bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modelling and prognostication of growth in the number of patients treated for neovascular age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Potapenko Ivan , la Cour Morten 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPurposeThe number of patients receiving anti‐VEGF therapy has increased rapidly since its introduction in Denmark in 2007, placing an enormous pressure on the public healthcare system. In this study, we attempt to describe this growth and identify the factors driving it.MethodsData on treatment of the entire population of neovascular AMD patients in the Capital Region of Denmark between 2007 and 2019 was retrieved. The age and sex standardized incidences of first time treatment and changes in duration of treatment were analysed.ResultsThe number of patients in active treatment increased from 576 in 2007 to 3684 in 2019. The growth was initially driven by accumulation of patients continuing anti‐VEGF therapy for extended periods of time (259 patients/year). As larger numbers of patients began to be discharged, the increase slowed to 181 patients/year in late 2010s, with demographic change becoming the main growth driving factor. The incidence of first treatment increased slightly during the study period, mainly for individuals over 85 years. For patients under 85 years, treatment incidences closely followed neovascular AMD incidences from population studies. The likelihood of remaining in anti‐VEGF treatment after the initial injection followed exponential decay curve (t1/2 = 3.6 years). Based on this observation, a model was created to describe the number of patients in active treatment, which accurately described historical data (R2 = 0.999), and forecast a linear growth of 138 patients/year until 2030.ConclusionTreatment incidences and modelling reported in this study might facilitate a more informed and accurate planning of future ophthalmology services.
The key role of physical activity against the neuromuscular deterioration in patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Martignon Camilla , Ruzzante Federico , Giuriato Gaia , Laginestra Fabio G. , Pedrinolla Anna , Di Vico Ilaria A. , Saggin Paolo , Stefanelli Donato , Tinazzi Michele , Schena Federico , Venturelli Massimo 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAimDecreased muscle strength has been frequently observed in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, this condition is still poorly examined in physically active patients. This study compared quadriceps (Q) maximal force and the contribution of central and peripheral components of force production during a maximal isometric task between physically active PD and healthy individuals. In addition, the correlation between force determinants and energy expenditure indices were investigated.MethodsMaximal voluntary contraction (MVC), resting twitch (RT) force, pennation angle (θp), physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA) and Q volume were assessed in 10 physically active PD and 10 healthy control (CTRL) individuals matched for age, sex and daily energy expenditure (DEE) profile.ResultsNo significant differences were observed between PD and CTRL in MVC (142 ± 85; 142 ± 47 N m), Q volume (1469 ± 379; 1466 ± 522 cm3), PCSA (206 ± 54; 205 ± 71 cm2), θp (14 ± 7; 13 ± 3 rad) and voluntary muscle‐specific torque (MVC/PCSA [67 ± 35; 66 ± 19 N m cm−2]). Daily calories and MVC correlated (r = 0.56, P = .0099). However, PD displayed lower maximal voluntary activation (MVA) (85 ± 7; 95 ± 5%), rate of torque development (RTD) in the 0‐0.05 (110 ± 70; 447 ± 461 N m s−1) and the 0.05‐0.1 s (156 ± 135; 437 ± 371 N m s−1) epochs of MVCs, whereas RT normalized for PCSA was higher (35 ± 14; 20 ± 6 N m cm−2).ConclusionPhysically active PDs show a preserved strength of the lower limb. This resulted by increasing skeletal muscle contractility, which counterbalances neuromuscular deterioration, likely due to their moderate level of physical activity.
Investigating associations between hoarding symptoms and affective and cognitive empathy
Authors: Chen Wenting , McDonald Skye , Wearne Travis , Grisham Jessica 
Published: February 2021

