~ 1.3 cm. It provides a cost‐effective semi‐automated tool for in situ research on movements and foraging of individuals within small site‐attached groups of animals in their natural environment.
Preparation of Poly(Ionic Liquid) Microbeads via Cooling‐Assisted Phase Separation Method
Authors: Lei Qi , Zhao Jia , He Fang , Zhao Xiaopeng , Yin Jianbo 
Published: July 2021

AbstractA simple and large‐scale non‐chemical preparation of uniform poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) microbeads via a cooling‐assisted phase separation (CAPS) method is reported. For this method, PIL bulk is dissolved to form a saturated solution in a mixed solvent composed of good solvent and non‐solvent at a relatively high temperature. Then, the uniform PIL microbeads are prepared by cooling the solution to room temperature or a lower temperature in the absence of stabilizer. The size of microbeads can be controlled by adjusting the preparation parameters, including PIL concentration, cooling rate, and agitation state. The scale of preparation can be up to 10 g, and the yield of PIL microbeads is more than 70% or 88% when the solution is cooled to room temperature or 0 °C, respectively. The formation mechanism of PIL microbeads is discussed by tracing the nucleation and growth process by the transmittance of light of the solution during cooling. The application of this CAPS method to other polymer microbeads preparation is finally discussed by choosing different good solvent and non‐solvent.