ObjectivesHoarding is associated with poor interpersonal functioning, such as social isolation and difficulties in forming relationships, but the reasons for these social problems are not well understood. Previous studies have identified empathy as an important precursor to social functioning, particularly for clinical disorders characterized by social deficits. The aim of the current study was therefore to investigate associations between measures of cognitive and emotional empathy and hoarding symptoms.MethodA total of 278 participants recruited via MTurk completed online self‐report questionnaires on hoarding, empathy (including cognitive and affective components), and depression. All participants subsequently completed The Awareness of Social Inference Test‐Short version (TASIT‐S), a behavioural measure of theory of mind, a concept used interchangeably with cognitive empathy.ResultsHoarding symptoms were associated with greater self‐reported emotional empathy, specifically emotional contagion, and less self‐reported cognitive empathy. Emotional empathy predicted hoarding even after controlling for depression symptoms. Hoarding symptoms were also associated with poorer performance on the TASIT‐S with respect to both emotion recognition and theory of mind, with theory of mind remaining a unique predictor of hoarding symptoms after controlling for depression. Participants who reported clinically significant hoarding symptoms were impaired in emotion recognition and theory of mind according to TASIT‐S norms.ConclusionsHoarding symptoms are associated with increased emotional contagion and decreased cognitive empathy. Empathy may be an avenue for understanding and treating interpersonal difficulties in hoarding disorder.Practitioner points

As hoarding increased, self‐reported emotional contagion increased

As hoarding increased, self‐reported and behavioural cognitive empathy decreased

Self‐reported emotional empathy and behavioural cognitive empathy predicted hoarding even after controlling for depression

Empathy may be an avenue for understanding social difficulties in hoarding disorder
FDG PET‐CT imaging in head and neck paragangliomas: A centre experience
Authors: Boughdad Sarah , O'Connor Ann , Cook Gary J. , Pike Lucy , Connor Steve , Obholzer Rupert , Warbey Victoria 
Published: February 2021

AbstractHead and neck paragangliomas (HNPGLs) are rare tumours with ~ 30% genetic mutations, mainly in succinate dehydrogenase (SDHx) genes. The utility of FDG PET‐CT in HNPGLs is questioned by recent developments in novel radiotracers. We therefore performed a retrospective study in a single tertiary referral centre to address the utility of FDG PET/CT in HNPGLs.MethodsClinical data on genetic testing and follow‐up were collected for patients who had FDG PET‐CT scans from 2004 to 2016. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to compare standardized uptake values (SUVs), metabolic tumour volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) between lesions in patients who had a clinically related event: event (+) and those who did not: event (−). Similarly, we compared PET parameters between SDHx+ patients and a control group with low probability of mutation.ResultsOf 153 HNPGL patients, 73 (29 SDHx+) with 93 FDG‐positive lesions were identified: 53.8% of lesions were assessed in a pre‐therapeutic setting. In comparison with a reference extracted from clinicoradiological database, FDG PET‐CT showed good performance to detect HNPGLs (96.6% accuracy). In this study population, 16 disease progression, 1 recurrence and 1 death were recorded and event (+) patients had lesions with higher SUVmax (p = .03 and p = .02, respectively). Conversely, there were no differences in PET parameters between lesions in SDHx+ patients and controls with low probability of SDHx+ mutations.ConclusionsFDG PET‐CT has clinical utility in HNPGLs, mostly before local treatment. There were no significant differences in PET parameters between SDHx patients and a sporadic HNPGL population. However, regardless of SDHx mutation status, a high SUVmax was associated with more clinical events and prompts to a closer follow‐up.
Building financial capability in youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood
Authors: Salazar Amy M. , Lopez Jacquelene M. , Spiers Sara S. , Gutschmidt Sara , Monahan Kathryn C. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractFinancial capability is crucial for youth in foster care to develop prior to transitioning to independence. However, little is known about how these youth fare regarding financial capability. This study assesses whether youth in foster care in the United States who are over age 18 have better financial capability and related supports compared with younger youth and whether there are associations between supports and financial capability. Survey data from 97 youth aged 14 to 20 in foster care were analysed. Participants aged 18 and older had more advanced financial capability than younger youth on several indicators. Older youth were more likely to check in with caring adults about financial‐related issues and to have been enrolled in an independent living programme, both of which were associated with better financial capability. However, many youth over 18 were found to not have achieved financial capability in many areas. Older youth in care do appear to be making meaningful gains towards financial capability; however, more policy and practice enhancements are needed to fully prepare youth for independence.
Giant spotted grouped pigmented nevus: A case report
Authors: Hassab‐El‐Naby Hussein M. M. , Amer Mohamed , Rageh Mahmoud A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSpotted grouped pigmented nevus is a distinct form of non‐giant congenital melanocytic nevi. Histopathologically, it tends to proliferate around the skin appendages. We report a case of a 10‐year‐old boy with clinical and pathological findings consistent with the diagnosis of spotted grouped pigmented nevus of more than 20 cm diameter, which is considered giant.
Clear cell sarcoma of soft tissue with eccrine differentiation: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Sezer Engin , Çeliker Pelin , Yalçın Özben , Erdem Zeynep Betül 
Published: February 2021

AbstractClear cell sarcoma of soft tissue (CCSST) is a deep soft tissue tumor presenting in the extremities of young adults. Histopathologically, nests and sheets of polygonal cells with clear to eosinophilic cytoplasm separated by fibrous septa as well as occasional “wreath‐like” giant cells are visualized. However, CCSST has been noted to have atypical histopathological features, such as epidermotropism or myxoid differentiation, or occurrence at unusual sites. Here, we present a case of eccrine ductal differentiation in CCSST. The patient, a 21‐year‐old woman, presented with a lump of 10‐year duration sized 3 × 5 cm on the plantar surface of the fourth and fifth interdigital spaces. There had been an increase in size as well as pain and redness over 6 years. Besides the characteristic findings, there were ductal structures in continuity with the upper dermis indicative of ductal differentiation. The tumor stained positively for S100, HMB45, and succinic dehydrogenase; ducts stained positively for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). CCSST was confirmed with cytogenetic analysis showing the translocation associated with EWSR1‐ATF1 fusion gene. Therefore, ductal differentiation is a unique finding that should be considered when evaluating for CCSST.
Verwendung von Lokalanästhetika mit Adrenalinzusatz an den Fingern und am Penis – Dogma und Realität
Authors: Schnabl Saskia Maria , Ghoreschi Franziska Carola , Scheu Alexander , Kofler Lukas , Häfner Hans‐Martin , Breuninger Helmut 
Published: February 2021

ZusammenfassungIm klinischen Alltag werden Adrenalinzusätze in Lokalanästhetika regelmäßig verwendet, um an Endstromgebieten zu operieren. Die Anwendung von Adrenalin als Zusatz zu Lokalanästhetika an Endstromgebieten ist bisher laut Fachinformation kontraindiziert. Diese Übersichtsarbeit gibt einen umfassenden Überblick über die aktuelle wissenschaftliche Datenlage und zeigt die neuen klinischen Entwicklungen in verschiedenen Fachbereichen auf. Außerdem wird die Problematik der Revision dieses Dogmas aufgrund der rechtlichen Situation erläutert.Es erfolgte eine Literaturrecherche zur Darstellung der wissenschaftlichen Datenlage, sowie schriftliche Anfragen bei verschiedenen Institutionen (Institut für Qualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit, Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung, Zentrum für klinische Studien Universität Tübingen, Institut für Arzneimittleinformation) zur Klärung der rechtlichen Situation.In der Literatur kann ein Zusammenhang zwischen Adrenalin als Vasokonstriktor und der Entwicklung von Finger‐ oder Penisnekrosen nicht bewiesen werden. Studien und Übersichtsarbeiten belegen, dass die Verwendung eines Lokalanästhetikums mit Adrenalinzusatz an Fingern und Penis ein sicheres Verfahren mit klinischen und wirtschaftlichen Vorteilen ist. Im klinischen Alltag haben die WALANT‐Methode sowie die steigende Inzidenz von Hauttumoren an den Akren zu einer tendenziell ansteigenden Verwendung geführt. Rechtlich gilt die Anwendung weiterhin als kontraindiziert. Eine Arzneimittelstudie scheitert am fehlenden Interesse der pharmazeutischen Hersteller. Auch weitere Studien – unabhängig in welcher Evidenzstärke – ersetzen bezüglich einer Änderung der Zulassungsindikation rechtlich keine Arzneimittelstudie.
“Securitized” UK aid projects in Africa: Evidence from Kenya, Nigeria and South Sudan
Authors: Petrikova Ivica , Lazell Melita 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMotivationIn 2020, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) was merged with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). This policy move strengthens the trend to “securitize” development, whereby the provision of aid is motivated by national security concerns.PurposeMany researchers have raised concerns about the securitization of aid and its consequences for development, but little research has examined its impact on aid‐recipient countries.Approach and MethodsThis study evaluates 144 securitized aid projects implemented by DFID between 2000 and 2018 in Kenya, Nigeria and South Sudan, using the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) evaluation criteria of relevance, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability.FindingsOur analysis finds that although most of the projects assessed were “relevant”, i.e. formally aligned with recipient and funders’ objectives, many struggled to achieve their intended outputs (“effectiveness”). Few of the projects had a positive “impact”. We conclude that the securitized projects reviewed did not significantly strengthen the recipient countries’ institutions, stability, or security but had some negative side effects.Policy ImplicationsIn view of the merger of DFID with the FCO and the decision to reduce aid from 0.7% to 0.5% of Gross National Income (GNI), the UK is likely to draw an even closer connection between domestic security priorities and its development aid. In view of our empirical findings, the UK government needs to be more aware of the limitations of development interventions undertaken in the name of security and consider other means of enabling development.
Tumour markers with clinically controlled cut‐offs for suspected cancer
Authors: Bosch Xavier , Molina Rafael , Marrades Ramon , Augé Josep M. , Pellicé Martina , López‐Soto Alfonso 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundDue to insufficient scientific evidence, panels of tumour markers (TMs) are currently not recommended for use in suspected cancer. However, recent well‐designed studies have revealed a potential clinical value in lung cancer. We analysed the diagnostic accuracy of a panel of 11 circulating TMs with clinically controlled thresholds in the differentiation of cancer from nonmalignant diseases.MethodsWe prospectively recruited 4776 consecutive patients presenting with focal or nonspecific symptoms suggestive of cancer who underwent testing for 11 serum TMs before diagnosis was known. The study abided by 2015 STARD guidelines. Tumour markers included, among others, carbohydrate antigen 19‐9, carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha‐fetoprotein, squamous cell carcinoma‐associated antigen, prostate‐specific antigen (males), neuron‐specific enolase, progastrin‐releasing peptide and carbohydrate antigen 125. Thresholds were adjusted for the presence of kidney failure, liver disease, effusions and dermatological disorders. Results showing ≥1 TMs with concentrations above threshold were considered positive.ResultsBenign diseases were diagnosed in 3281 (68.7%) patients and cancer in 1495 (31.3%), with epithelial cancers in 1214 (77% at stage IV). When applying criteria for controlled thresholds, overall specificity was 98%. Overall sensitivity of the panel in epithelial cancers was 72.2%, positive predictive value 93% and negative predictive value 90.5%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.920 (95% confidence interval, 0.902‐0.924).ConclusionsBy using clinically controlled cut‐offs, the combined panel demonstrated an excellent ability to discriminate epithelial cancers from nonmalignant diseases. However, its use in clinical practice would need formal validation through a multicentre controlled trial assessing a panel‐guided strategy vs. standard diagnosis.
Eating versus heating: a study of the allocation of workers between foraging and nest incubation in bumble bees
Authors: Stewart Tamsin , Bolton‐Patel Nikhil , Cresswell James E. 
Published: February 2021

1. Bumble bees are important eusocial pollinators whose worker caste, fuelled by nectar sugar, accelerate colony growth through brood incubation, but allocating workers to nectar foraging could compromise nest thermoregulation in daytime and produce ‘incubator limitation’.2. We hypothesise that colonies in nectar‐poor habitats experience stronger incubator limitation by diverting workers from incubation to foraging, but this potential effect of habitat quality on colony fitness via task allocation is not fully understood.3. We therefore modelled levels of nectar foraging in relation to forage richness and theoretically estimated the impact of incubator‐limitation on colony fitness. Additionally, we investigated whether live colonies of bumble bees (Bombus terrestris) responded to manipulation of their sugar supply as if incubator‐limited.4. Model solutions for environmentally realistic scenarios showed that colonies allocate up to one third of workers to nectar foraging in order to avoid sugar starvation during sustained incubation. The incubator‐limitation that results can strongly reduce colony reproduction, but its impact depends on the temperature regime of the nesting habitat.5. Live colonies allocated between one sixth and one third of daytime worker effort to foraging and responded to sugar supplementation as if incubator‐limited.6. These findings suggest that forage richness and nest temperature relations could interact to affect the fitness of wild bumble bee colonies through incubator limitation. Our testable theory promises an integrative understanding of how forage quality and climate could govern the distribution and abundance of bumble bees and other eusocial insects that utilise brood incubation by their worker caste.
Synaptic excitation underlies processing of paired stimulation in the mouse inferior colliculus
Authors: Wu Chaochen , Peng Yunyi , liu Yun , Wei Jinxing , Xiao Zhongju 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe inferior colliculus (IC) receives inputs from the ascending auditory pathway and helps localize the sound source by shaping neurons' responses. However, the contributions of excitatory or inhibitory synaptic inputs evoked by paired binaural stimuli with different inter‐stimulus intervals to auditory responses of IC neurons remain unclear. Here, we firstly investigated the IC neuronal response to the paired binaural stimuli with different inter‐stimulus intervals using in vivo loose‐patch recordings in anesthetized C57BL/6 mice. It was found that the total acoustic evoked spikes remained unchanged under microsecond interval conditions, but persistent suppression would be observed when the time intervals were extended. We further studied the paired binaural stimuli evoked excitatory/inhibitory inputs using in vivo whole‐cell voltage‐clamp techniques and blockage of the auditory nerve. The amplitudes of the contralateral excitatory inputs could be suppressed, unaffected or facilitated as the interaural delay varied. In contrast, contralateral inhibitory inputs and ipsilateral synaptic inputs remained almost unchanged. Most IC neurons exhibited the suppression of contralateral excitatory inputs over the interval range of dozens of milliseconds. The facilitative effect was generated by the summation of contralateral and ipsilateral excitation. Suppression and facilitation were completely abolished when ipsilateral auditory nerve was blocked pharmacologically, indicating that these effects were exerted by ipsilateral stimulation. These results suggested that the IC would inherit the binaural inputs integrated at the brainstem as well as within the IC and synaptic excitations, modulated by ipsilateral stimulation, underlie the binaural acoustic response.
Stem and progenitor cells in sebaceous gland development, homeostasis and pathologies
Authors: Geueke Anna , Niemann Catherin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSebaceous glands (SGs), typically associated with hair follicles, are critical for the homeostasis and function of mammalian skin. The main physiological function of SGs is the production and holocrine secretion of sebum to lubricate and protect the skin. Defective SGs have been linked to a variety of skin disorders, including acne, seborrheic dermatitis and formation of sebaceous tumors. Thus, a better understanding how SGs are formed and maintained is important to unravel the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of SG pathologies and to find better and effective therapies. Over the last two decades, research has come a long way from the initial identification of skin epithelial stem cells to the isolation and functional characterization of multiple stem cell pools as well as a better understanding of their unique and complex activities that drive skin homeostasis and operate in skin pathologies. Here, we discuss recent progress in unravelling cellular mechanisms underlying SG development, homeostasis and sebaceous tumor formation and assess the role of stem and progenitor cells in controlling SG physiology and disease processes. The development of elegant in vivo imaging as well as various in vitro and ex vivo stem cell and SG tissue models will advance mechanistic studies on SG function and allow drug screening and testing for efficient and successful targeting SG pathologies.